Are 3rd Gen’s Failing?

I have a 2019 Tundra that I’m looking to downsize/trade down. I have a dealer who is willing to trade plus send cash my way for a 2018 Taco. Seemed like a no brainer until I stumbled onto threads and posts about valves failing and what seems to be some catastrophic failures. Is this just the nature of forums being echo chambers or is there a real issue? The 5.7 is rock solid so I don’t want to give up something reliable for something with issues.

 

Have you driven one yet?
Do you use a truck for truck things?

 

Have you saw what happened to the new Tundra's, or the new Silverado's, or the f150's, and dont get me started on ram problems... They all have issues, pick your poison. Ski

 

Well, what do you want to hear brother? The 3rd Gen Taco is a solid mid size truck. But flawless it is not. Will it be better / more reliable than your Tundra? That's getting into Carnac territory! Good luck with your decision.

 

They have sold between 200,000 and 250,000 a year for 7-8 years. I think if there was a prevalent problem, we all would have heard about it.

 

Keep the Tundra. Just my $.02.

 

The only real catastrophic 3rd gen failures I have seen were from offroading at very steep angles then ignoring the smoke out of the tailpipe. If you plan on doing that then it might not be the truck for you. If you do want to do that then for the small investment of a catch can you can likely avoid the dramatic part.

 

They are a good motor, not Toyotas best, which the 5.7 is one of.

Will you likely get 250k+ miles out of it with few problems? Yep

 

My 2 cents is that unless size is a real issue for you, and impacts your daily life, the taco will be just as reliable, will net you a *few* mpgs, and is more capable off-road. But the 5.7 Tundra beats out the taco in every other meaningful measure.

Assess your priorities and make a decision on that.

 

If you are used to V8 torque, you will notice a difference with the V6 in the Tacoma. The 2GR-FKS engine likes to rev higher than a 3UZ-FE engine in order to make decent torque. And, although I have not driven the auto version, I have heard that the trans prefers to shift lower, making the truck seem sluggish. I would suggest a solid test drive.

I personally love my truck. It has just under 120,000kms on it and outside of regular maintenance has done everything I have asked it. Hauled soil and gravel, hauled garbage, hauled camping gear and towed a travel trailer.

 

You already know what you have. You said,
"The 5.7 is rock solid so I don’t want to give up something reliable for something with issues."
Don't know why you'd change just to "downsize".

 

Fake news. Apparently common sense isn't very common.

 

Just don’t get a white one.

 

keep the tundra

 

Keep the Tundra if you tow, or use your truck to haul things.

The tacoma is a decent mid sized truck for doing mid size things

 

The taco is 1 yr older, how much cash bonus we talking? $5k, $10k?

 

You don't know the history of the tacoma. Could be a bad thing.

 

If you don't have to I wouldn't get rid of a 5.7. even if the 3.5 was as reliable I would just live with the mpgs

 

I don't really have a need for a full size truck, would prefer better MPG and I can put some cash back in my pocket.