Can You Compare Gen II to Gen III?

I have a basic '09 Access 2 x 4, 4 cyl. auto tran I bought new. I have had great luck with it and really like it but I am getting the itch for a Gen. III. A friend bought one and parked next to me. I like how it sits up higher. My truck is in great shape with 44k miles and I have no real reason to go Gen III other than getting ready to replace the tires and tire pressure stems.

I am asking anyone who has had both gen II and gen III for their thoughts. I really like my '09 but wonder if I will like the gen III even more. One fear is getting a gen III and not like it as well as the gen II.

Any input would be appreciated.

Rick

 

Preference, I like my 3rd generation better then the 3 2nd generations I had. If you step up to a v6 you won't really notice power difference and the shifting all the time. 3rd generation is more refined and is nicer with heated mirrors and rear power sliding window depending on model you choose.

 

Go to a dealer and get a test drive. Make sure the test drive vehicle is in the cab/powertrain config you want.

 

Dealer inventory seems a bit low right now. My local dealer only has 7 high end double cabs, no access. I am retired and do not do off roading. I am looking for a smooth and quiet ride. The 4 has plenty of power for what I do. My wife has a '12 highlander with the 6 that has mucho power. I don't know if it is the same 6 as the Taco has.

 

My only negative on my '09 is wind noise inside above about 40 mph. Is that better with the new ones?

 

I have a '13 DCLB TRD Sport. It's very quiet at highway speeds, no complaints at all about noise.

 

^^^ With that said...I still have factory tires which are not aggressive at all = less road noise.

 

much improved!!! And by a LOT. MUCH MUCH better...

Some will tell you the 3rd gen is too slow, blah blah blah, (I am sure you have read some of the post here) but I bet 95% of them never owned a 2nd gen. Trucks are pretty much identical when it comes to performance. Tacomas were never made to have torque or killer 0-60 times. And if they ever drove a gen 1, holly molly these things are rockets.

I enjoy my 3rd gen much more than the 3 2nd gens I owned. And even more than the 2 1st gens I owned.

 

They are smoother and more refined

 

285/70/17 MT BAJA ATZ's
Hood bug deflector
Window visors
50" LED bar
Ditch Lights
AVID front bumper guard

... wind noise.... errr.... I can't hear you... WHAT DID YOU SAY????

 

Ok, let me ask another question. Access or Double Cab? Anyone owned both? I got the access because I thought the seats were more comfortable and had more leg room than the standard cab with bench seat. I don't use the area behind the seat much but have considered a double cab but I am not sure about losing a foot in bed length.

 

The primary 3rd gen complaint mostly seems to be with the V6 lacking low end torque, dead pedal/poor acceleration unless you floor it, shift hanging/delayed kickdown, etc. The top end of the power band is fine say if you're on the highway and needing to pass someone. It just feels like a pig down low.

 

I went from an 06 to a 17 and never looked back.

 

Make sure you do an overnight test drive as you can drive on roads that you would drive everyday and not some test loop they pick for you. I just ordered a double cab short bed because I wanted a manual trans, would have picked an access cab if I could have.

 

Double cab is more solid then access cab plus more room. You can get a long bed in double cab as well.

 

Scratch that itch and get back to reality.

Just read all the problem threads and regrets in the 3rd gen section. Why would you want to trade a low-mileage trouble-free 2nd gen for a troublesome expensive 3rd gen?

 

How about turn radius? I always thought the gen II had a very big turn radius for it's size.

 

I didnt notice any difference felt the same to me.