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

If I’m on a two lane road, it’s 3rd for sure. 4th does not have the get up and go I feel is necessary for a quick two lane pass. It’s decent for picking up speed on a divided highway but that’s about it.

 

All the timing chain cover leaks, PCV flooding on inclines, low oil pressure warnings, failing transmissions at 100-200k… IDK. The 3rd gen driveline isn’t what I personally would consider reliable. Statistically it’s not as reliable as the previous gen.

 

Like 15-20 guys on TW?

 

I have not heard of these issues personally. I had an 08 Tacoma Sport previously with 350k miles when I totaled it. The AT was replaced at 306k miles… a great truck!
That said, I didn’t think about purchasing a different truck. I got the 21 Tacoma OR DCLB knowing of the gear hunting issue. I loaded the KDMAX tune and good to go.
The truck has 51k miles, runs well.

 

I've literally had none of those issues.

 

Agreed. There's a 0% chance they put the same turbo v6 from the tundra into the new tacos but that would be sweet.

 

My 2021 is my first ever brand new car and first 4wd vehicle. It is a 4cylinder sr w/ convenience and cost less than $29,500 but it wasn’t purchased for going fast, it was purchased for getting the job done.(basically getting my wife wherever she needs to go during a snowstorm)
: It’s the shiniest tool in my garage.
It’s easy to work on
and has that MK four supra style cast iron block that’s completely bulletproof. They’ve been running the same motor for nearly 20 years. It’s not the popular choice but I know I will never have an issue with it for the next 20 years, and my fuel economy is pretty good, especially with my upgrades. Should’ve took a picture of it but I did pull 29 mpg driving through the high desert on an entire tank.… I feel like it’s the last of the old-school trucks. Still has more power than any Toyota v6 from the 90’s.
Previously owned an 06 2wd, the 2021 seems like the big brother version. The 3rd GEN will be the last of the old school trucks that aren’t iPads with a truck built into it. IMO
Your second GEN is probably worth more now or exactly what you paid for it in today’s twilight zone world we are living in with used cars. Private Party
Definitely would wait until year four for the 4th gen, I am on the same boat when it comes to letting the manufacturer figure out the weird issues. You can’t go wrong either way but if you’re gonna get rid of it, now would be the time if you’re worried about the value decreasing. I got very lucky with selling my 06 in 2021. In the matter of four months the bluebook value of the 06 increased by $4000 and that’s when I sold it. If gas trucks are phased out in the next 15 to 20 years, I feel like I’m sitting on something that will definitely be holding its value in the long run, and in the meantime, maintenance costs are going to be low even with a shifting and unknown future in the automotive world.

 

I’ve heard a lot of good from that kdmax tune.

 

Sport mode helps; keeping it in 5th around town if you’re cruising and in a hilly area keeps it from shifting so much.

 

I guess it depends on where you live. I live in CO and the cruise control is simply not possible here.

 

I lived in Colorado...if you're in the mountains, no car has good cruise control, this isn't a Tacoma thing.

 

Why not get a 2nd gen with 4x4 ?

That way, you won't have much of a payment.

 

Sure, but the fact is that Tacoma’s is unusable in far more situations. I have four cars and all of them have functional cruise control in comparison. The Tacoma’s is basically useless.

 

That's an option too... but if I switch trucks I really want to go brand new for my first time ever. Also... 2nd gen trucks are still a lot of $$$. For now... I decided to hang onto what I have to see what the 4th gen brings in a few years. I got some amazing feedback here in this thread. What a great community.

 

I just traded my 2009 TRD Offroad access cab towards a 2023 TRD Offroad 4 door with 2K miles.
I think I made a big mistake after only 3 days...I hate it.
I hate the 4 door, less space for my gear than the access cab and the short bed is pretty useless. Can't even get all the stuff from my 2 door in the 4 door.
My 2009 had the V6 4.0L, my 2023 has V6 3.5L. It is a dog compared to the 4.0L. Transmission is smoother, but feels way less powerful until you stomp the throttle. Then you can see the fuel gauge going down.
No map capability for a 2023 is crazy. And the Bluetooth is pathetically slow.
That's after only 3 days! I imagine as time goes on the list will get larger.
No way I would get a 2024 with 4cyl turbo and figured I'd be happy with basically the same truck as I had in a 3rd Gen. The turbo felt ok but my experience says it will need work after 60-70K miles. I expected that the "new" 3.5L would be fine.
So bummed out... first at Toyota for going to 4 cylinders in their new models without increasing the mileage and HP. And secondly, at myself for not sticking with a longbed access cab. I wish that I'd gotten something different than another Tacoma. This was supposed to be my last truck since I am 70 and I kept the last one for 15 years. Now it looks like I am stuck with something that is a step back from what I had.

 

I’m not sure sport mode works the way you think it does. All “S” mode does is restrict the truck from shifting past whatever gear you’ve put it in. In other words, if you are in “S” mode and in 3, then your truck won’t shift into 4th or 5th gear.

What statistics? lol

 

EMOTIONAL STATISTICS.

 

Not as happy as my good old 03 4runner or old, real trucks in general but I am happy yes. Tacoma is as trucky as it gets. For fk sake transmission is like since 2005, V6 feels like driving tractor, real trucks were never fast lol.

I am not kinda guy who is looking luxury and sporty looks, I like simplicity and capability, which my Taco offers.

 

Why is the turbo 4 worse? Don’t like better torque??

 

I don't like highly stressed engines trying to compensate for lesser displacement by using increased pressures from high rpm turbos.
The turbo for 2024 was a deal breaker for me.
The batteries and hybrid EV was even more a deal breaker for me.