'08 vs '09 - Which should i buy?

I know the main differences, but i'm wondering if the '09/'10 is worth shelling out a little more for?

Here's what I want:
- Base 2wd
- Access Cab
- 5 Speed

I know the '09 and up has the "comfier" back seats (or are they?) and the auxiliary input, but other than that is there anything else i should go googly over?

 

Well the back seats in the 08 fold down differently, better IMO. the lights are a little different as well, with the led's in the newer obviously

 

I don't believe so, I think the main difference is cup holders and LED tail lights.

Can anyone else chime in?

 

all 09 tacos have the 5 STAR safety program installed, sid airbags, curtain airbags, traction control. could be a plus if you have kids.... or value your body if you get into an accident... thats why i bought the 09
5 star program includes: vehicle stability control, helps prevent sideways slipping due to severe skidding while cornering; traction control, employs brake and throttle control to help reduce wheelspin and transfer torque to the wheel wih most traction; abs braking system; and electronic brake distribution, with brake assist which applies additional brake pressure if it detects a panic stop.

STRAIGHT FROM 09 BROCHURE

also all have auto lsd, like traction control but with little, if any throttle intervention, which sucks about traction control,

i wish i had the 08 back seats, my dog hates the back seat, gotta rig something up, anyone wanna trade??? tan interior, center console is cool, but still, who in the back needs one????

 

Don't the '08s have ABS? And would traction control help on gravel or offroads (mud, wet ground, etc.)?

 

yeah the program is just so thay can boast about all cars having 5 key safety features... i think 08 have ebd, and brake assist, and some have traction, but i dunno about 4bangers.
traction control would help if you are having trouble getting moving, like a tire slipping, vsc if your trying to turn but your car will not, actually brakes individual wheels to get you going where your steering wheel is pointed.

 

While those all sound like good and useful things, i'm just looking for a real simple, rugged truck. That's not to say safety shouldn't be a concern, but are the '08s that unsafe?

 

i wouldnt call them unsafe, but with the extra airbags it will be a lot safer, and you can for the most part turn off the traction control. if you are looking for a real 'simple, rugged truck' you should get the 08 or older, if you're a just in case guy, and knows shit can happen, and extra airbag or four can't hurt, and if i can tell you that this stuff actually works. i was going straight for a car in the snow, and vsc clicked on, straightened me out and i avoided the car by inches. yeah i think the extra 500 bucks for a newer model year would pay for itself in one way or another, but that is just my opinion. good luck with whatever you choose!

 

1st gen

 

X2 lol, i loved my lady's v6, spin those tires till tommorrow

 

Y'all make some good points. Where I am, southwestern Tennessee, we don't get much "foul" weather other than rain and stuff so the elemental extremes don't too often threaten our roads.

Keep the opinions coming, though. Thanks all.

 

Save the money, in my opinion. There isn't enough of a difference for it to be worth it.

 

Get the 2008. It will be less money that you can put towards the truck to make it better!! Also, you wont have to wait to get any extra mods like the X-one....

Which is still unavailable for the 2009-2010 models....

 

I'd vote the 08's are plenty safe. Sure the extra airbags and such do help... but my 08 truck looks like this after some chick ran a red light... and I was able to walk away with just a small blister and a few singed arm hairs from the airbag.



Either one you go with will treat you well.

 

^^^holy shiet!

 

So can i get any input on the creature comforts like the auxiliary input and the "more comfortable" rear seats? I'm curious about these 2 guys.

 

Personally I think the 08 access cab is a lot better. The 09+ has a center console and head rests that take up to much of the limited space. Plus on the 08 you can fold the seats down to create a flat storage area that's easy to slide boxes down the entire row. Also the JBL package is even worse with the flux capacitor of a sub woofer taking up way to much space.

 

I love my 09, but I had to take out the rear headrests. They were just plain ugly!!! But we're terrible to take out. Also with the backseat re-design, they added that console in the middle that limits our options for an aftermarket subwoofer. Now with the aux input, IMO it's kind of a joke. Yes it serves its purpose, but for some reason it doesn't get extremely loud. I find myself maxing out the volume because the thing just doesn't get overly loud.

Personally I love my truck, don't let somewhat low audio levels deter you from buying an 09.

PS. The only reason I'd get an 08 is so I could have gotten the Radiant Red color. Such a great color. I don't know why Toyota got rid of it.

 

If you are getting a base 2WD and trying to save money get the 08.