Are 3rd Gen’s Failing?

About $9k with the current deal I have arranged.

 

Definitely test drive one first. I love mine, but as mentioned, it is a motor that needs higher RPM's to create power and takes some getting used to,,, especially when compared to a V8.
Also note: the Tacomas are not fuel sippers like many assume,,, better than the 5.7 sure, but not by A LOT. My company vehicle (2024 F150 with 5.0) has much more power, and gets several MPG's more,,, but in the end it is a boat when city driving and parking.

 

My Tacoma has been rock solid in it's 7 years so far.

 

Everyone seems to be assuming you're looking for a V6 Tacoma. I'd keep the Tundra. More comfortable, more capable, slightly less MPG, a little larger in parking lots and whatnot. What are you really "downsizing" to?

A (3rd Gen) 4Cyl Tacoma is a different discussion. If you're going to give up the comfort and capability of the Tundra, the 4 banger gives you equal (or better) reliability and better MPG. It's just a little more gutless than the V6. It feels like an old 300 six F150 to me.

The best of both worlds would be trading for a 4th Gen Tacoma, with a 10/120k extended warranty to mitigate unknown reliability. Better comfort, better power, better MPG than a 3rd Gen V6.

 

My 2 cents. Keep the Tundra, unless you really need the cash and the smaller vehicle. But look for a 2020 or later Taco, 2020 Toyota did a mid-generation update (slightly improved driver seat, infotainment update, etc) For MPG, I average 20-21 in a typical week commuting to work (mix of city/highway) in a stock 2wd SR5 with a camper top. But I'm pretty heavy on the accelerator.

A ton of people hate how the Taco never knows what gear to be in. But I've never had that problem with my 2022. Do a serious test drive with one, like 30 minutes if possible

 

I came from a Tundra 5.7, it’s a better truck every which way. Well except fuel economy but the Taco doesn’t exactly sip fuel either.
So given your response, if you don’t need a full size truck then you don’t need it.
Get the the Taco and get it tuned, immediately.
As for reliability, I really wouldn’t be concerned about it!

 

I think you answered you own question by saying you don't have a need for a full sized! My opinion is biased because if have 3rd gen, but 7 years later I have no issues either.

Sounds like your suspensions are up by your title. I think it would be worth taking the tacoma to a mechanic to review it--if you pick it up then the extra cash would pay for it tenfold. I am pretty sure the bum rush for used vehicles has died down so the dealer offering you cash feels suspicious unless you have a good relationship with them. Though the cash sounds fair for a full-size to mid-size trade. I would bet more money that the dealer knows something about the past owner's activity than the chances of a widespread issue with the 3rd gen.

 

I've got no complaints about the 3rd Gen, mine has been great for me but you can't predict problems and some people have had them.
That being said, I would give a 2nd and 3rd thought to giving up that Tundra. They will likely never make them like that again but if you are dead set on giving it up, it's possible you could get more $$ for it on a private sale? It might be worth looking into at least.

 

Came from a 5.7 as well. Did not need the extra space and wasn’t towing anymore so away she went for a 23 Taco MT. On road, the tundra was better, but off road? The taco shines. It was made to be driven off road. She comes alive.

 

I'd trade for the taco given your stated needs... But I'd find a 2020+ model (and a manual gearbox, but that is my preference!)

Good luck!

 

I have a 2019 Tundra Sport and a 2016 Tacoma Sport. I figure the Tacoma (19mpg) will use around 2000 gallons of gas less than the Tundra (14mpg) over 100,000 miles. Tacoma over 100,000 miles on $4 gas would be $8000 cheaper than the Tundra. I would keep the Tundra.

 

r u nuts? keep ur tundra.

 

For what it’s worth, I am on my fourth mid size Toyota pick up truck. I’ve buying and drive them before they were called Tacoma’s. Every single one has been extremely high mileage by the time I got rid of it. And yes, I do “truck things” with my trucks. They are not trophy vehicles. I work them and they earn their keep. my current 2019 TRD Sport has almost 85,000 miles on it. To date the only thing I’ve done to it was front pad and last week replaced the battery. If I had to replace it and buy another one, I would do so in a heartbeat

 

I am in the same camp , 2019 off road , only thing I had done was the rear over the cab brake light TSB . It never leaked but they added a seal to insure it never does . Other than that nothing. So as far as reliability it’s been stellar . But what you need to think about is .
How was this truck taken care of , and maintenance. So if you do purchase it you really need to look around. I mean REALLY look around at the truck . Drop the skid and look for any leaks , also look behind the motor at the real seal , and any pink stuff at the back of the motor . Maybe even pull a plug or two to see how those are doing . Then look at the interior for any kind of stupidness with wiring and such. Then in the end a really good test drive to see if you like it . I love mine , but I bought it new and maintain the hell out of it . Unfortunately not everyone does .
That’s my .02 cents

 

he’s offering 36k for my Tundra and 26k on the Taco which seemed fair I think

 

Except looks. Most Tundras look like Tacomas with a pituitary problem. The engines are great though.

 

My 3rd gen has been bulletproof and I use it for truck stuff and also drive it all over North America. If I was teleported back in time to the day I was truck shopping, I would buy it again in a heartbeat. If you don’t need a full size truck, I would say get the Tacoma.

There’s also this thread which you may find helpful. A lot of the very high mileage guys detail what has gone wrong so far (not much). Bigoldbeef has over 400k miles on his 3rd gen.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/who-has-the-highest-mileage-3rd-gen.694646/

 

I’d check to make sure the 2018 can have all the transmission updates, I thought that some updates only applied to newer years for the 3rd Gen.

 

I had 2 full sized trucks prior to purchasing my Tacoma new in December of 2017. One was a ‘97 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins. My dad purchased it new. I drove it a lot while growing up and inherited it when he passed. The drive train was awesome, but the rest of the truck was a p.o.s. The other was a 2010 F150 XLT with 5.4L Triton. That entire truck was a boring spiritless p.o.s & I hated it. I bought it new & had nothing but problems with it

My Tacoma has been the best vehicle I have owned. Zero problems, and I look forward to driving it everyday. Tacomas probably aren’t the best truck in any one particular category, but, taken as a whole, they are hard to beat. They’re great examples of “the whole being greater than the sum of its parts!”

 

2021 -2023 Tacoma if you don't plan to tow anything and interior space isn't needed.