Recent 3rd gen years... Are you happy?

Well, good news. Tacomas hold their value super well. Sell it and get something else. Before you do, read up on whatever it is you are eyeing, because some of what you complain about is well documented and has been for years. I'm bummed for you that you wound up in a truck you don't like, but you'll get something that suits you.

 

Per his comment, because they didn't increase HP and MPG. Because that's super easy to do, you know?

 

Exactly. It keeps it from shifting to 6th.. or whatever I don’t want it to shift to. Toyota’s web site claims it also sets rev points higher but idk about that. It makes it more funner with ect button on. S mode makes things less annoying in hilly areas. I have the 2.7 and the whopping 159 hp doesn’t exactly feel much more powerful than a horse and carriage, but it’s not a sports car so idc.

 

I’m as happy as Oprah with a donut

 

Very happy with my '23. But mine has the manual transmission. I can drive it spirited, so to speak, and feel the power delivery is fine. It took some getting used to the gear spacing, but in a week or so I was shifting like a champ. Maybe my experience would be different had I chosen an automatic; but I enjoy driving my truck every time I start her up.

 

So Far very happy with my 2020 SR5 4x4. I've had no real issue with it other than the OEM battery leaking and my servicing dealer replaced it with a Toyota sure start. I've almost got it paid off. I plan to keep it till its not reasonable to keep it on the road, so basically 10 or 15 years more. I don't have any issue with the seat position as I have the power seat. The only thing I might do different is got an access cab instead of a double cab. I was giving rides to other family at the time so it made sense then, now I don't so much and having a longer bed with the same vehicle length would sometimes be better for me. Over all I enjoy my truck so don't plan to trade it just for that since I got the exact color and all I originally wanted.

 

I have an 18 which isn’t really a recent production truck , but I can tell you it’s been great and it took almost like 8000 miles on it before it really settled in and started feeling good . Give it a few thousand miles , there is def a learning curve with this truck but I love it now

 

I'm a new 2023 owner and fall into the category of yes and no. Yes on most things, but no or unhappy on the following:

The sloppiest transmission shifting at speeds up to 45 mph. This is a known issue with the V-6 and its 3rd gen transmissions.
The back up lights are HORRIBLE>>>DIM. I'm looking at after market bulbs in hopes of changing this massive oversight.
I just went over 2,900 miles after 2 months, and my front tires are starting to Scallop, which I believe to be a poor factory balance.
NO LOW TIE DOWNS ON THE BED FLOOR BY THE BACK WINDOW SIDE OF THE BED. With a 5' bed, the chances that hauling wood over 8' long is going to want to tip to the rear is high. The bed tie downs on the floor by the tailgate are nice, but a must have at the other end of the bed. I'd only put them in the bed on the if I could use the factory bed hold down bolts.
Possibly the worst is the rushed manner in which the truck smart services were offered by the salesman. He said "just say yes to everything so we can get your phone pared." I was not comfortable with this without reading the 'services' but I, like an idiot, did just that. I don't need or want Toyota tracking my every move, or selling my info to businesses or insurance company general data bases. I've since deleted the app from my phone, and opted out of all of the services that are offered by Toyota. Now I'm on a quest to insure I am legally out of all Toyota services, and my attorney (his legal aid) has sent a cease and desist demand, as well as a response demand.
In a quest to add back up lights I bought a receiver hitch mounted light bar, but since Tacoma factory receivers are a frame component, they do not have an exposed hitch portion, and a metal plate rests on or over the receiver hole, that obstructs or prevents the installation of such a light system.

 

Diode Dynamics has a light pod that inserts in the hitch. It’s works wonderfully

 

So, you test drove a 4th gen and figured out the things you don't like about it and that was enough to steer you away from it but your test drive in the 3rd Gen didn't provide you with enough negative feedback to avoid it, it took you 3 days to figure it out?

 

I waited for my TRDOR to be allocated. I wanted all the options I could get other than leather. 400w inverter, apple carplay, wireless charging etc had to have it. I use none of those things and as a matter of fact I only engaged the 4wd in a single snowstorm and to exercise it monthly. No one has even sat in the back seat yet. Kids are grown. If I did it over knowing what I know now I would have bought the 2.7 SR with the SX package and saved the extra $8k/$10k. It would have suited me just fine. That said I love my truck but I think I might have loved a base trim just as much.

 

Oh, man...

The stories/testimonials....

I put a cap on my vehicle expense in 2021 after doing our Mortgage Refi/Cashout.

Wasn't going over $40K and I wanted the "Skewp".

Not doing the TRD Pro...even though it was $5K+ above my threshold. (Man, that seems like a low price compared to now)

My wife got a new car in 2017 and I lost my 2003 Honda Pilot in Oct 2018. (Vehicle accident)

I figured a 25yr USAF Enlisted Veteran can treat himself to a new truck (first time new truck owner).

2021 was a great year for Mortgage Rates as well as Vehicle Loans.

Coming up on 3 years of ownership in May and I am ECSTATIC and always look back at my Sport when I park.

Everyone has their story...and this one is mine.

 

I've got about 18k on my 22 OR and its not perfect, but I'm very happy with it.

Likes:
-comfortable, easy to drive
-Toyota safety tech, radar cruise works great
-manual transmission is just more fun
-the 4wd is a bit unrefined but works so well; it always gets me through the muddy roads and blizzards with ease
-its a properly good looking truck
-its the perfect size for daily use

Dislike:
-crap gas mileage (16-18 mpg for me)
-steering wheel is too low (but at 6'1" and 185 lbs, I actually like the driving position)
-it needs about 30 more hp (I know, I'll get a tune eventually)
-some cheap interior plastics scratch when you look at them wrong

I'm still stoked on this truck everytime I get in it. Every morning I drive a few extra miles on a dirt road loop on the way to work so I can slop through mud or snow.

 

Very good points, I love my OTT tune / Injen intake. She rips pretty good.

https://youtu.be/Brj9utVT00c?si=OcZW7_5UB3-ZglKA

 

I also have a little over 18K miles on my 22 DCSB. I love it. There’s a few things I wish was a little different, the interior plastic, and yes, the steering wheel could definitely go higher.

But, I had a 1994 extended cab that I enjoyed for 13 years before selling it. (Still wish I had it.) I’ve had 2 3rd gen 4Runners, and now the 3rd gen Tacoma.

I loved the classic look of the ‘94. To me, the 2022 does the same thing. I am not trying to chase the newest version of the Tacoma. I’d be happy to hold on to what I’ve got for the long haul. I love looking at it.

I’m in no hurry to beta test an arguably more complex power plant. The 4th gen not a bad looking taco, but if I was offered either the 3rd gen or the 4th gen for the same price, I’d drive away in the 3rd gen taco every time.

 

It is a compromise truck that does nothing well, but I love it…

 

statistically, the Ford Model T also didn’t have low oil pressure on inclines.
I’ve not seen single post online from model T owners having this problem.

 

Tune it Marine and thank you for your service...from a tuned and knowledgeable Seabee!

 

I did not drive the 24, just hardheaded about overstressed 4 cyl turbos.
My test drive of the 23 showed me that it was less powerful than my 09. Figured the 4 door would have more room but didn't bother tipping the seats up. I knew that the short bed was not what I prefer but didn't want the extra length of a 4dr LB. Just had a whole bunch of negative stuff add up as I used it. No mystery
I am going to try to make it work for me, at least for a while.