This is what 3rd gen regular cab Tacoma would look like, would you buy it?

I'm a Product Planner for an automotive company. Aka: The guy that is involved in these decisions that people on forums hate!
So, in case anyone is curious, I'll weigh in with the "why"...Yes, the single cab is super cool & has some definite benefits, especially off-road! But the peeps at Toyota have run the numbers, & they know that if they offered it they'd only sell like 2% of Tacos with a single cab...it would be another variant they have to build...it requires additional unique parts...it would take up space on dealer lots...then they'd have to run incentives to get rid of them...yada yada...So, sad to say, it just doesn't add up for them...
My personal opinion on this question is that I love my double cab! I think a DC Taco is the most practical vehicle for sale in the world...period! It's got it all (except gas mileage & fun to drive quickly), four doors...tows most things...hauls most things...comfortable to ride in...goes almost anywhere...runs forever...thus, I'm on my second one!
FWIW, I also love wagons...so, my head explodes when I see the cool wagons offered in Europe that we don't get! But Americans only buy SUVs, so it doesn't make sense for them to bring those products here.

 

What are these wheels? I keep seeing them around in pictures but am having a hard time finding info on them

 

I'd think a Toyota RC LB would be a fantastic fleet vehicle they could sell tons of.

And I am 100% with you on the wagon thing. Love 'em. 2 door, especially

Favorite car ever was a 1996 Camry V6 wagon with the rear facing 3rd seat. That thing was so fast and so smooth. Not coolest looking thing but awesome in every other way. The ex rear ended an F250 at a stop light or it would likely still be running.

 

Also RC's have the lowest resale value of all trucks. This would factor into a lot of buyers decisions.

 

We had a used V70 5MT wagon with integrated boosters in the middle seats and rear facing third row. It was pretty epic when the kids were growing up. Sadly, volvo reliability is not like Toyota. The thing had problems at 140k.

 

For those reasons and because of the coming hybrid driveline, I suspect that the MT will end with the 3rd Gen. That's just me though.

 

I understand Toyota's thinking about only selling 2% but it's the loyal customer who Toyota should be thinking of the big three still offer reg cabs and to give choices Toyota should also offer reg cabs.

 

Please tell me what trucks the big 3 offer in regular cabs? Do not include any full size trucks since we are comparing to the Tacoma.

The Colorado and ranger are only offered in access and crew cabs, and ram doesn't make a compact truck.

 

Agreed, my other vehicle is a BMW 328 wagon, RWD, 6MT...if it had anything in the same stratosphere as Toyota reliability it'd be my fav car ever!

 

It was primitive, but that's what I like about it. Honestly I like the AT4 better, but too many bells and whistles. Along with that origami design tailgate, and close to 50+ price tag.

 

Yes, these are the arguments I/we struggle with & argue over everyday!

 

I saw a BMW Corolla yesterday, It was actually a 2series Gran Coupe, but it looked just like a corolla as it rode past.

 

I'm not sure...anybody have any idea of how many MTs they sell on Tacos today? I can tell you the best way to keep the options you like is to BUY THEM! For example, if Toyota continues to see 15% of Tacos are sold with MTs, then they'll make sure to keep offering it, regardless of the complexity it might cause!

 

I was searching for one of those or a Saab Aero 5MT wagon. The volvo was found first. We did test drive a Subaru 2.5GT 6MT wagon and didn't buy it because it was new and $10k more than we wanted to pay. Looking back, we believe that was a mistake. Oh well.

For the volvo, the power going to the wrong wheels was the 50% of the issue also. We used to have a dangerous intersection near our house that we used daily. FWD was pretty much useless in dry weather. Wet was epically bad.

 

Given the percentages posting around here, I was hoping it would be about 15%, but the actual stats are somewhere around 5%. More than the industry average (a sinking 3%?), but not much more.

I did just that. The 6MT is stellar with a minor mod or two.

 

According to the following article, it was the EPA fuel economy regulations that killed it off, surprisingly.

https://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/04/is-the-regular-cab-pickup-doomed.html

 

I can't help but wonder how many more they would sell if they were readily available. When I bought mine the dealer had zero on the lot and wasn't expecting any. Can't buy what they don't have. Sure, a small minority of people special order but most pick from what's available. I did. Would I have bought a MT if one was available? Sure would.

 

What is said is that Toyota build the low percentage models in batches. MTs, Pros, Limiteds, DCLBs, certain colors and options, etc. are build at different times of the year. That sort of seems to be what I have seen.

Myself at the time that I was looking, I was lucky to have three to choose from. Two MGMs (one with Inferno interior trim) and my BR. I really like the MGM with the standard trim, but I believe that it is the same color code shared with Subaru. We were bummed to have another earth tone with the Forester and had a big time want for the unavailable blue (Marine Blue?). It would have really sucked to have to matching gray vehicles. Thankfully, the BR was really nice in person.

I go back to running factories at full capacity limits what is possible. Just like flying commercial aircraft at full capacity. Always stuck with something / someone that you might not enjoy.

 

That's all 3rd gens.