Why I am going to stick with the 3rd gen.....

There is so much negativity surrounding the 3rd gen, and to be honest, it makes me feel like I should trade-in my car even though I really like it.

But I was walking through San Francisco today, and I saw a Cement TRD pro with a Cab.. It looked really freaking bad-ass. It's the best looking mid-size truck that I have ever seen in my life. I was really jealous, and I regretted not getting a TRD pro instead of my TRD OR.

Toyota knocked it out of the ballpack when it comes to the styling.

Also, I was hitting 25mph turns at a pretty decent speed (40+) and the car felt really stiff and responsive with minimal body roll. I am not sure where the critique of the handling comes from.

Toyota has given me too much in the way of reliability and fun times in my life. I am going to stick it through to the 4th gen.

 

Good choice! A lot of the negativity comes from people who post stuff seemingly wanting to get under people's skin. A lot of members on here love their third gens.

 

Just do a grille swap and a hood swap and you got yourself a Pro.

 

I would so be down to wrap my MGM in the cement color

 

Don't know if they can make another that looks as good as gen3 but we will see. I like the look of the gen 2 also but a tiny little bit less than gen3.

 

It's all in the grille

 

Dam right the TRD pro in cement is best looking mid size truck ever built

 

That's all it takes!!

 

Pretty much

 

Don't forget about the TRD chrome exhaust tip

 

That's actually cat back exhaust, don't forget leather seats, head/tail/fog lights
Etc...

 

Since when did the 3rd Gen become the best looking Tacoma ever? As I recall when it first came out everyone hated the front end on the Gen 3?

 

I always liked the overall look of the truck. The type of grill is what makes or breaks it for me. Not a big fan of the chrome grill.

 

The 3rd gen is a good looking truck, but from some angles the front end appears a bit bulbous, especially with a huge aftermarket bumper attached.

Some make the truck appear to be wearing a CPAP mask.

A nice, clean aftermarket front bumper ratchets up the looks considerably and can make a compelling argument for one of the best looking trucks on the market.

As far as the negativity, a lot of that could be assuaged by Toyota and dealers simply acknowledging the issues some have and working for a resolution.

The common issues may not be experienced by everybody but they have been documented in many places other than just this website.

When you are experiencing these things daily on a vehicle you dropped ~$40k on, Toyota or the dealer telling you "It's Normal" is guaranteed to breed a bit of negativity.

 

Not really!

 

I am One 19000 miles,

 

I went from a 2002 Tundra DC V8 and when I traded it in the truck still ran like the first day I bought it. After fourteen years of reliability and no shop time I went with a third gen and I do not regret it. Recalls, TSB's and lack of power at low rpms (I miss my 4.7L V8) I still love this truck and will still buy the next gen as long as it does not look like a Lexus. I replaced my grill and that made a difference on the front end and I will be modding my headlights but as is the truck is beautiful and a pure joy to me despite the hate here.

 

Since day1. What you recall is all the 2nd gen owners bitching because their trucks just became outdated

 

I haven't dipped into the Gen 2 forums, but I doubt many Gen 3 owners bother unless they were previously Gen 2 owners (I owned a Gen 1 years ago). Most of the hate on these boards is generated by the small fraction of Gen 3 owners who are having issues, and Gen 2 owners who post here for no apparent reason other than envy.

I have to agree with the OP, aesthetically this truck is the best looking one on the road.