Maybe I shouldn't have come to this forum!

HLA I have a 2017 with no noise issues (first Taco), and haven't seen/felt ant issues with the shifting that concern some. Only issue so far, is my height and seat position, but that is fixable/mod'able. I think the truck is a good compromise for size, power, towing, and clearance...and all the pros/cons that come with those. No issues at the 5K service...since I've bough t this truck 2 others at my work have gotten them and love em.

 

Hey OP, notice how it's a lot of people that don't own a 3rd gen trying to tell you how they are?

My '16 has been great. I dont have any squeaks or rattles. It's my DD. Best truck I've owned. I'd say go for a OR/Sport and put leather seat covers on it like Clazzio's. They look and feel like the real deal.

 

As much as I bitch about my 17, im sure id feel the same with any new vehicle. I hate power everything, nanny features, and quietness. Ill hate this thing till it quits 20+ years from now.

Seriously, the complaints ive seen (that aren't covered by warranty work) are from people who are coming from fully loaded luxury "trucks" to a mid-size that was designed with offroading in mind. Its not gonna be as refined, but its going to last a lot longer. Go in with the mindset of buying a wrangler with reliability and a bed. (and I mean a real wrangler, not these modern 4 door mall crawlers)

 

@smitty99 do you care to chime in ?

 

Might be opening Pandora's box here but any word on what will be added/deleted and release timeframe for the 2018s? I'm assuming around November.. might be worth it to wait a bit and pick up a 17 for less

 

I come to Tacomaworld and read about how all these 3rd gens have howls, vibrations in the steering wheel, rattles, squeaks. But then I hop into my truck which has over 30K and I don't experience any of these issues.

 

2018's should come out in August.

 

My buddy bought a 4X4 f150 for 2k more than what I paid for my SR5.... they aren't that much more than a midsize in price.

 

Look I'll tell you what I have experienced since I have had issues myself. For one thing, it's the best mid size truck of the lot when you consider interior amenities and overall design. I have the Limited and have had my share of issues, but since having most of them fixed, nothing else has cropped up. Will I buy another Toyota again? Probably not, but that doesn't make the Tacoma a bad truck in any way. A lot of folks on here will tell you to stay away yet they haven't even owned one, you can tell because either they don't have a vehicle listed on their avatar or they have a 2nd gen. I've had mine for awhile now and I have had the following fixed/replaced:

1. Leaf springs due to loud squeaking
2. Front Rad bolts
3. Window tightened due to rattle
4. Rear diff leak that was tightened down

That being said, the truck itself rides smooth, doesn't have a lot of road noise (quiet actually), can tow when needed, has enough room in the DC to have folks back there if needed, and the head unit is fantastic. I'll probably end up ditching the truck at the end of the warranty if anything else crops up but at this point, I doubt it will. Take what some folks say with a grain of salt, its a forum and usually those that want to moan and groan will show up. Others on here, like Smitty have legitimate issues that made their experience terrible and you can't fault them for hating a truck that has continually fell apart on them. You aren't going to get a good opinion of any vehicle over a short test drive. You roll the dice based on what you see and what research you have done and hope for the best. No way to tell if you are going to like a vehicle 50000 miles in until you get there.

 

I think that you might be a little paranoid. The complaints certainly get the most attention, and the 2nd Gen owners will give you flak (I'm one of them) .
The fact is that Toyota, for all their short comings makes a truck that pleases tens of thousands of people every year. http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01/toyota-tacoma-sales-figures.html
If it pleases you, and you can stand the idiosyncrasies of the new engine's power curve, and the automatic transmission's over active algorithm trying to get the most MPG, then I say go for it.

IMHO, I wouldn't want a lease for a vehicle I would mod, and the platform is ripe for modding for sure. Personally, besides the financial hit, I like used vehicles because someone has already had to shake out all the nit picky shit under warranty before I even get it.

So to answer your thread question... join this forum and 1. you'll meet people in your area that are fanatical. 2. you will have more excuses to mod/ spend money on your truck than you can shake a stick at.

 

Read the 3rd gen section, and you soon realize that the 3rd gen Tacomas are the new Jeep/Chrysler/Fiats.

Must take a lot of guts, to gamble $40K on a 3rd gen, hoping you get a good one. Leasing is not the best financing decision, but with the 3rd gen, a safer bet.

 

I call BS on the 50%

 

says the 2nd gen owner. Here we go again TW.

 

190,000 16's sold, and 50 people on TW with ligitimate issues.

If you want the fastest, quietest, largest tow capacity, power seats, pick up mad tail. Don't get a Tacoma.

You want a truck you'll love, even though you're pissed at it, will run forever and hold it's value, get a Tacoma.

 

I came from 2014 f150 3.5 ecoboost and traded it for my 17 Tacoma. Should have never did it. no problems with the Tacoma, but the f150 was a lot better of a truck.

 

Shit I'd rather buy a Chrysler than spend $18,000 to rent a pickup for 3 years. Assuming you don't plan on buying it in the end that is and get a screaming buyout value.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...hering-throttle.442341/page-119#post-15354422

It's at 42% right now with a fair few number of folks waiting to hear back. More have it than don't and I think this forum provides a decent sample size (1k+) respondents.

 

A TW poll....I am not going to say any more.

 

I don’t believe you’re paranoid HLA0392, but driving that Geep made you paranoid, and dealing with all other makes/models have me paranoid lol!

But paranoia can be contagious, and this is were all the sick come to get better, so it can make it seem so.

This is a great vehicle choice, well made and trouble free for the overwhelming majority except the vocal few who hear things and voices in their heads as they really do suffer from paranoia.

The only thing I’ve had to do to mine that is lacking are cosmetic. I did the TRD A/T leather shift knob, the TRD-PRO grill, door sills (a must imo) bed cover and a few other things, its really a long list but trying to keep it down and hidden from the boss lolo!

But have no fear, just make sure all wheel lugs are hand torqued to spec (83ft lbs) that alone will save you many issues common to most all (other) vehicles sold, also your U-bolts (rear springs 52ft lbs) the U-joint and propeller hanger bearing, rear diff and you’ll be set for life!

Most of all, have no fear, we’re here!
Cheers!

 

Cool story bro.