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

I've spent the last hour looking, and I have been able to find exactly one 6 speed TRD offroad with double cab anywhere in the U.S on autotrader, and it was used. And when I went to toyota's website, I was only able to find one as well that was new. Hell, there aren't even any 6 speed manuals period at the dealerships around me

 

My undying love for all things Jeep unfortunately died after 2006 when they retired the rock solid 4.0L I6 and AW4 transmission. They were a bullet proof combo. I have owned 5 jeeps with that combo and had near zero issues. Starting in 2007 Jeep really lost a lot of cred with me. I will probably never own a Chrysler product again. Sure they offer a bunch of bells and whistles up front, but you will be sorry once the warranty is up. Need evidence?, just take a look at a consumers report. Red is good, black is bad and almost every Chrysler offering (especially Jeep) is riddled with black. I agree with some of the responses here, wait for at least a 2017 if not 2018 model. Your Jeep will still be under warranty and no vehicle hold their value better than a Wrangler (not even a Taco!)

 

Dealers can see any Tacoma you want either at a dealer, in transit, still being built within 500 or so miles. Go tell them exactly what you want and they will find it for you. I've been having a great dealership experience with Toyota this far. A hell of a lot better than my experience with Chrysler.

 

Not true. I just looked on the internet and according to Kelley Blue Book, out of all the 2016 vehicles, the 2016 Tacoma has the #1 trade in value while the 2016 Jeep Wrangler was placed at #5

 

I went ahead and emailed the local stealership, we'll see what they say.

Again, thanks for everyone's input

 

I am shocked, but you are right. Up until this year though, the Wrangler has taken top honors.

 

I simply walked into a high volume local dealer and they had a new OR 6-MT sitting on their lot, just arrived a few days prior. Didn't show up on any of the internet searches.

 

Trade for the 2016/17 Tacoma. If you look at what most of the nay-sayers are driving it's not a 2016, it's a Gen 2 and they're stuck in the past. Yes, people report some problems with the 2016's but it's the same people, over and over, burning up the threads. I traded a 2nd Gen (2012) for my 2016 and could not be happier.

Good luck in your decision.

 

A lot of it is probably because of how fast the Tacomas are being bought. Here where I live, the dealerships can hardly keep one on their lot. They probably just don't have time, or not even worry about uploading it because they know it will be sold soon. We custom ordered mine, and it sat at the dealership 2 days once it arrived before my parents could go and get it and the salesman told us that 4 people had already made an offer and tried to buy it.

 

Welcome to the forum! My buddies I work with all have Rubicons ranging from present to 3 years ago. They have had nothing but problems unfortunately. Obviously more capable out the box than Tacomas, but reliability problems have been a red flag. Personally, I haven't had any problems with my TRD OR M/T. Any forum you go to, regardless of brand and model generation, will have a plethora of complaint threads. Could wait for a 2017 if you wanted, if that will give you better peace of mind.

 

I second your post. Really if you look most of the complainers doesn't even have one.

 

I traded my '13 Rubicon for my '16 Tacoma. With the setup, (suspension/tires) I had on the Jeep I could put her in 4Lo, axles locked and go most anywhere I wanted without any problems. Now, if it hadn't been for the electrical glitches, heat/AC switch problems, leaky top and...Well, you get the picture. I really haven't missed it!!

 

I sold my 2014 2 Door Rubicon X and happily moved into a 2016 Tacoma. In fact, Ive licked the Chrysler lollipop twice and both times it's left a bad taste in my mouth. My Rubicon didnt have a single warranty claim or issue, was tight, drove well (for a Wrangler) and I loved it until...at 66k miles the cylinder head went out. The powertrain warranty covered it, but no thanks. That's twice Ive had major issues with Jeep Wranglers. I sold it to the dealsrship from where I bought it. Three or four days later, a guy bought it and overnight the check engine light had come back on, sputtering, rough idle, power loss - oh, you know just needin' another round of shitty Chrysler cylinder heads.

I kept reading on here about all the 16 Tacoma problems. I was scared to so much as look at one let along drive one for fear it may melt down as soon as touched the steering wheel. I came close to buying a Chevy Colorado. Glad I didnt cause at the end of the day if ya need to sell or trade or if ya total it, etc, it's still a Chevy and still has shitty Chevy resale value.

I had a shoulder replacement and was about a week into post op recovery. I couldnt drive. I rode with my mom to run errands and she dropped me off at the Toyota dealership. The salesMan drove me ariund in a couple Tacomas and one TRD Pro 4 Runner. Somehow, nuclear meltdown was avoided. I didnt feel anything offensive judging by the seat of my pants. However, that isnt the same as driving.

I went back another week and change after I was off my medication and reovered a bit more. I test drove 3 Tacomas for 45 minutes each. One Limited 4x4 and the other two TRD OR's. I picked out the OR that I wanted. We worked out a price, negotiated them manually checking tranny fluid (it was 1/2 a quart low) and some other stuff. I love my truck. With the stock tires, I was getting 24 mpg...in an Off Road Package 4x4 truck. It drives smooth, shifts smooth, feels very tight, no annoying buzzes or vibrations. My truck has 7k miles on it, and I bought it with 5,500 miles on it (program vehicle through dealership).

I read some posts here on TW and wonder just what in the hell people have been driving to be so spoiled. Geez. Drive a Jeep Wrangler then cry me a freakin' river about buzzes, noises, rattles, leaks, low fluid, squeaks, something disnt get tightened...lol! I noticed most of the ones saying buy the 2nd Gen are 2nd Gen owners. There are some 3rd Gen owners who have either had legit issues or they just arent happy with their purchase, imho. I wonder how many unhappy 3rd Gen owners were or are previous 2nd and 1st Gen Tacoma owners? Maybe that is why they got so spoiled? I dont know. Ive never owned or spent a lot of time driving the other Gens, but I am a shameless admirer of the 1st and 2nd Gens. I have, however, read 2nd Gens being low on tranny fluid, vibration/buzzing issues at X rpm's. Every vehicle, regardless of manufacturer or model, is gonna have quirks, issues, amd even some problems. Spend any time at all on vehicle forums and you'll see the same. And God forbid an updated model comes out. It is the spawn of Satan, ugly, terrible, reliability has gone down, so and so sucks, etc. Again, go read different vehicle forums if you dont believe me.

Go and test drive. Spend lots of time on your test drive. Look for the issues people complain about. There are some legitimate complaints, things do go wrong. I agree about waiting on a 17, unless you can get a deal on a 16 that you just cant pass up. I dont know that the 17's will be very different from the 16's, but this close...wait because they will be out soon, then the 16's will be "last year's model." If you dont like the Tacoma or if you do happen get one that causes you problems, then sell it or trade before your warranty wears out.

Btw, the Tacoma forces you to drive the way people "should" drive for better fuel efficiency. In general, people are so used to stabbing the skinny pedal, they dont even realize it - very aggressive drivers. Ask them and they drive like a grandma, but observe them objectively and you'll notice quite the opposite. Especially with these Tacomas, pretend like there is a raw egg between your clodhopper and the little skinny pedal and you are trying not to crack the egg while you are driving. If you do that in another vehicle (even a Heep Wrangler), the motor/power will feel similar to how the Tacoma feels. Someone suggested turning of ECT power. Try it. That proves exactly what Im saying: you'll notice the Tacoma then drives like any other vehicle. Pretend there is an egg, even with the ECT off, and see what the gas mileage and power feel does after you go into overdrive. Spoiler Alert: the same thing it does when it is on. It changes shift points. It's all in how you drive and how you get used to driving. It isnt easy to retrain yourself how to drive differently. We are all creatures of habit. Just drive it and. See if it fits your driving style or if you can alter your driving style enough to enjoy your purchase. That is a decision only you can make.

Good luck with your choice. I apologize for being so long winded. As a former Jeep sufferer, I wanted to tell you my thoughts comparing and contrasting the Wrangler and it's plethora of SERIOUS mechanical issues to the issues and complaints Ive seen about the new Tacomas here on TW.

 

My friend just ordered one..should have it shortly.

 

Another thing, everyone is saying "wait for the 17s, wait for the 17s" but the naggers will find something wrong with them also. I believe its how you treat the tuck depending on how it is going to run, although on certain situations there is problems that isn't your fault. I like to read this blog, but all it is made of is a bunch of whinny people trying to down something that shouldn't be downed.

 

...^^^... You took the time yo explain a lot here.

Your wisdom should be spread across the "Toyota Universe" like snow flakes in a Canadian winter.

 

Sorry to hear about your trouble. I moved from Jeep to the Tacoma in November but I am definitely a Jeep fan. Previous 2 vehicles had been JK's with zero trouble. 2011 Unl Sport and then a 2014 JKUR. It really depends on what you are after. I sometimes needed the bed which was my primary reason for getting rid of the Jeep. Off the showroom floor you have the best vehicle there is for offroad in my opinion. It's not even close. Let's not even talk about mods. For a smoother, more comfortable experience the Tacoma kills the Rubicon. I dont know the specs but I think the rear seat in the jk had more room but I didn’t have much time back there. My current gas mileage in the city is on par with the rubi, but better so far on the highway. The Tacoma doesn’t have the balls the 2014 jeep had but overall I would say I am happy. I really don't think you can go wrong with either vehicle. It just comes down to your needs and wants.

 

I agree. I love my 2016 TRD OR! No problems at all and I love the added tech package! I've had several Tacomas and this is my favorite. Toyota FINALLY gives you option of a sunroof and heated seats!! The engine is fine, reminds me of a two stroke. The power is great above 3000 RPMS and the transmission seems to be getting better with miles. I usually hit the ECT button and that seems to help a lot!!

 

The only reason I have a Tacoma is because some old bastard totaled my jeep. Otherwise I'd still have it. I'm a big fan of 2000's era jeeps and older. In all honestly Chrysler doesn't do the brand justice with reliability in the modern incarnations. In the 15 years I owned that thing it never ever left me stranded or broke down. And never did I replace a part that wasn't my fault or a standard wearable item.

 

I would trade it right now and get max value. The current gen Tacoma issues seem to be a crap shoot. Chances are you'll get a good one.

There's always some new model on the horizon. Buy the best on the market today, and don't worry about tomorrow.

I have a 2013 Tacoma. The urge to upgrade to the new gen is strong but I can certainly wait another year or two while any systemic issues are resolved.

The last Tacoma I test drove was a blue Limited. It was fantastic.