Should I buy a used 2012-2015 or a new 2017/2018

^^ This guy gets it.

 

Seems to always become a 2nd Gen vs 3rd Gen. I say drive both and pick which you like. People like to compare both even though they didn't own both or not comparing what they had similarly equipped. Fact is that the 3.5 has more HP but same torque. Peak torque and hp is not reach until the higher RPM's. 3rd Gen is a heavier truck. 2nd Gen is barely lighter. Drive both same set up then decide.

 

I’d go with Gen3 doublecab. I had a Gen2 (2007) access cab... was a great truck! But when I bought it, it was just me and my wife. Didn’t need to haul people. After I got it, I realized it sure would be nice to drive for work lunches, the occasional time we did stuff with friends or if my wife’s car was in the shop. Then came two kiddos. Don’t get me wrong - great truck....but I’d get something that will grow with you.

As for Gen2 vs 3. The Gen 3 (i have TRD Sport Dbl) has a lot more refinement which is nice vs Gen2. It drives different but not bad. And the stuff people complain about (while stupid that Toyota hasn’t fixed).... is fixable. This forum is great for help with that.

Plus you’ll spend 26k+ on last gen when you can get this gen for not that much more. Resale is better on dbl vs access.

In short - I’d vote gen 3 TRD Sport or Off-road

 

No brainer 2012 - 2015.

 

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So instead of 300K we can expect only 250K miles due to a few more rpm ?. I'm in for 3rd gen.
And also NEVER try to pass a 3rd gen once off the line. With 18% more hp in 3rd gen you will be smelling fumes.
This bitch kicks once in the upper rpms. Love it and the sound.
Off the line 2nd gen has a few feet, but that's over in a short time.
That's about only thing 2nd gen has going for it minus the outdated looks and flux caps.
I had a 2nd gen, I know.

 

https://www.0-60specs.com/toyota-tacoma-0-60-times/
Looks like they are generally about the same times in a foot to the floor run down the track, but in daily driving the Low RPM Grunt of the 4.0 is a little more useful. I notice I have to downshift to climb hills with the 3.5 that I never had to with the 4.0, so its way more than just a few feet off the line.

 

Useful off the line only.
90% of the time you are cruising, that's when you need the power. Hills, passing etc. Not just off the line in the beginning of a haul.
That's where the 3rd gen shines. Look at the gauntlet tow test. Whips 2nd gen by almost a minute !!!! Whips its ass.
I tow at 60 mph 98% of the time. If you need that extra little torque 2% on takeoff 0-10mph, go for it.

Look at the gauntlet tow test which is ALL uphill. So what if 3rd downshifts. Its almost a minute faster than 2nd. Even Honda ridgeline whips the 2nd. Pathetic. Old technology.

 

Exactly, everyday cruising is at LOW RPMs where the advantage goes to the 4.0. Most of my driving is on old Rural roads with lots of steep winding hills, the 4.0 pulled the hills without any downshifting, the 3.5 needs to be downshifted and Revved to do the same hills so its definitely not just an off the line advantage.

 

So you are "cruising" at low rpm. Something doesn't sound right there. If you had a hemi I would agree.
I HAD a 2015 taco, have a 2016 taco and a 2016 Tundra Pro.
2016 Taco is much better than 2105 IMO. The hype of the 2nd gen does not exist IMO.
So what if it downshifts? Who cares what gear its in. Bottom line is it wins faster over 2nd gen. You watch the tach all the time ???
20% more HP !!!

 

Yes when I am in 6th gear cruising along at 55 or 60 I am not turning high RPMs, I had a 1st Gen and 2 2nd Gens and now my current 3rd Gen, this 1 by far requires me to downshift way more frequently to keep it moving in day to day driving.

 

I have an auto and I have zero issues. It does it's thing better than 2nd. I don't do anything but steer. And don't have to watch the tach or worry what gear I am in or if the rpm is a tad higher. It moves out, period.

 

Glad you enjoy it my friend, I enjoy my truck too, its just more work to drive than the previous Tacos due to the lack of low end.

 

Work ? I just put it in D and go ! S mode for tow.
Low end off the line for the first few seconds of an hour haul or trip ? Really ? My 3rd gen flys in the upper rpms. Sounds awesome too. More fun than 2nd. Auto does its job.
Want to talk about my 5.7 Tundra Pro.

 

I drove both and prefered the 2nd gen. Racing a Tacoma to me is laughable even with the supercharger on the 4.0 but I do like to go off road, so that smoke billowing out the tail pipe was a deal breaker for me. It would just be too embarrassing. BTW the factory supercharged 4.0 makes 305 hp and 335 lb feet of torque which is nothing to get excited about, but hey, it's a 6 banger truck. What does your little 3.5 make again?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSmLH0svmJQ

 

I am a new Taco owner and I have only owned the 2017 TRD Sport 4x4 that I bought slightly used, 15K miles, so I say you should get what you want to spend your money on.

 

For how many grand more to add the sc?
Only person I know of that had has the smoke issue. Any other links ?

 

I have both a 15 man and a 17 auto
IF I had to do it over again I should have bought another 15 auto
Better oveall.

 

Truth. Ask me how I know...

 

I went through this before buying mine. I was watching prices for around 2 yrs and looking at 2012+. I couldnt find a good price on a 2nd gen with <50k mi since I knew I would put a ton of miles on it. I wasnt willing to buy one with more miles to save a couple grand. Any I found that matched what I wanted were within 5k of buying new. I was picky on what I wanted since I was and still am planning on keeping it until it has no life left. I ended up going new with a 17 TRD OR DCSB. I have no regrets and love my truck. I went with the DC so I had room to carry people even though I'm single. I dont trust or am comfortable having others drive me around. Glad I did because after waiting a few years I finally got another dog and he has plenty of room in the back seat. I'm thinking hard about pulling the rear seats and building him a nice platform for better grip/balance when out offroading.

 

I was in the same boat and went with a 2011. My payment is $405 for 48 months at 2.7% interest. That's including taxes and fees on a vehicle I bought for 21k. It's a DCLB as I have kids and need to put stuff in the back.

2016 up, will be 30 to 32k for an SR or SR5. You do not want the SR, there is a big difference in options. It's worth it to pay the extra 1-2k for the SR5. Payment would be $570ish for 60 months totalling a lot more.

Yes nice to have a new car, but that's a big difference in payment and 10K is a lot of money that I would spend on 4 wheel camper or trailer, supercharger, suspension, rear locker, front locker, snow tires, shocks, or other mods.

You will pay the 2013 off sooner and thus have money for more mods and it will still last forever since it's a Toyota. So, practically the 2013 is the monetarily more practical buy, after that it's up to your preference.

AC are much cheaper I've found than DC. They look better and come with a long bed with a nice short wheel base which is good for off road. I would have gotten an AC if I didn't have a huge rear facing car seat to fit in the back.

BTW, what do you guys do for a living that a $40k TRD mid size truck is easily in your budget? How much are you saving or contributing to your 401K? Do you have rental property income or own small businesses? I make good money and just can't imagine spending this much on a mid size truck.