Looking for Advice on Purchasing a Truck

Hi.

I am looking to purchase a truck and am looking for any kind of helpful advice. I do not know much about cars or trucks and have never owned a truck but have recently begun researching. I am a 27 years old male. The purpose of purchasing this truck is for daily commutes around town, to haul things in from time to time ie: tools, bicycle, surfboard, etc, but most of all I want to get a truck that I can add a camper shell onto and take on long road trips and camp/sleep in.

I have mainly been looking at Toyota trucks. I haven't looked much at other brands other than the Ford F-150. I don't necessarily want or need a huge truck and I am thinking that the Tundra would be unnecessarily big. The Tacoma seems like it would be a better size for me.

This is what I have been looking at:

I suppose my price range is somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 so I am thinking perhaps something around a 1998-2004.

I want a 2 door extended cab, so 2 doors, 4 seats. I think the 4 doors is too big and unnecessary.

I am thinking that 2 wheel drive vs. 4 is ok as I don't plan to off-road really. Though maybe it would be nice to have that option so I am open to 2 or 4 wheel drive.

I am thinking that 4 cylinders is fine vs. 6. Though I have never driven either so I don't know the difference. Would it be better to have 6 cylinders vs. 4? I am more interested in saving gas than driving fast.

I need the bed to be 6 to 6.5 feet as I plan to attach a snugtop and sleep in it. From what I have read the Tacoma's beds are 6.5 feet, is that correct? When I see them in person some of them seem really small. I want to make sure I don't end up with a 5.5 ft bed or anything less than 6 ft.

So what I am looking for is basically this:

- 1998-2004 Toyota Tacoma
- 2 door
- Extended cab (4 seat)
- Manual
- 4 cylinder (maybe 6?)
- Rear wheel or 4 wheel drive

Does this sound like the best kind of truck for what I am wanting to do with it? Does anyone have any advice for me as to things I should look for or avoid? I haven't seen the inside of or driven any in person so I don't know if some years are better than others. Are there any other trucks that would be a better option than this?

If anyone has any kind of advice or knowledge on trucks/Tacoma's I would be grateful.

Thanks for reading!

 

Welcome to tw. Too long; didn't read. Get the v6

 

Where are you located? I'd go V6 4 wheel drive. If you camp out you will eventually want to go offroad and campout so 4 wheel drive woukd be helpful. V6 for the extra power on long road trips.

 

4WD is the only way to go unless you never plan to leave the pavement. Which having a Tacoma, you'll be very tempted to do.
As far as engines, I'd go with the V6, I've had both and would never go back to the 4 cylinder. The V6 and 4 are only about 2 numbers different in gas mileage so you can either have a truck with no power and good mileage or a truck with power and decent mileage. Take your pick!
Other things to watch out for are frame rust, just search it and you can find several pages about Tacoma frame rot on this forum.

Good luck and happy hunting!

 

Here's a good thread to start in: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-tacoma-buyers-guide.156943/

 

Much thanks for all the replies. Now that I think about it more, I probably would definitely want to go with 4WD. I didn't think much about the difference between V6 and 4 because I've never driven a V6 but after reading all of your replies I am thinking the best thing to do would be to go with a V6 4WD. Maybe 4 door would be better as well. Thanks!

 

MWC273 that's an awesome looking truck in your signature. That is basically exactly what I am looking for. What year is it if you don't mind me asking?

 

Look into the t100 as well slightly larger than the Tacoma and smaller than a tundra

 

No 95-97 models as an option???

Get the 3.4 and 4x4 (surfboard-beach-sand-2wd-stuck)

 

2013

 

After owning an access cab, the double cab is the only way to go. The rear space of an access cab is only good for storing duffle bags and maps, no self respecting adult would enjoy riding back there lol.

 

Yeah I am open to those years as well. Just thinking that the farther back I go, the more problems I may encounter.

Thanks for the advice. It seems that would be the way to go 3.4 and 4x4.

 

Not necessarily. Prerunners are more than capable for hitting just about any trail, now mud is a different story. But don't let that deter your purchase on what you really want to get OP.

 

Truly a great thread. This is exactly what I needed. Thanks!

 

Not a problem.

 

If you go with a double-cab (4 doors) then the bed is only 5 feet long.
My '99 extra-cab bed is exactly 74 inches long.
The pre-runner model with the TRD Offroad package is a good choice, since you get the clearance and larger tires of a 4wd truck and would have the e-locker in the rear, for double the traction, when needed.

 

If you can get the factory towing package, get it. Upgraded alt, oil cooler, transmission cooler, pre wired for tow lights, and the tow hitch.

 

Not on 1st gens

 

Maybe a 1st gen tundra would be better...not quite a fullsize truck but the extended cab can fit children better than the tacoma....you can find them around $10k if you look

 

4 cylinder, 4x4. The access cabs in those years are useless considering there aren't suicide doors until the 2005 model.