2015 owner seeking advice on buying 2023 vs 2024

Lifetime drivetrain warranty? Dealers aren't dumb. Better read the fine prints

If you drive a lot of miles, you'll end up paying A LOT to get all recommended services done to retain this warranty. Which includes @$100 for cabin air filters every 10K miles. That's just the beginning...

 

I’ve had a 19, 22, and now 24. The 24 is hands down a better truck.

 

I have a '19 TRD-OR and just replaced front shocks and did a total rebuild of the front brakes at 90K miles. The transmission is a dog, but a predictable, reliable dog, and I plan to drive it for a long time. If the 4th gen gave a meaningful MPG bump, I'd think differently.

That said, the '24 is much better overall and if it were me, I'd move into the newer generation truck. This assumes they have corrected the transmission issues.

 

My 19 is OK; if anything the drivetrain is a slight letdown. If I were buying today I'd 100% get a 4th gen.

 

As a '17 owner since '16, I agree with going 4th gen.

My truck has been good, but no way i'd pay anywhere close to 40k for one. Move on and be happy. Also the lifetime warranty means nothing IMO.

 

Do these warranties cover premature clutch wear/failure when they say "engine/transmission"? If it says "drivetrain" I'd take that to mean the clutch is also covered. How do Taco clutches hold up to heavy towing, BTW? I'd prefer a manual over an automatic give the choice, as long as the clutch could stand up to towing.

For that kind of money I'd be searching for another 2nd Gen with a solid body and chassis and putting some money into it to fix whatever is wrong. I drive a 2011 DCSB 4x4 and have ridden in a couple of 3rd gen's with the same setup and I see nothing in the 3rd gen trucks that is better than my 2nd gen. The 2nd gen trucks seem to hold their value pretty well, the local 'Yota dealer has offered me almost what I paid for it 7 years ago.

 

A clutch is a wear item just. Like brakes. In my years as a dealer tech they were warrantied for 12mos/12,000 miles unless it was some sort of defect like springs falling out of the disc or fingers snapping off the pressure plate.

 

When I was looking for new to me truck in late 2016, I am glad I went with the new 3rd Gen. Nothing against the used 2015, but looking back, I'm very happy on my decision to go with the 2017, as I still drive it daily. Go new, you won't regret it.

 

If you go back and quiz them on the lifetime warranty details, ask if you can record the conversation for the record unless you are in a state that permits recording conversations without notifying the other party. Salesmen are scum (well, the overwhelming majority at least) and will say anything you want to hear for a dollar.

 

If it's not in writing, it didn't happen.

 

This. Pretty much anything a salesman says will be considered "sales puffery" if you try to sue them over it. And that's what it's going to take to try to get coverage on something that the warranty doesn't enumerate in the contract.

 

First of all, don't do your research on YouTube if that's where you're hearing things. There are numerous 'sky is falling' channels, and they are bullshit. The transmission issues were on early production runs. That's fixed.

I loved my 3rd gen, but this is so much more truck. It's like comparing a $2 hotdog to a great steak.

 

Please enlighten us how you can predict the future when it comes to 4th gen transmission failures?

 

Looks like the OP does a ton of miles.

Will the G4 be as reliable after 100K+ miles, which is barely 4yrs for him.

 

You're, sadly, probably right. While I would like to think a recording would hold some weight, I'd be curious if it would simply be a manner of management saying, "Well, he was misinformed at that time." Obviously I am not an attorney..

 

After owning a 2009 for 15 years and test-driving 3rd gens, I'd say get the 4th gen. 3rd gen drivetrain truly sucks, at least subjectively. I am sure it is reliable, but it is weak, and the transmission can't get out of its own way. The new turbo motors like the 4th gen and my 3rd gen Tundra have tons of torque, never seem to run out of breath, and far better transmissions. Plus, all the other new upgrades.

 

I have to agree with Gemtech. There's a reason I bought a 2nd gen after my 1st gen, and then a 3rd gen after my 2nd gen. And now my 4th. There's a reason J.D. Powers put Toyota (and Lexus) as the #1 most reliable manufacturer.

Based on history, you can make a reasonable prediction.

 

Tacomas are one of those trucks that hold their value well. Almost always makes more sense to buy new

 

Just like the tundra with 100,000 motors needing to be replaced?