Serious Question for a Buyer

Seems like a lot hate for the 3rd gen Tacoma on the board. Narrowed my search to a 2016 TRD Sport or a 2015 TRD Sport. Both on the same lot. If you had to choose ...
I’m coming from a 2010 FJ - it’s going to college.

 

Owned a 2013 sport, 2015 sport and now 2017 limited. By far my favorite is the 2017. 4L has noticeable more low end torque and the 3.5L has noticeable more top end power. You can't drive them the same and I think that's why 2nd gen owners hate the 3rd gens.

 

I like my 17 off-road better then the 15 off-road I had. Go with a 17, the 18s will be out shortly so may get a better deal on 17s.

 

Which ever you get the best deal on, though if you going to College, cost might be a primary concern.

I do have a bias in not purchasing a 1st year of any manufactures new model, they have a tendency to have the most issues right out of the gate.

I had a 2nd Gen for 9 years - 175K miles, extremely reliable, besides tires, brakes, oil changes only things that were replaced were Battery and later on the starter started acting up so I replaced it.

 

Every cars/trucks will have issues. I have a 2016 Off Road 4x4. No issues except for the rear diff recall. My dealership took care of it right way.
The way I see it is as long as the issues are addressed and I don't get a headache... I'm not worry one bit. After all, thats what warranty is for.
Get what you want buddy and enjoy it. ;-)

 

Thanks for the input. I was leaning towards the 2016 but with all the transmission, drivetrain, radio, etc issues I was getting a little concerned. I’m sending the FJ to TAMU - hopefully my kid goes with it. His 4Runner has 272000 miles on it and is definitely starting to show its age.

 

whoop!!!

 

Drive them both (if you haven’t), and go with your gut

 

I have had my 2016 for 2 years now and I absolutely love it.

 

I agree except that this one he is looking at is probably getting close to end of warranty and if the CPO is available is at a dealer, they jack the price 2 K to cover it.

 

Go with the 3rd gen don t listen to all the haters. 31,000 on my 16 and no issues.

 

I bought a 16 because my old car was totaled. I would have preferred to have waited til the 2017's but I didn't have a choice. OP, I suggest you look at 2017's over 2016's if you can. Other than the first model year quirks, I'm still very happy with this truck as a daily driver. I'm 31k miles in.

 

33K on my 2016, and it's been just fine. Love it more than my 2006.
Go with the 3rd Gen.

G.

 

You will be driving the truck not us. Take both for a spin and make a choice. Best wishes

 

Might want to price out brand new '17's. I was shopping for 2015's or 2016's with 20-40k miles. Until I realized new ones were $2-3k more. So in that regard, the obvious choice is a 3rd gen.

 

It does help, at times, to get some outside opinions. If you don't like this thread, simply move on.

 

Test drive, test drive, test drive. There is truth to the fact that a lot of trucks had issues in the first model year, but most of those issues are solvable. And there are many more trucks that didn't have hardly any issues (unfortunately my '17 didn't fall in this category..) But just take the 3rd gen for a long drive in a mix of driving situations including highway (with some hills if you can), stop and go traffic/city, etc., and if you like it then buy it!

 

Ditto

 

I sincerely apologize. I didn't understand there was a right and a wrong opinion. Never ment to upset anyone.

 

When you solicit opinions, you have to take them all, good and bad and off topic. When you solicit ANSWERS, then you can be picky.

OP, test drive, test drive, test drive. We are not you and what we like might not be what YOU like. Good luck and welcome to the forum!