Guys who bought 2nd gen Tacoma’s after the 3rd gen was released...

I bought my 15 right when the 16's were coming out. It was a tough decision then but now 2.5 years later I am totally happy with my choice. I drove a 16 after having my 15 for about a year and did not like the interior and could not stand how it shifted. They really ruined the new taco's with the new powertrain in my opinion.

 

I was looking at 2015's and decided to wait for the 2016 to check out the technology upgrades. After sampling the 2016's I ended up buying a 2015 PreRunner. Traded the PreRunner for the 2015 4wd TRD OR that I now own about a year later because the PreRunner, while capable, wasn't getting me everywhere I wanted to go.

 

Honest answer...I wouldn't trade my 2014 Reg Cab 4x4(28k miles) for a brand new 2017 Pro, even in a straight across trade. I just love the look of the 2012-2015s and can't stand the look of the 16+ trucks.
My son is the same way. He always told me that he wanted a Tacoma when he was old enough to drive...well he turned 15 in 2015 and I showed him pictures of the new 2016 Tacomas hitting the lots. He hated it, so we went and bought him a new 2015 before he even had a license. He loves his truck.

 

I bought mine used after test driving a new '16OR when they first came out. My decision really had nothing to do with not liking the 3rd-gen or anything like that. I was basically weighing out the risks of spending the extra cash on the new truck vs getting the tried and true 2nd-gen. I commute a decent highway trip for work and on weekends we travel a bit (bike races, cabin etc). At the end of the day, I found a close to new '14 2.7 and I really liked it. The bullet-proof rep of the 4cyl 2nd-gen along with a few extra grand in my pocket finally won out. Sure the v6 3rd-gen had some features that would be nice, but reliability was my main concern, so I think I did ok. So far, so good.

Also, there is something to be said for the body-lines of the 2nd-gen. It is 1 of the best-looking body styles of any truck, in my opinion. Not that the 3rd-gen is bad, but I prefer the 2nd-gen body lines.

 

I had a ‘17 TRD Sport DCLB Super White on order. As soon as I saw the 3rd Gen in person I bailed. It was goong to be $36k plus tax.

I ran out and got me a used 2013 TRD Sport DCLB Super White some poor sap turned in for a 3rd Gen Tacoma. Got it for $28.8k.


NO RAGRETS!!!!!!!!
EVAR!

(My only regret is not making enough money to also own a new 2018 F150 Diezuhl too! Tacoma payload is not enough some days... but I’ll live)

I hate the way the 3rd Gens look in person. The price is also way too high.
I also wouldn’t get a 3rd Gen because of the reliability issues. Rear Diff problems ontop of others. The ride also sucks because they run at higher RMPs.

 

I purchased a Certified Used 2015 TRD Off Road with 23,000 miles back in October. I had looked at the 2017's but didn't like the front grille, headlights, and didn't care for the round air vents in the cab. I think the 2015 body style looks the best, but that's me.

 

I tested a 3rd gen before buying my 2015. I got a lot more truck for the money going used but I didn't hate the third gen and was ready to buy it if I didn't get the deal I got on my 15.

 

I test drove a 3rd gen before I bought my 14. Granted me buying a supercharger for my truck was a deciding factor for me buying the 2nd gen, but ultimately I liked the way the 2nd was setup in terms of powertrain. I feel like the interior of the 16 was a lot nicer. Test drive both and go with what you think is best for you.

 

I went with the 2015 over the gen 3 for a couple of reasons. First and most importantly, I wanted a thoroughly tested platform, one that's had 10 years to work out all the bugs made sense to me. New models always have unforeseen issues. So far we've seen rear diff issues and the 3rd gen billowing smoke out the tail pipe on steep climbs. While the vast majority of owners will never use theirs to do any serious off-roading, I wanted to have that option. I bought my truck to do truck things, and off-roading is one of those. I liked the fact that the 3.5 liter on the 3rd gen got another 2 mpg, but it seemed like the little 3.5 liter had to work really hard compared to the 4 liter to go the same speed. The old saying is "there's no substitute for cubic inches". Well there actually is, but it's rpm, and rpm will always shorten the life of an engine. Next is the aftermarket availability of parts for the 2nd gen. I've saved thousands of dollars simply watching the classifieds for things like my winch bumper, OME suspension, and camper shell, which were all new or in like-new condition for a fraction of the cost of the same item direct from the manufacturer. And lastly, although this was a minor thing, I didn't like the redesign of the front end, grill area. While the rest of the styling is awesome, I think the new front end on the 2016's and newer is kind of ugly. In short, the ONLY things I don't like about my 2015 are the flimsy tailgate and the IFS. Unfortunately I don't see Toyota going back to a solid front axle anytime soon.

 

Just so we are totally honest. This question is directed to the already 2nd gen owners with an implied disappointment/discontent of the 3rd gen, even quite a few of the responders have actually never drove a 3rd gen let alone owned one and drove extensively to a point where they can make an educated decision to switch back to a 2nd gen because 3rd gen is such a POS.
You asked 2nd gen owners if 2nd gen is the right decision they made and if that is justified. If nothing else let’s bash the 3 gen to prove the case.
Sorry for the intrusion. Let the 2nd gen drum beating, horn blowing, tailpipe smoking, altar worshiping continues.

 

I had a 2015 TRD OR 2wd and wanted the "newest and greatest" so I traded it for a 2017 TRD OR 2wd.....well, after 6 months and 12,000 miles I had enough with the feeling of no power and the constant shifting not to mention the crappy MPG's because I used the ECT all the time and revved the crap out if it to feel any power.....anyway, sold that POS to a local dealer and bought a 2015 TRD PRO Inferno Orange......over my lifetime I've owned a 82 Toy pickup, a 99 extra cab 2wd, a 2004 TRD OR 2wd, 2008 TRD OR 2wd, 2011 TRD OR 2wd, the first 15 TRD OR 2wd that I traded for the 17 TRD OR 2wd, another 2004 TRD OR 2wd and now the 15 PRO.....of the 9 Toyota trucks I've owned, my latest 2015 TRD PRO is by far the best...hands down......drop the mic!

 

Traded my 16 on a 14

Let's just say I'm much happier .

Drove the 16 for about 17 months and couldn't take it anymore , it had to go

 

That is a seriously sharp truck

 

Bought my 2015 TRD Sport DCSB in April of 2017. I didn't pay much less than I would have for a new one, but it only had 7000 miles on it.

No regrets at all.

 

Relax, you act like people in here are being racist. They are trucks.

 

the 16 is Fugly.....no offense

 

Pretty Much the same as most answers on here. In MAy of 16 I went and test drove a new 2016 Sport and a 2015 Sport with 6k miles on it. I preferred the front of the 15 more and the proven experience I guess. I was nervous about a new generation and the front end wasn't in my taste either. Primarily my choice came down to the off the line feel in the pedal. The 15 just responded much better than the 16. Hence.. I bought the 15 in May of 2016 with 6000 miles on it.

Oh yeah, And I have to tow Blue Thunder every now and then. Thought 4.0 sounded better than 3.5

 

This is my motto as well, but 2013-2015s were still 28-32k with 40-80k miles on them. I couldn't justify paying that much when brand new 17s were only 4k more. If I could find a low mileage 2nd gen for mid 20's I would have bought one.

 

Same!

 

I bought my first Toyota truck new in '88, SR5 V6 extra cab, then eventually bought a '92, '09 and most recently had an '07 DCSB. Beginning of December I traded the '07 for a '15 DCLB. My only regret about the '15 is I miss the clock in the hazard switch location and the temp gauge in the above center console that the '07 had.