First time buyer 2014 Taco - Anything I need to know?

My first post here. Just signed up today.

I've been looking into replacing my old chevy s10 (2002 xtreme) with a Toyota Tacoma. I was doing some 'field research' today at the dealership and stumbled upon a Tacoma which has everything I want.

It's a 2014 Silver TRD Sport 4x2 with Entune Audio Plus (navigation) for 30k sticker price.
I've checked the online inventory of all the other Toyota dealers in the area (that I could find) and this is the only dealer with a v6 4x2 TRD Sport.

Pics:
http://oi40.tinypic.com/zwi4hc.jpg
http://oi41.tinypic.com/mtnxxc.jpg

Anything come to mind that I need to know before buying?

 

Make sure a 4x2 is right for you. I bought a prerunner(4x2) and then it cost me alot to switch to a 4x4 that I should have bought in the first place.

 

yeah, I'm in the same boat. I'll save you the trouble of having to decide...JUST GET 4X4!!!

 

I thought about that. There's not a huge loss in gas mileage.
But I don't really need it.

I NEVER go offroad. Ever. I live in Southeast Virginia where it snows maybe once a year and I've been fine without 4x4 so far (been here 10 years).

Seems like I'd be paying more for something I would never use.

 

Well, if you really think you won't want to go offroading MORE after you buy such a badass 4x4...then maybe you'll be fine with a prerunner. When I bought mine I thought I wouldn't need 4x4 and I still don't really need it but, the longer I have this truck, the more I want to do things that would require 4x4.

As you said, definitely do what's best for your budget...no sense in paying for things you won't use.

 

Thats what happend to me. I had a prerunner when I had a long cummute. I go camping and to the snow at least 5 times a year but I was good at chains. What I didnt factor in was that once you have a nice truck and you see a big dirt hill or a unplowed street you want to go drive over there.

 

^ this...but for me, I see stuff and go "I can take that"..."I COULD take that if I had 4x4"...lol

 

I see your point. It is better to have 4x4 and not needed it rather than not have it and get stuck somewhere.
I'm planning on keeping this truck for a good 10 years or so. Who knows, I might feel like doing some offroading in 2-3 years and it would suck to have to buy something new.

Is there a big difference between the long and short bed for 4x4?
I'm doing double cab no matter what.

 

There are a couple things to think about regarding bed length:
- long bed has a longer wheelbase...therefore high-centering is more likely and approach/departure angles when rock crawling will be different.
- Aftermarket stuff costs more for long bed since extra materials are used. (rock sliders, tonneau cover, bed cap, etc...)
- longbed reduces your overall towing capacity by 100lbs.
- obviously, short bed is shorter...by about 1 foot. Think about everything and anything you might ever want to haul in the bed. if even you only haul it once.

also as a side note, make sure you get the towing package so you'll get the tranny oil cooler.

 

I had a long bed. Now I have short bed. I miss the long bed but like the shorter wheel base. I picked up a bed extender though to add another foot.

 

Thanks for the tip on the towing package. I was specifically avoiding it because I knew I'd never tow anything.

Seems that my new configuration is Double Cab v6 4x4 short bed TRD Sport w/ Towing package.

 

sounds like a nice truck

 

Haha! Now that you say that, it's going to snow like a bitoch this year. You watch. All I use to own was cars and when I got my Tacoma I wanted to drive over everything, park anywhere none else would. I get excited when it snows now because I know that I am going to have some fun and I am not going to get stuck driving my 2 wheel drive, hatchback in the snow. Plus I do mountain driving so it really helps having a 4x4.

If you get the 4x4 you're going to want to use it, trust us.

 

Couple things, I'm pretty sure the 4x4 holds it's value a little better than the prerunners, and don't pay more than $1700 for the platinum 125,000 mile warranty. Acton Toyota sells the warrantys for $1700, my dealer charged $3200, for exactly the same warranty, just don't buy it if the dealer wants more, and call acton and they'll sell it to you.

Also, it's nearly impossible to tell by the internet what is really on the dealer lot, toyotas inventory software does not really tell you what's on each lot, better to call each dealer and ask for exactly what you're looking for.

 

100% correct. I just learned that directly from someone at the dealership. She said the website inventory is updated even when a vehicle is transferred to them and immediately sold. It's not remover after the sale.
Terrible system.

 

OP get a 4x4 I mean you say you will never need it, but think of how nice it is to have it just in case and it really helps put with resale value

 

I don't think the Entune Audio Plus package has navigation. Only the Premium and Premium w/JBL come with that. I think the Plus comes with the weather and traffic services over HD Radio only.

 

I found 'the one'. 2013 red double cab v6 4x4 TRD Sport short bed with a towing package.
And because its 2013 it has the auto dim, compass, and backup camera in the rear view window.

 

SCORE!! Pull the trigger!!!

 

I had the back up cam in the rear view on my 2012. I miss it on my 2014...