How can we know that 2nd gens are of lower quality

Well I have no problems with my traction systems either Well I dont have traction systems but thats beside the point

^^^^
All those electronics soon will start giving major problems and they are darn expensive to repair. As I said before if you had chossen to buy electronic loaded truck you should not complain on those systems failing. It was given

 

I have to say, it seems as though Toyota put out better quality back when they were fighting their way to win the American market. Now they think they can just ride on their reputation.

 

Got 70,000 on mine with no rattles, no ticking, only problem is a slight vib in drivetrain on acceleration. All in all, a very good truck.

 

i have and engine, driveline, dash, blower, no noises... and i dont need to use the manual to use my driveline...

 

im just saying that i dont have issue with what you said.(more for the op than directed at you.)

i do however think its kind of dumb to make insults like making references to mall crawling and implying someone should use the manual to use there driveline... why go to that level?

 

For the most part, are the issues noted here already ones that anyone would pickup on or only a highly discernible mind would detect? (ie: I would wager to say most [if not all] would notice a smoke stack from under their hood, but maybe not a loud blower motor)

 

I had a 2000 new, then after the 4 banger got piston slap at 48k I traded it for a v-6 in 2003 new. It had recals for ball joints and the MAF went at 49k, after that I went to 198K with no troubles at all. I traded it in for my 2010 and got $9500 for it. Of all the trucks, I like the 2010 the best. It's stronger, bigger(more room), rides better, looks better and has more options, and goes more places. I vote 2nd gen.

 

All the plastic on the outside.

 

^This-Toyota is unfortunately doing what GM did. They got too comfortable being on top. I had a loaded '98 Tacoma TRD V6 with 120k miles on it when I traded it in and off roaded the hell out it and everything worked great. I went years without owning a truck and thought one day I would get back to owning another one those awesome trucks. Well that day came again a few months ago and I've been pretty disappointed with what has happened to toyotas quality. I was the kind of person that swore by toyotas and got most of my family to buy them. They own several 4-Runners (still made in Tokyo JAPAN which explains why no problems) I still love my truck but Toyota needs to get their shit straight.

 

I don't own a Tacoma, but I'd like to throw my 2 cents in from the perspective of someone who's actively researching several different vehicles in preparation for buying one soon...

Everything I have seen about 2nd gen Tacomas (here, on Consumer Reports, Edmunds, Cars.com, etc.) having "issues" has revolved around rattling dashboards, weak tailgates, noisy fans, etc. Reading up on Jeep Wranglers, they have issues with rusting door hinges, leaking roofs, transfer cases that are darn near impossible to shift (entire threads of "it slides in if I start going forward, rock it into reverse, and then go forward again", "it's easiest between 5 and 8 mph" and "I keep a few of the plastic connectors in my glove compartment so I'm not left high and dry if I break one pulling too hard on the lever"), and stuff of that nature. Talk all day about how they don't make them like they used to, but I've stopped considering a Wrangler and I'm nearly dead set on a 2nd gen Tacoma. Given the choice between your noisy blower fan and a real problem, I'll gladly take the problem I can "fix" by turning the radio up a little louder. The Jeep folks will argue till they're blue in the face about Consumer Reports being biased and unreliable, but frankly I'm inclined to believe that there's a method to the way they vilify some cars (like the Wrangler) and praise others (like the current Tacoma).

 

I get it. The grass is always greener on the other side. My favorite paradox is that when we buy something expensive, we justify it to ourselves and others often, while tearing it a new one because 'it could be better.'

That paradox drives me crazy, because I feel it must be our strange human psychology.

 

I just talked to a guy last week that had 362K on a 2002 silverado, and know 2 others that have Suburbans with well over 200K. We took the 99 Suburban w/220k on an 1800 mile road trip with no problems. I drove it 80 mph down the interstate and it drove great. However I also talked to a guy that traded off his 2005 F150 after 2 years because the differentials had to be rebuilt twice and various other problems that cost 15 grand in warranty work.

As far as the noise blower motor goes on the Taco, I had the same problem on my 94 yota pick-up. So I don't think that is a problem exclusive to 2nd gens. I will admit that my 94 felt much more "stout" if you will, but the 2011 is overall a much nicer truck.

 

Ok lets look back to my 87 pickup. It was bulletproof yes but the bed had cancer so bad my body guy and I became great friends. There would have been threads out the ass on that one.
Now look at my 98. The only problem I had with that one was that I traded it in 2 months before the recall because my frame was rusting. So they all had issues but we didnt have TW to harp on it. All we can do is try to help each other and I find this site as helpful aside from the comments that dont help. I hope the future is good to our trucks and us.

 

I know that they don't quite make them like they used to but if I had to go out and buy a new car/truck I'd get a second gen.

 

Glock uses "advanced polymers" to make their stocks, magazines, and other factory parts. They do it for weight, cost, reliability and quality reasons among many others I'm sure. But I don't complain that they are using a plastic in my gun, because when shit hits the fan, criminals and good guys alike know one thing - when the trigger's pulled, that Glock will go bang.

It may seem cheap to use plastic, but I am confident they have good reasons for most implementations of plastic.

 

Here is the fact, if you dont work on your vehicle you know nothing about its quality. Its like blind man complaining about color of the walls in the house.
Toyota's problem is they figure out (read smell the money) that few guys who took their trucks offroad created image that bunch of wannabes want to use to get laid. Toyota spotted market for wannabes which want a car comforts and not planning to use truck as the truck. So Tacoma end up with IFS, electronic crap like shift on the fly and other luxury items that are complete BS on the truck. However, that approach results in trading quality for quantity.
On the side note goign through the list of complains in this thread:

Who the f..k needs bluetooth in the middle of the woods with no cell phone service for miles. How about Ham/Cb radio factory installed.
JBL radio? You need to have your window open and listen to the spotter not to your Britney Spears collection
Engine makes noise - well thats what engines do when they are running, its not Prius or Chevy volt with electric engine.
Blower makes noise - but does it work, if yes then f..k it when it stops spray some wd40 on it and call it a day.
If You need traction control to stay on the road - get a bus pass.
If you affraid your floor mat can get caught under gas pedal - get the bicycle
Rattle in the dashboard - kill damn rattle snake or next time you installing your double din latte cofee making radio make sure all the clips are properly installed. If you dont like what dealer did then fix it yourself.

Tacoma is best quality truck you can buy currently if you dont believe it then buy something else and try it.
people who constantly complain about quality and hang around Toyota are wierd. What are you, a Masochists? Go buy Chevy, Ford or Nissan and sign up to their forums.

 

excellent, and i agree

 

My 94 Tacoma was not better than the 2008 by any stretch. the doors were paper thin. the bed was even worse. The interior was basic and not much adjusting. the only thing I can say about that truck was it RAN and ran well and never gave me a problem (except for that pesky head gasket issue Toyota fixed free at 80K miles) offroad on any terrain or rocks. But as a comfortable truck,,,,,nah Todays trucks are much better as far as creature comforts go.

I bought the Tacoma truck to have a high riding car with truck properties. If i wanted a vehicle to go to go offroading, it would not be the Tacoma, The Tacoma is too heavy, too wide, and too long for serious off roading.

A Challenger or Wrangler, Hilux would go more places for sure

 

its the initial quality (so far) that is not classic toyota, and the few things they have that seem to be on about all of them, but instead of fixing the problem at the factory, they let it persist.
They went from exceptional to average. You can check the initial quality surveys if you want to quantify it. Toyota's been on a slow slide ever since the GM agreement. Was hoping when they dissolved that it would get better not worse.

You're pretty right on whipper snapper. But I'd like to add, back in the day there were a couple different trim levels. I'd like to be able to order what I want. But you just can't anymore. Manual hubs went away, why? Cause americans don't want em. Power windows only, if you want bucket seats, roll up only if you want a bench. Toyota's never been great at packages. Sr5 or base was the order of the day back in the... But it sure would be nice to have turn in hubs and lever if you wanted something more simple and maybe cheaper and were willing to get out of your truck.

Toyota (and most foreign companies) used to sell something smart, now it just sells what people think they want, and guess what, people aren't automotive engineers and ask for crazy stuff. Bigger, more powerful, with diminished efficiency, increased price, and frequently diminished utillity.

What happened to the toyota 1 ton?

Time will tell if the rust issues of toyota have been solved or mitigated. We always used to blame japanese steel, they used a lot of recycled, which was supposed to be inferior. I don't know where their steel comes from now. Anyone got holes in their body yet?

I think the most noticeable thing is, gm and ford are pushing a lot of money into QC and toyota is either losing ground by comparison or actually slipping.
I mean really, rear main seal leaking at 3000 miles? Really?

But landrovers and arguably vw beetles were built for shit, and they sold millions of each of them, and there are still tons around. In the end, its a piece of machinery and if it suits you you can make it work.

 

Actually electronics will likely last LONGER than mechanical parts, People don;t realize the ECM systems with all the sensors have been used in cars since the 80's electronics are the last thing to worry about. It is the mechanical parts that actually "wear"... Environmental factors have an impact on electronics. Today's electronic systems are far far better than the early versions 30 years ago.

I think people fear what they don't understand more. People understand the mechanics.