Common issues with this gen?

Hi all

Looking to get back in to a Tacoma after my 98 was bought back about 3 years ago. I drove a 2002 4Runner for a short period of time and bought my wife a 2014 4Runner last year. But I miss the truck.

I've settled on this generation of Tacoma because it appears to be the one most closely aligned with my price range. I'm looking to find something about 100k miles or less at under $15k.

Can anyone help me with some questions?

Any common issues with this gen? I know very little about the 2.7L and manual trans, both of which seem attractive now that I have a 60 mile highway commute daily. If you can point me to a buyers guide thread, it would be appreciated (didn't find anything through tapatalk on my phone).

Will the access cab fit a 9 year old reasonably comfortably? I would imagine we'd use the 4Runner for road trips, but can he fit back there if we are running errands around town?

Frame rust - still an issue?

And finally, where is the best place to find good deals? I live in central pa and the market seems tough out here. Not too many available, most through dealers, and most asking for more than kbb would suggest they are worth (even from a dealer).

Thanks in advance. Hope to be back to the Tacoma soon!

 

Good luck finding a 2nd gen for under 15k unless its an 05.

 

Frame rust is still a big issue

 

buy one. Frame rust, engine ticking (which i don't have a prob with.)

It is a good truck. It won't ever fail you when needed...............I'm not a commercial

I like tacos

 

Good luck with that. Maybe if you are shopping a base (5 lug) 2wd model? And likely even quite a bit lower odo mileage. If it does what you want, don't let all the 'go big or go home' crowd scare you off. Mine is perfect for my needs. Sure, it won't do a list of a bazillion things people can bring up, but it will do everything I want it to.

www.fueleconomy.gov. Often an auto will get as good or better MPG. The one in the 2.7 still has a dipstick and can be DIY serviced.

Trying a couple models to see is the only real way to know, but I'd say probably.

While 100k isn't much mileage on much of anything these days, it's still all predicated on how they've been maintained and used. You really need to know what you are looking for, be prepared to pay a knowledgeable independent mechanic for a pre purchase inspection, and short of receving a stack of service records when you buy, be prepared to spend some $ to get ALL the fluids, brake system etc. up to snuff so you have a baseline to go from.

FWIW, my '13 5 lug hasn't gotten under 20mpg yet, in town. 25+ is common on a longer hwy run at legal speeds.

 

Found an 08 4x4 at a local dealer today, 118K miles. Paperwork said SR5, though it had manual crank windows. Had upgraded wheels (looked like later model 17s), 2.7L, 5 speed. Drove great, A/C was cold, body was good, interior was fair. Dealer was at $15K before title, taxes, etc. Tires, battery, brakes, front windshield were all brand new. Frame looked good - some surface rust (love how the dealers paint over them). Autocheck showed 3 owners, no issues, drove locally for much of its life.

KBB tells me I should be doing better, though; they had the same truck "fairly" priced in the low $14s.

 

15k isn't quite enough for a 2nd gen unless it's base. Stretch your budget to 17k-18k and you'll be able to find one. I got my '06 DCLB TRD sport for 17k with 90k miles. Be patient and one will appear, you really gotta find an owner who doesn't quite know what he's got I guess.

 

The need to mod.....

 

Thanks for all the thoughts guys. I bought a 2012 sr5 4wd 4 cyl 5 spd access cab. More than I wAs originally in the market for, but equipped just as I wanted it.

 

Dont Tacos just have really loud injectors? Pretty sure that's the ticking noise everyone hears.