When to buy a later year 3rd gen?

Buy when you need the vehicle... (and of course, the corollary: Don't buy if you don't need to).

No (great) good will come on buying on spec on a consumable.

The newest 3rd Gens are getting older, and so is your trade-in.

 

How many 2nd gens were built? I've looked all over for this info and haven't found anything!

 

1,600,000, give or take.

 

^Yep 1.6 million according to https://www.goodcarbadcar.net/toyota-tacoma-sales-figures/ (You have to add up the yearly figures in a spreadsheet.)

2nd gens sold in fewer numbers despite a longer production run. The 2008 recession and stronger competition from the then Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier were factors.

 

I don't think you are going to see mayor drop in the 2023 3rd gen since they are the last of the V6. I picked up my Limited 23 last July after I totaled the 2016 and I got a great deal since they wanted to clear the lot that weekend.

 

Set your budget, your needs/wants, and then search patiently until you find exactly what you want. It a big purchase and why not get the configuration, options, colors, etc that you really want. Its a good position to be in because you do not have to buy something immediately which generally negatively affects needs/wants. At your price point and mileage it would be a smart idea to only buy something that has 4-5k miles left on warranty for after purchase issues just in case.

 

Then buy when you find the right truck for the appropriate price. They’re not going to be coveted or have some odd price spike. There’s hundreds of thousands everywhere. Buy an unmodified truck if you can.

 

Dude, there was a place here in SoCal running 98c gas in the weeks around 9/11/2001. I’m still waiting for them to return to that price. Good thing I’m patient.

 

some say the end of the month if getting it from a dealer. it adds to their monthly totall.
as far as major issues there are some, too many to go into, just look around on this forum.