3rd Gen Totaled, What Now?

Forgive me in advance, I'm sure there are plenty of threads on here that would answer most of my questions (and please don't hesitate to link them). But hear me out for a second....

I've had a 2016 TRD Off-road Access Cab for the last 2 1/2 years. Loved 90% of the truck, was bothered by the transmission on occasion as well as some other "known issues" like the leaf spring noise. Also never stopped kicking myself for getting the Access instead of the Double cab. But overall loved the truck. Sadly I was involved in a hit and run accident, someone swerved into my lane on the highway and struck my right rear corner and spent me spinning into the guardrail. Front end totally destroyed, back end bent out of shape from the force of the impact, toolbox broke off (and the cherry on top of it all is some *&^hole stole my toolbox and all of the tools in it). But the cab really held it's shape and protected me. I'm amazed at how well the cab held up given I was traveling 70mph and assume I had most of that speed behind me still when I hit the guardrail head on (I was unconscious for several minutes following the impact and suffered a mild concussion, thank god for the witnesses that stopped and gave statements to the police so that it was clear what happened).

Anyway, now trying to figure out what to replace it with. Guy at the body shop informed me that all vehicles in the US model year 2015 and later are designed to maintain the integrity of the "passenger capsule" as much as possible. While vehicles have been designed this way for years, the standards/requirements were increased for vehicles starting in 15' to use reinforced materials to protect the cabin of vehicles. Having walked away from my mangled 16 as blessed and fortunate as I was, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't somewhat attached to that newfound knowledge. So I am leaning towards sticking with 15' or newer, but still kinda considering 13's and 14's too in the interest of saving a little money.

My questions to you all are: how many major differences are there really between 2nd and 3rd gen's? Any big differences/updates to be aware of between 13' and 15' looking at 2nd gen's? Any major issues with 2nd gens to look out for when shopping? I know the signs and symptoms of the 3rd gens pretty well, but the 2nd gens are foreign to me.

As I said, I'm sure if I took the time I could find dozens of threads answering many of these questions, but in the interest of limited time, hoping a few generous members might chime in or at least link relevant threads. Thanks in advance!

 

Glad you made it out of that wreck ok! My vote.......4runner.

 

All generation Tacomas have good crash ratings. Toyotas are some of the safest vehicles you can buy, period. I'm biased to 01-04 double cabs, but I owned a 11 access cab 4 cylinder before and it was a nice truck too, I just don't like the bulky feeling of the 2nd and 3rd gen trucks. The compact feel of my 04 feels "just right" to me.

 

Glad your safe.... not all 3rd gens are turds. But I would not pass up buying a 2nd gen. No real issues with them except the rust thing if it's coming from that area or you live in that region.
Question???? How did the tool box end up missing?

 

I'm honestly not sure the rust thing will ever go away. It's been a problem since Toyota first made a truck. Luckily I had the frame replaced on my 04 and it looks like Toyota will continue to keep replacing frames on the trucks in the future.

 

subbed as I have the same questions!

 

I was taken away from the scene by ambulance just to make sure I was okay, and when truck was towed they didn't take the toolbox with it. I had mounted it using the cheap "J" hooks that are included and had intended to mount it more securely but hadn't ever gotten around to it. When the back end crumpled from the force it broke free and came off, and I guess the tow operator just left it on the side of the road (with quite a few significant pieces of my front end laying there too).

 

^^^^ can't "like" that post

 

2nd gen might seem pretty plain and basic coming from 3rd gen. But its still a a great truck. love my 2nd gen.

 

Glad you are ok. I think you would be happy with a second gen, I love my 2015 DCLB