Which would you buy, 2nd gen or 3rd?

I am so indecisive it hurts. I currently have a deposit on a 3rd gen that is set to arrive in a week or so. I found a beautiful 2nd gen and now the bug of indecisive is in my head. This is the break down:

2023 DCSB OR MGM $39.9k price

2014 DCSB Sport Spruce Mica 67k miles for $25.7k price

I really know I'd be over the moon with either. I love the look of the second gen, and the engine/trans combo I know is better than the third gen, fuel economy slightly worse. But I love the idea of a new truck too, I can care for it from the start. Which would you pick? The money is a factor but not as significant. I'm buying a truck I plan to keep for a very very long time.

 

I have a 2nd gen and if it had the interior and slightly better mileage of the 3rd gen, I’d take it. I don’t want the 3rd gen power train though.

If I were in your position, I’d get the 4th gen hybrid in two years. 330+ hp, solid structural improvements in the frame and suspension.

 

4th is out of the question I really don't want to pay 50k nor do I care for all the tech and stuff in it.

 

If you don’t care for all the tech and stuff, then I’d lean towards that 2nd gen. If you want to feel better about buying used, pay a good shop to perform a prepurchase inspection.

If you’re interested in a solid truck, I’ve been considering selling my 2015 DCSB mgm automatic with TRD Supercharger me other tasteful upgrades. 92k miles. Priced between your two examples.

 

That’s a lot of money for a 2nd gen with no warranty. Contrary from believe the 2nd gen’s had plenty of common issues much like the 3rd gen not much of a different generation in my opinion.

 

Would I let somebody I don't know drive my brand new truck 67,000 miles for around 14,000 dollars? No.

 

2nd gen all day. Plus that color is pretty rare
MGM are a dime a dozen. Everyone has one

 

I wish I could find a 2002 like I used to have, before it was totaled. The clean low mileage one would be awesome.

 

My 2010 was a solid truck. I upgraded the head unit to a nice aftermarket option that had Car Play and had all the steering wheel controls. This really made the truck feel more modern.

My biggest concern with the truck (and the reason I traded it in on my 2021) was the frame. I was pretty diligent in spraying the frame and had Toyota do their frame treatment, but never qualified for a frame replacement and Toyota’s frame replacement offer was only good for 12 years from date of service.

If you live in a rust prone zone, and you need to pay for a replacement frame out of pocket, you are looking at a significant repair ($10K +). You have 1 year left of Toyota coverage on that 2014.

In your place I would buy new, maintain it diligently, and drive it for the next 10 years.

 

99% what I'm gonna do, I'm sure the 2nd gen is rusted out. I plan to cosmoline my new truck the first week if the weather permits

 

Another note. The 3rd gens come with WAY better corrosion protection right from the factory. Cavity wax is sprayed inside the box section of the frame. The c section joints are sealed up with seam sealer. The doors, hood, tailgate are also sprayed with cavity wax . My hood is dripping it out of the holes onto the radiator support lol. Plus the frame has plugs installed to keep water out and the wax inside.

 

Absolutely, I'm rocking the 3rd gen, if I had the choice between a new 2nd gen or new 3rd then I'd consider it. But 10 years old is a long time, especially in the rust belt.

 

I would personally go with the 2nd gen. I drove my 2015 to 130k with not one single issue. Between my 23 and my 18 work truck I have about 60k miles clocked driving a 3rd gen.
Second gen drives better hands down. Basically, same frame and suspension so they ride is almost the same, but the 2nd gen shifts better and you don't have to rev the motor out to get it going.
3rd gen does have a nicer interior but it's really just the dash and center console that's updated. My 3rd gen still has the same infotainment display as my 2nd gen lol just with a bigger screen. They both still have an awkward seating position. 3rd gen is also a bit more quiet inside the cab.

The 2nd gens really are bullet proof trucks. Just need to really watch the frame, but that can be done with a simple inspection, just need to know what to look for.

Keep in mind a 2014 still has the frame warranty in place.

I would have kept my 2nd gen but it was an access cab, and I had a baby on the way and needed something new.

 

What common issues did the late 2nd gens have?

 

2012 SAIS is the only thing I can think of right now, was solved for later models.

 

Also my 2nd gen build quality was much better. Some of these late model 3rd gens look like Ray Charles assembled them.

 

The frame issues still extend into the 3rd gens.

My 2010 is now bombproof with a new frame in 2019

 

2nd gen- and that color man. Get it.

 

2nd gen. Most preferably 07-11

 

Id take the 2nd gen and keep the 15k in my pocket. spend a few dimes on upgrades and bank the rest.