Looking Hard At TRD Off Road

I am new to the Tacoma arena but not Toyota. I am migrating from the FJ Cruiser and 99% sure I am going to buy a Tacoma TRD Off Road within the next couple of weeks. I've been doing a lot of research, and decided based on past experience in auto forums, this would be the best place to get some answers. I'll go to the main forum, 3rd generation, to ask those questions. The images I have seen on the forum look awesome. I may not be able to wait a couple of more weeks.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld!

 

Welcome to TW

 

Welcome! Buy a 3rd gen TRD OR. You won't regret it!

 

I think the 3rd gen gets a lot of undue heat on TacomaWorld. The users on this forum complain quite a bit more than other forums I've used in the past (m3forum and s2ki). There is a natural hierarchy that exists on this forum. 1st gen > 2nd gen > 3rd gen. That being said, I've had zero issues with my 3rd gen. The biggest ones to look out for, which I'm sure you've stumbled on by now are: transmission shifting issues (TSB available to remedy that), diff howl, and leaky third brake lights.

I think that most of the issues have been remedied by the 2018 model year, so if you go with a 2019 you will be in a good spot. But 2020 is right around the corner and I'd wait out for it (LED headlights, Android Auto/Apple Carplay, new TRD OR grill, and front view trailcam, etc). It likely won't be a huge price bump from 2019 MSRP, but that being said, you could find a deep discount on a 2019 when the 2020's roll out. Weigh out the savings vs. added options and see whats worth it to you.

I've considered moving on from my Tacoma a couple times, but I can't find something as capable and as spacious (6 ft bed camper planned) as my 3rd gen.

Buy for your needs.

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome!

 

Funny but so true.

 

Welcome. I hope you're not planning on getting rid of the of FJ.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/just-bought-one.602848/

 

Get a extended test drive or rent one. Seems some love the third gen and others hate them. Decide for your self.
I love mine

 

Thanks for the great info. I had not thought about the timing of the 2020 and the discounts to the 2019.

 

I'll delete the other post. I guess I asked more in my 'intro' post here than I intended.

 

I did get rid of that FJ and it was the worst decision I've ever made. I have tried a couple of different since but neither rode the same nor felt the same as that 2007 I had.

I apologize for the large photo ... first day on the forum and I'll figure out how to make them smaller for future photos. The hounds loved to tent camp.

 

Great idea ... I may rent one so I can keep it longer than a test drive at the dealership.

 

Turo is also an option. It may be cheaper through Turo although your mileage will be limited. With a 2 day rental and a couple hundred miles, you should get a decent idea of what the 3rd gen drives like on the roads. Make sure you book the right truck V6 TRD OR or TRD Sport. They will generally drive the same on the road.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

welcome

 

If you don't need a truck bed get a 4Runner, a much better vehicle.

 

I have had older 4-Runners but it was before my time of camping off road in UT and CO. I'll check this forum and do some internet search but I'll ask, how are they off road? That's an interesting suggestion.

 

Better offroad capability than a Tacoma. Of course there are several 4runner models designed more for offroading . There is the trd pro model and the offroad model 4runners. The quality is much better than the Tacoma and the engine and transmission are 1000% better than the tacoma.