TW Scaring Me Out of Pulling Trigger on a Tacoma

I have had all 3 generations of Tacoma. First Gen - 350,000km, Second Gen 320,000km and wife is still driving, 2018 3rd Gen with 31,000km. I still occasionally drive the second generation, and the 3rd Gen is much smoother and refined. The new transmission takes a bit of getting used to, but it rocks if you know when to push it. I would buy again without thinking twice. Actually the less I read this forum, the more I like the truck. LOL

 

I don't know about a Butt Massager but I think the new Lincoln Continental has a back massaging seat or something I had heard.

 

If that's the case, I foresee a seat replacement mod in the future.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Good post. VEry similar to what I went through in december of 16 when I bought. I will say with all the TSB's I have received, my truck is much better now at 33k miles than it was when new.

 

How did you come out on that trade and how did you find it? I’ve considered trading for a newer Taco to get one of the new colors.

 

A Ford is in my future.

 

Have you seen the prive of the Tacoma without all these features?

First of all you don’t have to buy brand new.
Secondly the price point on a Lariat isn’t that far off from a TRD Sport/OR Premuim or TRD Pro. OTD you are in the 40s.

 

I paid 32 for my OR.

And I didn't have to buy a Ford.

 

I'd probably get another, as I like everything about it except the tranny. Yes it is better now at 25k miles, but probably because I've gotten used to it (and learned to never put the truck in "D" below 50mph.) There's certainly not another mid-size truck I would have bought over the Tacoma.

My girlfriend is 5'3'' and has to sit on a pillow to get comfortable driving. The seat is very comfortable to me.

I plan to drive it to work for a few more years, then relegate it to just truck stuff on my farm. I'm moving to a Land Cruiser for commuting duty, assuming they don't screw the next generation up in 2022 or so.

 

I drove my 2003 TRD Off Road, 2WD for 15 years as a daily driver, recently purchased a slightly used 2017 Limited DCSB.
Lots of bells and whistles in the 2017, still getting used to everything.
I would buy a third gen again.

 

My price was 32,4xx otd and my truck is perfect for me. I needed the DC for family, but if it came V-6 SB or LB in MT in a SR or SR5 I would have it. The TRD "stuff" is not needed -but MT was very important and is my personal preference. I do not live near a city and only have 1 stop light on my commute in the next town. I use my vehicle, so bed scratched, mud on the floor, etc.. is normal/almost daily stuff. I never want or need a luxury vehicle, until I get old. That shit is for my 68 year old retired folks.

 

Towing faster as keeping the speed limit. You take things out of context.
In that in that case I'd keep the rusty second gen and the 17 year old fixing Ford F-150

Senior ?

 

I can tow and drive as fast as what is considered safe for that load.

3rd Gen is going to allow me to drive any faster with the same load since I’m already driving at the max.

I didn’t understand your comment on the 3rd Gen can tow faster. Unless were talking max speed we can haul down a higway with a 6,000lb trailer and not kill ourselves I’m not sure what that comment means.

 

I sympathize with the OP. If I found TW first I probably would have hesitated as well.

3rd Gen Tacomas are kinda like that beautiful woman who you admire and want to get with, but everyone around you whispers “stay away from that bitch......she’s crazy!”

 

I’ve had my 18 Double Cab OR long bed for a little under 6 months and have about 5900 miles, mostly on a highway.

I wanted a Taco since Back To The Future and after watching it become legendary on Top Gear. My wife bought this one for me as a surprise. We had been in the market for something new for a while. I had it narrowed down to a Subaru X Trek, another Honda Civic, a 4-Runner, and the Tacoma.

I never considered a full size truck because they won’t fit in our current garage. I previously owned a RAV4 which had me convinced about Toyota quality and dependablity.

We finally decided a Tacoma would be the best fit because we tow some here and there and get a lot of use out of the bed.

I liked the looks of the GM twins, and after a test drive, SWMBO nixed that... And she loves Chevy, so that’s saying something.

I never read TW prior to deciding to get one. In a way, I’m glad. This place is a weird mixed bag with a lot of whiners, and with a lot of good tips and guidance.

I’ve not had any issues with the transmission. The only real problems I’ve had have been an alignment issue that was corrected at my 5k service, and an annoying headliner rattle that I fixed myself.

I drive like an old man and don’t regularly experience the stumble issue. I have been able to replicate it, but the conditions to do so means it’s not going to be a problem for me. Also I don’t drive in the mountains, so maybe in August when we go to Colorado I’ll change my mind.

In the end, I’m happy with my truck. It looks awesome and drives well. It gets good enough mileage for what it is, and is capable in all the ways I need it to be.

I’m still on the fence about it vs a 4Runner. If I had been with my wife when she decided to buy it, I may have gone for a lower trim 4Runner which would have brought the prices closer. I’ll keep this truck until the wheels fall off or it gets wrecked or until I win the lottery and don’t have to worry about only driving one vehicle.

 

“But still, buy her a cocktail or two...”

 

And then spend the next five years spending all your money on her.

 

OP,

I haven't bothered to read through all of the posts, but what I can say is this. Tacoma owner's with new rigs, including me, are generally anal retentive picky to the point some go overboard about the smallest things. This site is for help solving problems, actual or perceived, so it's understandable that's what you'll see a lot of. Each person is different, so the seat things will bother some while it won't bother others ( doesn't bother me ). Some don't give a hoot about the trans shifting issues while others do ( botherED me ). The overwhelming majority of Taco owners love their rig and will do anything reasonable to hang onto it. The folks that complain, rather vocally, are the small minority. Yes, there are issues brought to light by enough owners who eventually get Toyota to listen and issue a TSB ( i.e. 62-18 Wide Open Stumble - fixed my issue ). I was in your boat before buying my Taco and had second thoughts, but I kept telling myself, its the #1 reliable truck in the world for a reason. The things that you are allowing yourself to second guess on are personal choices and only test drives and you can make that decision.

I have an BBP '18 Sport, DBSB, 4x4 with tech package and I absolutely love it. I love customizing my rig and trying to come up less expensive DIY ways to accomplish what others are paying a lot of money for out of box. It's gotten me into understanding how my truck works way more than I ever thought and I will tell you, my truck has gotten me to places I NEVER would have done or gone to otherwise. And I have a blast doing it. I've met new folks and made new friends as a result - it has expanded my personal horizons and expanded my comfort zones.

I have absolutely zero regrets getting my truck and even my wife has fallen in love with it and likes driving it. The '19s and later '18s are reported not having the trans issues because the latest ECU is being applied at the factory to resolve it. Leaking brake light, fixed early on with the 3rd gens and isn't happening on new productions. Seat comfort issues, easy fix with multiple solutions.

I hope you stay with it and follow through on your purchase because I really doubt you'll regret it and you will actually enjoy customizing it to "make it yours."

Norse

 

You’ve never heard of the TFL Truck Guantlet tow test? The most scientificly accurate tow test ever devised by mankind.