2nd Gen fanboy tries a 3rd gen

Hiking in Yosemite with the wife for the weekend and as we are walking through the enterprise rental lot to our full size Ram rental, we walk past this 2023 TRD off road. I asked the employee if we could snag the Tacoma instead and she said we’d be saving $200- easy decision. The Ram would have been nicer on the highway for sure but here’s my chance to finally drive the 3rd gen.


I sold my 2nd gen (the love of my life) to another member of the forum when my wife and I bought a 2021 4Runner TRD off road premium. Don’t worry I got a right of first refusal on her and will buy her back one day if the opportunity presents itself.


Anyway I’m a big 1GR-FE 4.0 bandwagon guy and 2nd gen best gen. Especially convinced by all the shit posting of the 3rd gen here. Well here’s my honest opinion after a 4 hour drive through backroads from San Fran to Yosemite.


The interior is nice. Auto headlights, power seats, Apple CarPlay, climate control features etc. Nowhere near the 4Runner in terms of comfort but light years ahead of my beloved 2nd gen as would be expected.


The powertrain. It’s freaking fine. I don’t get the hate. It’s decent. On hills I could tell the 4.0 would have more torque and I had to wind up the engine but it kicks into the higher RPMs and hauls ass just fine. I like it. Am I converted? Honestly I’d say if I was in the market it would come down to the deal. I would definitely consider the 3rd gen now. Very happy to admit that. The 4.0 might still be the better motor imo but the 3rd gen is still a Tacoma and fantastic truck.


That’s my 5 min cell phone review. Thanks y’all

 

Yes the 4.0 is the superior motor over that pos 3.5

 

Truth stings sometimes. But we're all stronger for it

 

Your "truth" is subjective making it an opinion. Opinions are like assholes........

 

Don't be mad man

 

Cylinder #3 would like a word with yall

 

Happy Friday!

3rd gen, best gen.

 

Interesting feedback from an open minded person, thanks!
Both generations are nice trucks with their own pros and cons, not sure why some have this personal insecurity, and feel they must fly one flag over the other.

 

Wow this devolved rapidly.
Glad you liked the 3rd gen! Years ago shoping for a 2nd gen, driving the 3rd immediately changed my mind. Much more comfortable and arguably good looking. The 2nd gen looked outdated inside and out the day it released. The 3.5 has proven to be fine, and just like any new vehicle the gremlins got worked out.
The 3rd Gen is here to stay and will be everywhere on the roads for decades, hopefully the 4th Gen proves just as reliable.

 

I've got both the 4.0 in my 2021 4Runner and the 3.5 in my 2016 Tacoma. There are many things I like about the 4Runner but I prefer the gas mileage in my Tacoma.

 

Agree with you OP. Tried all gens with different levels of mods. And 3rd gen are good from factory and when properly put together and it’s kind of obvious that the sentence applies to the 1st and 2nd gen. Cheers!

 

Pictures of the wife, or it didn't happen.......

 

My tuned 3.5 would disagree with your opinion

 

I had a gen1 tundra with the 4.7 that made about 250 hp and 315 ft lbs of torque, but was at least a 1/4 ton heavier. After my 3.5 tacoma got a few thousand miles on it, this truck isn't all that much different than my tundra except for more overdrive. I've done nearly the exact speeds, and engine rpm going up the same hills with this tacoma, as what the tundra did. I like the 3.5 a whole lot. Even better yet, it gets an average of 7 mpg over that thirsty 4.7.

 

Similar situation here. My GF has a 2017 4R and I have a 2019 Tacoma. I like them both, but I don't find any one of them to be better,, just different.
My GF actually prefers my Tacoma, she thinks it has more power. But, I should note; she drives very aggressively,,, we are talking GAS BRAKE GAS BRAKE GAS BRAKE. If she drove any harder, the tires and brakes would smell and smoke when first parked.