Have things gotten better?

Kind of this. If you want an automatic, get a used ZR2 diesel. They are rock solid and drive like a sports car compared to the Tacoma. If you want a manual, then Tacoma it is! I traded in a '18 ZR2 diesel for a '18 TRD Pro and I love it because I really wanted a manual. The ZR2 honestly drives a shit load better on the highway and back roads, the suspension is magnificent. I cannot speak to the Colorado in non-ZR2 form, but in terms of resale the Taco will outperform the ZR2 in each and every instance.

 

I have a 16 and had all software updates done for the transmission and after the most recent update back last June or July all my complaints went away. If your seriously considering a Tacoma again I'd test drive a 19 and if you still don't like it then don't buy it. as others have said I'd get a manual if your only complaints where transmission issues

 

I just got rid of my 08 and went into a 19. I love it. Yes, it'll search for a gear once in a while. That's nothing to hate the truck over, but I drive like a grandpa. Ride quality is much better than my brother's canyon. Also, ground clearance is much better on my taco than his. I don't plan on getting rid of it any time soon

 

Yup, this.

 

I waited 20 years to buy my next Toyota pickup.

When the moment finally came I kept my first gen and bought a Ram for my DD and a trailer for the Taco.

For off-road my 1st gen is less complex and has all that I need; for DD duties, Toyota can't compare to my Ram as the Tundra is just so outdated at this point.

And I say this as a Toyota fanboy

 

/thread on post 2.

 

Fwiw, I have an ‘18 and haven’t done any of the TSBs for transmission etc. I am tuned with OVTune and am overall pretty happy with the vehicle. Do regret a little not getting the manual, but the Mrs doesn’t really care for riding shotgun in a manual. She’ll do it in the weekender, because that’s my toy... but not so much the daily. We’ll find out if it’s a keeper when I buy a camper in the next 2-3 years. I figure it’ll weigh in at about 4K empty, so 5k fully loaded. I won’t need it to tow like nothing’s there. As long as I feel safe towing 3-4 times a year, I’m good to go.

 

Just traded my 2016 sr5 for 2019 TRD sport. I loved my 2016 and am delighted with my 2019. The transmission logic is a little better in my 2019.

 

I have an '18 as well. Considering the OV Tune. Guess I can just go check out those threads, but overall, is this a fantastic upgrade for this truck? Best upgrade you have ever done? Considering it strongly.

To answer OP. I have had 05 Tacoma, 16 Four Runner (with the 4.0, too damn heavy for that anemic motor) 07 FJ, 01 Tacoma (4 cylinder manual, my favorite for a single guy, DD,etc). I do like this truck, plus the dang resale on these things is just unbelievable. Even if you dont like it, you can sell it in a few years and not get hurt much. Buy anything else and you lose a bunch just driving off the lot. These trucks could have a few more things included for the price, but otherwise, a great all around vehicle. I dont regret buying it. The 4 Runner? I never liked it. Fantastic looks, decent ride, but no power for mountains/hills etc. Glad it is gone, but best resale out there.

 

Ive had a 1st gen and a few 2nd gens and a 16, 17 and now 19 3rd gen. I will say the 19 is the most refined, my 16 had the diff howl/leak, the power surge nonsense, whistling control arms, leaking brake light cover, etc. 17 was better but still had that crappy 1st to 2nd hesitation. 19 has been flawless but overall its still the same truck. I will admit I drove a certified 14 while getting my 5k service done and the power delivery is so much better (I think most 3rd gen owners are in denial on that aspect), easier to manuever in traffic from dead stop/merge etc. than any of my 3rd gens. But I will admit the 3rd gen shines in every other department hands down compared to the 2nd. Quieter, more comfortable, more features/content, looks, etc. Does it feel anemic sometimes sure, but so do alot of small-mid sized vehicles and lets be honest this truck isnt meant for towing, hauling, etc. I dont think you can go wrong with either, but it sounds like you'd being getting into what you didnt like to begin with in the 3rd gen which is the lack of power. Good luck.

 

While on my bike today, seen a highly modded out "Punisher" edition, that thing was bad a$$ all the way around. I wish I had a camera with me.

 

Same here.

 

Because both of you have a 19 with the software update, drive a 16-17 and you'll get what everyone is talking about, the shift pattern is very different between my 19 and my 16 and 17 were, not to mention the literally stall/hesitation from 1st to 2nd that almost killed alot of us here several times in situations like trying to pull out of an intersection, merge, etc. my 19 has yet to do that either.

 

Then...that answers the OP's question.

 

The 3rd Gen arrived in the age of consistent and constant internet reviews by entitled anonymous people who mostly don’t even have previous experience with a truck.

If Toyota had launched any new pickup into this social climate, they would have suffered the same fate. Imagine giving the people a 1984 Toyota pickup with a 4 Banger, or a 1990 4Runner with a 3.0L.

The only metric of how good the 3G Taco is, is sales. If they were as god fuckin awful as Smitty and his clones make out, it would have failed within the first year. It’s the most popular and well received (by the public) pickup Toyota has ever produced. As I’ve said before, no one ever cared in a big way about the 2nd Gen Tacoma. They may be the “best gen”, but they were “old man trucks” then and still are now. They stink of the 90s and the kids can smell it on them.

I love my truck, love it’s design, love the AT, love the economy, love the way it looks and drives, love it’s offroad capability and performance, and have done so since day 1. I do tire of having to justify this opinion, but most owners seem to agree.

 

Its loads better on the shifting but its still anemic feeling compared to the old 4.0L, it makes the meat of its power differently which gives that feeling, but I know the numbers say otherwise. Still not enough to complain about especially given its a mid sized truck, at least imho.

 

They increased production capability. 2nd gen sales were no slouch either, just limited in production, not a good metric to use, that and you know a recession and soaring gas prices. Trucks and SUVs are pretty much the only vehicles anyone buys now, makes sense the Tacoma sells as good as it does in today's economy / market.

 

No. This is often said, but isn’t true, in my mind. Ridgeline is the highest rated truck, but no sales to speak of. Nissan Frontier.....still lame sales....even though pretty much equivalent to a 2G Tacoma..

It was specifically the 3G Tacoma that inspired people to buy them in droves. If it was just a “rising tide floats all boats” scenario, we’d see the Ridgeline rocking the party, and the Frontier flying off the shelves. They don’t and they haven’t.

 

Okay bud, production numbers dont lie, nor does the chief of engineering who even said sales were hindered because they werent making enough of them. And the name is what drives people to buy them, a name that was reinforced / made by the 1st and 2nd gens, just more people moving to trucks now, many that don't even need them (just look how many people here are moving from a WRX, mustang, whatever to their first Tacoma). And yes if you were wanting to buy a mid size truck, why would you even look at the Frontier or Colorado, and the Ridgeline isnt even a truck, so ya the Tacoma is pretty much your only option plus the name that goes with it, just look at 2nd gen sales in 2015 or hell even the current 4 runner sales, 10+ year old designs, that still did and are selling strong. The 3rd gen is a great evolution of the truck, but its not the sole reason for increased sales, nor is it perfect.

 

^^^^^^^^^ THIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!