So why did you go with a 3rd Gen over a 2nd gen?

My personal preference is never buy a used vehicle, but I also will hold on to the vehicle until it is junk yard worthy.

If you plan on buying new, I would suggest investigating the GM twins and the Frontier if you must go mid sized.

It just might help you appreciate the 3rd gen Tacoma more, but you might also find you like one of the other trucks.

I was discussing the Frontier with the Toyota salesman, and he laughed about how dated it was. I mentioned that the bells and whistles were really not important to me, and that helped me get a better deal on the Tacoma, imo.

With all the quirks, I still think the 3rd gen Tacoma is the best of the mid sized pickups on the market now.

And being on TW, I will say that it appears all the generations of Toyota are good trucks, just the 3rd gen was the only new truck option when I needed to buy.

Good luck whatever you choose.

 

I began shopping for a used 2nd Generation. I’ve always liked the look, particularly in silver, and still prefer the look over the 3rd Generation. However, I found used 2nd Generation Tacomas with low/average mileage to be within a few thousands of some discounted 3rd Generation SR/SR5 models. Ultimately, I chose to go with a brand new 3rd Generation because it only cost a few thousands more, interest rates were slightly lower on a new versus used vehicle, and the overall peace of mind I found associated with buying a brand new vehicle with virtually no mileage compared to the slight uncertainty of purchasing a used vehicle. I’m almost always inclined to purchase a new vehicle over a slightly used vehicle, but I understand it’s the reverse for others. It all comes down to your perspectives, the things you value most. Once you figure those out and prioritize them, go for it! ​

 

I was negotiating on a Colorado to replace my 2004 Tacoma until I learned the Tacoma would have a redesign in 2016. Enough said.

Replaced silver with silver and no regrets.

I bought the TRDOR which was overkill for the way I use my truck. The SR5 4x4 would have fit the bill.

 

As a Toyota pickup fan since a wee lad, I avoided the 2nd gen like it was a retarded stepbrother.


Waited until 3rd before it at least looked inspiring.

 

You're kind of dissing retarded stepbrothers. Just sayin...

 

I almost bought an 08 taco before I ended up with my FJ. When truck shopping last December, I didn't want to buy the same vehicle 9 years later. Not to mention the frame issues combined with the cost of a used truck vs. a new one made it a no brainer. The 3rd gen is much nicer inside.

 

Thanks for reminding me about the frame rust issue. It was a concern when I was shopping for a used 2nd Generation.

 

This guy said it best:

"I was in the same dilemma. Buy a lightly used 15' or a new 17'. I chose to pay a little extra for a fresh truck.

Interior in the 3G is lightyears ahead.

The 2nd gens are great trucks but the looks are already aging. 3G has the looks game on lockdown.

3rd gen has yet to be proven, but with Toyota to back it, I am willing to take a gamble on that. After all, they took care of the millions of dollars in 2G frame issues.

Also, the 3G might "lack" the low end TQ of the 2G, but it makes up for it with quite a bit more horse power. 3G is faster than the 2G."

 

1) Not a substantial difference. Sure it's bigger and the torque comes in at a (not much) lower rpm but the gain in HP in the 3.5 is definitely noticeable.

2) My diff had a small weep that was fixed in 1 day. No other issues.

3. My transmission is great. Even with 33s. No issues with shifting or need to get a shift sense or tune.

4. Subjective. I think the 2nd gen refresh, while better looking than the original 2nd gen front end doesn't flow with the rest of the truck. It really looks like they were just prepping it for the 3rd gen body.

5. 2nd gens in my area were only 2-3k cheaper with 30k miles on them.

6. No used 3rd gens when I bought mine.

Full disclosure, when I was shopping for a Tacoma, I had the used 2nd gen in mind. After reading about some of the issues (air injector, frame issues) and seeing the 2nd gen's much dated interior I could not justify buying such a dated looking truck to save only a couple grand. Plus the 3rd gen subjectively looks much nicer than the 2nd gen IMO.

 

My dream Tacoma would be 1st gen styling with an Access Cab. Maybe even 3.4 and 5 speed. But when I looked at used 2nd gens, I could either get someone's 150K cast-off for 1/2 of new price, or a 1-2 year old truck with no powertrain warranty left for essentially the price of a new one. Then I stumbled across a then-current-year (2016) TRD OR at my local dealer with 5K miles and the choice was obvious. Very happy still after 40K miles.

 

I never expected 2nd Gen vs 3rd gen dick measuring in here

Hmm, how many threads are there with pretty much identical titles..

Lol, TW never fails to entertain.

 

What do you regret about buying a 2nd/3rd gen?

3rd Gen.....zero regrets.

I'd driven a 2007 Nissan Frontier 4x4 for the last 10+ years. It met my needs as a daily driver and did great offloading when hunting & fishing. At the time I bought the Frontier I'd actually looked at several dealerships for a similarly equipped new 2nd Gen Tacoma. The Frontier felt more roomy and the Nissan dealer was discounting way more than the Toyota dealer.

This time around the script was flipped.....3rd Gen Tacoma had more room and was offered at decent pricing due to me waiting so late in the year.




What color did you choose, and do you regret it?


Black.

Zero regrets. It's my favorite vehicle color. My Frontier was a color very close to MGM. It looked great the entire time.....but I wanted black this time.






What trim level did you choose and do you regret it?




SR5 Double Cab 4WD Automatic


No regrets. The OR or PRO sure have some cool features, but honestly I don't really offload for the sake of offloading. The 4WD option is something I've always had in my trucks for hunting & fishing purposes. Scouting trips in foul weather and getting to hunting spots is where I use 4x4.

There is a local trail system that a buddy wanted me to give a try once I get some MT's or AT 's on my new Tacoma. Who knows....I may enough fun that I decide to do more of it......maybe some of the OR or PRO upgrades will not seem like uneeded upgrades on my 4th Gen in ten years or so, lol.

 

lul

 

You know what they say. "Give a man an inch and he thinks he's got a ruler."

You know, 12".

 

For me it was pretty simple, as soon as I saw the new inferno color on the 2015 TRD Pro I knew I had to have it. But the pro was insanely expensive at the time and the very next year they offered it on a TRD OR, so third gen it was!

After having a 2nd gen for 5 years the nicer NVH, interior and newer tech all just ended up being a bonus.

Miss the 4.0L but the better gas mileage is a tradeoff I can live with. Used to have to stop to gas up on my way to Mammoth, now I can drive straight there non-stop, its the little things lol

 

Yep...

• 1965 Chevy Nova
• 1974 Mercury Capri
• 1974 Mustang II
• 1981 Mustang
• 1987 Plymouth Duster (purchased new)
• 1989 Mustang GT (purchased new)
• 1998 Mustang GT (purchased new)
• 2002 Mustang GT (purchased new)
• 2005 Mustang GT (purchased new)
• 2014 Taco (purchased new)
• 2017 Taco (purchased new)

Since I did own a disproportionate number of vehicles from the 1980s I think that does qualify me to identify 1980s craptastic interiors.

 

You too?

Undoubtedly, the biggest pos I have ever owned and possibly ever built

 

hate the interior of the 2nd gens.
Like the looks of both. Had hopes the 3.5 would be a little better on gas but clearly isn't

The price of a 2015 with 60 000km on it was only like 6-8k cheaper figured rather have a new one at that point.
Hard to find a used TRD off road here.

 

does...."because I couldn't find a 2015 TRD Pro" count?