Trading 3rd Gen for a 2nd?

Would I be crazy for considering this? I've got 65k miles on my '21 and there are tons of 2G tacos for sale with similar mileage. I still owe $18k on mine and could knock a huge part of that off with the trade; money isn't an issue for me, but that's nothing to scoff at.

I respect the 3G as being a great truck and don't have a whole lot of major gripes about the 3G, but I do have about a million minor gripes about the drivability. I love driving vehicles with a standard gearbox, but when I step on the "throttle", I expect the motor to respond the same every time. While tuners have made substantial progress, vastly improving the truck's low-end performance and increasing the predictability, it's still lacking IMO. I can drive it just fine, but damnit, it just kills the manual experience. Instead of feeling like I'm connected with the vehicle, an integrated part of the system, I feel like I'm constantly on edge, fighting to get the truck to do exactly what I want. The safety systems kinda annoy me, too. I'm not a tailgaiter, but the dang PCA has gone off on 2 or 3 occasions when it really shouldn't have (ie someone turning right and almost off the road but the truck thinks it's a stationary obstacle).

Ultimately, it's my decision, but I'd like to hear other opinions. Am I crazy? Does the 2G have similar drivability nags as the 3G (particularly the manual)? If you've owned both, which one do you prefer?

 

The 4.0 is nice, even in Auto it has balls. 2.5 Gen styling is fun too. If you can find an MT w 65k for cheap then yeah, game on. But they are not super easy to find and can go quickly.

you don’t have to sell if you don’t want to. I own both. Granted my 2nd Gen is a RC so 2.7L and no balls yet, but that’s really what I love about those older trucks, you can get a short one with great maneuverability.

 

Also, have you done the accumulator delete yet?

 

Oh shoot guys, I think this would've been a better Friday thread, lol

In all seriousness, I'd really like y'alls thoughts. I've seen people complain about the drivability of 3Gs, both auto and manual, about million times on this forum. Was this as much of an issue on the 2Gs?

Yes, it helped tremendously.

 

Hey life is too short, if you have that many gripes, get what makes you happy. Newer vehicles with lots of gears and high revving needs aren’t for everyone.


2nd gen’s are super cool too,,, even if some of their owners come here to shit-post

 

Get rid of it and buy an electric trike with a trailer

 

I had 2 MT 2nd Gens and my current MT 3rd Gen, actually like the 3rd Gen better.

 

Unless you find something killer, I’d personally wait and at least test drive a 2024 MT. That may be what many of us want after driving the 3.5 6MT. Price tag will suck for sure though. Still, it could be super awesome if it has the low end we are missing. Newer tech is often better too, just have to see.

 

I suppose you're right that it's worth trying. Idk though, maybe all the tech is antithetical to my desire to drive a manual transmission. I find myself craving simplicity too often and view a lot of the tech stuff as being mere gimmicks.

 

I definitely hear you on this. My ‘05 has only intermittent wipers as stock. Oh and AC. I did add cruise and clutch start cancel. My kid can roll down the window himself without my help. Something to be said for that.

I think, though, that for pure driving enjoyment, the 3rd gen isn’t easy to beat. I love caveman style for sure and I’ll drive any of my trucks for a full day if I have the chance but the ‘16 is the most refined of them and really a pleasure.

It’s a shame they didn’t offer a hybrid with the 3.5, even a small one could have really helped it in the low RPM’s where it’s truly a wet blanket.

 

Think the best bet would for you to go test drive a second gen and see how you like it.


Everyone is biased on here. I love my 2nd gen….but….its has flaws like no push button start in 2015…..poor mpg…..loud interior.

 

My neighbor has a 2014 dcsb MGM 4wd with about 20k miles that I would love to get my hands on. Its garaged, dealer maintained and its all stock. He is an elder gentleman and he always says it's his last new vehicle before he dies, he is 89 and fit as can be. I like the 2nd gens but love my 3rd gen more.

 

my 2G 6MT feels good and the same every time but it’s also had clutch work

the buttons are simple in that it’s not a temporary design of not useful things, subscriptions, or things to get dated

there is room to add buttons and various head units

push button is probably easier to steal
But you can add it
And noise insulation

 

i haven't owned both but have driven both. i would buy and take a 2G MT with that low of miles over a 3G.

 

I've had both. '07 and '23. I'd probably still have the '07 if I hadn't crashed it. I like them both. The MPG on the 2nd gen was noticeably worse, but they both suck. The gear hunting on the '23 doesn't bother me, but I didn't exactly find the '07 trans super smooth. I'd probably just wait to at least take a look at a '24 if money doesn't matter. Money matters to me. $40k was a hard pill to swallow for my '23 and a '24 when it's said and done will be $50k. I'm not really much help. They're both nice. They always work, it takes me places and I can haul a little bit, so I'm pretty easy to please.

 

after driving my fathers stock 06 prerunner back to back with my stock at the time 19' the 3rd gen felt peppier father also felt the same way when driving the 3g.

Neither of our butt dynos have been calibrated in a while so that might account for something.

 

Do it! You will regret it.

 

Im getting mixed messages here lol

 

Back when I picked up my 2022 TRD Sport 6MT my son still had his 2009 ACLB 4.0 6MT; the two of us drove both vehicles back to back and we both concluded the 2022 was a far better driving experience compared to the 2009. I understand tastes can be different for different folks; if you're seriously considering this switch, I would strongly suggest you find a Gen2 Tacoma with a 6MT and drive it, you may or may not like the experience.