Upgrade Gen 2 to Gen 3?

Good morning fellas. I have a 2nd Gen 2006 Tacoma TRD Sport with 160k miles. It is paid off and I know it will run at least another 100k.

I test drove a new 2021 Tacoma TRD Sport yesterday and really liked how it ran. I know my next truck is going to be a new Tacoma.

My question to everyone is, should I or would you trade in my '06 for a new model? If I trade in my '06 now I can get about $12k. I have $10k to put down now. That alone would be a huge dent in a new truck and I could pay off the new truck quicker than if I wait until my current truck dies in about 8 years and is worth <5k.

Let me know what you all think.

Current modifications to my '06:

• K&N cold air intake
• BF GOODRICH KO2 tires (10,000 miles)
• MBRP Cat-back turn down exhaust
• 2" leveling kit
• LED headlights

 

Life is short, so upgrade... as long as the financials are in order.

 

My next truck will be a new Tacoma. Current 2nd gen owner now as well. 07 with 130k. Financials don’t make sense in my situation to get rid of it, but since they do in yours, go for it. Plus you have solid peace of mind with a brand new truck and warranty is an added bonus. Either way, you’re going to have a solid truck.

 

Put your 10k into a low fee S&P 500 index fund and then buy yourself a new truck in 8 years when your ‘06 gives up the ghost.

I’ll drive my 2011 until it falls apart. However, if something was to happen before then I would NOT replace it with a 3rd gen.

Too many mechanical issues (on a truck purchased brand new with immaculate maintenance) for me to take another chance on that “legendary” toyota reliability.

 

You have a truck that will run another 100k miles and a truck maintenance fund of $10k.
Get it repainted and fix whatever breaks for the next 10 years.

Unless you really want the nannies and other tech...

 

Let us know if the dmv requires you pass an ahole test to register it. I’ve been curious due to how I’ve seen the 3rd gens driven.

 

No test, it comes standard. Same on Dodge Chargers.

 

As a former 2nd gen owner, and now being on my 2nd 3rd gen.(one was totaled in an accident)

My opinion is keep the 2nd gen unless you absolutely need to get a new vehicle.

 

Do you work on your own rigs? If so, spend a little money (est about $1.5k) on whatever worn suspension, bushings, ball joints you have and I think you'll love how your truck drives again.

 

Nothing wrong with upgrading if you like the offering. I test drove the new Gen3 in 2016 and found the power band to be not suited for a truck. The 3.5 has very little power in the lower revs and the auto transmission struggles to find the right gear it should be in. I wouldn't even do a straight trade of my 2013 for a 2021. But hey, if you're happy with the performance and like the look then go for it. I've got about 10 years to retirement and hope to make mine last till then. But who knows? Maybe the 4th gen will offer an engine with balls and I'll raise an eyebrow.

 

I must agree, had a 2017 TRD off road, was chit, underpowered shifting all the time with 6speed auto, more road noise then my 2015. Sold it, got another 2015, best truck Toyota built

even went to 4.55 gears and orange virus tune and it still was a dog

 

I love my 2013 Tacoma and after I saw this video on how they made an oil change a pain in the A$$. I'll keep my truck .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBBjo71k22s

 

I changed my oil filter housing to be metal..

 

Computerman,

I sold my 2000 4Runner SR5 in 2016 a few years after I got my 2014 Tacoma Sport. I really regret that sale. I really wish I still had both of them.

Option 1: keep that 2006 sport and invest to get her back in shape. A few grand should get you that 100,000 miles. You got to paint too.

Option 2: trade up to a a more recent 2014 or 2015. If the feedback of 3rd gen comments in this thread concern you.

Option 3: get that 2021 Taco and your next 15 years of driving are covered.

 

Since you've solicited the advice of strangers, I can only tell you that I was in the same boat you are recently - I totalled my 09 and kept it and repaired it rather than take the $14k as cash and put it down on literally anything else.

I did this after driving around a buddy's 3rd gen equivalent of my truck for over a month. I genuinely like the 2nd gens better - I think there's a lot of stuff added and changed in the 3rd gens that doesn't make it a better truck for my purposes or style. I also have a 4.0L V6 and really, really like the drivetrain from both a performance and maintenance perspective.

If you want a new truck for the joy of that "new truck experience", by all means go for it, but I personally think that the 2nd gens only get cooler the older you keep them on the road. Some day, a well-kept 2nd gen will turn heads in the street.

 

If I was in his shoes I would go with option two and get a gen2 from 2012 to 2015

 

This 100%. I drive 3rd gens somewhat regularly. Everytime I get back in my truck i realize how much more I prefer the 2nd gen and the 4.0

 

I can only offer my opinion based on time with both vehicles. This may not be right for anyone else. I would not own a gen 3. There are way too many tech items that I hate, and getting around them is getting harder every year. I prefer the 4.0 engine. There is long list of other reasons that I won't go into. I plan to spend my money keeping my Gen 2 on the road indefinitely, and if it gets wrecked I'll buy another. No Gen 3s

One more thing to consider. Toyota has been moving production of the Tacoma to Mexico for some time. By the end of the year they plan to have all of the production on this model moved there. My experience with other companies who have moved to Mexico is not positive. It could be that Toyota does it perfectly, but I'm not betting $40,000 that they do.

 

Toyota made second gens in mexico also. I doubt it makes as much of a difference as some people would think

 

my second gen must have been made on a Friday after el almuerzo because it’s falling apart with lots of little problems.