So You Wanna Trade Your 2nd Gen for a 3rd Gen do ya?

So a while ago someone wanted to buy my 2015, which I purchased new in late 2015. The truck performed near flawlessly for the 5 years I owned it. With this offer, I thought it would be a great opportunity to buy a new 3rd gen, since resale values are ridiculous right now. The extra interior features and tech, and increased fuel economy were factors in my decision. The 2015 was a TRD Sport DCSB 6MT, Magnetic Grey, and would be replaced with the same model 2020 in Cement.

After several weeks of waiting for the truck to arrive after the COVID bs, I took delivery and didn’t even bother with so much as testing a single damn thing on the truck. Haha. Same as I did when I got my 2015. It’s a Tacoma, right? What could go wrong.

My GF drives the truck quite frequently (she has a 2016 CX-5 GT), so I’ll add some of her criticism as well. First thing I noticed is the 2020 feels more solid than the 2015. “Less rickidy” as she would put it. Haha. Interior features are a huge improvement, looks much more modern. Also, many things just seem cheaper. Like the glove box lid. And the sun visors. And the interior door pulls. Overall look and functionality is a huge improvement though. The leather seats seem like pretty good quality and the power seat is honestly amazing. The small amounts you can fine tune the position are a huge plus versus having a bunch of predetermined notches to pick from.

So how about that 3.5 minivan engine? It appears that there is less low end punch than the 4.0. It’s quite evident under 2000 rpms. It seems to be getting better over time, or I’m just used to it now. GF initial impressions are that “it has no balls”. Haha. Above maybe 3500-4000 rpm, this thing rips! Definitely doesn’t mind revving to redline, where as the 4.0 felt and sounded like it would rather you not put it over 4000. Throttle is definitely less linear, my rev matching on down shifts was terrible for a few weeks, but I wouldn’t really consider that a negative necessarily. Fuel economy. Lots of complaints on the TW. Two of my first four fill ups on Fuelly were above 20 mpg. In my 2015, I had 3 fill ups in 5 YEARS above 20 mpg. I’ll have to wait and see how it handles slightly larger tires (32”) but I’m impressed so far. The new 6MT shifts nicely and honestly the throws are only slightly longer than my 2015 with the TRD shifter. I wasn’t even planning on a new shifter for the 2020, but GF says she can’t reach 5th gear as easy as before, so I guess I can get the Core shifter, you know, just to help her out. Haha.

Only real negatives are the pulsating vibration around 60mph and slight shuddering when braking at lower speeds, which seems to be way too common on 3rd gens. Still does it in 4wd and even when slowing to a stop without braking. Only other concerning issue was the Multi Info Display showed a bunch of coloured lines on one short drive about a week after I got it. The issue hasn’t repeated itself, but doesn’t exactly make me feel very good about the long term reliability.

Anyway, if you want a 3rd gen, take one for a long test drive and decide if you like what you see, and weigh the pros and cons. Or say screw and and just take it home without even looking at it. At least you’ll get top dollar for your 2nd gen.

 

Nice to see a genuinely positive review.

 

I don't think I would have traded that good looking of a second gen. But I would have definitely added a third gen to the fleet

 

Thanks. It’s a different driving experience than the older trucks. Sometimes I have buyers remorse, but then I just redline it in second gear merging on the highway and I feel better.

 

since you're fresh in your comparison, did you feel that your second gen was a little more spritey? like the outside dimensions are very similar to the third gen, but I felt like the second gens I drove in the past drove like smaller trucks even though they were physically larger whereas the 3rd gen definitely feels like a midsize truck. If that makes any sense

 

Haha. 2 Tacos would be nice, but that’s a lot of money tied up in 2 trucks of basically equal capability.

 

Yep, mileage better, higher rpm, tows better, plus heated seats = 2005 who?

 

I think the 2020 feels a little bigger, even if it really isn’t. The nose seems longer for sure. GF says the interior is smaller. Not sure what the specs say though. The roof is lower because of the sunroof, so I guess technically it is smaller inside. I think the all black interior might contribute to it feeling smaller too.

 

It is not you. Check out the ADM thread. Although, there was an accumulator on your 2015 also.

I would verify your lug nut torque. You shouldn't have this. If it doesn't go away, I would have the dealer swap rotor as the induced warp might have taken a set?

 

Hmm. I’ll do that later. Torque wrench is in the truck. Getting winter tires this weekend too, so that will eliminate tires.

I don’t mean the clutch feel when rev matching, I mean I’d blip the throttle the same as my 2015, and it just wouldn’t give enough rpms. Just had to get used to pressing it way more to get the same result.

 

Yes, a decent honest evaluation. Thanks.

 

I get you. A lot of folks do complain that the blip between gears feels different when the clutch is disengaged versus in Neutral when engaged.

And for whatever reason, Toyota saw fit to have different throttle maps for each gear and neutral. Just crazy.

 

To answer the Q, I don't.

 

I stopped reading when you said you didn't test drive. There should be a special sect... oh wait... there is! The Dumbgeon!

 

Wait are you saying the the 2nd gens are physically larger than the 3rd gens? I think you’re mistaken if so.

 

Haha. Didn’t test drive my 2015 either! Didn’t matter either way. There was no other trucks on my list. The Taco was the list!

 

No, I just worded that really strangely because I do not English well.

Meant to say despite the fact that the second gens are a midsize truck, the ones I drove still felt nimble like a compact truck like the first gen.

The third gen is a midsize truck, and it feels and drives like a midsize truck should in my opinion.

 

I put a deposit before test driving.

Love my taco though.

 

I'm pleased with my 2020 TRD Sport in every way, except the 3.5 liter engine and transmission. I'd need to save a lot more on gas to be happy with the change. While at low RPM, I feel I can push the pedal through the floor and the truck is not responsive enough. My 2006 SR5 felt better when it came to responsiveness.

 

ECT, S mode, OVTune.... Plenty of solutions lol.