Would you buy a 3rd gen again?

I'll never be able to replace what I have, so I hope I never have to try.




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If my ‘20 OR ever shits the bed I’m getting a 4R or similar SUV. Really don’t need a vehicle with a bed like I have in the past. Plus I have a small utility trailer when I need to haul.

 

Not after reading all the comments on TW.
The frame will dissolve into a pile of rust unless I coat it with oil.
The tailgate will soon be stolen and the cats shortly thereafter.
I still need to order seat jackers because I will experience back pain if I don’t.
I can’t trust the dealer to perform the complimentary oil changes.
The transmission shifts are apparently rough.
The interior plastic is cheap and shows scratches easily (that one is true).
In seriousness, if my truck got totaled tomorrow I would look for low mileage 3G to replace it.

 

Friggin' Awesome.

You've just summed up lots of thread subjects since I joined Sep/2021.

CAT plate was an immediate install...as was the TRD Skid (I got a helluva deal!)

Sad that the auto tailgate lock isn't standard...but I bought/installed it.

I'm glad I got a power seat...no back pain for me!

The auto transmission didn't bother me...but I got an OTT Tune and see a significant increase in acceleration.

Overall, very satisfied with my first new truck purchase.

 

I bought 18 TRD off road 6mt new. I honestly didn't think I was going to keep it for very long. Maybe 2 years Max. I ended up enjoying the truck. I have 127000 miles on it now.
Only thing I wish I had done different was. Got a different color and bought the TRD pro 6mt version when I test drove a new one right before covid.
If I had to replace my truck today. I would take a look at the 4th gen. But if the right deal presented itself in front of me. I would buy another 3rd gen.
But I hope not to be truck shopping any time soon. Just to expensive now.

 

Don’t be a dick. He’s not comparing qualities that are only relevant to the Ram 2500 being in a different class. His complaint isn’t “man my Tacoma can’t pull 20,000 pounds and doesn’t have a 8 foot bed wtf”.

His complaints are about universal things like fuel economy, ride comfort, and transmission. Last time I checked, Tacomas have all 3 of those.

 

For me its a tough call.
I am a Jeep person, always have been since I was a kid. I have had Jeep wranglers for just about 20 years, I still have my 2016 JKU Rubicon(manual) from when it was brand new. I love it, never had anything wrong with it, wheeled it and that is what it is set up for, as well as a really good soft top for easy roof-off driving.
I didn't feel like changing it or converting it to do the "overlanding" thing. So I was in the market for a truck.
#1 consideration was Gladiator. In retrospect I could and maybe should have just traded in my JKU and got a Gladiator, but they are too big(long) for my garage and IMO, especially in 2022, the price for what you got on a gladiator was outrageously disproportionate. I couldn't get a sport model Gladiator for the price I paid out the door for my Trail with some add-ons. So that was just disqualified.

#2 - Nissan Frontier. New generation was out for a little bit, maybe one year or less when I started looking, no real major problems but some recalls, nothing to scare me away. I owned a 2007 Nissan Frontier Nismo for a few years and regret selling that truck. The ONLY thing that held me back was aftermarket support because it was still only about 1 year old when I was actually seriously looking and going to buy. I knew exactly what I wanted to do and with what parts, and the options for the new gen of Frontier were just too limited for me and I didn't want to wait, or have to settle for stuff I didn't really want or like the look of in order to jump in feet first. That is the only reason I disqualified it.

#3 Wait for the 4th Gen. At the time we knew it was coming, but nothing was official, you couldn't pre-order at the time I was ready to buy and I didn't feel like waiting for an unknown. Glad I didn't.
#4 3rg Gen Tacoma. I always wanted one, checked all the boxes, aftermarket support, I could order one "right now" all the list of problems, and known issues are well defined and known and can be sorted out so I knew exactly what I was getting into. At the time for me, was really the most logical choice when I was ready to buy.


Would I do it again? Probably not. But am I ever planning on getting rid of my Tacoma? No. It is here to stay for a long time and I love it. Even if I was forced, gun to my head to chose one of my vehicles to sell, I would sell my Jeep before the Taco.
If I needed to start fresh and do this over again? I would re-visit Option 1. I would sell the Tacoma and my Jeep and get into a Gladiator, even if I need to park it outside cause it wouldn't fit in my stupid garage.
Strong, strong consideration to the new, refreshed Frontier Pro 4x.

 

OK maybe I was a little harsh - Sorry, but calling a Tacoma a joke compared to a RAM 2500 is ridiculous.

 

As a Tacoma owner of 1 whole month now, I can say I probably wouldn’t have realized the things people complain about engine wise for a long time.

I utilize the skinny pedal fairly conservatively and the issues people complain about regarding throttle response and power band don’t really present themselves unless you are hot dogging.

granted, I have a manual transmission so I don’t deal with the shifting issues that so many also complain about.

after reading people‘s complaints here I decided to mash the pedal a little bit, and I can see what people are concerned with, but this is not really something that affects me in daily driving, and if I need to quickly get out of a tight spot that minute hesitation in the engine is likely not going to make the difference.

It it makes me think a lot of people drive aggressively day in, day out and are constantly on their accelerator hard. That also tracks with the large number of people complaining about their terrible gas mileage.

But hey, I’m a total taco nub with all of 300 miles under his belt who only uses the vehicle after work and on weekends, so maybe I’ll grow to hate the motor too? I doubt it, though. I bought the truck because my last Toyota experience was 400,000 miles of trouble free driving. It would take a major failure under 200,000 miles for me to be disappointed in this truck.

 

Bought my '17 in March of 2017. First new vehicle I'd ever bought.

Has it had its problems? Yes. Were they bad enough to turn me off from the brand 100%? No.

196,000 miles and still rolling, drive it most every day. So, yeah I'd probably buy another one.

 

Ah yes, the newest Gen - I wouldn't even consider it or a 4th gen tacoma.

I'd have bought a 5.7 Tundra if I could go back and not buy my 3rg Gen Tacoma.

...and I still may

 

I would definitely consider purchasing another 3rd Gen. My 2019 TRD OR has 63,000 miles on it and has had no problems over the past five years. I travel 2-3 times a month for business with the average trip at around 500 miles. For me the Taco is comfortable and something I know that I can depend on. Sure, I would like better mileage and a little more comfort, but...it is a truck. The only reason that I may change, to a Tundra, in the future is that my wife and I may get a trailer that is larger than recommended to be towed by a Taco.

 

Big thing I noticed about the 4th gen is they look like every other midsize truck on the road. I can spot a 2nd and 3rd gen from miles away, 4th gen I have to wait to see what emblem is in the grille.




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I knew before my purchase that my TRD would have a V6 and I'm good with that. While too much HP is never bad, the V6 performance is fine with me. I'd buy another Z06 if I wanted HP.

One thing I will bitch about is a lack of a true tilt column. I have some difficulty getting in and out at 6'1". Anyone else have this problem?

 

With me it’s hitting my head getting in. I’m only 6’.
Edit to add height.

 

dayum, Im 5’6 and have no clue how anyone taller can drive a taco.. (im in a 2019 trd sport) The steering wheel doesn't go up or down much.. my leetle thighs already almost touch it (no im not fat im 145/150)

 

This is not a "big guy" designed truck for sure.
I swear the entire design team for the interior was under 5'6".

I tell people you don't sit in the access cab, you wear it like a favorite denim jacket.

 

Being 5'6" my 2023 access cab is a perfect fit.
I never drive from the jump seats, so they are no problem.
The jump seats are great for little kids and road trip coolers.

One of my shooter friends chose his big Ford truck expressly because it was enough inside to not interfere with his hat.

 

Same 6'1" and have to duck my head getting in - I guess I am used to it now so it doesn't bother me. Once I am in I am very comfortable - the seat is all the way back though. I think a lot has to do with how you are proportioned - my legs are long so I can raise the seat higher (which I like) than someone 6'1" with a longer torso and shorter legs.

 

I have a 17 Limited and I would certainly buy it again! Got it tuned when I got it and it turned into a completely different truck. Most reliable vehicle I’ve ever owned.