Almost bought a 4 gen

….

 

thats the most 4th gen thing I've ever heard but ok. I still think it would be a good video tho

 

A little over a year ago, I had been driving a '22 Frontier. Absolutely hated the steering on that truck, and had always wanted a Tacoma since I was in my 20's when the first gen Tacoma's came out. I really was after a 3rd gen, but they had a stop sale at the time for something related to the rear axle - couldn't even test drive one. But of course the dealer was ready to introduce me to the 4th Gen Tacoma, and I liked it a lot. They gave me a discounted price on the 4G below MSRP, and an excellent trade for the Frontier, and I wrote a check for the difference. Mine was an SR5 trim level with the cold weather package.
Fast forward a year, and the 4G is having transmission issues (slipping was the worst) as it was part of the early build VINs that were in the TSB, but it didn't happen all the time and dealer complained about not being able to replicate it. I was also having issues with the factory brake controller not working half the time on my trailer (and of course, the dealer blamed the trailer even though my trailer worked just fine on my neighbors two trucks), as well as door panel rattles that the dealer had tried to fix once that made no difference, and a squeaky drivers door when opening/closing that they hadn't yet addressed. I was getting a little frustrated with Toyota honestly, as I bought a brand new off the showroom floor Toyota expecting that reputation for unbeatable quality. But I learned a lesson that even 1st year redesigns of a Toyota can have issues.
Maybe a little fed up, I found a pristine '22 Tacoma (CPO with the great warranty) and traded in the 4G for it. Got money back from the dealer on that deal (that's never happened before!). And...I like it a lot. But I will say the 4G's torque curve was EXCELLENT - like a little diesel with peak torque at 1700 rpm, and I do miss that. That truck you could drive 'lazy' and just let the torque pull the truck around just fine, or stomp on it, and spool the turbo and it would take off after a very slight pause. Fun to drive.
I suspect that someday when Toyota finally comes to their senses and offers a longbed hybrid powertrain in the 4G without having to get a TrailHunter, I may be swayed back to the 4G. But that will be a few years from now, and I'll keep watching their quality, and enjoying my solid 3G.
I'd give them another year to sort out bugs on the 4G now that I've had one. Those were issues that I hope were just due to the 1st year redesign, and not some underlying reduction in Toyota quality.

 

Sometimes you can follow your feelings instead of logic (heart over head). No matter how good a vehicle is, there's no point in owning it if you dread about it everyday, or even feel indifferent about it.

It's happened to me with a few cars. They are, from a logical perspective, the cars to keep, but I still feel indifferent about owning them, so I sold them while they still have value. Do note that, it does help that I have the financial means to do so.

I feel like all the sales guys care about is making a sale. Not that I'm a fan of it.

Sentimental value is valid. There's two different ways to look at it. On one hand, you can always cherish your memories with your current truck, but the memories with the new truck may be even greater. Your truck served you well and all you can hope for is for it to end up in a good home. On the other hand, it's always good to keep something that you really like. Just like keeping a family heirloom. There is a car in my past that holds sentimental value to me and at times I wished I still have it.

It seems like you have a pretty solid idea of what spec you want. I've been in your shoes before and if you are going to buy a new truck, I wouldn't settle on a spec that isn't ideal to you. Every time I get a vehicle that isn't in my desired spec, I always wished I held out for one that is in my desired spec.

For example, I have a Mitsubishi Evo 8, and it is one heck of a car despite it being one of my least desired spec. I'm not really fond of the silver color and I would rather have a solid aluminum roof instead of the sunroof it has. Even though it still puts a smile on my face whenever I drive it, there are some days I wished I held out instead and I may sell it when one in my desired spec pops up.

On the other hand, my current '22 Tacoma is my dream spec truck (stick shift base TRD Off-Road). It also puts a smile on my face yet I can see myself keeping it for a long time.

 

The 4G hauls ass… the 3rd gen is an embarrassment in comparison. Get the 4th gen and don’t look back

 

Two taco bros going at it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZasubG6nqY