Looking to buy a Tacoma, 3rd vs 4th gen

Howdy all,

I am a potential Tacoma owner and need some steerage on which generation to buy. I do not have kids and plan on using my truck to haul my motorcycle to the race track and occasionally tow my project car. Realistically towing the project car would be once in a blue moon, but hauling the bike would be once or twice a month. For that reason I want to get a v6 or iForce with an access cab. I do not need to pay for the extra seats, but will need the 6 foot bed for hauling my bike and camping with it. I have no desire to go off-road or even buy 4wd.

I have some experience with the 2nd gen Tacoma and never liked it. My mom had one growing up that I would sometimes drive. My step dad has one. My buddy has one, which we used to haul my motorcycle from CA to NC. I always thought the 2nd gens were cramped, and had rough, underpowered engines. For that reason I initially never considered the 3rd gens, because I saw it as a continuation of the 2nd.

The 4th gen came out and caught my attention, because it is a 4 cylinder turbo. I like this because, more power, more torque, better fuel economy, less maintenance. If I were to get one it would be the Pre-Runner or SR5.

Seems cut and dry then, buy the 4th gen and be done? Wrong. Last weekend I drove my buddy's 2023 Sport and was very impressed. Although it was a short drive, I found that its engine was smooth, had okay pickup and was pretty comfortable. I am nervous with the 4th gen, it will have a high dealer markup and not be available until Spring. Also buying the first year of any vehicle is risky. At least the 2023s have the kinks worked out.

Let me know what you guys think.

 

go and test drive more 2023’s while they’re still on the lot. procrasinate too much and they’ll be gone before you know it.

 

With the 2024s not being out yet & not really having any real world experiences I'd say that might be a tough call for me personally, with this being the very first year of the new design/power train.


There are definitely issues the 3rd gens have, but comparatively speaking they are not insurmountable, and for me didn't take anything away from the reliability and quality of the vehicle.
I've turned my 2020 DCLB into the truck I've always wanted, and have done away with most all of the issues I saw with the truck.
YMMV

 

I think you answered your own question as you have noted obvious concerns regarding the 3rd vs 4th gen. Otherwise, also test drive some 1/2 tons and see what you think. Give the 4th gen 2-3 years for any issues to be worked out. Then maybe trade up to a 2027 4th gen. As mentioned, time is running out on 3rd gens. I don’t know what the availability is like for V6 2WD access cabs. Toyota seems to produce trims in batches making availability difficult at times.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Good to know about the trims in batches. I went to my local Toyota dealer and was shocked that they had mostly dbsb with a few dclb, but no ab's. For that reason I have been looking at the used market. There are still several in my area with very low miles.