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Find out why one owner just turned down a $35,000 "deal of a lifetime" to keep his 2023 Tacoma V6 from a local dealer desperate to swap it for a 2025 turbo. What would you do?
In my research on Toyota's current owner trends, I found a recent post on the Taco Nation Facebook community in which Alain Perron, who lives in Virginia, recently highlighted growing concerns about the real-world reliability of the new i-FORCE engines and argued that a $100 lower monthly payment isn't worth the mechanical gamble.
Alain says, “I have a 2023 Toyota Tacoma Blue Crush Off Road that has 50,000 miles. I have maintained it meticulously. This past week, I brought it to the Toyota dealer for some service, and lo and behold, I got a text from one of the finance people saying that they want my truck on a trade, and they want to give me $35K trade i,n which would get me around $4,500-$5,000 on a 2025 Tacoma. I have often had a 2024/2025 Tacoma loaner truck and have not been impressed with the 4-cylinder turbo. I have seen that they have had many problems. Of course, the dealer says Toyota has them all worked out. He says that they can lower my monthly payments by $100."
From My View
I have spent three decades in the automotive trenches, and I can tell you that what Alain experienced is not an isolated incident. It is a calculated strategy. Dealers are currently facing a unique "perfect storm" in the midsize truck market. On the one hand, they have a lot of 2025 models sitting on the lot with the 2.4L i-FORCE turbo powertrain, which is still fighting a significant uphill battle in the court of public opinion. On the other hand, they have a line of buyers out the door begging for the "last of the greats," the 2023 V6.
When a finance manager texts you during a service visit, they aren't doing you a favor. They are hunting for inventory they can flip within 48 hours for a significant profit. I have investigated these trade-in tactics for years, and the math rarely favors the consumer who values longevity over a shiny new infotainment screen.
The "Who, How, and Why" of the Tacoma Trade-In Trap
Who is being targeted? The primary targets are owners like Alain: people with 2021-2023 Tacomas who have reached that 50,000-mile "sweet spot." You have enough miles that the dealer can argue your value is about to "tank" (it isn't), yet your truck is still in peak condition for their certified pre-owned program.
How does the dealer justify it? They use the "Monthly Payment" sleight of hand. By extending your loan term by two or three years, you can reduce your payment by $100. They will tell you that the 2025 turbo has "more torque" and "better fuel economy." But as I’ve reported previously, the real-world efficiency gains are often negligible when you’re actually using the truck like a truck. In a recent analysis of the latest generation, I noted that some owners are experiencing transmission and quality-control issues that didn't exist in the previous generation.
Why is the 2023 V6 suddenly appreciating? It is simple supply and demand. The 3.5L V6 is a known quantity. It is the engine that built the Tacoma's "million-mile" reputation. The new 2.4L turbo, while peppy, is a complex piece of machinery with a much higher thermal load. According to an expert report from CarBuzz, the 2023 V6 models are appreciating in value because purists are concerned about the long-term maintenance costs associated with the new turbochargers.
What You Need To Know
1. Residual Value: The 2023 V6 is currently holding nearly 82% of its original MSRP after two years, a figure virtually unheard of for high-volume pickups.
2. Mechanical Complexity: The 2025 model uses a sophisticated turbo system and an 8-speed transmission that has already seen multiple "growing pain" service bulletins.
3. The "Feel" Factor: No matter what the torque curve says on a brochure, a 4-cylinder turbo will always feel "busy" compared to the linear, relaxed power delivery of a naturally aspirated V6.
My Take: Why Alain Is Making the Right Move
I’ve had my hands on the 2024 and 2025 loaner trucks, just like Alain, and my findings align with his experience. While the new interior is a significant leap forward, a truck is only as good as the engine under the hood. I recently wrote about the surprising number of early-model 4th Gen Tacomas showing up at auctions with powertrain faults, which should give any buyer pause.
The dealer told Alain that Toyota has "worked out the bugs." As a reporter who has covered dozens of launches, I can tell you that "worked out" is often code for "we have a software patch that hides the symptoms." Consumer Reports has already given the 2025 Tacoma a low predicted reliability score of 2/5, citing the massive overhaul of the powertrain as a primary risk factor.
Community Technical Feedback
The sentiment on enthusiast forums is reaching a boiling point. Many owners believe the "Toyota Tough" brand is being sacrificed to EPA regulations.
One user on Reddit noted the severity of the situation: "Replace radiator or end up replacing tranny like me... had a small leak. Unnoticed. Then boom tranny went out on highway," as noted in the full discussion here.
Another owner highlighted the vulnerability of the new design, noting, "The radiator on these models has an isolated portion for cooling automatic transmission fluid... if it's not cooling it, bad things happen," as reported in this Reddit thread.
In my investigation of these cooling systems, I found that the 2025 Tacoma's more complex plumbing makes it far more susceptible to debris damage than the rugged simplicity of Alain’s 2023 Off-Road.
Key Takeaways
- Don't Chase the Payment: A $100 lower payment is a drop in the bucket compared to the potential out-of-warranty repair costs of a first-gen turbo engine.
- Trust Your Gut: If you drive a loaner and it feels "off" or "unimpressive," listen to that instinct. You are the one who has to live with the truck for the next 100,000 miles.
- V6 Scarcity: We are never going back to naturally aspirated V6 engines in midsize trucks. If you have one now, you own a piece of automotive history that will only become more desirable.
Keep Your V6
Alain Perron is doing exactly what I would recommend to any of my friends: he is valuing proven reliability over a dealer's desperate sales pitch. In a world where "new" often means "more complicated," keeping your 2023 V6 isn't just a sentimental choice; it is the smartest financial decision you can make in the 2026 truck market.
What Would You Do?
If you were in Alain’s shoes, would you accept the $35,000 "deal of a lifetime" and $100 in monthly savings, or would you stick with the proven reliability of the last-ever Tacoma V6? Is the lure of a brand-new truck worth the risk of being a "beta tester" for a first-generation turbo engine? We want to hear from you. Tell us your thoughts on the V6 vs. Turbo debate. Please click the red "Add new comment" link below and join the conversation!
Denis Flierl is a 14-year Senior Reporter at Torque News and a member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) with 30+ years of industry experience. Based in Parker, Colorado, Denis leverages the Rockies' high-altitude terrain as a rigorous testing ground to provide "boots-on-the-ground" analysis for readers across the Rocky Mountain region, California EV corridors, the Northeast, Texas truck markets, and Midwest agricultural zones.
A former professional test driver and consultant for Ford, GM, Ram, Toyota, and Tesla, he delivers data-backed insights on reliability and market shifts. Denis cuts through the noise to provide national audiences with the real-world reporting today’s landscape demands.
Connect with Denis: Find him on LinkedIn, X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Alain Perron
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