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Looking to buy 2018 Tacoma Off Road

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by punkmanmatthew, Feb 17, 2020.

  1. Feb 17, 2020 at 8:26 AM
    #1
    punkmanmatthew

    punkmanmatthew [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hi all,

    New to this forum and new to trucks in general. Never owned one but have always wants one.

    I was looking at some used 2018 Tacoma off roads with betweeen 10k to 20k miles for around $28k to $31k.

    I was about to be all in to buy one but now I'm reading all kinds of issues with the transmissions and shifting them?

    Should I let this worry me?

    Thanks all for the help.
     
    Junkhead likes this.
  2. Feb 17, 2020 at 8:32 AM
    #2
    shakerhood

    shakerhood Well-Known Member

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    Test drive and see what you think.
     
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  3. Feb 17, 2020 at 8:32 AM
    #3
    GillyLink

    GillyLink Well-Known Member

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    Still stock completely capable!
    just do a very extensive test drive and see for yourself. I have a 18 A/T Tacoma and I love how it drives. Never had a single issue with it all around amazing truck. That being said I know I didn’t buy a race truck. I bought a truck I enjoy cruising in and taking camping. If you have a heavy foot and a need for speed get a f150. If you want something comfy, reliable, great off-road look no further. ALOT of the complains about these trucks on this site are the wrong owner not truck! Good luck!
     
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  4. Feb 17, 2020 at 8:37 AM
    #4
    punkmanmatthew

    punkmanmatthew [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm actually looking at some on Carvana. I've purchased from there before and they do give you a 7 day trial period and can return if you don't like the car for whatever reason. I was just worried because you still have to go through the full financing process and all of that in order for them to deliver and I can't really test drive that specific truck until they deliver it and go through all of that. Also, I was worried maybe someone traded the truck in because it had issues.

    I guess I could just keep swapping out and test driving different ones on there site if the first one was traded in to them because of this issue.
     
  5. Feb 17, 2020 at 8:38 AM
    #5
    punkmanmatthew

    punkmanmatthew [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I do like my fast cars but right now I'm looking for something comfortable and also I would like to do some simple off roading. Comfy and nice around town sounds great to me.

    I also love how the off road ones look.
     
    GillyLink[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Feb 17, 2020 at 8:50 AM
    #6
    GillyLink

    GillyLink Well-Known Member

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    Still stock completely capable!
    Then you should enjoy the Tacoma. Like I said mine had 0 shifting issues or maybe I’m not OCD enough to notice them. My truck is has no problems yet and I love it takes me on lots of great adventures. I came from a 400whp 4cyl car so yes there was a massive power difference but after eating some speeding tickets and paying a big impound fee I knew it was time to get something slower that I loved driving and the Tacoma hasn’t disappointed yet. They are changing the rules of the road so speed doesn’t appeal to me anymore but going off-road sure does. Like I said it’s tough because a lot of people have how the Tacoma’s drive M/T and A/T but a lot don’t. My uncle is a service manager at Toyota near me and says he hears very little complaints. Jump on here and you get a lot more. It’s going to be different for everyone but if you understand you bought a truck and drive it as such can’t imagine you will be disappointed! Good luck and keep us posted!
     
  7. Feb 17, 2020 at 8:54 AM
    #7
    tdavistech

    tdavistech Well-Known Member

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    I love my Tacoma TRUCK for what it does well and I love my 350Z SPORTS CAR for what it does well.

    I will never complain about off road capabilities in my Z nor my cornering and acceleration capabilities in my Tacoma.
     
    GillyLink likes this.
  8. Feb 17, 2020 at 9:06 AM
    #8
    jpking17

    jpking17 Well-Known Member

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    It's probably a good idea to understand the transmission issue...if you test drive a new truck or even one that has recently had the ECU reset it drives perfectly fine. Once the transmission learning has learned for about 500 to 1000 miles you will notice the things everyone complains about. If you live in the mountains you will probably notice this more so than if you are a flatlander.
     
  9. Feb 17, 2020 at 9:09 AM
    #9
    BlackGT99

    BlackGT99 Well-Known Member

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    Just buy a 2020
     
  10. Feb 17, 2020 at 9:12 AM
    #10
    GreyBaldTaco

    GreyBaldTaco Well-Known Member

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    It's not that the transmissions have issues, or are programmed incorrectly, it's just that some people don't like how they are programmed from the factory and buy into the hype online.
     
    StayinStock, Teke, shakerhood and 3 others like this.
  11. Feb 17, 2020 at 9:39 AM
    #11
    eurowner

    eurowner Duke Sky

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    Almost 3 years ago, I gave a deposit for my brand new '17 TRDOR without even sitting in a 3rd Gen. Never looked back.
     
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  12. Feb 17, 2020 at 9:43 AM
    #12
    kpinthebay

    kpinthebay Well-Known Member

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    There are no issues with my transmission. If I'm in the hills and need different shift points, I hit my ECT button and/or shift myself.
    If I'm in the flats, I enjoy 18.5 mpg with my Icon lift and E rated BFGs.
     
    GillyLink likes this.
  13. Feb 17, 2020 at 9:46 AM
    #13
    sdsurfer

    sdsurfer @ODNAREM life...

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    I’ve got a ‘16 with 60k miles and have never regretted buying it. Still love my truck.
     
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  14. Feb 17, 2020 at 9:47 AM
    #14
    NHmachinist

    NHmachinist Member

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    OME lift SPC uca 255/85/16 on steelies A.R.E. DCU cap 270 awning smitty built winch rock sliders 270 awning
    I have zero issues with mine I love it . The gas mileage takes a huge hit when I tow my UTV.
     
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  15. Feb 17, 2020 at 9:50 AM
    #15
    TRD Ted

    TRD Ted Well-Known Member

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    Not sure where you are but in New England there are a ton of leftover brand new 2019’s available that you can probably get for a song.
     
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  16. Feb 17, 2020 at 10:29 AM
    #16
    revin9k

    revin9k Well-Known Member

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    Buy a PRO
     
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  17. Feb 17, 2020 at 10:36 AM
    #17
    Fishnwiz

    Fishnwiz Well-Known Member

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    I had 0 issues with my 18,traded at 28000 miles. It’s not a hot rod transmission but solid, no issues for me. It’s meant to tow, haul ect, not to see how fast you can speed onto the interstate
     
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  18. Feb 17, 2020 at 10:37 AM
    #18
    Al Hoff

    Al Hoff Well-Known Member

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    I own an 18 OR auto. It’s honestly always pretty peppy and on point shifting.(compared to quite a lot of people who complained??) I do a lot of city driving during the week and highway long roads on the weekends. I would say 98% of the time everything feels right. No hunt. Don’t let it stop you from purchasing a taco. I’d be sure to test drive it for peace of mind. Play with that ECT button too lol
     
  19. Feb 17, 2020 at 11:15 AM
    #19
    Creepin’ 19

    Creepin’ 19 That guy

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    Stock
    I agree with Ted, at that price, I'd shop around. I just saw a '19 DCOR in my area for 34k.

    As for the trans problem, I haven't noticed but i doubt i would unless it was pretty egregious.
     
  20. Feb 19, 2020 at 4:58 PM
    #20
    drewkillsit

    drewkillsit Well-Known Member

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    Some folks earlier mentioned that it's just the programming, and that's accurate. I avoided driving mine because it was driving me crazy. With an OVTune and regear, I'm as happy as can be. I just listed my '18 Off-Road yesterday, but it's built, and out of your price range. If you keep it stock, you still need to shell out for the tune. If you increase tire size, a regear is a necessity.
     

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