Would you buy again / new?

I'm happy for you. I had a different experience.

 

I’m on 33s and stock gearing and the truck has more then enough power. I don’t get it either, never understood that complaint from people. Prior to my 2nd gen I had a Cummins and duramax. These trucks have more then enough power and get up for their size!

 

How would you compare 2nd to 3rd?

 

My 3rd gen is better in every way. Including towing. Ya it spins higher rpms then the second gen but it tows better. For modern day comforts the 3rd gen interior is better and bsm and tss are nice imo.

My 2nd gen was rock solid but I don’t miss it at all. I love my 3rd gen. My only complaint is the white paint is soft. Literally my only complaint with the truck. Imo the 3rd gen are more refined then the 2nd gens and nice upgrade all around.

 

No, I would not. My comments are probably gonna' be as popular as a MAGA hat at an Antifa rally, but I'm not exaggerating or trying to incite discourse, just giving my honest opinion and the OP asked. I'm normally a Toyota fanboy, but my 2020 Tacoma Sport A/T has been disappointing from the get-go. I Currently own a 2016 Camry and a 2014 Lexus ES350. Both are great, no problems, love the Lexus! My mistake was trusting the Tacoma would be another great Toyota vehicle, so I took a very short test drive. It seemed to drive fine, just not the power of my full size Chevy truck that I was used to driving. So, I ordered one with the options I wanted. So, I partially blame myself for the short test drive. From the time I drove mine off the lot, it's had terrible drivability issues. Also, the driver's side seat heater did not work, but that was repaired quickly. It is completely stock, no mods. Low RPM hesitation, missing. Terrible shifting (has latest TSB). My advice it to drive one, go up a slight incline at 1500-2500 RPM and give it light throttle, I can't believe how badly the engine hesitates and misses. Get on the highway and cruise 70-75 MPH and see how it does and how difficult it is to maintain constant speed. If you use cruise control it will aggressively downshift to 4th gear just to maintain speed on the slightest incline. I have taken mine to two different dealerships. Response, "Oh, they all drive like that". I've had a salesman and service rep tell me they sold or traded their Tacoma because of these issues. The service manager had the gall to say, "It's not an issue or problem, it is an 'unfortunate characteristic'". WTH. I finally broke down and got a tune installed and it has made a world of difference, but low RPM hesitation is still there (not near as bad). I really like a lot of things about my Tacoma, and it is now a relative pleasure to drive in comparison after the tune. At least I can easily maintain speed on the highway and if it does downshift it is into 5th and pulls decent now. It made the shifting SO much better. Good news is it will probably be super dependable like most all Toyotas, so there's that. I'm not convinced I'm going to keep it. I may go back to a full size truck. Like others have said, all makes and models have issues. Pick your poison, but I highly recommend to give each one a thorough test drive.

 

I love my 2016 but I'm trading in for a 2021... I guess that's a yes, I would buy one again

 

I'd definitely buy another, but not for the daily commute. I'm lucky in that my 3rd Gen. Tacoma is my weekend-only vehicle. My daily driver weighs about 3,700 lbs, has a V8 engine and it's very low to the ground, so it pulls and hugs the road like a hungry cheetah. The Tacoma is the complete opposite, and that's why I love the Tacoma: its simplicity and rawness. Its utility and off-road capabilities are a bonus. The Tacoma, at least the TRDOR was obviously not made for the freeway, and that's why you get so many people who complain about the lack of engine power, the tranny, etc., etc. They want the 3rd Gen. to be a jack of all trades, but it is not. The 2nd gen may be closer to that though.

 

3rd gen is flawed?

Haha!

 

4.0 makes peak torque 600rpms sooner than the 3.5, not a 1000 rpms.

 

Oh you hadn't heard? The 3rd Gen Tacoma is so flawed that dealerships don't know what to do with so many unsold Tacomas sitting on their lots. And anyone who buys one and loves it, is a Fanboy, period.

 

I've always had either SUVs or Pickups and loved both. I prefer AWD convenience over 4WD for my needs.

So maybe I should own a daily driver SUV, and an old 4x4 for getting down & dirty......

 

I have a 2017 TRD Off Road double cab with 5ft bed, 44k. If I didn’t need the room I definitely would purchase another one but with a 6ft bed.
I am currently holding out for a 2022 Tundra. I’m hoping for new technology, better fuel efficiency then current model Tundras, more room and god only knows what else Toyota has up their sleeve.

 

Haha!

100 likes for you sir!

 

Which bring me back again why so many complain about these issues....are some of these trucks just tuned poorly, or are their owners expecting too much from them?

 

Owned many 3.4L and 4.7L Toyota/Lexus models. 3rd gen Taco is just different. That said, I felt very confident offroad in my 18 Taco. It did great on the trails.

 

I think it is to meet stricter EPA requirements. The 3.5 in my Lexus ES is silky smooth throughout whole RPM range. Getting the tune on my Tacoma made an unbelievable difference. Not in HP or speed, but drivability. It now shifts like it should have from the factory.

 

Exhibit A of the type of homer I speak of.

Drink that Kool-Aid, son.

 

My 2016 SR5 (AC 4X4 2.7 AT) has 44000 miles without a single problem in almost 5 years since new. The transmission takes getting used to but works fine. The 4 cylinder doesn’t work well for towing but, otherwise is bulletproof. Good in snow and light off road. I drive back and forth to work on freeway and it keeps up just fine including hills. It’s made it over Sierras and back with no problems or complaints. If you need rip roaring acceleration, this is not the truck you want. Get a Ford F150. I am thinking about getting a DC truck and would not hesitate to buy another Tacoma with V6 next time. No brainer IMO.

 

The 4.0 makes 278lb-ft@ 3700rpm
The 3.5 makes 265lb-ft@ 4600rpm.
Not only does the 4.0 make peak torque 900rpm sooner (so sorry I rounded up to 1k) but at any given rpm under the peak, the 4.0 destroys the 3.5.