Gen 3 owners that have mileage/time in now

Been digging for days trying to find a thread that could answer this. Of course find the transmission complaints and normal odds and ends.

I've decided it's time I deserve something nicer and want a Truck. Tacoma is the obvious choice since I'm spoiled on Honda reliability.

Now no "toyota loyalist" stuff needed, be honest. I'm buying a tacoma (or I guess taco for short) 100%, it's the year I am having trouble with.

Gen 3 though has a lot of more modern designs and tech involved. Obviously that increases odds of problems.

But is that a valid concern?

Are you gen 3 owners feeling like they are just as solid and will stay that way compared to a gen 2 (and have the mileage/time on it to be solid in that opinion)?

I really like the specs and especially the looks of gen 3, but as an auto tech, I dont want to be working on my own crap after hours all the time to keep it on the road.

Thanks guys

 

I’m at 108k miles and all I’ve done is oil changes and tires. Trans and diff fluid 2x. Just did spark plugs a few weeks ago.

I’ve had zero issues.

 

the perfect world would be the 3rd gen with all the new bells and whistles but with the 2nd gen 4.0 V6 and tranny and with the F'in 4.0 oil filter where it belongs.

 

I'm on my second 3rd gen. Nothing wrong with my first one, 55k miles with routine maintenance. Just wanted a newer truck with the OR trim.

There are gripes about the transmissions, but honestly, I think it's a bit overblown. You just get used to it revving higher than you'd normally expect a v6 to run. It's got plenty of power. You can put it in ETC mode and drop it into 4th gear and it'll get up and go. You get the whole tachometer included with the price of the truck, might as well use it.

I live at 5200', and regularly drive at 7k+ ft, so my trucks already gonna be a bit anemic compared to someone at sea level. I've pulled trailers over 80 from Reno to the bay area, and I've ripped up to lake tahoe more times than I can count. No issues with power.

 

I'm at 11k miles (18 months) and no major issues yet.

• Rear right passenger seat latch had to be replaced a couple weeks after I bought the truck (manufacture defect - fixed under warranty)
• My drivers side taillight had to be replaced because of "crazing", caused by bad seal between the lens and housing which ended up shattering the inside of my taillight (manufacture defect - fixed under warranty) (Link to thread regarding that issue)
  • The passenger side taillight had the same issue, I ended up replacing them with TRD Pro taillights last month

 

Not a Toyota loyalist but I do think they make a pretty good product overall.

I've bought my truck with about 16K and it just clicked over 89,000 miles. Preventative maintenance only. The only complaints I have about the truck is the auto transmission hunts about for gears sometimes and I wish the steering wheel would adjust about 1 inch closer to the driver. I know those are first world problems so no real complaints. I've had zero mechanical issues with the truck. Miles are mostly highway with some towing and mild off road driving thrown in on occasion.

Good luck with whatever you chose.

 

I think most of the complaints from people are not true just trying to put Toyota down because they like American trucks and wish in there dreams that the big 3 ford GM Chrysler could even make a nice looking Reliable & Great! Resell value for the money fact

 

"You get the whole tachometer included with the price of the truck, might as well use it." --- This is a great line and way to state a lesson.

I grew up with in line six and V8 engines that you never really needed to rev to do most any job, all of then were old high milers that I got for the second or third 100 thousand...

It took me quite a while to get over the idea that I would break something if I cranked up the rpm, driving is a lot more fun when you adjust to the modern tech.

Seriously 3500 rpm is high for me (manual transmission), I drive like an old guy -- oh wait, I am an old guy...

Welcome to the forum!

 

Iv worked on a lot of makes and models... Toyota just seems to install parts on cars that just last longer and seem to be well built... Iv got 37k on mine and iv had a steering rack under warranty replaced and some small stuff BUT nothing major and i haven’t been all that easy on this Tacoma as my 14 was babied you could say.

Pick a truck combo and color out that you want and run with it! Enjoy it and service it if you’re into that like most of us are here...

 

Hand to god here. Scour the nation and buy a cherry low miles first gen and forget about these rolling computers with wheels.

 

Dude. I've got a power adjustable driver's seat. You know how freaking long I've waited for that in a tacoma?

Hard to beat old hardware though. My favorite vehicle I ever had was a tie between my '79 F150 and my '79 CJ5. No muss, no fuss. If it broke, you could fix it. If it didn't work quite right, you could make it better with a screwdriver.

A welder and a set of hand tools and you could take either one of them across the world. Not very fast or comfortably, but you'd get there.

 

All of the bitching and moaning. And my 2018 a trd OR has been a sweetheart for over 40k miles. I had the hood flutter that was fixed under warranty. Wish it had a manual stick to the transfer case. Otherwise not an issue.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Getting some info here that's helpful because I really want to go gen 3, some people hate the look, I love it. Was drooling the first time I saw one in the desert sand/tan color shortly after they hit the dealerships.

It's not the money side for me, not giving me any headaches, failing me on a trip is what matters. Wont even be my daily. Be keeping my CRV for that.

Normally I wouldnt even consider new but damn I love the look, and dealership gives a really nice powertrain extended warranty included on new vehicles.

Definitely making me feel better about new. Just to decide on trim level. V6, 4wd, at least a hitch already installed, and double cab. Tan, grey or the army green. Ya haven't been obsessing much lol. Will be the first vehicle I ever buy brand new

 

65k and nothing but maintenance or projects so far. Still on original pads as they aren’t doing fine. Have vibration issues but just put in a ecgs bushing and that’s because the 3 inch lift, added weight, and bigger/harder tires. Can’t say on trans issues as I have a MT

 

Some colors are trim specific but sounds like tow package, 4x4, and double cab are the major focus?

 

I traded in my '16 to get a '20 just so I could upgrade the color and get the quicksand, OR, and long bed. It's petty, I know, but I think the quicksand is the best color they ever put on these trucks. I had the magnetic gray before, and it's a good lucking truck, but the quicksand is pretty unique.

 

Ya pretty much. I dont know if hitch comes without full tow package. If it does then I dont need to pay dealer a stupid amount for a transmission cooler and trailer electrical connection. The cost for a hitch would about match dealer charge on a new one so that's a wash. Being an auto tech, I'd rather save money and do that kind of stuff myself, if there is money to be saved.

The army green says doable outside of pro but doubt I'll find one. It's just a color option with led headlight package. Not sure about others yet. Part of why I have a list of color options (haven't gotten the names of each yet). Keeps my trim options open. The tan and army green are my "ideal" colors but there is the greys (not silver) that I like too.

 

The tow package is standard equipment with the V6.

 

91k+ miles in about 4 years. I love this truck and have used it well. I have had a few issues along the way though. I had a cat replaced under warranty, had the leaking 3rd brake light replaced under warranty, currently have leaking rear main seal, and timing cover, but not serious enough to get fixed yet.
Even with the issues, this is still the best truck.
Also, get the manual, it’s a ton of fun, and eliminates a lot of issues.

Good luck with the purchase, you can’t go wrong with a Toyota.

 

Have had mine 9 1/2 months now. Just about to turn 16k miles on it. Work it like a trunk. No complaints, no issues.

BTW ... this my 4th Toyota truck. The previous ones all pushing 200k miles or well over that when I turned them in.