Can you sell me on a 3rd gen? Update: You did!

Gotta love the windshield in the floorboards so that you can see as you crest an incline.

Or watch the Prius slide under

 

The forward visibility in my taco is so bad, I’m considering a windshield in the floorboard.

 

Anytime cameras mounted all over the bottom of the truck.

 

I’m seriously considering a forward camera. Wish that came stock (like Ford?)......on no.......I’m talking myself into a F150 now....

 

Problem with forums is, it is mostly based on opinion. Toyota really doesn't do fleet sales, where the rest do. You can go to a fleet manager and look at real data of all the repairs done to the vehicles then come to a conclusion if the vehicle is good or not. And the real test is actually owning it yourself. Yes, my truck has 365K miles, which on paper it sounds like "wow, it must be super reliable to have that many miles on it!" But it didn't get there by itself, a lot of repairs of been done along the way.

The 3rd gen owner does seem different than other Toyota owners, very defensive of their vehicles, and tend to whine a lot. Are they mostly millennials? As they are pretty sensitive.

It is hard to have a simple conversation about comparisons between different vehicles without them getting huffy.

I have budgeted $30K for a new truck, my said I could spend $35K (I really only want to spend $25K, honestly) So....have $35K to spend, with that you start looking at what I can buy for $35K. Question is, is the Tacoma worth it...when I can get more for my money elsewhere. People seem to get offended when F-150's are mentioend around here....so how about a Tundra then, I am finding them under $30K.

 

My sticker for my TRD OR EXLB was $22K...that truck now is pushing $40K in my area. yeah there is inflation and whatnot...doesn't mean I want to take that much out of my finances for it though.

It is physically bigger yes, but not much improvement in mpg...payload has gone down...towing has gone up a little, but nothing Earth shattering is my point.

And when compared to a 1/2 ton, not really getting all the much "truck" for the same money.

They made sense when they were small, is why I started buying Toyota trucks in the first place, was nice to jump into a small nimble truck after operating heavy equipment all day, and down sized from my F250. Unsure if they are worth it anymore. They have gotten so big, hard to consider just going a little bigger and get a 1/2 ton.

 

Nights were better in your 04 though with that glove box lamp.

 

If I had the cash and another vehicle to get around in while fixing it up I would absolutely do this.

 

I would just get a half ton and stop complaining about how the Toyota doesn't compare to the half ton. It seems you have already made your decision and want to sell it to everyone else here that it's dumb to buy the Tacoma. Coming from a 1999 Tacoma I can say the third gen has changed quite a bit and I love mine

 

Let's see...sell you on a 3rd Gen eh?

Well..@smitty99 has been on a very long vacation and we are looking for another TW "3rd Gen Ambassador." Interested?

 

So you are willing to read posts here on this forum and make judgements based on what you read but not from a Ford forum? Ok...

3rd gen owner is no different than any other truck owner today. Also no different than the 1st gen or 2nd gen owner. The difference is we have these forums and social media today that we didn't have as much of back when those two generations were launched. Believe me, there was a lot I would have complained about in 1984 with regards to Toyota!

Go to the Ford forum. I have. You think we have whiners here? Also take a look at recalls for Ford versus Toyota. Don't depend on your buddy.

The absolute worst thing about this forum and the 3rd gen? A vast amount of the complaints about the 3rd gen come from the 1st and 2nd gen owners that troll this sub forum! I don't even pay any attention to the opinion of someone that does not own one.

 

Worst idea ever.

 

And TW has been a better place in his absence.

 

I go over there as well. But have two metrics to judge from instead of one.

yeah as I was saying...3rd gen owners are super defensive. Why is that?

I still like Toyotas and still think they are great trucks, but not totally convinced they are worth the prices they are commanding now, since the gap between a mid-size and fullsize has narrowed.

 

Maybe because people that don't own third gens come here and trash third gens like you are doing?

 

Since you posted that it made me go look at the Sticker from my old 2000, it was $24,500 and I paid $21,100.

 

Did Smitty get a permaban ?

 

Don't think I am trashing it.

Asking for the money is it worth it over a 1/2 ton? Not even sure how that is considered trashing it.

Maybe because 3rd gen owners are defensive, that is considered trashing??? I don't know... help me out here. Can't even say you guys are defensive without you getting defensive. (kinda funny)

You guys can point out the flaws in a 1st gen, and there are several...and I wouldn't get upset, would agree with you. Having to do a timing belt every 90K is BS, the frame rust fiasco (mine is clean, but...), it is underpowered, and gets horrible gas mileage given its' size, dash rattle, lack luster suspension, even the TRD's were poor, rear axle seals fail early, balljoint failures, some other little stuff as well...

That is the problem, I don't like what they have become...liked them when they were small. Don't really want a 1/2 ton...but since the new Tacoma has gotten so big, might as well get a half ton.

May go the completely other direction and just get a car for running around, since no one really makes the truck I want...and I hate cars. Then just keep my Tacoma for camping and hauling the dirt bike.

 

Depressing.

I couldn't possibly have a more different experience. I sometimes sneak out to the garage (ok, ok...it's mostly to get away from the wife and kids drama--just kidding guys) and sit in the front seat. I grab the steering wheel with a big grin on my face. I then run through the gears. Sometimes I make engine noises (yes yes, fully grown man, I know). Then I get out and admire the beauty of the thing from the front and side. I do this at least 3-4 X per week still (hey, listen, these people drive me batshit crazy, ok?).

I love this thing and it gives me joy every time I sit in it.

 

It's the manual bro. It does it to me too!
It makes the truck the truck.

I even look forward to it being my turn to drive to work, (shared carpool duties with a buddy).