Which year Tacoma for upgrade

I currently have a 2011 DCLB 4x4 with 199,000 miles. I'm getting the itch to possibly think about upgrading to a new year Tacoma DCLB 4x4.

What years should I be looking at too upgrade? I know there were a few years that might not have been the best, but wanted to get opinions.

Thanks in advance.

 

2012-15 in my opinion.
15 pro ideally
They’re proven, they’re sexy, and you retain the 4.0.

 

05-20
Nothing wrong with Gen1, but you implied newer.

 

But you can't get a pro 2nd gen or 3rd gen for that matter in DCLB and apparently that's something that he wants.

 

I’d say 07+ With the 4.0L
2.7 is an excellent engine. But many have wished they went 4.0 after the fact.
(Even though I think the single cab 2.7 4x4 might be the best truck Toyota has made to date.)

05-06 have a slight risk with head gasket issues.
Early 5 lug truck had some rear diff issues.

One could argue that the 2012+ have the SAIS that can be expensive to fix.
After 2012, Toyota seemed to greatly improve this system.

2005-2008 had a mechanical Limited Slip.
09+ used brake actuated Limited Slip.
I don’t really have a preference on which is “better”
They both beat an Open Diff.

I’d look for one with the factory intermittent wipers.
They really do make driving in the rain less annoying. Lol

 

I say stick with what you got until it dies. I've had two 2nd Gens (previous was '05 4x2 I4 MT, current '08 4x4 v6 AT) and recently got a new 3rd Gen TRD OR as a rental for 3 days and drove 300+ miles. Honestly did not like it...At first I thought the shifting issue was overblown but the more I drove it the more I realized it was kind of a PITA, also the brakes felt terrible (soft at first then would grab) but could have been that specific vehicle was having an issue, finally the headunit was a PITA to use or at least in the time I had the car it felt like it was a PITA just to seek on the radio. Speaking of radio, I've never had HD radio but didn't like it. It wouldn't get static but instead it would just get super quiet on the volume and then jack the volume back up again when you got better signal.

I will say I liked the roll and pitch graphics in the instrument cluster and the way it would integrate the GPS into the instrument cluster as well. Overall, I'm very happy with my 2nd Gen and plan to keep it for a long time (granted I got a new frame under the class action).

 

Good to know. Thanks. My truck started burning oil and might need a new valve cover gasket. I may just try and fix up the engine and drive it till it dies. I also need a new suspension badly.

 

Just rent one on Turo or another rental company for a couple days before you buy one would be my advice if you really want to upgrade to a 3rd Gen. A test drive at a dealer won't be enough seat time to notice some of the issues I had with it.

 

I’m gonna second the 12-15 2.5 Gen with the 4.0

If you can find a low mileage with good condition.. jump.