Is 3rd Gen 3.5 Tacoma really a good truck?

Screen name checks out..haha

 

Did you have to pay to get it repainted or was still under Toyota paint warranty. Curious to know.

 

Best looking there is

 

I had to pay. It's a 2016, I don't think they would cover anything, not from what I have read on here from people with similar issues.

 

Yes it is a really good truck.

 

My take.

I owned a 2010. It was reliable comfortable quite and the 1gr-fe was sufficient in power, though thirsty. The build quality was decent to good. The downside, I had the frame rust out and it wasn't covered under the safety recall, I somehow missed the boat on that one. I still got good money for it none the less.

So in August of 23 I purchased my 23 OR in Lunar Rock. So far I'm not exactly thrilled with my 3rd gen. Build quality is poor to decent. It's not as comfortable as my 2010, the interior sound noise is a little more intrusive, the OR exhaust note can be annoying at certain rpm.

The interior plastic scuff easily and seem more flimsy compared to my 2nd gen.

The 6 speed is pretty bad even with the OTT tune, but I'm adjusting to it. I own a Camry, and I just don't understand how Toyota can program a transmission to shift so flawlessly in one vehicle and so poorly in another. I know you really can't compare the two, but still.

The cabin is more cramped than the 2nd gen and the roof line is too low, I'm 6 ft tall and I hit my head getting in and out of the damn thing every time.

The finish has numerous defects and plenty of orange peel. But I do love the Lunar Rock color.

Brake feel is on and off with a unpredictable progressiveness to them. But they are reasonably strong in stopping power.

With the Ott tune the 2gr-fks has reasonable power when you spin it up. Overall I actually think the 2gr-fks is smother than the 1gr-fe and yes it's better on fuel. Yes the 1gr-fe had more torque down low. I know this will be controversial to some, but I actually prefer the 2gr-fks.

Looks go to the the 3rd gen hands down, the 2nd gen was too bubbly looking and dated looking even when it was a new model.

When it comes to towing, we'll just get a different truck. I pull a 6x10 utility trailer and loaded with my quad it doesn't like going to the hills of Southern Ohio, Kentucky or Tennessee. And don't tell me the 1gr-fe was better, it wasn't, I know they run forever, but it sounded like it was about to blow up pulling my trailer going uphill on the highway trying to maintain 70 mph. Again the 2gr-fks does better pulling on the highway IMHO.

When it comes down to it, the Tacoma is not all that capable as a truck, but it does get the job done.

However it still feels very solid, it has extremely high resale value. And not one Toyota I've owned has stranded me on the side of the road, and I feel confident my 3rd gen never will.

So to me it's a bit of a love-hate relationship.

Do I think the Tacoma is a good vehicle? overall I have to say definitely yes. But I will likely move to a full size when I replace her.

 

Dollar for dollar you get more for the buck in a full size.

I was in a Ram 2500 today. Thing rides significantly better than the Tacoma. Abundance of interior room.

You just pay for it in size, a trade off many such as myself are not willing to make.

Plus Ram… not exactly known for the quality.

 

Great reliable truck

 

Hometown ain’t lying! Thee whole truth and nothing but!

Try YotaWerx BH 2.1, that 2,000rpm (more or less) exhaust hum you are possibly referring to is deadened quite a bit with their tune. And the torque down low will surprise you quick :0)

 

Reminder 1st gen>2nd gen>turd gen>4th gen.

 

My 2023 has been pretty good. Power leaves alot to be desired. My 2009 4.0 had the power band where you need it.
Mine has no tune but it shifts perfect, no hunting. Only real complaint besides the dealer fucking up my truck every time I take it there is the wiring & how it attracts mice. Last year while vacationing at a cabin in Yosemite, they made a mess of my wiring under my intake. Cost me about $600 to have the plug removed & wiring cut back. Last week, we took my truck to Big Bear lake to a cabin. Wife took her car too because she was coming up a day later. We also had our kids come too for several days. They are all Toyotas. Wife had a Avalon, son has a 2015 Tacoma, grandson had a 2014 Tundra. While walking out to my truck, I see a mouse jump off the top of my tire. I start truck- thankfully no codes. I open the hood & it looks like mice were having a square-dance on my plastic engine cover & fuse box cover. The amount of footprints was alarming! I checked the wifes Avalon & kids trucks. Nothing. Not a single print under any hood except mine. Now I have to wonder what the mice chewed on this time. It's my understanding this is an issue with more than Toyota but it does give me pause when thinking of going somewhere & park outside in dirt.
I don't know how people in mountain communities with no garage deal with this. I know if I still lived at house in Tehapachi mountains, I would sell it just based on the wiring BS.

 

Toyota Pickup>1st gen Tacoma>2nd gen Tacoma>Turd gen Tacoma>4th gen Tacoma

 

Well my rear DIFF on my 23 with 3,000 miles is leaking. I tightened down the nuts to 28 FT/LB two nuts were a little loose. Maybe the 3rd gen is a Turd!

 

I bought an '18 TRD Sport back in '17. If I could go back and do this over I'd get a Ridgeline Black Edition. Fu reelz.

 

Yeah, to be completely honest this thing is kinda a POS. Shoddy build quality, it's uncomfortable I feel beat up after I get out of it, it's weak, it gets horrible gas mileage for the power it has, road noise on the highway makes my ears ring. If the differential is still leaking after I tightened the nuts down, I'm going to sell the damn thing, maybe see if the dealership will buy it back for a decent price. I'm highly doubtful about that lol.

 

It's a good reliable truck imo. Does nothing great but does it just good enough. Looks like there might be a lemon once in a while but I'd rather chance a very slight risk of that than buying a RAM or FORD with a slight chance of getting a good one. I've owned them all. Still love a full size American truck just don't have the need for a big rig. Alot of responses here draw comparisons so being my other vehicle is a JKU Wrangler I'd probably consider horse and carriage an upgrade. Love my Tacoma.

 

They'll buy it in a heartbeat. Stupid dealer calls me twice a month wanting mine the last time (2 days ago) I said
I'd take $125,000 in cash or I was willing to self-finance with approved credit at 50% down and 25% interest.

You could sell it and buy a Ridgeline, and I understand the Ram is having a sale this weekend.

Me?... I find that my 2021 Tacoma has everything I need and nothing I don't.
I feel like it's gonna get me where I'm going and back home again.
I like driving it. I feel good in it.

Like they say in Australia:
If you wanna go to the OutBack you take a Range Rover.
If you wanna get back you take a Toyota.

 

I've definitely considered the Ridgeline trail addition.

 

Yes.

 

Bump