Finally Figured Out Why I Like a "Flareless" Gen 3

I've been trying to determine why I like the flares on the Gen 2, but for some reason, like the look of my SR better than the flared Gen 3's. I was checking out the new Tacoma's when getting my truck serviced, and there happened to be a Gen 2 there as well. It's the integration of the flare into the front bumper that makes them look "right" on the Gen 2, but looking closer at the Gen 3, the look like they're just "stuck on" the truck. They look very aftermarket to me. They don't flow into any of the body work, but just abruptly end, particularly the forward edges of the flare.

Toyota really could have done a better job integrating the flares for a more integrated look/flow in my opinion.

 

Not with the big ass chin they put on the front of the 3rd Gens. Damn things look like they took a profile of Jay Leno and decided, hey, we should make some Taco's with big ass chins.

Looks like a teenager with a severe over bite. Maybe in 2020 they will re-design the front end a bit. Probably not though.

 

That's odd, I feel the exact opposite on 2nd gen vs 3rd gen. I feel like 2nd gen flares are just huge and bulky and cheap looking, especially the ones that aren't body colored.

 

Agree 100% on the black version. They have to be body colored, but on the Gen 2, they really flow better than the Gen 3. They should put the 4-Runner nose on the Tacoma.

 

Don't forget the Steven Tyler lips!

 

My thoughts on the 2Gen was that the flares was something I disliked the most and on the 3Gen, the grille size and protrusion of it. In 2016 I had the choice of deciding which one to get and I'm glad I got the 3Gen instead because the grill grew on me but I don't think the flare's would have. There's a lot more you can do with the 3gen grille but not much with the 2Gen flares.$.02

 

This drives me NUTS.... I would love to see some replacement flares that fill these gaps, this was a HUGE fail from Toyota's styling department in my opinion.

 

Nothing wrong with the truck. If you dont like it, dont buy it.

 

lol seriously? It's not enough to make me not want to buy the truck! No vehicle is without it's flaws. This is a styling que that I wish they would have done differently is all. IN my opinion, it is a flaw, aesthetically speaking.

 

I went out and looked at my truck to inspect this “flaw”.
I couldn’t see through the dirt and mud . I did notice that my sliders are scratched and rusty.

 

That is exactly it. It’s subjective. The flaw is being generated in your brain.

Your opinion on a subjective matter, does not equal “Toyota fail”. Lol.

 

Ummm yeah that's what "IN my opinion, it is a flaw, aesthetically speaking." means... It means it is MY opinion, take it or leave it I really don't care. It is still ok to have opinions right?

 

I personally dont like the flares on 2nd gens color matched or not, although I like how they look better than the 2nd gens without flares at all. I like the the black fares on 3rd gens, but not the color matched ones. Also, to make me more confused at what my reasoning maybe, I dont like bushwacker flares on 2nd gens, BUT, I seen one member on here (???) with the bolts filled in with bondo? and left rough black. Kinda looks like the Ford Rators fenders

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

 

The contours on a flareless 3rd gen are incredible.

 

Why does every 3rd gen thread go to sh*t. Come on people.

 

I don't like the wraparound front bumper design on 2nd or 3rd gens, very car like.

 

And with the color matching, it doesn’t help.

 

You can always cut that part off lol