Gen 3 vs Gen 4 (cannot decide)

Hello Tacomers,

First time Tacoma buyer and need advice and suggestions.

Here are my options below:

1. 2023 Electric Lime (favorite color), TRD Off-Road 4X4 6MT (AC or DC) at MSRP --- when is the U.S cutoff date for factory order?
2. 2023 TRD Off-Road 4X4 6MT (any color), under MSRP when the Gen 4 comes out (risky to wait?)
3. 2024 Solar Octane (2nd favorite color), TRD Off-Road 4X4 6MT at MSRP

2024 has rev matching which worries me since it may not be a true manual. I'm also very worried about the Turbo engine and its reliability. And of course, it's not recommended to buy a year 1 model---but I have already waited 9 years.

If I get the 2024 Solar Octane TRD Off-Road, I will not need another vehicle for the foreseeable future. The 2024 redesign is what I always wanted Tacoma to look like. Love the current gen, but I always thought the body was too slim and narrow. Gen 4 fixes this!

Thank you.

Viet

 

I can not give a good suggestion as the Gen 4 has not been out long enough to make a good assessment.

Based off your post, it sounds like you want a 2024.
Seems logical, that’s the one you should get?

 

If you like the 4th gen body, get that. Personally, I don’t care for it.

 

If you don't have to buy a new vehicle, you could wait until the 2024 hits the lots, do a test drive, and see how the MT feels to you. If you don't like it, begin your search for a used 2023. They'll be around.

 

You can turn off rev matching. I'd leave it on during heavy stop go traffic. But turn it off the second I was on free flowing roads.

The 2.4 turbo has been in one form or another Toyota since 2015, the T24 is just an evolution of that.

The first year will have bugs, and tacomaworld will amplify every single one lol.

 

The 2024 MT has reduced hp and torque over the AT, and it's even lower than the 3rd gen.

Also, looks and stuff. The 4th gen isn't exactly a looker, but that's just me.

 

I always thought the lower power model was a base, but that makes more sense being a manual.

I remember dodge did this with the Cummins manual

 

FIFY.

I’m all for discussing 3rd vs 4th gen. But banking on a specific model in a specific color of a vehicle that will be very hard to find is false hope.

Decide on the merits of the general platform.

 

It's bizarre to me. The MT gets the middle-tier of the three engines offered next year. However, where the turbo 4 makes 278HP in the AT, it's only making 270HP with the 6 speed. I'm thinking it's detuned for the different gear ratios.

 

Wouldn't want a 3rd gen with a manual. The MT mated to the new engine should be a better match. But I still wouldn't touch a manual in a truck that I wanted to do work with. If you're buying a toy and enjoy stirring the stick then have fun with it. But if you want to tow or haul get an automatic.

I'll be in the market for another truck in a year or 2. The 4th gen Tacoma has my interest. Fortunately for me I have at least a year to wait and see how the new trucks work out. In your shoes I'd PROBABLY go with a 4th gen. But if I were you, I'd still wait a few more months to see what happens.

I'm not going to diss on 3rd gens like some do. I just never felt it offered anything over my 2nd gen. I've seen what Ford has done with a small engine and turbo's. Hopefully Toyota will do it even better.

 

Or it’s detuned to match the torque rating on the transmission they chose.

I’m sure the tuners will be all over this.

 

Sounds like a good problem to have. I love my 2022 TRD Pro MT. But the new one will have much better low end torque. My dad told me to never buy the first model year. I did one time and regretted it but that was a Nissan. One of the reasons I got mine when I did was that I like many others assumed the 4th gen wouldn’t be offered with a manual and because I got it at MSRP when most were charging $8-10k over.

 

That is not entirely accurate.

2024 MT is 270/310
2023 MT is 278/265

I rather have the increased torque in truck application, but that is me. Plus with a turbo you won't lose power at altitude.

 

I would absolutely avoid the 2024 model, especially if you're trying to be one of the first to get it. I love the looks and just about everything about the 2024, but I never trust a first model year.

I also own a truck that was essentially a first model year (2017 built in 2016) and have run into a few issues that shouldn't be issues. If you want a 4th gen, it would be wise to wait a year or two.

 

4th gen

 

Since there are never any 'factory orders', only allocations, this may be a very difficult find already. Especially at MSRP.

Under MSRP? Only if a dealer was over allocated, the economy tanks more and the dealer needs to shuffle out inventory. And finding a manual under those conditions are high stakes IMHO.

A '24 at MSRP? Not going to happen, at least for a while. Everyone will want to poke buyers so they can be the cool kids on the block for the next 60 days or so.

 

2024 because I need more Guinea pigs to work the problems out of the first model year before I buy a 4th gen.

 

I would say if you want to tow or haul, for sure get the manual, the gearing and useable power is much better

 

Whether it's a new year or new gen,
I prefer to wait a couple years before buying. Let the 1st owner get the bugs worked out! Especially on a new gen. Then save yourself 12k on the price for buying the same vehicle and fix it up how you want.
If you know what you're looking for, be patient and one will come around.
I've been driving AT TRD Offroad's(2 total, gen1 & 3) for 20yrs as daily drivers and have had great success with them.

 

I heard that the current gen resale value will increase because it will be the last Tacoma NA V6 (reliable engine). Perhaps, I could buy a 3rd gen, makes some extra money and buy the Gen 4 in 26/27 instead.

I would want it to be a new vehicle, as this would be my first dream vehicle purchase. And I worry that the resale value of the Gen 3 will skyrocket after the Gen 4 is on dealer lots. Buying a used Gen 3 could end up costing more than buying a new Tacoma right now.

Yeah, I'm buying this truck mainly for overlanding and off-roading. My job doesn't require a work truck of any kind.

I know what you mean, but in my introduction thread, I mentioned I have waited 9 years for this new Tacoma. I don't know if I can wait another 2 to 3 years. I missed out on my 20's because I did not buy the Tacoma (laid off) back in 2016. That 9 years of off-roading and overlanding adventures that I missed out on.

With that said, will a first year Tacoma still have high resale value? Currently, every vehicle has high resale value so I don't know if the 2016 would have high resale value prior to the pandemic.

I waited 9 years (since 2016) for this new Tacoma. Was ready to make the purchase back in 2016 but got laid off a week after I visited the Toyota dealerships. This truck is making for off-roading/overlanding and commuting to work.

LOL, I wish I had a vehicle to wait....but used vehicle market is crazy right now.