Would you buy again / new?

Jesus. If you guys aren't careful you're going to hurt someones feelings . No need to get hostile here, we're all Tacoma fans

As someone who's owned a 3rd Gen (and liked it) and now own a 2nd Gen (and also like it), I think they're both great motors, especially compared to the competition.

I think the best comparison between the two is the 3.5L is a car motor whereas the 4.0L was designed with the intent of it being a light truck motor. The bore & stroke of the 4.0L is slightly over-square whereas the 3.5L is decently under-square in the design and each motor demonstrates this in their performance. Look at the applications of where Toyota chooses to use each engine around the world:

4.0L 1GR-FE= hilux, LC prado, LC, 4runner, etc
3.5L 2GR-FKS = camry, highlander/kluger, sienna/alphard, etc

My old 3.5L hauled ass once it got going, although it almost felt like it had turbolag or something while getting up to speed. Once it got up to speed, it was pretty damn fast, much faster than my current 2nd gen.

The 4.0L has a lot more grunt on the low end and ends up being pretty gutless on the top end. It reminds me alot of my old 99 4Runner w/ it's 3.4L 5VZ-FE. The 2nd Gen is my preference off road due to that initial throttle response, but for cruising down the freeway or around town, 3rd gen all day.

 

that's a pretty solid breakdown actually. See...we can get along

 

I will not buy new again , I drove my 82 4x4 for 36 years my 2021 should last .

 

The SFOB tune, puts the lack of low end torque argument to rest

 

Lol yes, that turbo lag analogy is very true.

I have many Tacoma loser friends with older 3.4l and 4.0l v6. For sure the 3.5l auto 3rd gen will beat the 2ed gen 4.0l auto off the line and on the freeway in a race. This has been confirmed experimentally by me many times. The poor 3.4l 1st gen manual is not even a comparison at all lol.

Another thing is the gas millage. It is better than the 4.0l. With the stock 30" tires I could get 22 mpg combined with a heavy 4 door 4x4 + driving like a grandma.

As far as reliability , not sure. I would assume based off the fact the 3.5l has been used for many many years in other Toyota /Lexus models that we can refer to that data?

 

Did a 3rd gen owner sleep with your wife or something? I'm not sure why you're so hellbent on convincing people that the 3.5 is a bad motor...

 

I don't know to be honest re: reliability between the two. Not enough direct comparison IMO. You make a good point about the 2GR being used in many other platforms, but those other platforms aren't being used as ISIS anti-aircraft armor vehicles or being driven 500 miles into the outbacks of Australia (though I'd argue those rigs are 90% diesel, but you can't be sure). Nobody has really put the 2GR through that kind of abuse, at least not that I've seen. Maybe the new Hilux will end up with the 3.5L down the road.

I'd argue the use of the 1GR-FE in the Hiluxes around the world makes a pretty strong case for reliability, at least with regard to extended maintenance intervals or just outright neglect, given it's use in "rougher" parts of the world. 2GR is great for use stateside tho, obviously Toyota saw that

 

Bought my '16 in November of '18. Had just over 20,000 miles on it. I got a great deal from a guy whose wife had lost her job . . . he was forced to sell. I have had zero issues with the truck, and would buy again in a minute. Oh, I took it to a dealer about a month ago telling them I wanted to trade, (not really doing so) . . . they offered me just over $5000 more than I paid for it. My wife said sell!!! I said no way . . . it will be paid for in 14 months.

 

What. I was making fun of the guy who thinks his 3.5 Tacoma is a race car. Typical guy who gives himself a pat on the back when he beats a 99 dodge caravan from a red light.

 

Good thought for sure. Big fan of the drivability of the OV Tune Perf 2.0 paired with the manual for sure.

 

Never said my taco is a race car, but whatever.

I came to a conclusion that you sir are an idiot. Have a good one.

 

Abso-fucking-lootly NO would I ever buy this truck again. I've been there done that and buying a newer one, well that would be like dating the ex sister in law after a divorce where everything you owned got set on fire and she ran off with you gun dog, your Benelli and fishing poles.

 

I really like my truck. Ive had 2 - 3rd gens, and a 2nd gen.

I think Id buy new again, but If I would have known how much into wheeling I would have got, I would have put all the money I spent into mods on a trail pig.

 

its just a Tacoma man.....and an internet forum... take a chill pill. You are acting crazy. Your "tuned" budget pick up is not a Toyota supra. We can tell you are "that" guy who races everything at a red light because you have a tune that gave you 4 more hp. Real car people make fun of people like you.

 

I think if you remove the bed , entire cab , fenders , hood , all bumpers, AC parts so just the frame rails and drive line remains you would have enough HP to weight ratio to actually make decent 0-60 times ? I think so.
It wound probably be like 1800 lbs for 280 hp which is ok

 

He said he has a "tune" adds 4 hp. Now its a RACETRUCK

 

That would be cool.

It’s almost 300 hp with the tune though.

 

I bought mine new a few months ago. I don't regret it as it fits the bill as far as size wise and I like the looks best in the segement. When I want to sell within 5 years I am sure then it wont be too bad and Ill get something else

 

That's a lie