A question for 2nd Gen owners.

What is your light bar setup?

 

It's a Cali Raised 32" with their stealth brackets......love it!

https://caliraisedled.com/collectio.../products/2nd-gen-tacoma-05-15-stealth-mounts

then you'll need the Low Mount/No Drill License Plate Bracket by @ACEkraut

 

102 and counting

 

I think it's really sad how a vehicle can go from being loved and praised by almost everyone , to being dumped on by so many.

Sales have gone through the roof for the 3rd Gen. They sold almost 250,000 in 2018. 65,000 more the the last year of the 2nd gen. They have to be doing something right. Because people are buying them in droves.

I love my 2012, and if l ever had to replace it, I'd get another 2nd gen. But Toyota has to be doing something right for sales to jump like that??

 

What’s going right is large financing terms with people thinking cars are an investment. They finance a 40k plus car for about 5-600/ month on like a 7 year term, and they assume because it’s a Tacoma they’re going to make 70% of their money back because it’s an “investment”. Hence why lots hardly carry bare bones models of anything anymore, only mid-loaded models with a bi weekly payment as the selling point. Hell I even see adds where they simply don’t even state the price, just bi weekly before taxes lul

 

Yes, they're doing something right - advertising...

 

It seems to be working!!!!

But not for me. I don't find most things appealing about the truck.

A nightmare just waiting to happen!!!

 

Lack of competition to make Toyota try harder and innovate more. There is very little if anything the 3rd Gen does better than the 2nd Gen besides the 2 MPG increase

 

I don't really care for the 3rd Gen either. I drove one for 2 1/2 months while my frame replacement was in process. Too big for a start, though I have a RC and they gave me a DC, so maybe it just seemed all 'round bigger. I really never got used to the automatic transmission - I drive a manual. Can you even get a 3rd Gen with a MT? A 4 cyl. engine? I know you can't get a regular cab any more. No, Tacoma has jumped the shark as far as I am concerned. I am a somewhat older gentleman (well, OK, a somewhat older guy) with medical issues, and having just gotten a frame replacement this past Summer, I am hoping this is going to be my last truck. I love my little red taco, and with a new frame, I'm willing to put some resources into keeping her running for the duration...

 

I feel like in today’s society if you don’t have the newest gadget or vehicle or big brand new house then you feel lesser and compare yourself to other people. When you bought a vehicle long time ago you kept the sum bitch till it wouldn’t run and then you parked it out back. If you have the money to blow then by all means blow it. IMO spend your money on other things and not on a truck payment for the rest of your life like some people I know. I went through 3 trucks “thinking” hey it would be cool to have a jacked up half ton to a powerful diesel. I look back and think man look at the money I could’ve saved if I had bought one truck and paid it off. You can keep your payments. That’s why I bought a 2nd gen Toyota Tacoma.

 

What has happened is the 3rd Gen is riding on the coattails of all the past Tacos, which as we all know, is the trucks reputation of being unbeatable in reliability; very capable off road and fun to drive. Most people don't research anything before buying. They seen the 3rd Gen come out with its updated interior and gadgetry and want one. Combine that with the extremely high resale value on 2nd Gens and they think, "Why buy a used one when I can get a new one for several thousand dollars more."

 

I bought mine with 19,000 miles on it so not brand new, but I’ve now put about 110,000 miles on it and I’m not at all tired of it. The only thing I got tired of quickly was the stock radio so I replaced it with a Kenwood CarPlay unit and replaced the speakers and added an under seat subwoofer. I plan on keeping mine until it’s too expensive to fix.

I drove a 3rd gen for nearly a month while toyota was replacing my frame and while it was fine there was nothing at all that I thought I need compared with my 09. Gas mileage wasn’t much better, comfort wasn’t any better, it was maybe a little quieter and that was it.

 

3rd gen front end looks like dog feces.

About sums it up.

 

Well, I wasn't going to say anything, but now that you mention it...

 

This thread smacks of jealousy.

Shoulda got yourself a 2nd genner.

 

Lease? Haha

Thats how i feel

 

Fine.

2013, bought new, sight unseen, still love driving it. No plans to replace it. Only mod is 265/75-16 tires.

 

The 4.0 engine is the reason I won't buy a 3rd gen. model. Now if a 3.0 diesel becomes available that would change my mind.

 

In 2016 I could have bought a brand new third gen since at the time I was upgrading from my first gen. I opted for a used 2014 instead after being completely unimpressed with the third gen’s engine and interior. I don’t regret my decision.

 

There's a very vocal minority of 3rd gen owners complaining about the drive train alright.
I read those threads with interest. They're very entertaining.

I haven't driven one and maybe there's some exaggerating going on.

But I've owned a lot of trucks and I'm pretty sure it would take me awhile to get used to:

1) Less low-end torque.
2) Having to rev it higher than I'm used to.
3) Having to stomp hard on the accelerator to get it going.
4) Transmission gear hunting.
5) Hitting the ECU switch every time I get in the truck to make it act more like I want.

It all sounds rather un-truck-like.

Like I say, maybe there's some exaggerating going on.
But if there's any truth to that at all, it's not what I'm used to.
And I don't feel like adapting.

I've been doing a lot of reading on the 4.0L V6.
I'm starting to feel I'm getting a handle on it for doing a lot of the maintenance myself.

Nothing's perfect.
But I like mine. A lot.