Opinion - 3rd Gen Vs. 2nd Gen: Which to buy?

Howdy Folks,

Hope this post is in the right spot.

Can you help me list out some pros and cons to purchasing a 2015 taco, vs an 18 or 19?

I'm looking to buy a taco, and I've been searching exclusively into 2015s because personally I like the body style better the 3rd gems. It's been my "dream truck" for years.

Lately, the more I think about it, there more things I consider about a getting 2018 or 2019 instead. Mileage, age, overall newer and better (?) technology… What do y'all think?

I'm open to different views.
Some ideas for talking points:

- insurance differences
- mod-ability
- mpg (I'm only looking at RWD)
- Trim packages, bells and whistles differences…
- nit picky details! (Button / dial locations etc)

let this also be a "5 things I love / hate," if you will.
Thanks!!



-T

 

Also wanted to add this - in general, I would rather get a 2015 with more bells and whistles than a 2019 base trim model.

 

You're in the wrong section for a non-biased answer...

If you love the 2015, then get it. Otherwise I promise you'll regret it.

Mods for both gens are readily available, however, the innovation market for the 2nd gen is nearly dead. They still make mods, but there's not likely to be very many new ones coming out.

Reliability is likely to be the same, but the 2nd gen is a known commodity.

I HIGHLY recommend you get 4x4. The biggest question I see on here regarding 2WD's is, "how do I mod my 2WD to 4x4?" or "should I trade in my 2WD?"

Good luck!

 

I have a 2019 and I love it. Even the base model is gonna have all the safety stuff on it, which practically speaking gives you adaptive cruise control, which I love. The only upside I see to a gen 2 over a gen 3 is that mods might be cheaper.

 

If safety is a factor then go with a 3rd Gen.

 

3rd gen gets my vote because it has more aftermarket support and will continue to do so until the 4th gen comes out.

 

Thanks all'

@ Bert, I'm really not looking at 4x4s because I don't think it would match my lifestyle. I don't think I'd use it. Plus, it's extra maintenance (for something I don't want in the first place).

@ ed, Either way I Definitely plan on modding - everything from rims and tires, bulb/led conversion, to mid-travel suspension and other mods, so…

@ Brent, very good to know. Thanks.

@ shaker, it's absolutely a consideration in my decision. one of the many, many others, lol

@ dc that's what I've been thinking more and more lately.

appreciate it so far, guys.

-T

 

One thing you will want to check is if you use your cruise lots, some - not all complain about how the cruise is on the 3rd Gen.
There are tons of mods still for 2015, suspension, wheels are the same as 3rd Gen.
You could easily throw in an upgraded head unit for a few hundred bucks if you want Apple CarPlay or Android.
Lots of guys get 300k, 400k miles out of the 4.0 V6
Prices are up there for a 2015, you might have cheaper payments getting a 2020 with a low interest rate.

 

Rust is the enemy of all Tacomas. Buy the newest one you can afford.

 

If you are looking for reliability, stick with the 2015 2nd gen.

The following thread exposes some of the horrors of the 3rd gen.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...liable-as-tacomaworld-makes-them-seem.673238/

 

this

 

Find a clean 2015 that someone already spent $ on the mods you like and don’t look back. I couldn’t love my 2nd gen more. CarPlay, heated & cooled leather, torque for days, great audio, and it even holds a gear on the freeway.

 

Cant go wrong with either.

For a current 2nd gen owner, there is no good reason to switch. What in the 3rd gen is an upgrade vs a 2nd gen besides tech and power seats?

Seems motor and transmission are worse, besides that, same cabin space and bed, so it's the same truck basically.

So in conclusion, pick which one looks better to you in terms of style.

 

Both are great trucks. I loved my 2013, it went over 150,000 miles with no issues. The 2020 I have now gets 5 mpg more than my 13. I feel it rides better too.
Rust is a killer here in the snow belt and I wanted a newer truck to last me way into my upcoming retirement. Other wise I would have kept the 13.
You won't go wrong with whatever one you pick.

 

Traded my 13 for an 18 and no regrets

 

I went into buying my truck looking at used. I test drove a few, but one day I found a 2015 OR DCSB in MT with ~30k on the odomtetre. I drove it and liked it. Now for the price I decided to look at new, this in Dec 2016, so looking at 2017. I test drove my truck, 2017 Sport DCSB MT, hands down better. Very happy with my choice at almost 4 years later and just under 60k later.

Just my story, good luck on your search.

 

I had a 2015 TRD Sport, loved it. I drove a 2016 for a couple weeks and couldnt get back into my truck fast enough, hated it. It was gear hunting constantly and gutless imo. Three of the guys I fly with have 3rd gen Tacos and all three hate them for the same reason (theyre 16 & 17s, not sure if they changed them currently). I think the newer ones look cool and all that, I loved my 4.0 but needed a full sized truck and ended up in my 5.7 Tundra, otherwise id have kept it. Although the Tundra trumps the Taco I had in every single way, even down to ergonomics of the seat and the suspension actually doing what its supposed to.. but I digress..

You’re also on a forum where whoever owns X generation is going to go ‘MINES THE BEST’ so id take it with a grain of salt. Go test drive them and see which makes you smile more, research the issues with the models, and buy what you want..

 

Again opinions will vary wildly. I owned a 2010 MGM DCSB OR, and now I own a 2017 MGM DCSB OR. Both great trucks I truly like the 2017 much more but that’s me. Really your in a win win situation. Personally I like my 17 because it’s the final year without TSS installed. Some people will be the exact opposite. Drive both generations and buy the nicest rust free one you find. Good luck!

 

Test drive, test drive, test drive. When you make up your mind, test drive a different one from another dealership, get a feel for the Taco, some are better then others. Test drive some more.

 

Biggest reason to get a 2nd Gen is that you don't have to deal with the dumpster fire that is the 3rd Gen forum.

But I love my 3rd Gen so much more than my old 2nd Gen.
The biggest difference is really going to come down to the modernization of amenities the 3rd Gen over the older models.
I know there are some loud voices against it, but I love the TSS (on '18 and newer ), especially when road tripping. The 3rd Gen is much more convenient and refined compared to even the last 2nd Gen model. If you're not planning on building an off-roading rig, I would strongly suggest a 3rd Gen with the amenity package that suits you.

Test drive both and compare the experiences.