Tacos - Gen 2 v. Gen 3

Okay, not looking to start a range war among fan boys of the two Gens, just interested in observations of people who have owned both. Lots of well-voiced complaints about both, especially the Gen 3 driveline.

I purchased a new 2008 SR5 Pre-Runner for my son when he was in high school. He drove it through college and it's his daily commuter vehicle today. It has all of 55K miles after all that time, and based on his three mile round trip daily commute, will probably last his lifetime. I don't think he will ever get rid of it. It's been bullet-proof for over 11 years now with ZERO issues.

Fast forward to 2018. Wife and I retire to Florida and want a 4WD vehicle to take on the beach. After cross-shopping Outbacks, Wranglers, and Tacomas, we purchased a TRD OR DCSB. LOVE it! It's done everything asked of it.

My observations, positive and negative, of the two:

Gen 2

• great build quality
• peppy engine, smooth shifting transmission, great acceleration
• lots of slop in the drivetrain

Gen 3

• great build quality
• "sleepier" engine, "busy" transmission, sluggish acceleration
• tight driveline
• great brakes
• ten year newer vehicle with upgraded tech

The engine sluggishness doesn't bother me as I am fortunate to have a "garage toy" to drive when I want to go fast. If that wasn't the case, and I lived somewhere with hills, it would probably be another story. I'd probably be looking at a 4Runner.

If I can get close to the same service out of my 2018 Taco as we've gotten out of the 2008 Taco, I'll be happy. The experience with the 2008 is the main reason we didn't buy a Wrangler.

Let's try and keep it civil guys.

 

great brakes on a 3rd gen?

 

I find the balance better on the Gen 3 vs. the Gen 2. No complaints from me on the brakes.

 

I never personally owned a 2nd gen, but drove many, towed with both 4.0 and the older 4-banger (2.7?). However, when I test drove back-to-back used a 2015 OR MT and then my truck 2017 Sport MT back in Dec 2016, well guess what I came home with.... I really need to drive a 3rd Gen AT to see what the fuss is about.

 

I have a 2015 and a 2017. Both are unique and great in there own ways. Would never buy another truck unless it was a tundra lol. I mainly drive my 3rd gen as a daily and my 2nd gen on the weekends and to pick up stuff (its a long bed). 3rd gen def has more tech and I tend to lean towards driving it over my 2nd gen but still love them both. Either way cant go wrong. 3.5 or 4.0 doesnt matter to me as long as its a yota

 

Personal preference. Personally Id take a 1st Gen over both of them.

Who cares.

 

Owned both. Gen 3 is much nicer all around.

You will have to learn to push the right pedal down if you want more power. Evidently people are very confused by this concept.

 

Gen 2 peppy engine?

What in God's name are you measuring it against to make this assertion?

 

My Gen 3

 

we've got both as well as a T4R.

The 4.0 is a certified slug. Toyota has never produced a peppy truck engine.

 

So you don't find the 4.0 quicker off the line than the 3.5? I do.

 

For a beach truck, yes. (i.e., in the flats and empty weight.)

Heat them up by running a trailer through the hills, you betcha they get spongy. Then again, Ive heard that complaint on more than one vehicle that's not a member of the one-ton class.

 

In S4/5 with ECT on?

No.

 

My '06 SR5 Access cab 4x4 was plenty quick with the 4.0L V6. But that truck was 3800lbs where a current 4runner is 4700lbs.

 

So what’s your point?

 

I find the 3rd gen tranny works almost identically to 2nd gen's when ECT is on. Basically ECT turned off is the new "economy" mode, and I'm ok with that.

 

The electric brakes are awesome once you get used to them. Yours are the same as a 2nd gen.

 

What is yours?

Maybe if you read the original post, you would understand the intent of the post.

After reading the most current 4Runner versus Tacoma thread, the same issues/complaints seem to arise. I am curious as to what people that do own/have owned think about the differences.

For whatever reason certain people on the forum either feel defensive, confrontational, or just like to bitch and whine, it's obvious that trying to have any semblance of a rational discussion is a real challenge for some.