First Tacoma buyer, what r some things 2 look for?

Hello,

I'm considering buying a '10 Access Cab, 2WD, 2.7L, 5sp Man. I have 2 kids (a 3yro & 5mos). My current daily driver is a '98 B2500 Std cab, 5sp Man (130k miles, bought in '02 w/57k). It's starting to rot out kinda bad, can't haul 2 kids legally, & is needing mechanical work (losing power, rear left spring is shot). Not to mention, I've never touched the clutch either.

I'm seeing the tide coming & it's going to cost probably $1500+ to get it back up to mechanical shape ($500+ to have a spring replaced??? also considering what a tune up / repair on the motor & clutch replacement too).

some of the things I'm looking at: budget, reliability, & room.

I need the payment to stay under $400/month. We have an 09 camry my wife drives & we like it. We've been Ford truck men (Dad & I) since I was a little kid. My first truck was his old F250. Bought the B series in college since it was better on gas & was a cheaper version of the Ranger (coworker dubbed it the "Ford Undercover").

We got burned so bad on a used car we bought (99 Buick Regal) that my wife won't let me consider a used one, period. But I'm also mad that it's looking pretty hard to stay in the lower 20's to buy a darn truck!!!

& I hate foofoo features! man trans, crank windows, rubber floor are impossible to find these days.

I'm also an kinda tall. just over 6ft (not super shaq tall i know but my head almost touches the non-moonroof in the camry (it does when I wear a hat). I lean forward a lot in my B2500 because my head does touch when I sit back. at the auto shows, I can sit in, like 3 cars!

My skimming of the forum here is showing some issues with the rear diff & auto trans on the 4wds. The older models seem to have a frame rot issue too - still a problem on the 2nd gen???

What else should I be aware of & looking for?

any advice on cab size? probably should be looking at a double cab for the kids' carseats, but I don't like the box size (this really isn't super imp, the midget boxes look lame tho) & is pushing me over my price range. Can I get any of those carseats in the supercab (er, access cab)?

Please advise. Thanks! sorry for the long post, but felt the bg info was needed.

 

First of all i would like to tell you that you are making a wise decission in choosing a toyota over a Ford ..... Now there is nothing wrong in buyinf a used Toyota ....

that happened because it was Buick. Im sure if you look properly and do your research you can get a great deal on a certified pre-runner or something low millage ... no need to buy a brand new 2010 truck .... that too a 4 banger thats just my opinion . You can easily find your self a nice DC 07-09 low milage certified pre-owned, pre-runner or even a TRD for less than $20,000. You wont get hurt if its certified pre-owned and you can always get the extended waranty on it... thats just my opinion .... GOOD LUCK ...

 

Something like this .... http://houston.craigslist.org/ctd/1510245577.html

 

the certified stuff in my area, there isn't much. what I did see, a couple '08 with about 25k were selling maybe 4 grand less than a new one. also figured I have more selection looking at the '10s now... I haven't ruled out a cert. used yet!

so is the 4cyl bad / underpowered in the trucks? the prev. gen in our '09 camry scoots along really good...

thanks.

 

With having the family you do I would suggest the double cab. I have an Access Cab and I can't imagine having 2 kids in there often. The front seat being the only one that you can put a car seat, leaving the wife and 5 year old in the rear.

 

I dont own a Tacoma, but I do own a V6 Hyundai Tiburon thats a 2.7l and makes over 170 hp along with a CAI and catback exhaust ive put on and Im not satisfied with the power, imagine how youd be with a 2 ton truck bro, just something to consider

 

I was wondering this... usually, if going as a family, we're likely to take the camry anyway...

is the front seat the only one with the LATCH points?

thx for the advice on cab!

 

if you have kids DC is the way to go .... You never know ..when you need those extra comfy seats in the back ....

 

hrm, interesting... the camry's 2.4L puts out 158hp & car weighs just over 3k. the taco has 159hp & 180 tourque (think about 20 more than my camry) & weighs 500 more.

need to test drive the trucks but we are happy with the camry's power. but you can load more onto the truck, so that will be the big difference.

 

the only way to go is the dc.more room and better resale value imo.

 

x1
Don't get the ac, not enough room. You will regret it.

 

I just had to run out to my truck to get a box and it appears that in my 09 there is a latch behind the drivers seat in addition to the front seat.

But with a family of 4 I would still suggest the DCab.

Since i'm a family of one I'm fine, but as soon as you have a wife and kid(s), the Dcab is a must.

 

Thanks for the input so far guys. this has me blown away tho, 30+ grand for a truck nowdays??? none of the dealers around here have the Dcab in 2wd...

might have to wait until spring, see if they offer a model year closeout.

 

I got my 2009 AC SR5 4x4 Manual 6spd for 23K (NEW)...wait till may and get a 2010 for a good price. Right now it's hard to find deals as the 2010 are still "new." As far as room, sounds like you need a DC....i think they cost more though!?

 

Would the ext. cab tundra be a better option? looks like those are close to the same price as a dcab taco...

one of the local dealers was offering some specials on the trucks now, they have quite a few in stock, so I was hoping I'd find one with color & (lack of) options I liked.

When we bought the Camry in April, there wasn't much left, so we kinda had to settle for the CE model (no remotes or power seat). We had an aftermarket keyless installed (vipser, suppose to be the best???) & I'm not totally happy with the way it works.

I might stop by tonite & look at them, Sat is the test drives with Dad.

 

The db Cab is def the way to go with the family. You never know if you are going to have to stop and pick the kids up when your a driving the truck. You will be much happier in the long run if you go with a db. cab. I would suggest looking for something used. I know that you have had bad experience with used but mine truck is as 06 fully loaded db cab with about 60k on it. You could find something like what I have for less than 20k. As long as the truck has been taken care of and not abused you will not have any problems. I have not had one single problem with mine since I bought it new. The Tundra is much bigger and will get less MPG. They are nice trucks tho. Good Luck.

 

Buy a double cab....you'll need it as they get older.
I got mine for $20,400 a few months ago. You should be able to find a manual or one without 4x4 for less.

 

don't think they sold or ever did with a 4cyl or a manual. when I use the online builder thing, it forces me to take the 6cyl auto with the dcab, which pads the price considerably.

I'm about to say F it, go all out, lie to the wife, & have $600 payments

 

remember if you buy it new before december 31, you can deduct all sales tax and govt fees in your tax return. (won't help if your state does not charge sales tax).

 

Not sure how many I can claim on that, we bought the camry already this year... but great tip for other who also bought new this year!