Future NEW Tacoma Owner

Unless you want a truck that needs a new frame, don't buy one younger than 09'. Or, if you don't care, make sure the frane has already been replaced under recall.
I would also never buy a salvaged car for my main driver.

I do not trust the 05-08s that needs new frames. My 2013 may need one if Toyota didnt get their shit together but I wouldn't willingly walk into a problem and risk falling in love with a junk truck.

 

I have an 05 DCSB TRD 4x4..... Bought it knowing it had a frame recall, went to the dealer and they said there was zero need for worry. I know the service manager and told him to push for a new frame just so I had one... he said mines like new.
Point is, not all are bad and if you get in to your dealer with a vin, they will tell you if its still covered, so I figure frame damage is a null point.
I think you all need to come to Canada, with your strong dollar and all.
I paid less than $7000 for mine, in great shape. Thats about the same as 4 cases of your beer.
Good luck....the 4x4 is a great thing, imo....double cab is awesome and don't be shy of the 2005s!

 

Not true. Not all frames rotted. My 2008 did not.
The key is to do a thorough frame inspection prior to purchasing. Some are just fine like mine.

 

I tend to side with Jaab, wouldn't a bad frame be a non issue if a Toyota dealership will take it back and fix everything for free?

 

The the 05-08 frame program runs until March I believe. After that I think you're screwed if you didn't have the recall attended to.
If you buy one from a dealer, ask about the frame. Ask the history. Most likely they'll be prepared to answer the frame history questions of the truck.

If you buy one PP, ask the owner the history. If nothing has been done, take it to a dealer for inspection prior to purchasing.
I'm thinking that by this time, most BUT NOT ALL frames covered by the program have been attended to.

It's not rocket science. Either the frame is good or not. Either it was replaced or not. The key is thorough inspection.
This is true for any used vehicle, especially one that's lived in a salt belt.

 

I agree...I think March is the end of it.

 

Welcome to Tacomaworld family, and I will suggest TRD sport

 

Whatever you decide, like people said, do a thorough frame inspection on top of everything else. Especially around the catalytic converters. I'd even take a rubber mallet with you and knock around in some places if the owner permits. Just cause it looks good doesn't mean it is underneath, especially if you encounter a dishonest seller trying to dump a rust problem off on you. Look for any areas that seem repainted or top-coated, or just plain different than the rest of the frame.

Not trying to steer you away, as the Tacoma is a reliable vehicle. I don't have any rust issues as of yet, and hopefully never as I continue to take care of it and live in a low winter salt environment. Not sure when Toyota added them, but later trucks (mabe started in 2009, or maybe it was 2012, but I'm not sure) were equipped with plastic plugs for the frame, in areas such as the wheel wells to better keep water and debris splash out of the frame.

As for SR5 vs any sort of TRD model. Depends on your purposes. If you want a turn key truck either with a rear locker (TRD-OR) or with color matched trim pieces (TRD-Sport), go for those. IF you really want to supe your truck up down the road for serious offroad use, then a SR5 might be worth the little bit of savings, but honestly in my experience the price difference in USED SR5 models vs. TRD models is not that significant as they are when new off the lot.

FWIW my dad owns a 1st gen PreRunner and has never needed 4x4 for any of the camping or backpacking we have done over the years. Then again the worst his truck has seen is rough dirt roads. So if that is all you plan to do, then a PreRunner will suit you fine. If you don't mind the cost increase for 4x4, then I'd say go for 4x4. That way you are not limited in the future.

 

Scott, take your time in selecting the one right for you.... price and it's equipment.

I hear ya about the Beemers. I had them before my Tacoma and at least 3 guys here came from driving beemers. We ALL love the ride and performance, but not the maintenance bills.

Welcome to TW!

 

Thank you all so much for the advice! I'm overwhelmed how friendly and considerate the Toyota Tacoma world has been and furthered my determination to find the right one.

As for the frame, get under the truck and look for signs of rust? Sounds simple but I have a feeling I will get under there and not exactly know what I'm even looking at. I'm learning ALL about cars working on my own every other weekend it seems. But I have to watch videos in preparation over and over again to make sure I'm doing it right.

 

The Frame Rust is pretty obvious, take a look through some of the Threads on here on the subject. If you are unsure of yourself then take the potential truck to a mechanic you trust to inspect it, if the seller has nothing to hide then they should agree to that.

 

X2. Most mechanics will do a 'purchase inspection' - it's fairly common. They may charge you for 30-60 minutes of their time - or they may not - but it's well worth the peace of mind.

While you're waiting, I'd absolutely call your local Toyota dealership with the VIN of the truck and have them check for any technical service bulletins (TSB) - i.e. frame recall or anything else on that particular truck.

It's your hard-earned money; however, we all love shopping for Tacos, so we're living vicariously through you!

 

From where you are located OP rust won't be a big problem. Just take your time. Find something you like and truly want. In the end it's your money and you will be happy with any taco. It will be an addiction for sure.

 

Depends on how much free time you have in your life. For me, giving my truck to someone for several months so they can fix it isn't really a good option. Some people had to wait a long time to get frames because they were so backed up. Even then I'd rather buy a truck I knew didn't have frame problems then buy one that might. They rip apart a lot of the truck to go in and do that repair. They can bust or break a lot of things on an older truck.

It's up to everyone to decide what risks they are willing to take and which ones they are not. Me personally, I'd rather buy a truck I knew was likely free of problems rather than one I know will likely have about $20-$25K worth of crap to get fixed. Some of the old first generations were not fixable. Would suck to lose your truck completely.

I don't know if the OP was aware of the 2004-2008 frame recall. Something he does need to keep in mind or know about before he buys a truck in that model range.

 

PackCon, around here thelocal dealer gives you a cheezy car to use....they also repair anything caused by damage when removing frames...I asked specifically. and...they say under a week to replace. Mostly because I was ribbing them about getting my lanky ass in and out of their loaner Echo. But thats just here....

 

So just to be clear, it's the '04 - '08 Tacomas that have had to be recalled? If I were to get an '09 there would be nothing to worry about, right?

 

Look into first gens. Most of the rotted frames are already replace and brand new. I bought mine with a brand new frame. Still has the chalk marks still on them.

With the 13k budget, you could find a decent first gen double cab 4x4. Prices vary in location. Hope you're not in California, prices are ridiculous there.

Good luck with the search.

 

^ This. I did the same with my taco: I had my mechanic drive it (aggressive and normal driving), inspect it, he asked me all sorts of questions about it and I was able to make the purchase with full confidence that I wasn't getting screwed. He didn't even charge me yet was cool enough to lend me an hour of his time.

 

You can currently search the VIN number of the trucks you want to buy and see any recalls on them. I believe the recalls have only lasted until 2008.

 

Hey guys, I'm leaning towards the first gen. Tacoma so I can get 4x4 for closer to my price range. Is there anything I should be on the lookout for? For example, I had barely heard of frame rust issues on the 2nd gen. Tacomas before I came here.