Toyota mechanic goes in depth on 3rd Gen

I prefer Mexico built, all day every day . Zero import taxes that way. And again, you're missing the point that design and parts choices have nothing to do with where the assembly plant is located. None.

Don't like rattles? Don't drive a modestly priced BOF pickup.

 

Lol rather take a Mexico one? Yeah right. So i guess they just used cheaper quality parts on the Tacomas then? Got it.

 

Same could be said about a Tacoma

 

There is a reason that shops don't let techs talk to customers and that guy is no exception. I can't get past 30 seconds watching him. I don't know how anyone can go 43 minutes.

 

You may want to read a bit about the Tahara plant and what makes it a bit different along with the vehicles that are produced there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Motor_Corporation_Tahara_plant

They do their engines in house as well, which explains the difference between a land cruiser with the 5.7 and the tundra when you look at assembly and parts. I also laugh a little when people say...oh that engine has been in The Lexus for xyz years so it is time tested...whats not time tested is the same engine made in Alabama vs the same engine made in Japan.

 

I have owned and driven many other modestly priced BOF pickups, and they were more solid without rattles, the beds and body panels were straight, no diff whines, and they were reliable without major failures of the drivetrain or breakdowns.

as others suggested, go sit in, drive, and compare the tacoma to the 4-runner, or another brand for that matter.

when it comes to the tacoma and its inherent problems, the fan bois always refer to "it's a truck, it's not a ferrari, that's what warranties are for", etc. from reading here on TW, it seems like many of them have a family member or neighbor that owns another brand that's always at the dealer or the hood is always up for repairs. they also say the tacoma's that are built in mexico are as good as those that were built in japan, but other brands that are built-in mexico are pos.

It'll take some time, but I predict in 5-10 years the turd gen tacoma, especially those with the V6 and automatic, will be the least sought after tacoma's.

the 3rd gen has not strengthened the reputation of the brand, just like the new tundra.

 

Be interesting to see the stats on the number of issues before, and after covid for these tacoma's.

 

OK... psycho

 

No one is saying worlds best factory and best quality ever about that.

 

I was referring to its just a 4 runner, nothing special, same could be said about the tacoma, its just a tacoma nothing special.

But what can be special is the build quality of one over another not the vehicle itself.

 

The Tacoma is outstanding, the 4Runner is also outstanding. I’ve driven both, neither are flawless, so chalk up one humble opinion. Full disclosure, I’m not an engineer, and did not disassemble either. If you own one or the other (or both), I enjoy hearing your personal experiences, good bad or indifferent. If you also want to tell me why I bought or appear to like my trucks, then I generally tune out, and really who wouldn’t.

So far as manufacturing goes, I’d be very interested in seeing Toyota’s own internal defect statistics,if they were willing to share, not just for Japan, but Mexico, Canada, USA, etc. Otherwise, we have anecdotal experiences or personal opinions, which are entertaining at best, but can get really ugly quickly.

Speaking to Gen3 Tacos, it’s clear they had challenges early on, so if you’re blasting an earlier build, or even have recent problems, we hear you and sympathize…however, with a sample size lasting over 8 years and in the millions, it’s a safe bet to declare them as robust as a modern Toyota will probably ever get.

Honestly, I love the passion for Gen3 Tacos and Gen5 4R’s but understand that based on traditional Toyota standards (as frequently defined on this site), this may be as good as it gets. Enjoy!

 

I've had Toyotas that were made in Japan, Mexico and Canada.

The Canadian one was the best of the bunch in terms of problems and fit & finish.

 

Nice no bullshit video. I've had a 2017 since new, so far so good on the early problems and it spent most of it's life in Florida with zero AC or cooling issues.

 

Does anyone know if the aux electric fan kit he was talking about is compatible with a 2nd generation Tacoma or just for the 3rd gens? And re: The TSB for this he mentioned: Is this aux fan kit upgrade done at no-cost to the owner? I'd would like to add an aux. cooling fan to my 2014 and I would buy and install the Toyota kit if it wasn't a crazy price. ( I'm searching for the part number right now ) I have only heard my fan clutch kick in one time when I was stuck in stop and go traffic with temps high '90s. It makes a nice loud roaring sound when it does.

I always like hearing fan clutch doing that sorta "self-test" roaring sound the fan makes before it settles down to normal: Confirms that it's working.

 

The 3rd gen is old school? Nah, my 1973 c20 was old school.

 

You guys must have been spoiled with good cars for years. Coming from a lifetime of gm and ferd products this Tacoma is a work of art!




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I could have waited to get a 2022 model but my main reasoning why I bought a 2021 model is that it was built in the US and not Mexico.

 

I work with 750 people, the days of American Pride have long since left the building.

 

When I bought my 2020 tacoma and had to order it through a regional dealer, I stipulated it come from Texas, and not Mexico. I've always tried to support workers here in this country when buying big ticket items.

 

I work with 8500 people for Toyota manufacturing and I can tell you anything Mexican built is still not up to par with North American built.
I also lived in Germany and visited German car manufacturers and a Volkswagen built in Germany and a Volkswagen built in Mexico are not even close in quality.