Why shouldn't I trade my 2016 Rubicon for a TRD?

I know, I know, the enemy is in your midst. But that aside, I want to bounce something off of your taco brains. If you want the whole story, read ahead. If you want to just do a quick reply with your input, here goes: Should I trade my 2016 wrangler Rubicon unlimited 6 speed for a 2016 TRD off road 6 speed, and what are the chances that I can get an even trade, with no expense on my part whatsoever? The trade in value on Toyota's website for my jeep is a little over 37k.

So in April I bought 2016 wrangler unlimited Rubicon with a 6 speed in granite color. I graduated this spring with my undergrad degree and figured why not start out my post-college life close to 40k in debt, right? I've been a jeep nut since I was 16, and I have owned a Cherokee, three Wranglers, and a Scrambler. I thought that the JK would be my ultimate dream jeep. Boy, how I was disappointed.

In the three months that I have owned it I have had several problems that have made me loose every bit of confidence I have in its reliability. The fuel supply line came completely separated where the quick disconnect fitting fits into the fuel line with plastic barbs while driving, leaking gas all over the exhaust. The line was slightly melted, but still kept a seal after I pushed the barbed fitting back in. On top of this was the transmission noises which are not normal, and the rear axle has already leaked quite a bit. I took it to the dealership for all these things, and after three full days, extremely unprofessional conduct, rude communication, and just plane incompetence, I was told that the fuel lines "checked out", which means that they didn't even replace the melted line. They also "couldn't hear any noises" from the transmission. To top it off, they repaired the leak in the axle and left gear oil completely covering the entire differential cover. Three days for nothing more than a shitty gasket maker job. Not to mention that I was offered no rental car. Typical domestic dealership crap.

I know that these things are probably rare, and that it is possible that I may never have another issue with it for the remainder of the warranty, which is a 70k warranty. But what confidence I had in the jeep, what trust I had in its reliability to get me home when I need it most, is spent. I like to go on long trips, several times a year I drive across country with either my friends or girlfriend and go backpacking and flyfishing. Sometimes these trips take me miles away from cell service on old forest service roads where I would be shit out of luck if my fuel line separated again and I wasn't able to fix it myself, or if some other stupid crap happened.

Two years ago, a buddy and I drove from east Tennessee to the top of the Dalton highway in Alaska and back on a month long road trip, putting over 10k miles on his 2010 Tacoma. I would put that thing through hell and back and not even think twice about it.

Before I got the jeep I was slightly intrigued with the 16 tacomas, but I went with the jeep instead. However, after thinking about it for 2 weeks now and tossing the idea back and forth, I want some of your opinions. My jeep is in excellent condition, with 8k miles on it. It has a hard top, soft top, and some extra things on the interior, but nothing that I can't put back to stock. I looked up the trade value on Toyota's website, and it says that its trade value is a little over 37k. I would want a 2016, TRD off road with a 6 speed, preferably in the sandstorm or whatever that sand color is. Is it possible to do a clean trade? I priced out what I want and the price is less than 37k, but that's without all the hidden fees.

Thanks for your help

- A disgruntled jeep owner

 

Welcome to the Forum. Your experience sounds like many 3rd gen Tacoma owners. Just like the the TJ 4.0s were the last great indestructible wrangler (I had an 04 Rubi), so are the 4.0 2nd gen Tacomas.

Will definitely get a good amount of flack for that. But realistically if you want a 3rd gen wait a year or 2 till the bugs are worked out.

 

I can't answer your question but I'm in the same predicament. I have a 2015 unlimited Rubicon with a 2 1\2" lift, 35's, bumpers, Zeon winch, skid plates, Teraflex tire carrier, grab bars, CB and 12,500 mi. Im considering trading it in for a 16' Tacoma OR to have a truck again and something with better gas mileage on long road trips. I figured with the stealership I'll still end up with a couple thousand out of pocket. But reading all these threads about the underpowered 3.5, transmission issues, navigation rebooting and vibrations has me second-guessing trading my Jeep in plus I know I miss the off-road capabilities. I guess the only answer is to test drive a Tacoma and go from there.

 

Buy a 2nd gen. You're welcome.

 

I traded a 2012 TRD OR 6 speed manual in for my Jeep because i didn't like the transmission and wanted to wheel again. If I could afford both it would be problem solved. I think it would be best to wait till the 17's are out for awhile and let the fever subside before I do anything. It would also help if I quit looking at the new builds on this forum.

 

Yep...I'd avoid the 2016 too, too many kinks that still need to be worked out with the '3rd gen' Tacoma and you'll likely experience similar annoyances with one.

 

Don't let Toyota suck you in too quickly with their claim to give you 37k for your Jeep. I don't know anything about them, but I wonder if that would leave them any meat on the bone for resale, or would they try and screw you over on the other end selling you a truck. Keep in mind these 3 gen taco are not without problems either and they don't have a 70k warranty. Good luck

 

In your situation I'd really consider waiting for a 2017. As mentioned above, get a few of the bugs worked out and also give you a chance to maybe step back, take a breath and relax about it. Be a drag to go from a jeep with issues to a Tacoma with possible issues, they are around. Don't rush. Make a more informed decision rather than a rash one. And also a chance to consider a 2nd gen and see what you might find in that regard.

 

Stealer will always promise top $ for your trade, because they want you to come! Then they will do their "magic" to sell you a car. Don't rely on that to much.

 

Jeep... LOL!!!

 

Maybe look at a 4Runner too? It may be old under the hood but the 4 liter and 5 speed auto have a long track record of being reliable.

 

Lol that's exactly what I was thinking

 

I have 3 friends that own wranglers (jk, I suppose? 2015) I personally don't see any value in jeeps to me they should cost 20k-30k top, it's like buying brand new truck that was made in early years of 2000. It's small inside, no room for rear passenger, feel cramped inside, dashboard looks ugly and lack of technology. I know lots of people love them and they do look cool if you spend another 10k on parts. So one of my friend just recently sold his lifted jk sport for 35k(buying house) and talks about buying new taco because he likes how mine looks, drives, how roomy it is inside, bed space, how quite it is inside (even with my Nitto G2)...all the tech it has, display, smart key, and so on.... And that's what I told him for the money this is great truck!!! But yes wait for 2017 maybe Toyota will fix some issues people are having, mine is 2016 and zero complain.

 

I'd rather have a burnt rod (unlikely) in a Toyota than a brand new Jeep anything!!! They do hold a good resale value. But so does Harley's. Just remember, Jeep and Harley offers 1920's technology at today's prices....

 

In my opinion, the transmission annoyances result from 6th gear being a true overdrive set up for fuel economy, and can be avoided when desired by using the ect button and/or the manual selection. The vibes in my truck are there if I concentrate, but until I read about them on here I had never noticed them. Do a test drive to see if they bother you. Then if you buy, test drive the new truck before you accept it. You can deal with the greasing issue, transmission fluid issue via the dealer pre-acceptance if you negotiate appropriately, or yourself if you are somewhat mechanically inclined and equipped.
Go for it OP, you will not be disappointed.

 

The only thing I could want in my 2016 DCSB is less shifting in cruise control. Compared to my 2001 grand cherokee it is getting 21 mpg in town compared to 15 in the Jeep. Very comfortable despite the lack of seat adjustment. Similar in overall comfort to the 01 grand cherokee. Great tech package. I looked at wrangler and the new grand cherokee and cherokee all as replacement vehicles and ended up with the Tacoma.

 

Well at least you're looking in the right direction now. Had a 92&93 wrangler bare bones as hell. The 17's will be shipping in a few months I would wait for the new model. But I highly doubt anything is fixed. Since this site is heavily concentrated with Tacoma owners who have mostly owned a few of them your gonna hear a few gripes about the 16's because they expected no issues and the perfect 10 out of 10 truck from Toyota.And then there's some people who are only repeating what someone else said. I for one had only one issue with my 16 low tranny fluid which the dealer topped right off. Getting used to the new tranny was different but now I don't have any issues with it. But like I said the new ones will be shipping in a few months you should either wait for those to ship and buy or try to get a deal on a 16 once the 17's hit the lot.

 

Tacoma, you'll probably need to drop a few grand for things like tax, tag, title, dealership profit.

 

Traded in a 11 Rubicon for on a 2016 TRD OR Access Cab with the 6MT. Couldn't be happier after 5500 kms and zero issues.

 

Gen 3 is ugly. Go with a 15