Buy preowned advice

So Toyota determines when a new gen starts and ends if I understand right?

 

Yes, when they do a redesign the Truck starts the next Generation.
96-04 1st Gen
05-15 2nd Gen
16- 3rd Gen

 

Brother, you're a better man than I!

 

And you know this Because? -- I notice --it's not cause you own one -- SO your "advice is ALL based on stuff you read and your interpretation of that same stuff --in other words BS !

 

"Real world" according to your definition of same!

 

Hey why don't you read the next few posts I made about it

 

@markmizzou

 

i see you conveniently skipped this one... try context it usually helps

 

No rumor, you can look up various years manuals on Toyota’s site. The 05 to maybe 07? Said use premium for better performance. It was never required, just suggested for better performance.

 

I won't address the 2nd gen vs.3rd gen question, but I made a dog friendly deck in my access cab, using trex decking and aluminum angle. Light weight, easily manipulated for access to tool storage, and easily removable. I posted pics in 2014.

 

Spoons and forks? What's wrong and right with 3d generation exactly? Is it reliable? Seems like both sides should lay out their arguments for what the problem areas are, especially if you feel strongly about it. Something about the way the topic of 3d gen came up in this discussion, it seemed like nobody was willing to say specifics and when I asked there was some silence. I've talked to some people and to you guys, that's it. So I'm thinking, conspiracy theory? Fake news? Something that can't be said out loud because the Russians are listening? I don't have that warm fuzzy feeling like when I bought my Nissan 4x4 in 1994 (it's way over 270K now so it turned out well).

Sowing doubt on a forum is one thing, but here's the real source of my dilemma now. I almost bought a new 2017 Tacoma over the weekend, then I came across the Consumer Reports rating that nobody on this forum mentioned. Double arrows down (worst) rating for predicted reliability for 2016-2017; double arrows up (highest) for 2014-2015. There must be a reason, unless they surveyed like one person who happened to get a lemon. I contacted them to try to figure out that question, haven't heard back yet. Google turned up some transmission problems but it's not like I've identified a specific problem that's consistent across the board yet. Even with a full warranty I don't want major problems, period. A/C must work right and strong, I'm in south Florida. I can buy and install a great stereo for $100. I'm talking about major problems that cost money and time to get fixed and never get fixed right because there's a major mechanical design flaw that continues past the warranty period, or just keep getting worse until the warranty ends.

So bottom line, does anyone know where the rumors (and CR's ratings) about problems with 2016-17 come from?

 

3rd Gen is a great truck, I seriously love it, just ask my wife (that might be a moot point or anecdotal). Let sum it up; you have two folks with 2nd gens not liking a third gen and has facts from to a roommate Chevy salesman, supposedly. I can play that one too, my cousin who has a 2014 Sport DCLB AT, wants my truck and will get one as soon as his lease is up oooooooooo must PROVE 3rd better than 2nd .

Seriously, my truck has been great and is exactly the vehicle I need/want at this point in my life. It is comfortable, reliable, plenty of nut when you want it, can tow, can haul, can hold a small family with dog comfortably for multiple hour trips. I have rthe DCSB and the seats do fold. I Only move them to clean, excuse not to move the car seat daily. 3rd Gen is a good truck from coming from a OWNER, not a "I heard this read that type."

 

They are define by Toyota. Generation changes usually include major body style changes, different engine/transmission combos, etc.

If you are looking at 2016+ it's a third gen. A used 3rd gen is a risky buy imo. Make sure you test drive the hell out of it.

Get it to highway speeds 55-65 mph and feather the throttle. It will probably howl.

Run the transmission through it's paces. See how much it bothers you to drive. It shifts a lot. It upshift too much and forces you to romp the gas pedal. Get it to speed and put on cruise control. See if it gear hunts.

When coming to a stop see if it rumbles or vibrates. Notice if it thumps, clunks, or clanks to s stop.

See if it has bad vibrations St speed between 1900-2100 rpms.

Access can guys have complained about road noise. Make sure that's bearable.

Crawl under and check the differential for weeping or leaks. There is a massive recall on them right now that includes Toyota confiscating your truck for months while they wait on parts.

People have dumped their truck for the reasons I listed above. If the one you test drive is fine, buy it! But at least go in with eyes open.

 

From reality.

I'm a 3rd gen owner and I wouldn't recommend them. I won't until they fix my diff howl. The transmission is only livable because I bought a $175 after market shift controller.

I have most of the issues I listed in the post above. This truck has been in the shop more than any of my previous, used high mileage vehicles combined.

Remember you are on an enthuisist board. These guys drank the Kool aid a while ago. I get the impression half these guys take it personal if you say anything bad about Toyota. Heaven forbid the truck they spent $35k on sucks.

The bottom line is that this has been a bit of a bumbled release by Toyota and their communication and proactiveness in terms of issues and fixes is embarrassingly bad.

Read this forum, cr, review sites, etc. You'll see some common themes and common issues.

Toyota's been starving the enthusiasts on this site for so long without a generation upgrade that they eat up these 3rd gen scraps like it's a feast.

 

This forum is quite silly sometimes. Many here really feel the need to justify the generation Taco they drive. I will try to summarize my thoughts on the Tacos you asked about:

I'm a Chevy guy, I work on cars quite often, I've built a few engines, I'm a mechanical engineer.... I don't know everything about everything. I bought the Tacoma because it felt better inside and the resale value is quite stupid and I could get most of my money back to buy a full size Chevrolet if I didn't like it. I've had the truck for over a year and 30,000 miles. I just dropped $2,800 on a new camper shell. I guess I like it enough to keep it.

I would have bought used. I have no problem with a used vehicle. I bought my truck for not a whole lot more than what they ask for a lightly used Tacoma. Used 4x4 Tacomas suck as far as value is concerned. Good truck? Yeah. Good deal? Not really.

I have driven both. The older gen has more down low torque at low engine speed. The new truck feels lazy at low engine speed (partly due to the drive by wire programming instead of a real throttle cable). Punch the gas and the new truck whips the old. The new truck is quieter than the old. The interior is a little better put together. Not a huge difference, but better.

Reliability.... The 2nd Gen is generally a good truck, but most have overblown the reliability. This is the truck that has had frame replacements through warranty. If you go and read a bit, many have had issues.... some are even mentioned in this thread.

The 3rd Gen has had a few issues too. CPS sensor recall, leaky rear diff recall. The CPS is the only one that worried me. Tons of diffs leak, generally if you pay attention, you can work with this. CPS can bite at any time, but that issue has been remedied. Apparently the rear end whines for many.... I've had a few different cars do that. I've gotten a little of a whine, but I'm not sure if it's not the tires. Some don't like how it drives and the fact the transmission likes to shift a little. Still, overall it's a pretty good little truck. It's not perfect, but it's going to be much nicer than the hardbody you drive now.

Overall, I really think that for all practical purposes, the 3rd Gen and 2nd Gen are about the same..... for the finer points, the 3rd Gen is slightly better. It's a little more refined version of the 2nd Gen. For the price, I'd have a hard time telling you to get a used over new truck...... I had a hard time coming around to the idea myself.

 

You say the CPS problem has been remedied. Do you mean that and the differential would have been fixed by Toyota before new 2017s/2018s are sold, or that recalls would have fixed them before a used one is sold by the owner?

About Toyota recalls - when they "confiscate the vehicle for months" do they provide some kind of compensation or rental credit?

 

Unfortunately, since you mention it, the only theme you can get from Consumer Reports is ALERT! NO NO! DO NOT BUY A 2016-17 Tacoma! The only problem is they are vague about what it is about the vehicle that is unreliable enough to earn the worst possible rating for predicted reliability. But I've trusted CR for years and haven't regretted it yet. If I'm frustrated with anyone it's Toyota for dropping the ball on what used to be a really cool truck, the only one of its kind still made, used to be super reliable, in just the model years I'm ready to buy one.

 

Here's a question for you guys. Am I understanding correctly that the problems are with the automatic transmission? Anyone have problems with the manual transmission 2016-2017? After shopping around online all day it's still the only truck I really want. Chevy Colorado looks pretty cool but doesn't really get me going like a Tacoma. If I spring for 4x4 I can get MT and that might solve my problem.

 

You won't get the AT related issues but the vibrations howls, and the rest are still the same.

Also, test drive the manual before you make the call. I drove one looking at a possible trade and it felt like hot trash. It was soupy, the shift wobbled around when it was in gear, the clutch pedal was cheap feeling. I didn't like it at all.

 

Curses foiled again. Thanks for the honest assessment. Yes I'll test drive and watch for problem areas. Can't even look at those Hondas without getting nauseous. Frontier similar unpleasant physical reactions. It's either Tacoma or Colorado, but I guess it will be a used 2014 or 2015 Tacoma.