Got an insurance payout after totaling my second-gen, so now I have the good and bad luck of choosing a new Tacoma. I was all set on getting a 2013-2015 to keep the solid 4.0, but finding one in good condition for a fair price has been tough. That got me thinking about the 3rd gen with the 3.5. Should I stick to the old reliable 4.0, or is it time to go for the newer model with the less proven 3.5? What do you guys think?
I had the 3.5L and didn’t like it. I’d go with the 4.0 if you can. Probably gonna get downvoted for this, but the way the 3.5L drives is just bad.
Zander said:
I had the 3.5L and didn’t like it. I’d go with the 4.0 if you can. Probably gonna get downvoted for this, but the way the 3.5L drives is just bad.
Same here, didn’t like it. Just felt weak.
@Noel
Yeah, I work at the top of a mountain pass, and it was a struggle to drive up every day.
Zander said:
@Noel
Yeah, I work at the top of a mountain pass, and it was a struggle to drive up every day.
Never driven a 2nd gen, but doesn’t the 3.5 have more HP and only slightly less torque?
@Tobi
The transmission seemed to always be in the wrong gear, which ruined the power. It was fine around town but felt off on the highway, especially with hills.
Darwin said:
@Tobi
The transmission seemed to always be in the wrong gear, which ruined the power. It was fine around town but felt off on the highway, especially with hills.
That makes sense. I was just wondering. Honestly, I like every Tacoma, no matter the gen!
Darwin said:
@Tobi
The transmission seemed to always be in the wrong gear, which ruined the power. It was fine around town but felt off on the highway, especially with hills.
I think it’s the transmission, not the 3.5 itself, that’s the issue. I’ve owned a 2nd gen and two 3rd gens, and I didn’t notice a huge difference in power, but I had manuals for all of them. The 4.0 definitely felt more consistent across the RPM range, while the 3.5 is a bit sluggish under 3500.
@Tobi
Never driven one either, but I’ve heard good things about them. I drive a 4th gen now.
2nd gens are awesome, but they’re overpriced. If you can’t find a low-mileage one, a 3rd gen might be the better deal.
Some people really think their 120k-mile base model is worth $25k… wild!
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either choice.
Who keeps downvoting every comment? I’d either go for a 2015 4.0 for the engine or a 2020+ 3rd gen for the better tech… or if you don’t need a truck, maybe a 4.0 5th gen 4Runner.
Had a 2023, sold it, and later got a 2011. The 2011 drives better, and the ride feels about the same. I do miss some of the newer tech, but I’ll upgrade the head unit soon, so that should help.
I really wasn’t a fan of the 3rd gen’s automatic transmission.
Same issue here in SoCal. Some people are asking the same price for a 2nd gen as a 3rd gen.
People complaining about the 3rd gen’s transmission—just get an OTT tune, it basically fixes the issue. If that’s your only reason for avoiding the 3.5, it’s not a great reason in my opinion.
I’d go for a 2015 4.0 too. Best truck I’ve ever owned.
Too bad about your 2nd gen, those are great trucks. But where are you getting the idea that the 3.5 in the 3rd gen is ‘less proven’? I’d say the newer engine in the 2024 model is the one that’s more of an unknown.
Calling the Toyota 2GR engine ‘less proven’ is kind of crazy. You won’t regret getting the 3.5 if you go that route. They’re solid engines—not the most efficient, but tough. Just don’t expect the fuel economy they advertise.
I’ve got a 2012, but I’d love a 2020+ 3rd gen just for the OEM LED headlights and CarPlay.
LizCampbell said:
I’ve got a 2012, but I’d love a 2020+ 3rd gen just for the OEM LED headlights and CarPlay.
You don’t need a whole new truck for that. I put Alpharex headlights with Baja Design fog lights and an aftermarket CarPlay unit in my 2nd gen, and it’s perfect.