Anyone concern about turbo?

As long as its not a variable geometry turbo / VGT, I'd say it will probably last without issues. Provided you dont do any modifications

 

Yes!

 

The question to me is...... Would Toyota have gone with a 4-cylinder turbo as a natural course of events because it's a better engine with more reliability? Or are they forced into doing it for other reasons that have to do with regulations..... I fear the latter

 

MOstly the latter, but most mfgs. are in the same boat anyway. But they made it more powerful than the current V6 so it's a win win.

 

They were definitely heavily influenced by regulations. I'm no expert on Toyota's global engine offerings, but I don't know of any V6 successors to the 1GR or 2GR. Maybe they didn't develop another V6 due to regulation.

All I know is that outside of some Toyota diehards, nobody would be excited to see the 1GR or 2GR make a return in the 4th gen. Of the engines Toyota had available the 2.4T was the only logical choice. Sure, it's a compromise engine in the Tacoma application, but so was the 2GR. IMO it's a much better compromise than the 3.5. Time will tell if it's as reliable.

 

It won’t last like their NA engines. Turbos need to be rebuilt and the nature of the beast with forced induction. It’s harder on the internal components, more prone to fuel dilution, and other issues. Of course you can produce a lot more power from a small displacement engine but it will be at the expense of longevity. I would definitely elect for the extended warranty of you go this route. Particularly if they keep recommending low octane fuel. This blows my mind on the Tundra and they are having reliability problems with this platform.

 

It's definitely the latter.

 

I think people want power+ fuel economy even without CAFE standards. The 3.5V6 might have been a forced decision. But turbo + performance hybrid seems state of the art and is highly marketable with or without regulation.

This isn’t like the 1990s when Toyota America told Toyota Japan to bring a v8 to the US market or don’t try full size at all. Sentiment has shifted and hybrid is commonplace.

 

You are less then 1% of Toyotas customers. They sell to the people will buy and sell over and over and over. Look through so many threads and hear people talk about owning 2+ of the same gen Tacomas. People want something shinny and when the shine wears off they trade it in for the next shinny thing.

 

Don't they lose money by trading it in?

 

Yes

 

I guess it's worth it for most then? I only ever owned two vehicles in my life, one is a manual, and the other is an automatic. Neither vehicle I really cared for, as they were just A to B commuting vehicles.

Nothing as cool as a dream truck though!

 

Yes, they do. However, some people are convinced that they will always have a car payment and plan on that. It's crazy, I know.

 

The turbo brings fun things like more power, better torque curve, better MPG, and fewer emissions. Those are all very desirable traits, especially for trucks.
Yes, the turbo engines are required to satisfy modern regulations. But those modern regulations are because Americans don't want nasty things like smog, cancer causing emissions, climate change, and outrageously expensive fuel.
Modern turbos take a ton of abuse. I've abused many over the decades from American, Japanese, and German manufacturers. I have zero concerns about a Toyota turbo. The turbo 2JZ from the 1990's is one of the most legendary and durable engines of all time. They know what they're doing.

If you're worried, buy a third gen. It's that simple.

 

We're already there. Yes, I know; it's still cheaper than in other parts of the world. I don't live/work/drive in other parts of the world; I live here. There are many factors that go into the $/gallon, I understand. Once we got "comfortable"/used to paying $3.50-4.50/gallon, it was never going to go back to pre-pandemic prices. Gasoline is a necessity, and those that are in control of the (many) factors that make up the cost of a gallon of this liquid gold know this. They know we need gas to drive to work, school, to the grocery store, etc. They've got us over a barrel (pun intended).

 

Agreed. But reducing demand is still important. Or at least not adding a lot more demand.

 

Very true. Without getting too far off tangent, what irks me is when some people compare the USA and our driving habits/needs to those of Europe. It's an apples to oranges comparison. Just in sheer size and how spread out we are compared to our EU counterparts. I've lived in Germany for a little bit, and it's true; everything is close by and either within walking distance or a short trip on public transit. But I like my space. And I'm not hauling groceries for a family of 4 on my bicycle or on the bus; no thank you.
Rant off. We now return you to your normally scheduled programming.

 

Some would say our idiotic car culture created the sparse population densities that now necessitate cars.

some would even point to government and private industry meddling in creating such a thing.

it’s not that we need cars because of something inherent about the US, it’s that we created the US in a way that incentivized car-centric living. We could have chosen a different path, and we could change, but we won’t.

 

Car culture is part of it. But another (larger) part, at least for me, is I don’t want to live in a congested city. Crime is typically a lot higher in the city vs the suburbs. Being packed in like sardines in apartments, townhouses, or single family homes built so close together you can touch both of them? No way. I want my space, even if it is “only” in a normal subdivision with a 1/3 acre. At least there’s space between the houses and they’re laid out to give you privacy in your backyard.
Oh well.

 

That’s all great. You don’t have to live in a congested city. But a large majority already do and the cities are designed as sprawling, car-centric suburbs that decrease quality of life for residents. Not to mention that better design could reduce a lot of the problems you mention.