2015 or 2016

The hand brake was one of the things they did that left me scratching my head. Other than that I like the 16 interior. I thought the previous parking brake was brilliant. They sacrificed valuable center console space to move it.

As far as off roading goes I know it is popular with Tacoma owners and they are decent rigs for it, but if you want the most capable off road vehicle a pickup isn't for you. They do it well for a pickup though.

 

I don't know. I have one of the (seems to be many) 2013-2015 trucks with that God awful pulsing whine on the cold start up that may or may not be an oil pump problem. Kinda pissed about it. But I'm not a first model year guy, either. Wish I still had my '09.

 

Sorry to hear about your problem - hadn't heard about it. I have a '15, and don't have that issue, to my knowledge ::knock on wood::.

This isn't anything personal against the '16 Taco - I just never buy a vehicle early in the production run. For me, it was perfect time to get the tried-and-true '05-'15 model.

 

I was also unaware. How cold does it have to be? Is it all Tacomas that have it or just 6 cylinders?

 

It's a 4.0L issue. Here's an example: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cold-start-whine-rasp.286242/

 

The end-state of that thread seemed to be that it's a pretty normal occurrence and nothing to really worry about. Have you taken it into your dealer?

 

In 2014 I was driving a Subaru WRX with a great drivetrain, but all the creature comforts were falling apart (crooked windows, no AC, sputtering audio, etc...). I considered waiting for the new gen as my first big adult purchase after college, but just like the Subaru, I wanted a truck with all the DIY already on the forums, years of history for the manufacturer to work out the kinks, parts easy to find, and just an easier truck to work on (I want to drive, not the computer!)

In summary, 2nd gen is tried and proven, and any DIY project will be a lot easier. All the mods are already fitted for the second gen (intake, exhaust, lifts, even the mounting brackets for my light bar, etc...). I didn't want a new truck where I'd be waiting around for mods to come out that fit my truck. IMHO.

 

I will this week to get it documented, even if they say "normal". Got a newborn... already not enough hours in the day.

I just want to know what it is. I know scottalot on here had his oil pump replaced and it fixed it, but a couple others had that done with no luck. But if it's an oil pump problem, my head will spin off like a top knowing I've been driving it with an oil pressure issue (never had a light, though).

After trying to read every single thing about this and watching every video I can find, here's what makes me the most crazy: Not everyone's does it, and there is not one thread from an owner that has tens of thousands of miles saying it's created a problem. Awaiting a UOA from someone here with 20k miles on theirs that makes the noise.

 

Fair enough. I have to admit that if it were my truck, I'd likely be just as perturbed, and I would be in my dealership on a weekly basis until they made it stop. LoL I wouldn't care what they said it was - if a brand new motor was 'designed' to tick, then that's just bad design.

Sorry to hear that you're having issues, and I hope that it gets solved!

 

I think the 2016's look pretty ugly myself. And I have not found a feature that they sport that is anything spectacular, especially for the money. (for Pre-Runners) . After they quit installing mechanical rear lockers, that kinda killed any interest in a Pre-Runner anyways, lol! About your statement "dunno why on earth you would buy a 10 year old "new" truck." I have to agree, I have had mine for about a decade. I paid it off in full in 2008. Only cost me maybe $10,000.00 for lift, tires, rims, and switch to new front cap plus paint doing almost all of the work myself or having friends with shops help if I pay the beer bill . You can buy a 2005-2006 Tacoma Quad-Cab TRD Sport Package #2 in pristine condition for about $13,000.00 or less. Then you can add your lift, your tires, your mods, and a new front cap to make it look like a 2015 and it will have a fully functional locker in the rear. So, after all of that you at most have $23,000.00 invested. You spend about 1/2 as much, no car payment every month (or a small one), end up with the truck you want, and built to your liking, it look's like a brand new 2015. Oh, and saved like $20,000.00

My personal theory is this, currently, after everything said and done, if you include the cost of buying my truck, all the mods, factoring in interest on new car payments, the actual cost of a similar truck brand new, etc... With everything considered, I can spend about $12,000 to $15,000 more on my truck before I would be in the red vs. buying a 2015 and installing lift, tires, rims, etc. and I have no car note. I say 2015, because mine is now basically a 2015, (new front end, new interior, repainted, navigation, etc.) I am not sure if you can retrofit the 2nd gen Tacomas to 2016, looks like you can't, but if I needed to it would only cost a couple thousand bucks. Worst came to worst, it cost me maybe $4000 to upgrade the engine, transmission and rear axle if need be and I would still basically have a 2015 and over all be way ahead in the cost department. So even after all of that I would still be ahead and no truck note every month

So, ya, why spend $40,000.00+ ?

I know the strategy above is not for everyone, but it does make since if you are like me and love turning wrenches and coming up with new little tweaks and mods for your truck. I really do not care about resale value, I got her when she was born and one of us will die first before I sell her, lol! But I also understand the other side. My RX Lex, I have no interest in modding it (doubt the old lady would let me anyways, lol)and when warranty gets close to running out, it will be sold. No way am I paying for maintenance and repairs! LOL! Lexus is a convenience that you never want to become a burden! I read some of the warranty tickets you have to sign for service work.... outrageous! I guess it depends on what you want to get out of your vehicle. Tacoma is, a great looking truck (until 2016), also a fun toy, workhorse, a tool, a great performing truck, basically an indestructible truck, and after you tune the suspension a great highway driving vehicle and off-road vehicle. Plus, all things considered very inexpensive to build if you do some pre-planning.

 

The tailgate I like also.

 

I bought my 2015 mainly because all I needed was the proven 4 cylinder with a 5 speed manual for fewer hiccups. The only hiccup in my purchase was that the 5 speed manual could only be had with the base 4x4. I would have loved to have the option of the 2.7 four banger on a Prerunner with a row your own transmission and an electro-mechanical rear locker. Toyota has definitely been whittling down the number of different builds over the past few years.

What I see in the 2016 is a precursor to all new design for the Tacoma, which will come in about 3 years. Sort of like the leap between the 1st and 2nd generation.

I can see where Toyota is going with the 2016 Tacoma. The power train upgrades are essentially what every other truck manufacturer is doing with regards to gaming tougher EPA regs in the US. It's not the end of the world - but the new 4DS and 6 speed ECT have software mapping that maximizes MPG of an empty truck at an EPA test facility. It will be great for those folks who commute to work solo in an unloaded truck.

Toyota definitely knows its market. As a conservative guess - at least half the buyers for a mid-size truck are willing to spend $30K plus, so long as the interior makes them feel like they are inside a faux 2005 Lexus. Hence the upgraded interior. As much as I loved the look and build of the 1996 Tacoma extended cab 4x4, 99% of today's truck buyers wouldn't go near such austere package. Quad cabs are now 80% of the truck market. Plus, the interior and drive needs to be more car-like.

My 2015 is an anachronism - but I'm happy to give it a home.

 

I drive a manual. So, one vote for the relocated hand brake on 2016, even though my digital SLR camera fits perfectly in the 2015 console.

 

The gen-2 engines were all produced in the U.S. What's that got to do with it?

 

jboudreaux1965, sorry I would have quoted but I'm on my phone and don't want to chop that much out by hand.

The buy an 05 and turn it into your toy for the same as a stock new truck is great if you just want a toy. My problem with it is you have 10 years less of service life out of it. I'm not one to do lifts and rims and bumpers but if I had a choice between a tricked out 05 with 150k miles and a new 15 for the same price I'll take the 15.

Personally I think you would have to be crazy to drop 30k on a vehicle that well used but I am still young and sticker shocked easily.

 

I mean what ever floats your boat...

Btw The bolded above isnt true.... any TRD off road regardless of prerunner or 4x4 has a rear locker.

 

I'm an anachronism. I'm humble and happy with it.

 

Again the vote is puzzling.. I expected more than 21% to go 16...