Should I buy a used 2012-2015, or a new 2017/2018?

Just bought my 2015 in Feb and was going through the same thing. I like my 15 a lot and know they got it right after having the 2nd gens out for so long. Buy the 2nd gen and buy a cheap trailer for the toys IMO. (that's what I did) I use the trailer a lot more than I thought too. Also....I like the body style and interior of the 3rd gen over the 2nd but I made a big boy decision and didn't want to go through all the new model crap all vehicles go through. I never drove a 3rd get though.

 

That extra 10k can get you a lot of mods. Like a supercharger..

 

Where's smitty99 when you need him?

 

I mean, i do love forced induction....

 

I was in your boat a year ago. After almost 250k miles in 2nd gens, I drove a '16 for a weekend and it shifted so much I literally thought something was wrong with the tranny. Never once felt the "increased" horsepower, just a lacking bottom end. I found a '14 Offroad that a guy had added 5100's, an ARE shell, Wheels and KO2's, a TRD Sport hood, but was mostly stock. Paint was impeccable. Best buy ever and no regrets. I tossed on some OME medium duty springs, an ECGS front diff bushing, and that was it. Go with the 2nd gen. Much better suited engine/ transmission and fantastic resale should you ever change your mind. You'll thank us later!

 

New ones here are $40,000 plus tax

 

I’m new around here but the OP asked and I’ll answer.
I was in a similar situation and was gearing up to buy an ‘18.
I found an ‘11 with 87K on it for half what new ones are going for. I went with the ‘11 BECAUSE my wife is getting a new explorer and I personally have a hard time with $70+K of car payments in the garage.
Ask me again after a few years with the 2nd gen and the wife’s car is paid off.
FWIW the TRD you’re looking at seems like a good deal and I wouldn’t be worried about reliability

 

Funny, compared to my ‘07 OR AC, my ‘15’s interior is feature laden...Except for Tacoma screwing up the back seat, the ‘15 had what I was looking for and passed over a new ‘17 to retain the same drivetrain.

 

Yes, true. But a nicely equipped 3rd gen has so much more than your '15. I'm talking dual zone climate control, digital gauge cluster with TPMS monitoring, fuel consumption, oil life, etc. Hell you can even get a Qi charger in those things! Not to mention the added safety features like the blind spot sensors and rear parking sensors. I'm just cautioning the OP that there are major differences to hopefully prevent buyer's remorse. I may be overstating this but I feel like there are so many more Tacoma drivers on the road now since the 3rd gen came out because of the increased features. And the 3rd gen being more car-like may also play a part in it.

 

I bought my 2015 off the lot in mid September 2015, just a week before the dealer was receiving a shipment of 2016’s. He tried to sell me a 2016, but then gave me a great deal on the 2015 - 2k off list for cash, which I had. I’m glad I bought it. It’s the best 4x4 I’ve ever owned and I’ve driven them all from Yukon to Northern Ontario, in very remote places. The buzz on here about 3rd gens makes me feel very reluctant to embrace one in the future. Can all these guys be bs’ing us about their issues? If you can find a 2015 with low km’s, it will represent a great value. If you get lucky and get one with a premium package, it will have everything you need on a modern vehicle and have leather seats. My take on new vehicles may be sacreligious on a Toyota forum, but if I was buying new I would buy a ZR2. The diesel, front and rear lockers, and the multimatic suspension are years ahead of a Tacoma. FWIW.

 

Coming from a 1993, I bought brand new and just sold, I bought a 2012 local one owner with 64k on it. Guy took it to dealer every 5k miles. Looked at the 17's and decided that the 12-15 seem to have all the bugs worked out finally in the 2nd gen. No way I would buy a new generation anything after buying an 05 pathfinder. Plus Personally I like the looks of the 12-15 better. Good luck with your decision.

 

I was in the same boat and went with a 2011. My payment is $405 for 48 months at 2.7% interest. That's including taxes and fees on a vehicle I bought for 21k. It's a DCLB as I have kids and need to put stuff in the back.

2016 up, will be 30 to 32k for an SR or SR5. You do not want the SR, there is a big difference in options. It's worth it to pay the extra 1-2k for the SR5. Payment would be $570ish for 60 months totalling a lot more.

Yes nice to have a new car, but that's a big difference in payment and 10K is a lot of money that I would spend on 4 wheel camper or trailer, supercharger, suspension, rear locker, front locker, snow tires, shocks, or other mods.

You will pay the 2013 off sooner and thus have money for more mods and it will still last forever since it's a Toyota. So, practically the 2013 is the monetarily more practical buy, after that it's up to your preference.

AC are much cheaper I've found than DC. They look better and come with a long bed with a nice short wheel base which is good for off road. I would have gotten an AC if I didn't have a huge rear facing car seat to fit in the back.

 

The second gen is practically brand new with that mileage and the 4.0 is proven to be reliable and will run forever. No issues you may find with the newer models. You save $10k.

I would definitely go with double cab though. I'm a single dude and I still love all the room I have and it's great for when you're with people. If you go access, you might regret not having the double cab. You will not regret going double cab.

 

Fact. Just hold out for a DCLB if you want the 6’ bed that the AC offers.

 

That's the only thing I truly miss, and i freely admit it. The 5' box on my double cab is all but useless for me, but it's the only way to get a factory off-road package. I really miss the 6' box on my prior taco's. Now my ATV's and street bikes ride on a trailer . But the short bed double cab is more fun to drive and works way better on trails. I've had both, so I think my opinion is justified. Hard compromise. I'm sure others have said it, but Toyota should have made a TRD Offroad double cab long bed for those that wanted it. If I had it to do over, I'd probably still buy the dcsb, but I would give a stronger look at the access cab long bed trd off road.

 

And they could’ve easily done so

 

I just bought a 2013 Off Road with only 35k km on it, I really happy with it.

 

GM is offering a lot of discounts. Zer0 % @ many months, etc.

 

Had a 2016 for about 14 months , traded it in to get a 2014 . Save yourself the time and the money and get the 2nd gen , you'll thank yourself

 

I test drove the Gen3 in 2016 and thought it had a great minivan motor. I bought my '13 and have no regrets. I use my truck for work and like my power in the lower band. Also, I don't drive fast so I have no need for high revving hp.