Thinking about going from a 2nd gen to a 3rd gen

I'm thinking about selling my 2011 DCLB and buying a new 3rd gen. Just curious how anyone who did this felt. Are you happy with the new one? better mpg? towing capacity etc?

 

I went from a 2006 to a 2021 and I’m happy. People knock the 3.5 motor in the 3rd generation, but I like it. I went from a Dodge Durango before my 2006 Tacoma and anything from a Durango is an improvement with gas mileage. I was getting 9 city/11 highway in it, on a good day going down hill.

 

Loved my ‘05, love my ‘19.

I went from my 2nd Gen to my 3rd Gen via a few other vehicles, so I didn’t experience that instant comparison. But I really like the upgraded cab. Love the back up cam. Otherwise, the two trucks feel a lot alike. The ‘05 seemed to have better low end torque, but I’m not a gear head so I don’t know exactly if the numbers bear this out.
Overall I’m happy as a clam with my 3rd Gen. Best part is getting to start at the low end of the odometer again. No matter how reliable these trucks are, eventually it’ll be time to replace it.

 

the 3rd gen will feel anemic under 3500 rpm and that is because it is. It gets 2-3MPG better and has enough power higher in the RPM range to do whatever most ask of it, just a different powerband. The transmission will also be quick to upshift in the name of MPG and using more right pedal will result in a downshift, which is annoying IMO, but after 1k+ miles, either the TCU learns or the driver learns, or maybe both, but it seems to get better. Otherwise, much if the chassis is the same and the driving feel is very similar.

 

Just traded in my 2012 DCLB for a 21 DCSB. Love them both, although I’ll say there’s a bit of an impression that the 2012 was more “substantial”. I think it’s probably the low end torque difference and the way the doors sound tinny when you close them on the 21.

 

I have both currently. The low end grunt, off the line for the 4.0 is best. The motors sound very similar. Everything else seems comparable other than the new technology.

 

Don't do it. I regretted selling my 1st gen to buy a 3rd gen.

 

Drove my 2015 for 7 years and loved it, but love the ride etc and the manual of my 21 even better. It's my 7th Tacoma

 

Progress is good. Go ahead...

 

I love the look of the truck . Honestly reliability is not all the great with the 3rd gen . If I would of done it all over I would of purchased a older Tacoma and fixed it up .

 

Everything about the third generation is better except for the gearing in the automatic. Third gen manual is perfect.

 

Traded a 2010 SR for a 2017 Sport. No regret since I was upgrading models.
My dealer service writer is a friend. He warned me the new engine was way different in performance on the low end, so I had low expectations on the test drive. I found I could live with it. Wasn’t looking for speed. Bought my tacos for their reliability. Luckily the 17s avoided the fuel pump debacle and I really don’t have much issue with the tranny hunting gears driving in the Phoenix area.

 

Contrary to popluar belief in real world dyno testing, torque is almost identical for 3.5 and 4.0

 

I went from a 2012 SR5 to a 2021 Off Road, love the technology in the new truck, overall very happy with the upgrade.

 

Love my '17 Taco, but would gladly trade for a (gen.1 & a newish Rav4)...

 

3rd gens are quite a bit heavier than than the 2nd gens though. Ive driven both and the 4.0 is much more torquey down low.

 

I liked my 15 Sport, I like my 18 Sport more.

That's mostly due to stuff the 15 didn't have. It was a great truck, but there was stuff I wanted.

6 speed manual, sunroof, power back window, heated leather seats.....

My 15 was black, never again (which I have said 3 or 4 times over the years about black vehicles, lol). Cement for the win!

3.5 with the manual works great for me. Love driving it.

 

How exactly is the 3rd gen unreliable? Not seeing a lot people stranded with these things. Over a million sold and people much more likely to complain on the internet these days about anything, if it was as unreliable as people claim on here, there would be a metric shit ton of posts with people sitting on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.

 

Reliability is not that great? Did your truck leave you stranded or something?

 

OP, I traded my 2008 for a 2016, then traded for a 2017. Now I have a 2020 and it’s my favorite Tacoma so far. Definitely test drive one, because the driving experience is a little different. You may love it or you may hate it. I enjoy driving my truck. I actually just got home from a 4,900 mile cross country trip and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. I loved my 2008, but I much prefer the interior of the 3rd gen and the options available.

Try to find one to test drive and see what you think.