Looking to Buy, 2014 or 2015?

So as the title suggests I'm looking to purchase a Tacoma, this will be my first truck after finally deciding running around with a car just wasn't cutting it whenever I needed space to actually haul things.

I've been doing my research and while I can't claim to have extensive technical knowledge, there seems to be a pretty big consensus that the second generation have a pretty sweet spot in terms of reliability and performance. Not to say that the first generation isn't but for buying purposes those tend to a harder to find from what I've seen.

So my main question is, whats the difference if any between the 2014 and 2015 models? I've seen plenty of people praising both, although there seems to be more complains about the 2014's reliability at least if you look at a lot of the big review sites.

Given what it will be used for I'm looking at the 4-Cyl, 2.7 Liter, mainly what I am looking to do with this is:

1. Daily commute
2. Hauling (likely nothing major but the option to move a sofa or two would be nice)
3. Handling off road should the need arise (basically being able to take it off the beaten path, camping, etc)

Thanks in advance.

 

Unless you are looking for a single cab. I would not bother with the 2.7

After owning both the 2.7 and the 4.0 in an Access Cab. The difference is night and day.

IMO, the 2.7 is for the regular cab.
I think Toyota keeps it for the fact that the engine has a great reputation for being reliable. Other than that, it doesn’t get the savings in fuel mileage to choose it over the 4.0.

BTW I feel 2013-2015 is the best years of the 2nd generation trucks.

 

I have no experience with the 2014. But the 2015 is the final year of the 2nd gen, I think they had a couple years to work the kinks out.
I have a 2015 trd OR and absolutely love it. The 4.0L would be the way to go, especially if you did end up needing to haul something or pull a trailer. It gets the job done off road as well. I have only had to use the locking dif one time while camping, and I sure am glad I had it.

 

Why are you limiting it to 2014 and 2015? I’d be more concerned with finding a 2nd gen that has the bells and whistles I really want, including 2WD or 4wd, long bed/short bed, double cab or? 4 cyl or 6 cyl etc. Then I’d want the lowest mileage I could find. All the second gen are great trucks, don’t limit it to just those 2 model years.

 

To answer this, I actually do have one I'm looking at with 24k miles, 4WD, 4 cyl access cab, my main reason for posting was to get some insight from other owners since as I said, a lot of the sites I've seen reviewing these tend to give the 2014 a rather low reliability rating compared to 2015 models.

 

There is literally no functional differences between 2014 and 2015 trucks with the driveline components.

 

If you don’t mind me asking, what is this listed for?

 

$29,500

 

I am not aware of any differences between the 2014/2015 trucks. If you are seeing reliability differences then it should be interpreted as anything 2012-2015. And the driveline had no significant changes since ~2007. they had some well known reliability issues 05-06 though.

 

I kindly disagree sir. The 2014 was the last year to have the OG Toyota truck LCD clock.



The 2015 ditched it for a silly "Tacoma" sticker on the dash. It's a damn travesty to every Toyota truck & SUV made since 1990 if you ask me. Which of course you didn't, but I stand by my statement. 2014 = best year

(I'm JK if it's not clear from the post. You can't go wrong with any Tacoma IMO)

 

There's no real difference between the 2014 and 2015's. I believe the 2012's had an issue with the SAIS that was "fixed" by Toyota running the air purge cycle on start up & shut down. Other than that, the 2014 should have the OG clock, thus making it a real Toyota truck

 

The only difference I know of between 14 and 15 models is they removed the clock below the radio in 15 otherwise they are identical.
12-15 are pretty much the same except for the radio being updated in the later models.
Really mechanically there's not much difference in the whole run of 2nd gen trucks other than the later trucks getting stability control (09+) and there being minor mechanical upgrades to fix known issues (like the headgaskets in the 05-06 4.0L) and of course later trucks had safety improvements like side airbags (not sure what year those became standard), 2012+ V6's had Secondary Air Injection added which could be problematic especially on the 12 models.

 

You got the clock in your stereo, is it really that big of a deal?


That’s an awesome song by the way. RIP Chris Cornell.

 

hahaha touche forgot bout that one. Hows your Autodimming compass outside temp rear view mirror on that 2014... o wait. 2013 is really THE best year of the 2.5gens (not biased at all)

 

I have to say, I agree with you. I don't like not having live outside temp readings in my vehicles. Maybe I should tape a thermometer to my radio antenna lol

 

No, it's not a big deal. Mostly nostalgia for me since all the old Toyota's had the clock. I understand why they got rid of it since it's a bit redundant with the HU clock

 

$29,500 will buy you a 2022 SR access cab 4wd easily. I’d suggest go with a new truck if your going to spend that much money.

 

I searched for a long time to find a really nice 2014-2015 2nd gen. I’ve had a 3rd gen and didn’t care for it so I understand spending the money on a nice 2nd gen when you could get a 3rd gen for around the same price. I will say, I’ve driven the 2.7L and now have the 4.0L. Unless you are using for strictly commuting I’d find a 4.0L. Just my two cents. Buy whatever you are happy with! That’s what I did and I don’t regret any of it

 

If you can find a low mileage rig, 13, 14, or 15, in the color that you want, buy it. Very little difference between the 3 years and all will be just as reliable.

 

You couldn't give me a 2022 for my 2015. The OP has done his homework and knows what he wants and for good reasons. 2G's are hard to find but well worth it.