Need down and dirty between 2015 and 2017 taco's

Greetings all. This is my first post here on this forum. Great site.

On to my main question. I am considering either a used 4x4 2015 Tacoma because it has a 4.0 motor, or a 2017 4x4 Tacoma because I can get an all new truck with super low miles.

I plan to keep either truck a loooong time. I want to be able to tow a pop up camp trailer (some of it off road). So how is the towing capability between the two models?

If the 4.0 is better I'll look for a low mileage 2015, if they are identical, I may spring for a few ducats more and go new.

Also since I am new here, is there a way to mark my own thread so it doesn't get buried before I can get back to it?

Looking to lots of surfing here for inspiration and info.
Thanks,

 

Get a 15! I love mine!

Once you post a new thread or in a thread it will automatically subscribe you to it so you'll get notifications.

 

Towing sucks in the 3rd gen, but wasn't amazing in the 2nd gen either (its a midsized truck, not really its purpose). Both are a bit different in how they feel driving, both have postitives and negatives. You're gonna get a ton of feedback here from people who don't care for either or. I suggest you test drive both and decide for yourself. Minus a few weird things like leafs, secondary air pump, etc. the 2nd gens have been rather bulletproof. Verdict is still out on 3rd gen but almost every part is recycled from the Toyota parts bin, so likely the same. I've had every gen and they all do things better or worse than the other gens and are unique to their own. Welcome to TW.

 

Welcome! The 4.0 has more low end torque and a well proven powertrain, that is their strong suit. If you really want power you can add a Magnuson supercharger to the 4.0, and if that's not enough a smaller pulls on top of that. Highly recommended, as it makes driving the truck a lot of fun. Supercharger is not available on the Atkinson cycle 3rd gen. The new trucks have a much nicer and more modern interior and better fuel economy with complaints on low end power and hunting automatic transmission shifting.

Drive both and choose what is most important to you.

Edit: At the top of the page you can go to: You->Threads started by you, to see your threads.

 

Nice, Thanks for the reply's so far, I am very grateful for them. Something funny is that every forum has its own lingo and tech speak. I don't mind it, I belong to some other forums and I know we have a unique languages there as well.

I'm excited to learn TW's ways.

 

Bump for more input.

 

Dude, just test drive both. There are countless threads about both trucks. Nothing you can't find searching TW or looking and driving both trucks yourself.

 

My 3rd generation is as good as my 2nd generation. Power is close, but 3rd generation is better in every other way.

 

I test drove a 2017 auto and HATED how it shifted. God it was awful, so bad that I told the salesman that it should get checked out. It was gear hunting and power delivery was very brash. I have owned a lot of trucks, so this isn't coming from someone without a good idea on how vehicles, trucks in particular, are supposed to drive.

Well anyways, I was told by the dealer that this was normal shifting for the truck. The salesman told me his personal 2016 Taco does the same thing and he had it in the service shop to no avail.

That right there was a deal breaker. It was so unpleasant. Everything else about the truck... yeah it was really, really nice.

Anyways, I got talked into checking out a 2015 with 7k miles... I don't really feeling like going into all of it, but for me I love this truck. I've never owned a vehicle I have been more pleased with. Ever. Love love love.

 

So my point in regards to the OP is that I don't think you will lose that much if you go for a second gen vs a third. Test drive them and decide. I have zero regrets with my decision. Yes, I still think the third gens are the best looking trucks on the road but I do pity all those people who have to deal with that horrible shifting on those autos.

 

My 17 shifts fine and so did my 16 after the TSB update...

 

oh that's good. I did some research and I found that it 'fixed' the problem for some and didn't for others, who knows. I'm not saying the 2nd gen is a better truck or vice versa. They are both good trucks. Best bet is to just drive both and go from there.

 

Totally agree. I loved my 11 and 15, miss a lot of things about my 2nd gens. My 16 I certainly don't miss (lemon law trade), my 17 has been great and restored confidence in the Toyota brand/Tacoma. Just like my 2000 was different than my 2nd gens, the 3rd gen is different from the 2nd, all have their strengths and weaknesses and suit different needs better.

 

Well put

 

Thanks for the review TacoHoss.

 

Drive both in an MT and decide for yourself. If you can't drive stick / don't want an MT in your Taco then I'd suggest the 2005-2015.5.

My $0.02

 

I don't mind a MT but my wife hates them, (she drove MT for 10 years) she likes the automatic now she's spoiled that way.

Anyway, although it may be my truck, she may have to drive it from time to time. If it's a MT that will limit our family harmony and peace...

 

I love my '14 4.0 Auto. I've heard some things on this forum about the auto in the 3rd Gens being annoying, but I have a couple friends with 3rd Gens who love them. If my truck got stolen or totaled, would I hunt for a used 2nd Gen? Maybe briefly, but I'd be more likely to shop across the available mid-size new pickups. I've had too many headaches with buying used, and you never get exactly what you want. Maybe you will find your perfect used truck if you shop for several months, but I just don't like shopping.

Regarding towing, a little popup will be fine with any Taco ever made. Unless it's a really fancy one it'll be a ton or less. I tow a hardside travel trailer, 2300 lbs dry. I've towed it up some fairly stupid Colorado jeep roads. If you're buying new, put the tow package on your must-have list.

 

I'm partial, but I would say get the '15. You have to drive both. Then you'll know.

 

you cant go wrong with either.

Driven my dads 16 TRD off road, its so much quieter inside. about my only complaint it the lack of stupid low end like the 4.0L has. But really, just let her rev and shes happy as a clam.

Also, if you dont like the trans hunting, click the ETC button for a little more sporty shifting in the 3rd gens.