USED 23 OR NEW 25

I have been driving a 03 Tacoma SR5 since new and it's been an incredible truck. It's time for a new truck and obviously I'm buying another Tacoma. I'm between buying a used 23 with low miles because I wanted the trusted 3.5 and a new 2025. I'd be looking at just an SR5 with 4WD. Nothing fancy. I'd like to buy new, but like a lot of people, am nervous about the new platform. What are your recommendations?

 

If I'm buying a truck today, hands down I am going with a 2024+. IMO, there is 0 reason to choose the 3.5. Especially when considering the 3.5 is quite well known for timing cover leaks, ACIS flap failures, valve sealing issues, and cracked plastic coolant crossover pipes.

 

I always like to buy 3 years into a new model.
Typically, they will have found the big issues and fixed them by then.

I will say, as far as I know, no major drivetrains issues have popped up.
Sure, a few Auto transmissions have had issues.
But they all have, in all the year models. Even well passed the 3 year mark.

So far.....we haven't seen head gasket issues.
Maybe because it's a 4 cyl. But the 6 cylinder engines of the passed, all had HG issues in the first few years.
The HGs in the new 2.4 must be decent. There are tuners out there making 5.7 Tundra power with the 2.4.
And it's all stock. So time will tell.
As of now the engine looks to be good.

 

‘25, all day. See that one on the lot? The one that’s the wrong “color” and not optioned quite the way you “want”? Buy it, for the love of Jesus! Now, gtfo and post pics of this pile of garbage when you pick it up!

 

No one holds a crystal ball for long term reliability. But if you have the ability to purchase new with a warranty and or even an extended warranty get the 2025. Short term they seem to be decent. Nothing crazy other than a few anomalies as others have pointed out. As at the end of the day they are still Toyota's.

 

Welcome to TW. I say get the new 2025.
It certainly seems like you can keep a vehicle in good shape for many years as evidenced by your 03.

 

Keep the 2003 and the money required for a new vehicle in your pocket.