2012 TACOMA MEGA-THREAD

Toyota hasn't released any information to the public yet regarding the 2012 Tacoma.

However regarding the size of the 2012 I firmly believe it won't be any bigger than the current Tacoma. The Tacoma and the 4Runner share the same platform and the 4Runner was just redesigned (5th gen) for model year 2010 with no change to the overall size.

If history repeats its self the 2003 4Runner was a new generation (4th) and then in 2005 the Tacoma came out as the current 2nd generation. 2010 5th generation of the 4Runner, so 2012 3rd generation of the Tacoma?...we shall see.

According to a build date list from Donlen: http://www.donlen.com/buildstart-toyota.aspx the 2012 will be arriving in dealerships Aug/Sep.

Hope this helps.

 

Until corporate actually releases information to the public, anything and everything is complete hearsay. "I know a dude..." that people keep posting here means jack shit. It's 100% unreliable information. If you can hold out and want to, wait until the next autoshow in which Toyota presents and you'll get a good idea. The 2012 models are only a few months away anyway.

Also, I'd highly recommend you reconsider the v6. The gas millage is very similar for a buttload of more power. The access cab is, honestly, way to heavy for that poor I4 that doesn't generate near enough power. I say this having test drove one, and previously owning a 2008 access cab pre-runner.

 

I'm waiting for more specifics, but it was put to me that it's a sheet metal and engine change. So I guess it depends upon how you define redesign. It will be out this fall or a bit after. That is from a 100% reliable source at Toyota Corporate. I bought a used 1st gen a while back because I've known this for some time now (as I want the 3rd gen eventually, assuming there's not something horrible about it). I wouldn't post this if I didn't have reliable info. I am supposed to get more info soon - but I have no control over that - so I'll pass it along if I get it.

 

That says you'll be able to order them in a few days How are you gonna order something you've never seen?

 

that's a fleet management company - managing corporate autos. we can't order...

 

This is from my local sales mgr, who had a meeting with a Toyota rep and other dealer mgr's around the greater st. louis area, so it has to be true lol:

He said currently there is 12% production on parts only, and no new vehicles are currently being assembled. the rep doesnt imagine the production to rise to 50% until after july/august. The dates are being pushed back on all new vehicle production. The re-designed Camry will be out 2012, they were supposed to release it August, however the date has been pushed back to December.

The way I see it, if you can find the truck you want, go for it. There is always going to be something better in life. If you want to wait until the 2012's are released, plan to wait at least until next year. Look at it this way, Toyota is not going to release an all new truck for them to trickle in to dealer lots, on a limited production schedule... they are going to overtake the dealers to replace the 2011 line.

This is my opinion, but I'd say if you want it now, get it now. (I did, I pick it up tomorrow!)

 

Thanks for the advice about the V6. Admittedly more power is always nice, but my reasons for wanting a Tacoma are not driven by power needs necessarily. We have a Jeep Commander with 300+ hp & 1/2 ton pickup towing capacity for anything we'd need to tow...also I have a C4 Corvette to satisfy my need for speed when the mood strikes.

My reasons for wanting a Tacoma are based on the desire to have a fun daily driver that gets decent fuel economy while still retaining the extra utility of a truck & 4WD. As long as I can load the bed up with some stuff fom Home Depot or some camping gear for an economical trip to the pines/high desert I am good. That, & throw in the extra price of the V6 & auto trans (not to mention most V6s tend to be pretty heavily optioned which adds even more to the price) and this little bare bones I4/5spd is very attractive both price & utility-wise.

If this was my only vehicle I would probably indeed pony up for the V6 & extra amenities...but that's just not my purpose for it.

 

What I don't understand is if there are going to be ANY significant changes for 2012, why did Toyota not have any models on display or any infor reguarding a 2012 at the NY Auto show? You would think at least a concept vehicle or a version of a "new Tacoma" would have been on display but nothing. I have a hard time believing that Toyota is going to re-tool the assembly plants ans there are no spy shots, nothing spyed on them testing a new truck, nothing. That't not to say it won't happen for 2012 but it's getting really close to an inital order date according to the link posted above and you have not even an image to see before you order? I think it's possible to see minor changes cosmetically you would think we would have heard something by now unless, the Tsunami disaster put the damper on things. Only time will tell

 

haha - agreed!

 

The new Entune feature is a HUGE clue they are redesigning the Tacoma for 2012. From the video here: http://www.toyota.com/entune/ they show a touch screen in the typical location:



But remember how the current Tacoma is laid out. There is NO ROOM to put a touch screen unless they ditch the current stereo system or move it around. The curvature of the radio faceplate would probably be troublesome for installing a flat touchscreen. And the location of the HVAC controls might pose a conflict.

I can't see how Entune is added without a major dashboard redesign. Who's with me on this?

 

I agree that there would have to be a major dash redesign. I'm afraid to even think how much that would cost as an option!

 

Many of us have touch screen navi head units.

 

yeah that's gonna be pricey...not my cup of tea... I like minimal options...big fan of roll up windows even!

 

I thought Toyota already announced it?

 

Yeah, it was mentioned earlier in the thread. See here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/137340-2012-taco-changes-4.html#post3104127

That post links to an article which says "Tacoma" in the headline, but nothing in the body of the article reiterating Tacomas would get it. So I'm not sure.

 

Here's the direct link: http://www.allcartech.com/blog/1058584_toyotas-entune-to-bow-in-prius-v-camry-tacoma-in-fall

I only see Tacoma's mentioned in the headline.

 

The last paragraph mentions that Entune will be in the 2012 Camry and 2012 Tacoma this fall.

The author concludes that "heavy facelifts or model-cycle replacements for both of those aging vehicles are imminent."

 

Missed that part, thanks!

 

I just broke in my '05 with 50K miles on it...not yet....

 

Another thought is how many years will they run the current 4.0 before it starts costing more than just putting in the updated motor even without a redisign. 2 years is long enough so the timing is right.