Is 3rd Gen 3.5 Tacoma really a good truck?

No issues at all . I love my truck , to me I think it’s powerful enough, it has never given me one issue and it’s good looking . It’s all paid for and I will drive it as long as I can

 

I've had zero issues since I got mine used with 12k miles a year ago.
I see no evidence of any of the supposed 3rd gen ailments, other than the rear end is loud
even after lube change.

Its a decent truck, daily driven, but does lack power, and sucks for towing.
Just spends too much time switching gears on small hills and feels anemic.
This is my 3rd Tacoma that I've had and truthfully the 2nd gen was a more solid truck.
I bought it because I got a good deal on it, and it was an access cab.

I have a 3/4 ton Chevy and drive a new silverado work truck, which also
spends a lot of time looking for gears but has v8 power. The 10 speeds are overkill.
My next truck will probably be a full size Chevy, because the price of a Tacoma has gotten stupid
and the price difference is gone. The mileage is actually better on the Siverado, but not much. My 2 cents

 

Bought mine new and it's been a great trouble free truck.

 

Got a 2018 about a month and a half ago and it has the brake light cabin leak recall issue. Upholstery has mold. Dealership says they can't get parts until mid January for the fix. It's already been there a month... Frustrating, but at least it's all covered along with the rental. Which is a Corolla Cross. Barf.

I want my fuckin' truck back.

 

That’s ok lay some miles on that rental , at least they got you covered

 

Can relate, see if you can nudge them for a similar truck.

My dealer goes through a 3rd party and when I dropped mine off for the frame they only could get a car (Chevy Malibu) but said they would pull a truck in a few days. I kept the Chevy a few weeks as my wife wanted to drive it but did take them up on the truck offer, a Nissan Frontier.

 

Bought my 23 TRD Sport 6MT one year ago (Oct 23) used with 7900 miles on it. Paid $40.5k which I thought was a great deal (it’s a premium with leather, sunroof, heated seats, LED lights, etc.) I’m up to 17,500 miles today and it’s been a great, no, freaking awesome truck! Keep in mind I came from a 2019 Ram 1500 that I bought new, had tons of power and space but more than a few issues in the 4 years I owned it. This truck is so simple, yet perfect. The tech is just right, not too little not too much. I still use a key to start it and the engine doesn’t do the limp dick shutoff thingie at lights, it stays running. The V6 sounds like heaven! Ever since I did the OTT tune this thing literally rips from stop lights. The 6MT is a blast to drive. Yes, I’m super happy with this truck and hope to drive it for decades. I only do around 7000-8000 miles/year so plenty of life in her. No desire to upgrade to a next gen 24 as I have the best of both worlds - a 3rd gen and the last year of it. So far it’s been the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. The only mods I’ve done were, Pro Grille.. red TRD center caps.. replaced the white TRD 4x4 Sport stickers with red/black, TRD Pro shift knob, and mud flaps. Otherwise bone stock and loving it!

 

If you don’t mind which Good Year tires are those?

 

Wrangler Adventures with Kevlar. Just the right combo between an A/T and a street tire. They do awesome in all conditions.

 

Mines a 2016 as well! And yep my roof is toast. Clear coat is gone in 40% of my roof here in Northern California. I'm likely going to wrap the roof and hood to delay the cost of repainting