2nd Gen DCLB Sport vs 3rd DCLB Offroad

Opening a can of worms here for sure...

Trying to decide between a Used 2014/2015 DCLB Sport or a Pre-owned / Certified 2017 DCLB OR. (Long bed is a must)

I will be taking it out to the mountains on weekends for camping (some beginner to intermediate terrain on the trails, sometimes snow and ice up there), but also as a daily driver (with a commute of 2 days a week, 130 miles a day).

Love the new tech on the 3rd gens, I've read that they ride smoother...

Leaning towards the 2nd gen because of reliability though... Seen many posts about 3rd gens and leaking diff / sending it back.

I am just nervous spending 28k on a 2014 DCLB with no real warranty other than powertrain. Vs spending some more on a 3rd gen dclb OR (with locking diff and all the OR options) with some factory warranty assurances

Is the 3rd gen really worth the extra? As far as looks, yes the grill is ugly but can be swapped. I just dont want to regret getting a 2nd gen with it being "outdated"... but the reliability is there

I am leaning towards 2nd gen that is why I posted in the 2nd gen forum... maybe you guys could help me to your side of the fence

Thanks in advance! Think this decision is one of the harder ones I'll ever make

Edit: I should mention lockers are not a must have. It is something I might add on to the Sport later with ARB or E-lockers

 

Keep in mind, to add a rear electric locker (Eaton/Harrop) will run ~$1,700 installed. Add that to the price of the Sport.

 

I should have mentioned lockers are not a must have. It is something I might add on to the Sport later with ARB or E-lockers. But good to know the pricing on the e lockers. Thanks!

 

Just my thoughts, but most of the issues that you noted w/ the 3rd gen have fixes that should be covered by whatever warranty is left on the truck. After that, if you just update the ECU/TCU w/ OVTunes new stuff, it comes alive. I'm loving mine now that I got the engine and transmission working like it should, so I think if you do that, you'll see the same driving experience as the 2nd gen. At that point, I would think that a newer truck w/ less miles would have higher value.

 

Let me leave this little tidbit here:

The 2016 Tacoma was the first Tacoma to ever be put on Consumer Reports least reliable car list and it made the used car to avoid list.

You are looking at a 2017, so you must decide if they worked out the kinks.

The kinks on the 2015 are worked out, the 2017 you roll the dice

 

There are no kikns in my 2013 Sport, I love mine

 

As far as reliability, I think both will fare well. The third gen is a great vehicle and you will most likely enjoy all the tech that it has to offer. I picked up a secnd gen because at the end of the day, the 4.0 is still being used in the 4runner today (albeit a little bit of change in the engine). If you need proof of the engine, check out this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2008-tacoma-4x4-still-going-strong.397837/


You will be paying roughly a 10k premium for a newer generation vehicle at taxes and such included for both.

Some say the interior is dated on the second gen but most of us enjoy the simplicity of the truck!


In terms of the whole sport comparison. The sport has pretty beefy shocks and will surprise you with its capability!

 

While I prefer Off-Roads in Tacomas, there's no fixing the 3rd Gen's drivetrain. After owning (and selling) a 3rd Gen, 2017, DC OR Auto, I don't plan to upgrade until Toyota changes things.

 

Thanks for the tips guys... I am going to look at a 2014 DCLB in super white tomorrow. I hope it all works out!

 

Have you posted the same question in the 3rd gen section? That'll give you a more controlled question & see how much bias there is.

 

Great point, just posted. Thanks! Kinda figured it might not have been allowed with the double posting but its a good idea

 

I had roughly the same situation as you back in 2015. I needed a double cab long bed truck, and all that was available new or used was the Sport, so that’s what I got. I could’ve waited for 6 months and tried to find a new 2016 long bed off-road, but ultimately decided I wanted the tried and true 2nd gen drivetrain, and the off road features, while nice, weren’t something I’d need regularly.

3 years later, no issues. My 4x4 Sport has gotten me everywhere I need to go with no problems. Plenty of hauling, light off roading- mostly fields and trails to hunt/fish and some beach driving at Corolla. We get snow 5-10x/year(if that) in NC. I don’t do any rock crawling and haven’t modified the truck at all (yet) save for the tailgate reinforcement.

If you are going to do a lot of off-roading, get the off road. But otherwise, a 4x4 sr5 or sport will probably be fine for you. I don’t know your area - around here, I’ve never actually seen a long bed TRD OffRoad, either on the road or at the dealer. You might have to order one. Tacomas are very popular here in NC, but the long beds are comparatively rare.

 

I don't off-road here. But there is 1 place to off road. 40 miles away, you pay to get in. Not exactly what I'm looking for. The times I have needed 4 wheel drive it was there. I love the look of my sport.

 

If you're going to consider a 3rd Gen, I HIGHLY recommend you do a good test drive. On the highway and up an incline.

When I owned one, the truck always seemed to upshift out of its powerband, especially uphill. There were software enhancement TSB's issued and none really solved it.
Low end torque suffers with the 3rd Gens. Not saying the 2nd Gens are amazing, but it's night and day.

OV Tuning apparently helped out quite a bit with the mid and high end torque on the 3rd Gens. If done, this probably voids warranty if Toyota ever found out. If I had kept my 17, I would have gotten the OV Tuning tune for sure, regardless.

I drove manuals for most of my past and I wanted an automatic. I did drive a manual 3rd Gen and it is better on the shifting of course. It has the 4.3 FD, so that helps on the low end.
I 4x4 high altitude sometimes and the 3rd Gen had some trouble in 2nd gear low climbing some loose grade, where the 2nd Gens I've owned never did.

Beyond that, the 3rd Gen was a nice looking comfortable truck. Nicer features for sure than my 2014.
Good luck with your decision.

 

How is the 2nd gen sport at speeds around 75mph? The road I take to work speed limit is 75 so was wondering how the ride is up in those numbers

 

75mph..it's ok but you can watch your fuel guage drop.

I wish I had the OR for the rear locker and atrac and have been looking at trading into a new OR LB, but I just can't get over the drive train, especially when it comes with practically no increase in fuel efficiency.

I'm really hoping the new Ford ranger gets great fuel mileage to put Toyota on watch.

 

I think there are definitely some good things with the 3rd gen but I will pass on them until either they put a diesel in it or a proper engine. I tow a lot snd the new engine and power train while on paper sound good, they are not. As far as looks, frankly, from the side, it is hard to tell an early 2nd gen from a new 3rd gen and the late 2nd gens are probably the best years for looks. All opinions of course aside from the new 3rd gen powertrain.

Toyota is going to have to step up and do another mid gen change perhaps a little early.

 

A sticker doesnt add offroad ability. Your own ability does. And you can modify to fit your needs. This will prove more application specific than an "offroad" model. Also, Ive done Jeep trails with a DCLB sport. 2" lift and 32s, following Jeep wranglers on 35s with less experienced drivers that just added more throttle to overcome obstacles.

Just my 2 cents

 

I bought my 2012 with 33,000 miles on it. 5 years later she is at 170,000 miles and still rocking and rolling.

chicks did the long beds

 

Reviving an old post. Looks like OP bought a 1st gen instead.