Looking to purchase 3rd gen tacoma soon, have a few questions

Damn right just kidding.

 

Most professional reviews will usually mention the Auto not being very good and going for the Manual if possible. Toyota has tried to put a Bandaid on it by doing the TSBs but not sure if they really improve anything. As mentioned several times, if you are considering the Auto make sure you get an Overnight Test Drive or Rent one for a few days and drive on Routes that you would normally travel.

 

The interior differences on the 2 gens and different torque power band you already know about.

I like the white truck FTW.
Easier to maintain, the most visible color is white which is best protection against accidents, that is for being seen, when the dummies aren’t texting.

OR should be comfy, I haven’t heard many complaints I believe it comes with different tires so that’s that as tires make or break your on and off-road ride.

As far as tips and recommendations go I have a few…

Don’t stress over transmission issues found in the forum, I have found non there after over 20k neither have many others after many more.

But other forums are filled with them also same as here, old news.
I haven’t even had my ATF lvl checked and don’t plan on letting anyone touch it either. Toyota service manual are so screwed or confusing its easy to screw up your transmission. If anyone is ever going to check it it’ll be me when and if ever I discover a leak, but I shouldn’t.
Don’t let the delay\hesitation from reverse to forward on a cold morning freak you out either. The engine is at higher idle when cold and the delay is the ecm protecting your drivetrain components from slamming things at higher rpm and not the AFT low on fluid.
If it was low on fluid, the software patch wouldn’t work. That maybe the explanation as to why the new ones don’t come with it, not everyone thinks there’s something wrong.

The infamous diff howl should all but disappear for most that ditch the factory tires and may pick up a different tune. But there will always be that 1% that has to have failures so your odds are good and so is the warranty.

Good luck!
Cheers!

 

Well I decided against the third gen for now. I'm gonna hold on to my 2nd gen for at least another year.

1) Toyota reduced the head room significantly in the 3rd gens. I am 6'2" and test drive two 2017 tacomas - one with the sunroof and one with out. The sunroof understandably reduced headroom but even without the sunroof my head was too close for comfort. Kind of disappointing. My 05 has plenty of headroom to spare. The interior feels cramped on the new trucks vs the 2nd gen being much roomier.

2) what is up with that engine?! When I say it feels sluggish man, Toyota really gutted their V6. Truck bogged down and could barley make it up a hill. My 05 will squeak the rear tires easily. Very very disappointed in the third gen engine. Also transmission was extremely strange and shift happy like mentioned in thread.

Overall extremely disappointed in the third gen tacomas. Will be going full size Chevy or Ford most likely next year.

 

OP, good choice for you, you would have never been happy with the newer Taco like a few on this forum. Personally, I love my '17 vs my cousins '14 or '13 (can't remember) and he might get a new one since I think he is a bit jealous. Of course I have the MT so I have never experienced the shift happiness of the current yota. You did your research, test drove, and found this vehicle does not work for you (take note folks----- a TEST drive). Best of luck on your next purchase.

 

Only thing I miss on the 2nd generation is the drivetrain, everything else is better on the 3rd generation.

 

You will adjust your driving style; or at least I found that I did to be more accommodating to the shift points. The truck will force you to drive more conservatively. If you step on it, sometimes takes two shifts but there's power on the high end. There is not much for low end torque. It's a solid engine, if it is truly rooted in the lexus 3.5 then it should last forever, just an interesting application of that powerplant which may not be 100% transferable.

 

Go with a PRO!!! My 2017 has none of the automatic shift issues my 2016 had. Whatever tranny issues there were, they seem to be fixed. I took a 1100km trip and it was completely comfortable.

 

Wise choice OP, last thing some of us want is another 10k posts from an unsatisfied customer

Cheers!