My quest for a 3rd gen Tacoma is over...

So my quest for a 3rd Gen quad cab TRD Offroad longbed Tacoma to replace my 2006 Tacoma did not end as I had planned.

I have only owned/driven Toyota Pickups for the last 18 years. My first Toyota was a 1988 Toyota Pickup [Longbed | regular cab |4wd |3.0L v6]. My second was a 2004 Tacoma [Extended Cab | TRD Offroad | 4wd | 3.4L v6]. My third was a 2006 Tacoma [Extended Cab | TRD Sport | 4wd | 4.0L v6].

Things have changed in my life since 10 years ago when I bought my 2006 Tacoma (wife, kid, house, etc.) and my needs had outgrown my extended cab Tacoma. It seemed only logical that I would go with a quad cab 3rd Gen as my next truck.

The first truck I took for a test drive was a Limited because I wanted to see a truck that had all available interior features. The interior was definitely an upgrade (especially in the tech department) and the ride was quieter, but the engine just seemed sluggish…especially from a stop. I test drove a second truck (TRD Offroad) with the ECT button engaged (a feature which both my 1988 and 2004 Toyota trucks had) and the engine still didn’t feel much different – it just seemed really ‘revy’ and you really had to wind it up to get into the power. After my test drives I felt very conflicted – I had fully expected to order a 3rd Gen Tacoma that day…but I just felt like the new 3.5L was a step back from the 4.0L in my 2006 Tacoma when it came to usable power.

After several weeks of thinking it over and test driving other makes/models…I did what I had always believed was unthinkable (for me at least)- I ended up buying a 2016 F150. I test drove multiple trim levels/engine combos over several weeks – each test drive made me like the truck even more. The 2.7L twin turbo, 3.5L twin turbo, and 5.0 v8 have loads of power that is available down low (where you need it and use it in a truck) and the technology, features, and ride of the truck is impressive. I ended up getting a Supercrew Lariat Sport w/ the 5.0L v8 and FX4 package.

I am still a big Toyota truck fan – just neither of their current truck offerings felt like they were the best fit for me right now compared to other options. I have seen some very good looking 3rd gens on here and even though I don’t login very often I still check out this site several times a week to see what is going on. I am sure I will own another Toyota truck in the future - but for now I have gone to the ‘dark side.’



Side by Side with my 2006 Tacoma just before I sold it...


My 2006 Tacoma


My 2004 Tacoma


My 1988 Toyota (crappy pic - pre-digital camera)

 

How much was your Lariat?

 

Nice rig. How much did it set you back?

 

I made the very same decision earlier this month OP. Have owned two Toyotas, an '88 and then an '07. I loved my 2nd gen and probably will alwaysbe remembered as the perfect truck. Anyway I just couldn't come t accept the 3rd gen.

My aluminum f150 is awesome! Same MPG, more towing, hp, faster, roomier, tons of cool tech, etc.

Enjpy your f150, it's a fantastic truck for the money.

 

My 2015 f150 Lariet FX4 w 3.5l turbo and HD tow package was $45k and I got 5yr 0% financing, and a free first oil change. That specialfinancing was only for 2015s for "truckmonth" to move old inventory.

 

more pics of your '88?

That BTTF style truck looks awesome!

 

Sure I'll dig those out.It was the first xtra cab (4 extra inches I think) and my 4WD SR5 it was$12,900 new. Quite a truck w the 22re.

 

Congrats on preferring a more expensive full size truck.

Not my cup of tea.

 

I was actually talking to the OP. But feel free to share your '88 as well.

My very first car/truck was a hand me down '86 base long bed with 22RE. The year was 1992, and I was so jealous of the more rounder body style of the 91+.

 

Icky thread.

 

Sounds like the Toyota Marketing team failed the OP. Don't you know the 3rd Gen is superior in all ways?

I visited my local custom off-road shop today to get my sliders welded on. They always love showing me all the projects in their garage at the time. They showed me a Sand colored 2016 Tacoma DCSB they were working on. Fox Shocks with Resi's, block lift on the rear with factory leaf springs (WHY???). Total of 6" lift and they were putting 18" Fuel rims with 35" Duratracs on it, and a rear-gear front and back. Front bumper was on back-order but it'll also be getting a winch. It was up on a rack with no wheels on it so I got under it. It's the same damn thing underneath as my 2015. Guy tells me the only difference they found on the front suspension was that the 2016 had a bigger bolt on the LCA than the 2015's did. LOL Seriously?

Smaller motor - more horses - same torque. No replacement for displacement.

 

I originally was going to get a well optioned XLT which would have run me almost the same as the Tacoma I wanted. However once I decided on the F150 I figured it was worth the extra $5K or so to get all the options I wanted w/ the Lariat since I plan on keeping it 8-10 years. I paid a little over $44k for it.

 

The 'no replacement for...' quote is dead. That may be true back in the '60s where in order to get more power from a motor, you need to go bigger.

engines evolve.. Look at the whole car industry now. Everything is smaller--more efficient, and making WAAAY more power now. Don't get me wrong. I loved the 1GR motor on my X-runner. It was fantastic, but compared to the new 3.5, it feels like a dinosaur.

 

Bet you didn't see any rust either

Always the guys with 2015s who complain the most. Unfortunate timing I agree but oh well. I'd still be happy if I was a 2015 owner

 

Sniff sniff....


....found the fanboy

 

Congrats op I like the f150s.

Why didn't you go tundra if you don't mind me asking?

 

Nothing to do with being a fan. Owned a Ranger for years, fords are great. Just stating that it's hard to compare a midsized to a full size. That is a decision on truck class, not truck model.

 

Interesting how I hear so much conflict on this one. Some folks swear the 3.5 feels faster. Others swear it's gutless. Only video I've seen comparing the two at take off shows the 4.0 winning. I haven't driven a 3.5 in a '16. However, I did sit in one and turn it on and rev it a few times. It felt and sounded like a 4 cylinder which turned me off. To each their own!

A smaller displacement motor CAN make a car faster or more powerful - if done properly. Look at companies like BMW who actually make 4 cyl motors that move their cars pretty quickly. I'm just not convinced that's what Toyota has done with the Tacoma. I'm not saying a Tacoma needs to be fast. I'm just not convinced the 3.5L is necessarily superior. Though I'd love a tiny bump in MPGs like anyone else.

 

My apologies.
Based on price, I'd say they trucks are quite similar. Different classes yes, but how can a Tacoma compete when a loaded to the nuts Lariat isn't much more?

 

I've driven a couple 16s
The 3.5 defiantly feels faster. However it doesn't "throw you back" as much as the 4.0 does.