Early Gen 3 or late Gen 2?

I'm looking for input from guys that have owned both gen 2 & 3. I'm in the market to buy my first Tacoma and I've put myself in a budget that can get anything from a 2012-2017 (specifically looking at the TRD Sport/TRD Off Road models). I rented a 2018 on a recent trip and loved the way it drove but as I've read and understand there were some typical teething issues in 2016-2017. This truck will by my DD and I want to do some mild mods to have fun offroad but nothing too serious that's going to blow up mpg.

With all the TSBs on the '16-17 is there anything Toyota didn't address to correct common issues? Mechanically speaking, is the 3.5L a little more needy in the service dept than the old 4.0? I'm trying to balance actual real world experience vs the panic threads/drama videos when you google reliablility.

 

4.0 is all you need to know

 

Went from a 2012 AC 2.7 Sr5 to a 2017 DC TRD OR. Liked the 2nd gen but truly love the 3rd gen.

 

I have a 17 and a friend has a 15, neither of us have experienced any problems. My friend likes my 17’s interior much better than his 15 but that’s about it. You can’t really go wrong either way.

 

I like 2017. The only issue I have is the cruise control programming is terrible. Terrible as in I don't use it on even long trips.

 

Same! I feel the cruise control will actually hurt fuel economy

 

Thanks for the heads up on cruise. Are there any items to check out on the used market? I know what to look for on the frame rust issues for the gen 2 but didn't know if you all would look at anything specific in a used gen 3.

 

Had a 2010 dclb 4.0 now a 2021 dclb OR. Interior is nicer on the new one but motor and trans was much better on the previous

 

i agree completely, really enjoyed the 4.0 and trans on the 2013, but my third gen 2020 has a much nicer interior. kind of like the 3rd gen on the highway a little better also

 

The only way to know which appeals to you best is to drive a couple of well kept examples of each.

As far as 'fix it' issues, you'll get every answer possible when tossed out on a global internet platform.

 

Agree, definitely nicer on the highway but kind of feels like a car motor vs the 4.0

 

I've had both. The third gen is nice, but you really can't go wrong with a well kept 2014 or 2015 Gen 2.

 

When I was looking, I test drove a few trucks... not many because the MT are not common... the 2nd Gen drove a lot like the 3rd gen. Really they aren't much different. Ultimately for me, it came down too, a 2015 TRD Sport with 40,000kms for $40,000 or a brand new 2017 TRD Sport for $42,750. The creature comforts and the look of the 3rd gen helped too. I bought the 2017 and have no regrets. It has been a wonderful truck. I look forward to many, many years behind the wheel.

 

I own/owned both TRD OR V6 models, a 2014 and now a 2017.

I dumped the 2014 because I hated the 1980s interior.

Both V6s are strong and do what I need. Nothing really bad to say about the 2nd gen but the newest you can find is pushing 8 years old.

 

My 2017 only had the battery crap out within 2 years of ownership.

I would say to make a decision you need to compare and figure out what "weighs" the most. MPG's, drivability, features, price, etc. That will tell you what you should get.

 

my 2016 has been nothing short of awesome. Only problem I had was the fuel pump chirping which got replaced by the dealer ($1300). The Gen 3 is awesome if you get the OVtune (Nexus tune). I did that and have been happy ever since. The 3.5 gets better mpgs just fyi

 

I had a 2008 access cab sport 4x4 and now a 2017 doublecab sport 4x4.

I like the doublecab better, but I had much less problems and recalls with my 08, and it drove and towed better.

To me the interiors feel exactly the same. More electronic crap on the 17' that I dont really care about.

Actually I had an 04' as well and I loved that truck. It was the best of the 3. But a bit small. A true mini truck back then. Gen 2 and 3 are more of a midsize in comparison.

But even better was the 91', but that was a stripped down 2wd. But just bulletproof for 300k miles.

 

If you're considering the 3rd gen Sport model then imo there's no reason that you shouldn't consider the SR5 model too UNLESS you want a manual transmission (because a 3rd gen SR5 with manual transmission and 3.5 v6 does not exist.)

 

My brothers 2007 has about 300k miles on it and still runs strong (4.0 dclb). All original. And it hasn’t had an easy life

 

I agree on that. I get the best mileage per my dash by not using the cruise.