Recent 3rd gen years... Are you happy?

Love my 2020 TRD Off Road DCLB with some additions/modifications. Wouldn't trade it for the world. Saved up for a new one, and didn't go the used truck route.

 

I've had all 3 gens. I don't love or hate my 3rd gen. It simply does what I need it to. Honestly if my 04 had been a double cab I'd still be driving it. I personally wouldn't want any more tech than I have in my 19. Why not just daily the 2wd and get another used/older 4wd specifically for offroading?

 

Coming up on 2 years of ownership of my '21 TRD Sport on May 14, 2023.

CURRENT MILEAGE: 17,100

I have done several upgrades and safety improvements. It is a shame the Tailgate Lock does not come standard on the TRD trims--it's a $40K truck!

EDIT: At least it has Factory Installed Remote Start

I did the OTT Tune after a year of ownership...I didn't notice the transmission issues most everyone complains about on TW but I decided to get the tune anyway.

Coming from a 2003 Honda Pilot EX for 18 years, the 3.5L engine MPGs did not shock me on the Tacoma. It still is not an issue in my mind.

This is my first New Truck and my first Toyota.

I was able to select this type of vehicle because our children are married adults & my wife approved it! lol

It's been a battle with my wife the add-ons/mods I've done...that's probably my only gripe.

Plus our kids aren't too keen on Dad driving a truck! The stigma associated with truck owners (in their minds) they think I am a part of. lol

But I love my Sport DCSB/AT no matter what anyone says.

At the end of the day, it's my happiness in ownership that matters.

With that said, do what your heart tells you about the 3rd Gen...any trepidation/uncertainty and this may not be what you want to do.

 

I have a 2016 and other than the headliner falling apart I haven’t had a single issue.

Would it buy it again? With the amount of money I’ve spent probably not. I’d get a Raptor instead. I’m still happy with it though. No regerts from me.

 

Time will tell. 2022 honestly you get a lot more bells and whistles from other brands that make the taco an expensive option BUT I bought the taco because of trade in value and reliability and have not had it enough to know. So far so good at 19k miles

 

Personally, my family and I have always been Toyota people. I have a '17 Tacoma TRD OR DCSB. This is my 2nd Tacoma. First I had was an '04 Prerunner. I kinda miss how that one handled though. The 3rd gen is much bigger than the 1st gen. Sold it because it was only a 2-wheel drive. If it was a 4x4, I probably would've kept it and ran it to the ground. I'd agree with you and say that 2-wheel drive will pretty much get you anywhere, but there's always that reassurance of knowing if you have a 4x4 it'll get you out of sticky situations. As for your decision to get a 3rd gen or wait for the 4th, personally I would wait to see what changes could happen with a 4th gen, but that's just me. Either way Tacomas are awesome!

 

What stigma?

 

I don't ask my daughters for specifics...my comment was a generic statement.

If it offends, I will retract.

 

Just asking? No offense taken

 

I will say they think my truck burns a lot of gas. I'm like, the Pilot had the same size engine?

Maybe they think my Sport has a V8?

I take their comments with a grain of salt. They probably think I'm going through another midlife crisis like when I retired from the USAF in 2011 and bought my first motorcycle...a Y2K GSXR750! lol

 

I’m very happy with my ‘22 TRD OR DCLB. Leather seats are easy to clean, heated seats work great, I use adaptive cruise religiously and I wish I could start it at 15-20mph instead of 28 but that’s really my only complaint. I don’t need the sunroof but I use it every day. I try to take it on dirt trails once a month and the 4WD with locker is absolutely great. I really wanted the long bed and I’m very happy to have found one, I ride a recumbent bicycle and I like being able to put her in with the tailgate up and nothing hanging over and can put my son’s bike in as well with room to spare….well, you already have a long bed so you know this already, I’m coming from a ‘16 XC90.

I wanted a tried and true pickup without the first year or two teething pains like on my XC90. She was a pleasure but I wish I could have waited for an ‘18+. I’ve wanted to go back to a pickup for a while now, the kids are older and I no longer need the seat space. Ok, I’m way off topic now.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

It’s ok. Still miss my 03 TRD AC. Was a manual. Rotten frame. Gone but not forgotten!

 

Well it's not perfect, if you told me I had to buy another midsized truck tomorrow I'd buy a Tacoma again. I had the pretty standard complaints with mine, gear hunting(tune fixed), cramped interior for a guy over 6ft, lack of low end torque (again tune helped) but these are things I kinda expected prior to buying it.

What did surprise me is how capable these things are stock. I run out of talent before the truck does usually. Rear locker + MTS in the most aggressive setting is pretty damn close to fully locked if you ask me. I do some light trails with some guys in full sized trucks and the Taco is keeping up with everything but the modded jeeps.

 

I love my 2021 TRD OR DCSB 6MT purchased in May 2021. At first, I didn't understand the high level of satisfaction most owners have for these trucks, but after 28K miles, I think I get it it. There's not another vehicle I see while driving my Taco, that even remotely piques my interest to trade/change.

If I lost Tania Maria, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

 

Really happy with my 2022 TRD OR Premium. Came from a 2012 SR5. In a lot of ways it still feels like the same truck, but just more refined. I still prefer the old 4.0L to the new 3.5L but on the 2022 I have not experienced any of the transmission issues people gripe about and I'm not planning to tune the truck.

 

Im 62 ive had allot of trucks. Aside from my dentside highboy i dig my taco.
If you are a young man I would hang onto yours until the economy gets a bit better.

 

Absolutely love my 2020 with just over 2 years of ownership. Wife loves the truck too.

Stock DCLB truck meets our family of 4 needs. Long bed with Tonneau really helps here. Also the Power adjustable drivers seat. Truck's not perfect but it's what suits us the best.

Previous vehicle was 2004 Pathfinder for 15 years that had the 3.5 V6. Similar MPG's.

Toyota interest rates were dirt cheap when we purchased. (1.9%@72 months) so we re-invested the cash instead of purchasing outright.

What are your needs? Kids? Pets? Home Improvements?

What are you comfortable with financially?

Did you test drive a 3rd gen yet?

Do you plan to keep it stock or modify it?

Some questions to ask yourself.

Lastly, you already have an awesome truck.

 

Yep, that is something along the lines of what I was thinking. Maybe even a front locker. And Fox or even better suspension with a lift. Even Ford offers different levels of options on the Raptor.

 

My ‘21 was perfectly acceptable. Nothing amazing, nothing bad, a good solid all around midsize truck. It was a better quality interior than my ‘11 and the updated technology features were a nice improvement.

 

Everyone on here complains about stuff. I’ve owned 3 tacomas and this one is this Gen is the best overall. It’s the quietest inside the cabin and even though the drive train gets complained about a lot it’s totally fine. It has plenty of power and once a little bit into the revs it actually rips along . I have really no complaints. Great truck in my opinion, and looks great. The resale value will always be high no matter what Gen comes out. Don’t make that a worry for you.Plus at this point any bugs with the 3 rd Gen are probably gone by now .