Buy a 3rd Gen, wait for 4th Gen, or Colorado/Canyon?

Having a baby soon (Due Sept. 24th), and we will need to get a new vehicle to safely transport the new baby in. Wife has a new Rav4 & my truck (the one that needs to be replaced) is an old single cab 1500 - think of it like a farm truck: it runs/works great, but isn't safe for a brand new person.

I'm thinking of getting another mid-sized truck. I like the new features of the upcoming 4th gen Tacoma. But I don't really want to wait that long to get a new truck. If I did go with a 4th Gen, is it still a bad idea to get the first year on a new Model Year? I figure by now (in 2023) Car Manufacturers would have most issues resolved before production? IDK?

The 3rd gen is a good truck, but I absolutely HATE the transmission in the auto, I can drive a standard transmission, but would rather not have that on my main vehicle. Would also feel like I got jipped by going this route right before the new models come out. Full price and missing out on a lot of new features/tech.

I like the new Colorado/Canyon. In my opinion, I think GM did a good job with those, except needing to touch a screen to turn on fog lights... WTF?! Seriously? That was stupid and pulls your eyes off the road. Besides that, I think it is a decent comparison to the Tacoma.

I feel Ford is overpriced, and Nissan isn't even in the question.

We don't "Offroad", but we do go camping and ride forest service roads, rough(ish) terrain to find a camping spot.

What are y'alls ideas if were in our shoes?

1. Go 3rd gen Taco? Off-road
2. Wait for 4th gen Taco? Off-road
3. Colorado/Canyon - Z71 trims

 

Just use the RAV for baby hauling and keep driving the beater for other stuff.

You've got time before you'll be interested in taking baby to do truck stuff. Or mom will be interested in camping.

Congratulations on the upcoming.

 

Thanks, we're excited!

That was the thinking. But when wife goes out of town, I'm left with baby and the beater.

We're good for the first few months, not looking to buy something before the baby gets here, but at some point down the line after he's born. More realistically, it'll be after production on the 3rd gen stops. So the question will likely be, how reliable would the 4th gen be fresh out of production? I get the hesitation from years prior, but would think by now new model issues would be less likely to occur?

 

Toyota does it homework before releases. The 1st year gen 3s were pretty good. Heavily optioned vehicles can increase your problems

 

So chances of getting a 4th gen Off-Road with not many options should let us enjoy it with minimal first year issues?

I think my biggest hang-up is I'm skeptical of purchasing a first year model truck. I don't want to keep having to return to the dealer to keep fixing the same thing, or something like that.

 

I agree with you about the first year of a new generation. If cost is not a concern, I would go for a new third generation. I would also consider a used one.

 

Can i see the pics?