Considering a Tacoma

New guy. I am looking at acquiring a second generation Tacoma PreRunner.
Primarily a daily driver, with no current need for towing. I want the 6, not the 4, automatic.
I live in the Florida Panhandle and haul fishing gear, kayaks and paddle boards routinely.
No offroading. TSS or TRD a plus, but not necessary.

I would appreciate feedback on evaluating these trucks and what issues to look for that are historic problems or potential problems.

Any other factors I should be considering?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

What price range are you looking at?

 

These are trucks not cars but welcome

 

Welcome!

If no towing or off-road I would recommend the Sport. I use mine as a daily drive (60 mile roundtrip commute) and get about 21 mpg.

The big question would be, short or long bed? Do you plan to haul much?

Also, do you have a price range?

 

$25K max

Yamaha_TacoR1 - Thanks for the clarification. Didn't realize that was an offensive term. Corrected the post for you.

 

QChawks: Thanks for the input. If I recall correctly the bed lengths are 4' or 5'. I'd prefer the longest bed I can find. Just hauling beach stuff. Among the trucks I am looking at is a 2013 TSS version.

 

5' bed, or 6' bed. some older ones have frame issues, make sure you check the frame

 

have it checked for rust on the frame and if it's an '05 or '06 have the motor mounts checked as well.

 

Thanks, Jester! I am looking at 2012 through 2014 model years.

 

Thanks, JimboAnz. Frame rust seems to be a recurring theme. I am partial to older aircooled VW's and Porsches and they are notorious for frame and lower body rust.

 

tomwil:
$25k

 

QChawks:
$25k
My wife is from just outside the QC on the Illinois side, from Aledo. Small world.

 

Scratch 2012 of your list unless you want to deal with air injection issues. Look for a 2013 or newer.

 

Alloutdrs1:
Thanks. That's the kind of information that really helps! So now I am better off looking at 2013-2014.

 

put an @ before a guys name you want to tag, it will pop up and they will get a notification

@panhandle

 

or hit "quote", it will tag the original poster of that message

 

@JimboAnz
Thanks again. Learning the ropes here.

 

you got it man

 

Cool.

$25k should get you a nice long bed Taco. Good luck!

 

You should be able to find a nice, low mileage 2013+ for $25k -- as long as it is a PreRunner. A 4x4 will set you back a few grand more, but it is well worth it.