Is tacoma moving in a favorable direction (1st gen to 4th gen)?? Let me know down below

the instructional videos I wish was playing for my new truck in the showroom when I go to pick it up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz0hN05GyLQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D2rWt9M1q8

 

My two contractors, whi do in fact work out of the trucks daily, went to Nissan Frontier due to price. My younger brother went Colorado Z71, due to price. He believed, in his research, Colorado was a much better deal. A good friend went GMC AT4 after going into the purchasing research crushing hard on the 4th gen. After seeing his a driving it and if I was in the market, I'd start at the AT4, nice truck. One of my customers traded his 2024 Tacoma in due to he said, "shit build." Rattles, hood shaking, interior gaps, poor dealer service, etc... He was upset, took a hit and went back to full size 1500 Custom.

The Tacoma is obviously selling, look at the numbers. Seems to be a different clientele and not popular here in SW NH.

 

Yeah I really don't understand why the base trailboss isnt smoking everything in sales. Stripped down with Factory lift, wheels, tires, high towing, 4low, rear locker, 430ft lbs torque and the best bed and rear bumper design ever for a midsize truck.

 

**adjusted poll to include 1st and 2nd gen if you want to change your vote...

 

AI Analysis:

When discussing the "toughest" generation of the Toyota Tacoma, it largely depends on how you're defining "tough"—durability, off-road capability, simplicity, or reliability. Here's a quick breakdown of the contenders:

1st Generation (1995–2004)
Toughest in terms of simplicity and reliability.

• Known for legendary durability and reliability.
  
  
• Basic but highly capable off-road with fewer electronics to fail.
  
  
• Still widely used in harsh environments (e.g. deserts, mountains).
  
  
• Solid choice if you're looking for a no-nonsense, ultra-reliable truck.
  

2nd Generation (2005–2015)
Toughest for daily driving and moderate off-roading.

• More comfortable but still very rugged.
  
  
• Offers models like the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro (from 2015 onward).
  
  
• Good balance between old-school toughness and modern amenities.
  
  
• Frame rust issues in early years (Toyota extended warranties for this).
  

3rd Generation (2016–2023)
Toughest in modern tech and off-road features.

• TRD Pro variant is extremely capable off-road (skid plates, crawl control).
  
  
• Engine and transmission criticized for being underpowered or awkwardly tuned, though still reliable.
  
  
• More complex electronics can be a downside in harsh long-term conditions.
  

4th Generation (2024–)
Most advanced but yet to prove long-term toughness.

• All-new TNGA-F platform with coil-spring rear suspension in some trims.
  
  
• Turbocharged engines and hybrid options.
  
  
• Promises excellent off-road capability (especially in Trailhunter trim).
  
  
• Still too new to assess true toughness or long-term durability.
  

Verdict:

• Most Reliable/Long-Term Tough: 1st Generation (1995–2004)
  
  
• Best All-Round Tough with Modern Features: 2nd Generation (2005–2015)
  
  
• Best Off-Road Tech Tough: 3rd Generation TRD Pro (2016–2023)
  

 

Give it a good 7 years before you rate the reliability of the latest gen. 4th gen just turned one year old.

 

but what will a dumbass AI think about this logic?

 

With a whole lot of shopping, testing competitors, and our 2015, no one put a gun to our head saying we had to get the 4th gen. All that shopping and test rides made it stand out as good. With 10,000+ miles and 10 months of use it seems even better.

For your comment on the parking brake, it has automatic roll control that I forget about.

I've had many pickups since the 1970s. It might not be for you but I find it the best of all of them. If like me where all the 5 and 5.5 ft beds are near useless and you don't want a full size, Tacoma stands out even more.

 

alls they would have to do to make me a believer in the 4th gen is just make a SR 4x4 Off Road trim. Basically a non-detuned SR with TRD 4x4 Offroad drivetrain. Thats all I need. And make it same price as a SR5 4x4. Mainly I just want a non detuned SR with lockers and low price tag and SR5 towing. Chevrolet calls it the base trailboss.

 

Go buy the chevy.

 

Or, better yet, go here:
https://www.coloradofans.com/

And tell them how you would be a bELieVeR in the colorado if GM would make it reliable.

 

may be a good option. Toyota is detuning its lower trim and chev is making theirs 430 foot pounds of torque

 

This is one helava long Friday post.

 

Wait, is this the knobs and tubes thread rebranded?

 

I added 1st gen and 2nd gen to the survey and 3rd gen is still rollin!?! I figured everybody would change to the 1st gen...

 

That was poetry bro

 

chat gpt is a hoot

 

Are you even real?

 

Title: "Taco Time: A Family Feud"

Scene: A garage decked out like a man-cave. A dusty 1st Gen Tacoma sits on a stool drinking motor oil. 2nd Gen wears cargo pants and a flannel. 3rd Gen is fiddling with Bluetooth settings on a cracked infotainment screen. 4th Gen walks in wearing a smartwatch and LED headlight shades.

1st Gen (1995–2004) (grumpy old man voice):
"Back in my day, we didn’t need hill descent assist or backup cameras! You just rolled backwards until you hit something soft!"

2nd Gen (2005–2015) (middle child energy):
"Yeah, and you rusted faster than a soda can in a saltwater jacuzzi. I'm the reason people still trust the Tacoma name, grandpa!"

3rd Gen (2016–2023) (tech bro, slightly defensive):
"Okay, okay — but I brought touchscreens, LED daytime runners, and TRD Pro Instagram fame. You're welcome."

1st Gen:
"You brought gear-hunting transmissions and limp torque curves. I had a real frame. You had... issues."

2nd Gen:
"He's not wrong. You spent 5 years figuring out how to go from second to third gear without crying."

3rd Gen:
"Hey! At least I don’t squeak like an old bed frame every time someone gets in. And unlike you guys, I actually had a GoPro mount."

4th Gen (2024+) (smooth, confident, EV-commercial voice):
"Gentlemen. Step aside. I am built on the TNGA-F platform. I have a turbocharged hybrid powertrain. My shocks have more travel than your entire suspension system."

1st Gen:
"You’re just a Tundra with a Napoleon complex!"

2nd Gen:
"I bet your tailgate opens by voice command or some nonsense."

3rd Gen:
"Wait wait, are you coil springs now? What are you, a crossover?"

4th Gen:
"I have multi-link coil suspension, a 14-inch infotainment screen, and wireless Android Auto."

1st Gen:
"So you’re basically a smartphone with a truck bed."

4th Gen:
"And you’re a lawn tractor with a title."

(All laugh except 1st Gen, who mutters and sips motor oil.)

2nd Gen:
"Face it, we all did our part. I made Tacomas cool. Grandpa made them last forever. Junior made them pretty."

3rd Gen:
"And now robo-boy here thinks he’s a Land Cruiser."

4th Gen:
"I am the Land Cruiser. Just... fun size."

1st Gen:
"Fine. Just don’t forget where you came from. Underpowered, overbuilt, and driven by guys named Hank."

(They all raise their oil cans.)

ALL:
"To Hank!"

 

Ah yes, I noticed your impeccable grammar and highlighted bullet-point text in other threads.

Weird flex but ok..