Should I Get Another Taco?

Happy MDW all!

I am trying to decide if I should buy a 20 TRDOR DC or not. I am cautious given my nightmare history with my 16 SR5 DCLB... a little background below.

I haven't been on here in a while as I sold my 16 SR5 DCLB in July of 2017. Like many, I had significant issues with the transmission and could not stand driving it as a daily driver. Couple that with the lack of creature comforts in the SR5 and I just couldn't justify continuing to drive such an expensive truck. All of the issues "went away" off-road, but realistically that was maybe 10% of the time spent in the truck.

I miss the off-road capability and have had to pass on many invites for weekend trips. I also miss the hauling ability a truck affords. I am slowly getting back into the truck market and have been circling around getting a 20 TRDOR DC.

I have significant hesitations given my experience with my 16 SR5, but some poking around here suggests the transmission issues are gone and some of the creature comforts Toyota added would take care of those issues.

So, please convince me that I am not crazy, 2016 was just an awful year and a 2020 will be the experience I was expecting to have when I bought my 2016.

Appreciate any and all input.

Cheers!

 

You bought a year one new generation of truck there is gonna be some growing pains to follow. Year 4 into it I’d say it’s a relatively safe purchase plus you’ve got the warranty with it buying anything mass produced has a risk of failure. But hell if you can swing it I wouldn’t hesitate.

 

The trans issue is so over hyped on the site. I have zero issues with my 18. Literally none of the common issues dudes bitch about on here. Truck drives and shifts perfectly fine.

 

i have a 2016 and had the transmission tsb done. after that it drove fine.
if after you had the tsb and still didnt like how it handled then i wouldnt
purchase another. its basically the same truck. i personnally dont mind how it
shifts.

edit: the problems ive had so far was shifting, .5 quart low on trans fluid
trip meter reset twice and whisltling sound under truck. all has been fixed.

 

My 2020 has 10K already and no issues whatsoever. Love it over my 13 Tacoma TRD, nice upgrade.

 

It's the only Truck I would consider.
I've own two ('96-'18) for almost 26 years with 435,000 combined mileage and never been back to the dealer for service. GREAT TRUCKS!!!!!!

 

Loving my 20 MT OR DC. Fucking beast of a truck. Going up mountain grades at 10k feet isn't an issue. Did a triple truck pass on my way to work the other day, which I couldn't do in my subie. Car play is excellent. Its just great.

 

Test drive a 2020 TRD OR DC at the dealer and see for yourself? If possible take it on the highway when it isn't busy and try out adaptive cruise control - I find it very helpful on the 3+ hour drives to my wheeling trails. If the option level you want has the moonroof, make sure you have enough headroom.

 

I had a 2016 and a 2017 and never really had an issue with the shifting. My 2017 did some weird stuff on occasion, but nothing that drove me to trade. My 2020 feels better than either of my previous Tacomas, but it’s still the same engine and transmission as before.

If you hated it so bad that you had to trade it, I don’t know that any amount of programming changes on the new ones will make it that much better. Not trying to talk you out of it, just trying to manage expectations. For me, the Tacoma is the best truck out there. It just suits me. I traded my 2017 TRD OR for a 2019 Tundra and regretted it. Had it 6 months and traded it for a 2020 TRD Sport and I have ZERO regrets.

Try to test drive a few different 2020’s to make sure you’re comfortable with the shifting. If you can get an extended test drive, that would be better. Like you said, these are expensive trucks and you want to make sure you’re making the right decision. I was a bit impulsive buying the Tundra, so I would say take your time and test drive as much as you can. Best of luck, OP!

 

Best suggestion would be a test drive, maybe an extended one if that's available. I had a 2016 SR5 and never thought the transmission was so bad, for an auto anyway. My 2017 was a manual transmission and so is my 2020. My dad has a 2019 TRD Sport A/T it seems ok to me and he doesn't complain about it. Not sure what creature comforts you're looking for, I'd probably still have an SR5 if they offered the M/T in it. The 2020s do offer some nice additions (Apply CarPlay/Android Auto, available power drivers seat and LED headlights) and of course you get TSS with adaptive cruise and lane departure if you like that stuff. Also beware if you want integrated navigation that is no longer standard on the TRD models.

 

my 16 is the same. 95k miles and never once checked the fluid level or anything.

 

Thanks all, this is really helpful. I definitely will be taking an extended test drive to see if it is better than I remember - should have mentioned that in the OP.

 

I’m a once bitten twice shy type of person. I had 3 Rams but the last one (2019) had enough issues to make me move on and loose faith in the service and company. I doubt I ever buy a Ram again. If my Toyota bit me, I’d do the same as I did with my Ram. On the bright side, this is my 3rd Tacoma, they’ve never disappointed me.

 

This!
OP if you don't like the way they drive, look elsewhere for happiness.
Keep in mind; regardless of brand, instanetz gonna tell you everything that is and isn't wrong with any vehicle.

 

I feel for you. Sometimes you have such a bad experience that you can't shake it. Perfectly understandable. Sounds to me like you want a truck ... and that if you had a truck you would really use it, especially with your friends. One thing to consider -- what is the alternative for you then? You could go down the jeep path. Or the Ford path. Or the Ram path. Might make sense to make a list of your options and go drive those. I must admit ... I have always liked Jeeps, for example. I realize some people love them and others hate them. But every time I thought about a Jeep I would go look at one, sit in it, drive it and then look at the reliability data. I always came back to the Tacoma. It might help your peace of mind to go through that process.

It sounds like you are leaning toward the Tacoma and checking all of the alternatives might help you get the comfort level you need to finally do it ...

Best of luck on your decision.

 

Lack of creature comforts?

When I went from my old 2000 TJ to my lowly 2018 SR5 I felt like I was riding in the lap of luxury.

You would probably be better off in a Ridgeline.

 

Test drove an sr5 before buying my sport premium and thought the sr5 was really refined. Best value for the money for sure.

 

My 19 drives perfect. I'd easily get the 20 with the Android auto/Carplay and power seats.

 

If you are paying $35K for a vehicle...it should at least have power seats. Absurd that it took them this long to do it.

 

Not gonna lie, if my truck wasn't so modded; I would have swapped over to 2020.