What's your recommendation?

Tacoma owners....though I do not currently own a truck, in years past I have had several, all full-size. I hope to be in the position to get back into a pickup sometime next year and am wanting to get as much information together before the purchase. I'm pretty sure that I want a Tacoma 4x4, quadcab. I will be purchasing a previously owned truck, preferably not older than 2011. With that as the basic, is there a model year, trim package that is better than others? I live in the Atlanta area, so driving comfort is important for the commute. I want to ask the aficionados, trusting that you guys know what you're talking about.

Thanks for the insight / recommendations.

 

Get a 2011 Quad Cab TRD Off Road model. That's the stuff that's going to keep resale value high, and the TRD seats are an upgrade over the regular ones.
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You're going to end up with 21mpg MAX in a Quad Cab 4x4 tacoma, and you're really going to have to be humping those HyperMiler driving rules to maintain that.

Atlanta in the summer is going to require you to use your a/c on medium/high so you're looking at closer to 18 as a maximum during that time.

That's the reality of the Tacoma engines. Even if you manage to find a 4cyl, the extra weight of the Double Cab and 4x4 is going to make it heavy enough to hurt efficiency of the smaller engine.

All of this is to beg you not to go get a Tacoma and come back here starting yet another thread saying "Omg guys I bot a truk but My MPG not better like Prius tell me ur trix to get Prius Milage from truk."

 

Do you want a 5' bed or a 6' bed , auto or manual ?

 

if you are just doing commuting with a some basic off road driving the SR5 isn't a bad choice. I have never had an issue with the 4x4 from heavy snow to logging roads

my advice is test drive a few that have the different packages, and to include a short bed or long bed for the double cab. everyone here is going to give you some great info but you know your needs and comfort level.

I have owned and 07 and now I have 2011 which has a few more bells and whistles' but basically they are the same

 

It has been my experience what you will pay for a 2011 in excellent condition is going to be within a few thousand of the cost of a new one. Unless you get a very good deal.

I was going to get a used Tacoma when I started looking and I found it was a better deal to buy new.

If you find a 2011 for cheap you better get it checked over first.

 

100% agreed.

I went to look at used 2nd gen's from 08+ with 70k mi + and they were all of 5k less than a brand new one with exactly what i wanted.

Thats why i ended up with a brand new one!

 

I wanted a TRD sport in manuel and would have been totally happy buying used, but the ones I found like that with low miles on them were almost as expensive as a new truck and just not worth it.

 

Unless you find a screaming deal it's normally worth it to buy a new one. I started looking at used ones but I could not find anything less that 3k off a new one so I just bought a brand new one.

 

I was recently in the same boat you are in, i searched for over a year looking for a decently priced used one and just ended up buying a base style, auto v6 dcsb. I couldnt find any that was really more than a few thousand cheaper than a new one. Some will say, but yea it was a few thousand cheaper, but you have to think, a few thousand cheaper, with alot more miles than new, no warranty, and probably in need of so es tires and other small maintenance, so if it were me, i would just get a new one. At least you know that its not been mistreated or anything. Good luck!!!!!!!

 

automatic....5' bed

 

TRD Offroad then

 

watch out for the 05-07's they have an issue with head gaskets (i learned 1st hand). Also beware the rusty frames, there is a recall going now but it'd be sad for you to have to deal with that. I personally really like the body style of the 12+ too... i think thats worth the money for a newer one in that aspect. But also as others have said these things really hold their value so you might just end up with a new one.

Also, many people on here (myself included) think that tacos are pretty uncomfortable to sit in. I never feel like i am truly comfy and find myself shifting and moving alot. Do a LONG test drive (like an hour) to see if you feel the same. IMO, my ford ranger was more comfortable to sit in.

 

thanks ranger098....good insights.

 

Just the title of this thread is going to start a major ...

 

Now we all know that we want top $$$ when the day comes we trade in our Tacomas so we shouldn't be surprised that used Tacomas resell at a high $$$.

 

Agree seats not that great on longer trips. Not the worst I have had but could be better imo .

 

that's kind of the point....just wanna know what others have discovered.

 

might comfort depend on body size? how big of ol' boy are you?!