Leaving 3rd Gen.?

The 3G was basically a facelifted and slightly improved 2G. But the 4G is a huge upgrade over the 3G. I bet it gets a lot more people upgrading this time around, once issues with supply and interest rates have been worked out.

I love my '22. But the '24 fixes every complaint I have about my truck. It will be hard not to upgrade in a couple years, especially if the resale value holds on mine.

edit: I just hope the manual is still around in a couple years. The one big regret I have about my truck is not holding out for a manual.

 

I’m waiting for a test drive and look at the maintenance requirements for the engine before I decide. I’ve not owned anything with a turbo and looking at the new tundra manual didnt really give much info. I like a lot of the bells and whistles it has but it’ll also probably price it out of my range.

 

Well this is a mixed bag. Gen3 vs Gen4. Its all about what you need/want and that's different for everyone. I'm not a hater. Make up your own mind on what you want and need.

I spent 26 years in automotive manufacturing (parts manufacturing). Keeping it simple is the way to go. That's part of what the Tacoma is about. I started with a new 92' xtracab pickup back in the day. Long bed, 4x4 with manual transmission. I still wish I never got rid of that truck. Made a stop over with a 99' Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd (yeah..don't do that again) and then back to Toyota to a 08' Sequoia (Ltd, 5.7L v8 with 277k miles) that is now my 17 year old son's vehicle. A few months ago I took delivery of my 23' TRD Sport premium, long bed, doube cab, v6, 4x4 with the advanced tech package. I live in Colorado so due to elevation there is natural power loss of the motor so I wanted the v6 to compensate. I'm happy with that choice. It climbs the hills nicely. Of which, we have a lot of them.

I do like the look of the new gen4. Yeah, it has design elements of the Tundra, ok. For me, the turbo 4 was a deal breaker. Too much complexity in the motor. Higher pressure motors just don't last as long. I don't see the long term reliability that exists in either of the gen3 motors. Not to mention where the prices are heading...just wait until you see those. If I'd have had to continue to wait and ended up in a gen4, I for sure would have gotten the full hybrid motor option. BTW I waited 17 months for my gen3 Tacoma. I was picky in what I wanted and was willing to wait. My wife has a 2015 Lexus NX300h (4cyl hybrid). She likes it, I'm not a big fan. It drives nice but the power is not where it should be.

As for the interior of the gen4. Nice stuff going on there. I like that they put in a rear window defroster. The occupants get a touch more room inside which is a good thing. They finally put full wireless android auto/car plan in the trucks. Good on them. If you have a gen3. Crutchfield has a wireless adapter you can plug into the usb port on the dash (CRUX ACP-WLX) for $180. Add a couple of 90 degree usb adapters and you can velcro it to the inside top of the compartment above the Qi charger. It works pretty good. Not sure how I feel about the fully digital instrument cluster. I guess that's one of those evolution/progress things so go with it. The other thing about the interior. Toyota moving to all usb c ports. Good for the future there, very much the right choice for them. The new switch panels on the dash are nice looking.

I have a single "why?" on the exterior. Yeah it's cool..but why? The power tailgate option. The buttons integrated into the side of the tail lights are cool. More stuff to break. How many people do you see with broken tail lights out there? How fast will those buttons get broken? What about the people that upgrade their tail lights? I like the power liftgate on the sequioa, 4runner, highlander and others and its a really good thing. The power tailgate on a pickup is a wait and see.

All that being said, Toyota was forced into the 4cyl turbo for a few reasons. Fleet mileage and emissions standards governmental increases. That was known when they started designing the gen4. I have no doubt that the good folks at Toyota will make the engine and platform as rock solid as possible.

On another note, I've seen some stories about dealers, since Friday's gen4 launch, marking up the gen3 v6 trucks that they are getting or that are otherwise not yet sold a whole bunch. Supposedly that's occurring in New England area and South Eastern US Toyota regions.

 

I like my 22" also except for the auto trans. I knew the trans was going to be what bugged me to the most but had to settle with it for emergency purposes. I am still on the fence about the 4th gen due to unknown msrp and high rates.

 

Maintenance requirements shouldn't be much different, if at all. Change oil every 5k with a good synthetic and you should be good to go.
Lots of people around here nervous about turbos but there is no reason to be.
If you're looking at hybrids, then battery maintenance could be an issue in the long term. We'll see.

 

Like everyone says... Get a tune. I got the OTT. Made a HUGE difference and the auto isn't miserable anymore.
But I still wish I had a manual. Very happy and impressed that Toyota kept it on the 4G. They could have easily ditched it since I think most people expected them to.

 

I am not sure either about everyone being nervous about turbos. Turbos are not new to Toyota nor any other manufacturer, really. Yes, the turbo is another part that can potentially fail and they do but I wouldn't use that as the determining factor to not get into a 4th gen or any other vehicle that uses a turbo powered engine.

 

I have a 2016 - Sport (with an Off-Road Hood, no scoop) Access Cab, V6, MT with 120,000 very happy camper miles.
I cannot get what I have in a 24! The Access Cab is gone. I want (and need) a 6 foot bed. I have NO USE for a 4 Door. If I want to haul people - I have a 2018 4R that has a better back seat etc. I don't want a LONGER truck.
I will need a LOT of convincing to jump to the new one. Clay

 

We need a 3rd gen owners cope thread. Trying to convince themselves the 3rd gen is suitable for them. Slow snail mini van engine, horrible transmission.

 

I bought a '23 TRDOR MT six weeks ago. Obviously I knew the 24s were coming. Though the press was pushing the thought that the manual would be discontinued, I suspected Toyota would keep it. The idea of getting the newest and greatest is seductive; I am pleased I bought when I did. I got the vehicle for msrp, I am enjoying it immensely, and I am completely satisfied with the power and torque (not sure I would be happy with an automatic though.)

The new truck looks great. I am sure Toyota will do well with it and the engineers will make sure the 4TT will keep running. But that stupid infotainment screen is a real turn off for me. Why? Why would anyone want or need so much screen space in a truck?

I am neurotic about my oil changes. I do them early and often in whatever vehicle I drive. One thing I can tell you for sure, if people continue to do 10k mile oil changes they are going to be very unhappy when their turbo trucks hit 100k.

 

There is simply no way I would buy the first iteration of a new generation of any vehicle - I've that movie too many times to go that route. On the other hand I have had phenomenal good fortune with vehicles at the end of a generation - so I'm sticking with that strategy.

The other thing that strikes me as much as I like some of the new features of the new 4th gen - a 24 is more than $10k what I spent for my used (~14k miles) 22. For $10k I could make my 22 into a beast. Power tailgate . . . are you serious? what could go wrong?

 

Owners with those eco-boost f-150's aren't doing too bad over the last 5 years with them, as far as reliability. Sure they are more expensive when it comes to maintenance, and minor repair costs, but like it, or not, thats just the way the auto industry is going. Good for techs servicing them, just not so great for us that have to pay.

 

I have a ram 1500 with a huge screen, wouldn’t want it any other way now that i have one. Helps click the buttons i need a lot easier than a smaller screen

 

Haven't gotten sucked into the modding for mods sake, so won't lose money on that, but I plan to keep my 2018 for at least another 5 years, it's only got 25k on it now, so maybe longer. I do like most of what I see so far on the 4th gen although I also would prefer a hand brake, especially on a manual.

I'd probably want to go for a manual Sport again, but I also find the Limited to be appealing ( if I needed to go automatic I'd consider it) as well. The Pro and Trailhunter are cool, but I just don't need the extra capability they offer enough to want to spend the premium price they will go for.

 

I'm not convinced that 'turbo' / 'hybrid' engine is going to toe the mark for the long run.
I suspect it will be flawed and finicky and subject to blowing up.

My 2021 suits me fine, and should last for years and years.
My son is going to be driving it soon enough as this banana peel is getting slicker by the day.

 

This new 4 banger is going to be f’n epic. I’m in!

 

I can't wait for the 5th gen. Rumor has it it'll have 1200hp and 1750ftlb of torque! Also a 65" infotainment screen! I don't know why Toyota is taking so long to implement these necessities!

 

Sometimes I feel like the only person who loves the 3rd Gen Tacoma. My '17 is a 6MT so that helps but as far as drivability and reliability, it has been a pleasure! A great looking truck that does very well in the snow and off-road as well as hauling our little pop-up camper occasionally. Mainly tossing dogs and mountain bikes in the back and blasting down mountain roads with a smile on my face. Would I prefer the 4.0 or even a small V8? Yes! Are the gear ratios a bit odd especially the tall reverse? Yes! I love my truck. Best of all, it's almost paid off and the bank note is only 1.9%

The 4th Gen has improved some of the popular complaints. More power, more tech and gadgets and better seats. I can get behind the power and the seats but the gadgets are getting a bit excessive for my tastes. The 3rd Gen was already getting that way but power tailgates and huge infotainment screens? I know I sound like a boomer here but (thanks to government mandates) we are overcomplicating our vehicles trying to make them safer and adding weight and complexity thus sacrificing reliability and serviceability. As far as the design, it's a bit too angular for me. I think the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Gen trucks were all beautiful and hopefully the 4th will grow on me a bit as I see them on the road.

I have always been a fan of Toyota and the Tacoma. Part of the charm for me has been the simplicity. I feel like the Tacoma is moving away from the fun, plucky little reliable trucks and entering a different market and that's a shame. Good old Uncle Sam has had a lot to do with that. I will drive my 3rd Gen until the wheels fall off.

 

You can pry my cold dead body out of my '21 3rd Gen TRDOR access cab. With luck it will be the last Taco I ever need to buy.

 

Love my truck for reasons that many find the 4th gen attractive. The simple/"old" interior is perfect in my mind. I came from a 1st gen so its a HUGE upgrade. Ive had plenty of Rav 4 rentals with the big infotainment screen - not my jam. I don't mind plugging my phone in. I'm short, the seating suits me just fine. Rarely have more than a dog in the backseat. More power is always nice, however, my truck does a fine job for what I use it for when I do tow (small boat). Impressed with mileage on 285s, hanging around 17.5-19 MPG, then again I drive slow. Two wheels curbs the need for speed. Sure the 2GRFKS has some issues - They are known and many out there with pleentttyyy of miles still going. My 3rd gen suits me and my needs and very happy with my truck. As with anything, ownership is personal. I'll be hanging on to my 3rd gen for the long run. If I were to purchase another truck in the future it would be a fullsize.

None the less - Can't wait to see the 4th gen in person, I'm 50/50 on the looks right now. The 4th gen is a truck that will make the masses happy, especially with that lip spoiler removed.