Which truck year to choose

Hi,
I'm new to the forum. I own a 2002 Tacoma - 4X2 regular cab. I bought it in summer 2004 with 31.5k miles on it. Now it has 105.5k miles and so far it has been reliable (no powertrain, brakes, air conditioning, electrical, or radiator problems). Only parts I had to replace due to wear and tear was the brake pads and rotors ($360 replacement including labor), a worn out Air-Fuel-Ratio sensor (a $200 emissions part) after about 100k miles, one orignial factory battery replacement, and belts at about 65k miles.
Although the vehicle has been reliable, there are three things I can't stand about it...
1) SUSPENSION!!! Worst suspension system ever created on the face of the earth! When going over rough, paved asphalt at the speed limit or above the speed limit, the tires tend to lift up from the road. I know this because I feel myself getting back control of the road just after the peak of the bump. Even the cents$$ I have in the tray rattles. And the tray sometimes opens! Yes, the suspension is poorly designed.
2) SPACE!!! This vehicle is small. At the time of purchase I didn't need much space inside. Was just going to use as a commuter vehicle. But my needs have changed.
3) UNSAFE!!! 3 star crash test safety rating! I don't get why Toyota makes such unsafe vehicles in the truck class. I saw that their new Tundras got an unexpected 4-star crash test safety rating.

As a result I want to upgrade to an short bed Double Cab V6 4X4 automatic, TRD Sport (the one with the hood scope) but I don't know what year to choose. I also want the $4,500 TRD supercharger accessory I saw in the 2009 Tacoma brochure. After speaking with the dealer, I can add the supercharger to either manual/automatic transmission on the 2008 or 2009 Tacoma.
The thing is the 2008's are currently clearance prices which I can get $5.5k off MSRP. With those savings I can get the supercharger. The thing about the 08 model is that it doesn't have side airbags and vehicle stability control standard.
The 09 model fixes that problem, but if I wait for the 09 model, I'm not looking to get much off MSRP at all. Therefore adding the supercharger will put me at $36k.

What should I do!!!

 

Get a vette

 

damn man.... well, us that dont have air side bags and stability control on our 08, are doing fine.... the question is about price really.... if you can afford 09 with supercharger go for it..... if not an 08 its more than good, i even like more my tail lights than the 09

 

Depends on if you really need those nanny systems or if you know how to drive.

Personally, I'm kinda glad I don't have VSC or TRAC, and I manually turn off ABS sometimes because it sucks and does more harm than good in many situations.

I'd go with the cheaper truck if you want to drop another $4k into it right away. Then again, I don't need the nanny systems to keep me on the road so that would never really be a consideration.

 

2008

 

Going from a reg cab 02' 4cyl reg cab 2x4... to a loaded 4x4 V6 TRD sport Crew cab, and you gotta have the supercharger? Stock 236 hp isn't fast enough? Not sure how many 300+hp vehicles you've driven, but an 09' w/ VSC might be a good idea.

 

'05.

 

You have a point there... My thought was if you need a supercharger and 300 or so HP then you better know how to handle the car without computer assistance that may or may not save his ass. On the other hand, maybe it's best to have those nanny controls for the benefit of other drivers.

 

here is the supercharger I want. It's available for the V6 Tacomas from 2005 to 2009:

http://www.trdusa.com/featuredpart.cfm?part=supercharger

It boosts horsepower to 304. and torque to 334 lb/ft. and costs $4,500 retail. I want a powerful Tacoma. I guess it's because I'm bored with my current 4-cylinder tacoma's acceleration. So now I'm wondering if I should get a 4X4 with TRD sport or a 4X2 with TRD sport because I'm thinking that it's the pre-runner rear-wheel drive that will pump out that kind of torque. For piercedtiger, don't the Tacomas have the VSC on/off button?

 

Some do I think... Maybe the autos? I don't know since I don't have it, but I know a guy with a 05 or 06 tied a shut off for ABS, VSC, and TRAC into one switch.

Have you test driven a V6 version yet to see how they compare to the 4cyl before adding a supercharger?

 

I moved from a 4 cyl 2000 reg cab to a 2008 double cab. I am amazed on the power difference. have you spent much time test driving the '08 and are you sure that the supercharger is a must have item?

-Dan

 

Agreed,

Get a 08. In reviewing the VSC and TRAC in the manual to see if I was missing anything, I realized I’d have to turn them off in most slippery situations I find myself in.

Sure side airbags would be nice but when was the last time you got slammed broadside?

 

I don't get the desire for tons of power in a truck, unless you are are hauling lot's of stuff. The stock V6 is faster than the suspension and handling should really have. If you want speed get a sports car or a sports sedan.

 

Tell me about it.... I've had a few speeding tickets with my car... I got the truck expecting it to slow me down, but nooooooo. The damn thing's faster than my car and has a higher speed fuel cut off than the car! And this is in a 4WD double cab with the taller offroad suspension.... But, I gotta admit even with the 3" lift and 285/75 16 tires it still handles twisties better than my Corolla.

 

I couldn't agree more. Not to mention, the faster you go, the quicker you better be able to stop so, IMO, if you're going to be adding 70+ hp to the equation, you better upgrade your brakes, too.

 

You say that, but you know Murphy's Law.....

 

True, but how did people survive before air bags, VSC, TRAC, skid control, ABS, AWD, etc?

All the safety stuff we suddenly "need" makes me wonder how our parents survived long enough for us to be here.

 

No i have not test driven yet. But I assume the Tacoma is heavier than the first generation so maybe the V6 won't make much of a difference...which is why I need a supercharger. I don't think it will accelerate well without one.

Since most of you suggest the '08 I'll go with one
With the clearance savings, I negotiated 25.6k over the phone on an automatic 4X4 short bed db cab sport MSRP 31,215. Silver in color. OTD price with taxes and processing - $26568.

Now if I just add the supercharger kit (which includes belts, better fuel injectors and spark plugs, etc., and the supercharger itself), and installation labor total would be $31,527.

I didn't buy anything yet...but don't you think this is good? I get the feeling that you guys think the superchager is unecessary so I'll test drive tomorrow without the supercharger first and let you know how it goes.

 

SC can be had for $3500 later plus install. Buy the truck as is now and add it later if you want.

 

Well the thing is, it's $4grand for only 70 extra HP and requiring high octane gas which will cost you more in the long run. I run 87 in mine, and have towed around 6,000lbs without any problems. Need a little more oomph? Run higher octane as the engine will adjust the timing and a few other things to take advantage of the higher octane. The SC can always be added later if you want. In the mean time you can also remove secondary air filter, and add any/all of the following: AFE Pro Dry drop in, exhaust, long tube headers (removes 1 set of cats), URD Y-pipe (might remove the other set of cats?), URD MAF calibrator.....

Or buy a Tundra if you really want power.