First Tacoma advice... 2012 or 2016

college student here, looking to haul my bike back and forth to the track along with some occasional canoeing without having to borrow my dad's tundra.


I've been pretty set on a black or silver 4wd access cab, TRD sport Tacoma, but am having second thoughts now that I've read reviews on the new 2016+ models.



Any advice for a guy looking to jump into his first Taco?

Also, the Tacoma I have my eyes on is a 4wd 2012, black with 61k miles, for $19,500 OBo.

Is that a decent deal?

 

2nd gens are certainly proven vehicles. Price on that 2012 depends on the model. Which motor, cab, TRD or not, etc.

 

Your budget will dictate, I've had all gens, each is different and better/worse in their own ways. Your gonna have a hard time getting a used 3rd gen for $20k.

 

TRD sport, 6cyl. 4wd. Access Cab

 

I would check KBB, but 19,500 seems really cheap for that year and mileage truck. If its accurate, I think that's a good deal. Mine for example, KBB on it is about $28,000. 59,000k miles TRD sport dclb auto V6.

 

That does seem cheap. Check for prior accidents/damage/frame condition

 

Reports are that the 4-cyl does a better job pulling loads than the 3.5 V6 (2016). The 3.5 doesn't really have the characteristics of a truck engine. It really has to be wound out to make its power.

If a 4-cyl is an option, you'd be fine with any year, because they are pretty close to unchanged. In 2016 they added another set of vvt (exhaust side) which adds 5 hp, but other than that, the 2016 with 4-cyl is pretty much nothing but a cosmetic upgrade.

 

WAAAAT??? I know the 3.5 sounds like shit but how can it be more gutless than the 4banger (tho those little engines are ultra reliable....)

 

Op, get the 2012!!! Way better engine/trans and saves a ton of dough

 

Remember that it isn't just about PEAK power and torque, its about the shape of the power/torque curves. How much torque does the 3.5 make at 2000 rpm? The 4-cyl makes pretty close to the same torque straight across.

 

HahahhahahHa

 

I'd get the 2012. 2013-2015 would be even better.

 

Stay away from the 2012's. That's the first year of the smog pump and have issues with it. You should be ok with 13+ or 7-11.

 

Holy hell if that's true. Got some dyno charts to substantiate that?

 

Said by no one.

 

My recommendation is to stick with the proven 2nd gen. They are rock solid reliable and good choice for a college student. Be sure to give a thorough look at the frame and undercarriage for rust, as that is the Achilles heel of this generation.

 

He said, she said. Test drive 4cyl, 4.0 and 3.5 and decide for yourself.
Just stay away from 2012 due to the air pump issues.

 

Didn't know 2012 had air pump issues. Lol

 

There's some charts here;
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-tacoma-dyno-time.410608/page-5#post-11611150

The super wavey yellow curve that looks like its on crack is the 2GR's (3.5) torque curve.

The 2TR (4-cyl) is well established as having a stable and very flat torque curve, see many examples in this thread;
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2-7-dyno-charts.285741/page-6

Note that the 2TR's torque curve very closely resembles a DIESEL engine's torque curve, just with lower numbers (and operating at higher speed, so the gearing will make up the difference).

Now while yes, the 2GR torque is generally "higher", it is, however, all over the map. That isn't something you want in a truck for hard work. The torque curves also don't take into account the fact that the two are geared different (the 2TR is geared lower than the 2GR, so multiplies the torque more), plus the fact that the dyno charts only consider WOT, and not how things vary when you're at less than full throttle. For instance, the 2GR with its sortof-atkinson intake cycle will absolutely DUMP the torque as soon as it tries to switch into atkinson mode, so you probably need to stay deeper into the throttle (which means likely it will decide on a lower gear ratio in the case of an automatic) to keep it running in otto-cycle and able to produce reasonable torque.

I don't know.. I'm not saying that the 3.5 can't tow, but there's tons of people in the "3rd gen" section complaining about how it handles a trailer (which make sense when you really look at its characteristics), and I *can* say that the 4-cyl *really* does a great job of it. Much better than I ever would have anticipated when I first ordered mine.

 

Note that the 2012 air pump issues ONLY impact the 4.0. The 2.7 has had the air pump since 2005, and hasn't exhibited any issues related to it.