Struggling to decide on a Tacoma?

Hi all, 20 year old college student here who is interning in Virginia for the summer.

I normally live in Ohio and all the Tacoma's in that region are rusted out, hence why I'm thinking of buying my Tacoma in VA!

So here's a question I have for you, if you could go back and re-buy your Tacoma, what options would you have or have not gotten?


I'm pretty certain I want a TRD Sport package, Double Cab, less than 100k miles, 4x4, 6 cylinder in speedway blue, silver streak mica or the green mica color.


Does this sound like a good and do-able package? Looking to spend less than 20,000

 

My list needed to include: 4X4, Doublecab and Long bed. The other stuff was kinda noise to be honest.

The 20K is doable, but it depends on the year!

 

Good to hear Mike, what can you fit in the LB that you couldn't fit in the SB?

And why the DC over the AC?

 

6ft comes in a bit more handy when carrying longer items.

Long bed vs short bed is a common topic in these parts. Some guys only like the look of the SB and vice versa. Not much of a difference honestly.

Went DC because I have kiddos ! Oh and get a V6, the I4 is for the birds.

 

I had a somewhat specific list for my purchase:

- MGM
- Access Cab
- v6
- 4x4
- Auto
- No leather
- No TRD sport/off-road
- Blinkers in side mirrors
- Low miles

CARMAX was the way to go. They even delivered the truck I ended up buying from another location for free. Can't haggle on price but I got exactly what I wanted. Totally worth any little extra I paid.

 

DCLB has a 6' bed vs the DCSB 5' bed, it is more useful for carrying longer items. However the DCLB has a wider turning radius compared to the more agile DCSB. Depends on how you plan to use your truck. If you plan on going off road, the Off Road model has a rear locker and ATRAC which is an off road traction control (depending on the year). The TRD OR Double Cab only comes with a 5' bed, where as the Sport is available in the DCLB.

 

I just got the SR5 4x4 V6, I looked at the different packages and didn't want to spend the money for the scoop on the sport or the suspension on the TRD. I figure I will put my own shocks on when I replace the stock tires. Mine is a street truck 99% of the time and the way it is now is fine with me. I have added a few things like bed mat, weather tech floor mats, wind deflectors and next on the list is a roll up Tonnenu cover. If I did it all over again I think I might get the sliver color instead of the Gray due to the gray shows dirt more than I think the silver would.
Also I under coated it with fluid film the day I brought it home.

 

Virginia is not immune to rust. Depending on what part of the state, most places get snow each winter and they salt roads generously, especially the northern counties.

I spent 4 years in Fairfax, and my vehicle at the time (Jeep Cherokee) was as rusted out as any Tacoma can get.

Do a thorough undercarriage inspection before pulling the trigger.

 

go with long bed. Fit more stuff, longer items, and sleep back there in trips or... Quick lunch breaks (with a softopper)

I just got my 2006 trd sport 2x4 with 69k miles for $16,500. Real clean, mostly garage, all maintenance done with records. For a 4x4 it would be another few grand. Look up some kbb values and go from there. Good luck!

 

I'll have to take a look there... Good catch

 

I guess the ones I have seen so far have been in much better condition than the stuff I have seen from Ohio. Maybe people just know how to undercoat here

 

"I just got the SR5 4x4 V6, I looked at the different packages and didn't want to spend the money for the scoop on the sport or the suspension on the TRD. I figure I will put my own shocks on when I replace the stock tires. Mine is a street truck 99% of the time and the way it is now is fine with me. I have added a few things." Im just like spit dog. Got the SR5 and can add on if I want to.

 

LB fits everything. SB fits nothing.

I have honestly found it immensely easier with a long bed. Every time I've hauled, I needed the whole 6 feet. A short bed would have resulted in multiple trips. A short bed, however, is a bit more nimble and maneuverable. That's good for someone who isn't used to bigger vehicles. That being said, I had no problem going from a 2 door sports car to a DCLB, and the backup cam makes parking easy. A coworker of mine wanted the short bed for maneuverability, but wound up getting the long bed because he found it easy to drive.

My needs were simple:
double cab
2WD (never use 4x4, personally)
Prerunner or 4x2 suspension

I wound up getting sold on a DCLB Prerunner TRD Sport with a good package (nav, tow, literally only thing missing is the JBL audio)..mainly because they knocked a few grand off the price after some haggling, so it was similar in cost to a short bed SR5.

Good luck on your search OP!

 

you sure its an SR5? It has the Off-road wheels

 

I used to live in southern ohio and my son lived in akron. Ohio sees quite a bit more snow and salt than does va.

 

Sounds like what you're looking for is reasonable for the price. I have owned 3 Tacoma's and have not regretted it once. I think for you'll either have to pay a little more or find a truck with a little more mileage on it. Either way these trucks hold their value and run forever. You may want to look further south or west to an area that doesn't get as much snow to avoid the rust. Good luck though. Tell us how it works out for you.

 

FYI, sport package offers literally no extra functionality to the truck vs the base package... its literally ears on the pig.

TRD OR package you get a rear locker which i have found to come in handy quite a bit, and if its an 09+ 4x4 TRD OR, you get ATRAC, a MUCH better master cylinder with better braking feel.

Personally i wouldnt change a thing on my truck.

2013 (last year of goodies like actual outside temp gauge, auto dimming mirror, rearview cam in the mirro)
TRD OR
4x4
v6
Auto
DCSB


Only been a few times that i wished i had a LB, but really, all i do is fold down the rear seats and i get 3 feet of space to put more stuff behind the front seats on a platform.... so its really no different.

 

uhhhmmmm...helloooooo..... HOOD SKEWP = +15 HP

 

They use some nasty liquid spray on the roads here now too.

 

Those wheels are the alloy wheels that are an option. When you order with those wheels it says nothing about off-road. Same as mine.