Not a Tacoma Owner (yet)

Hello everyone,

So I just participated at Overland Expo East in Asheville, NC where I rode my BMW F650GS from Pennsylvania to Asheville and camped for the event. While I was there I realized that I wanted a Tacoma. There were so many awesome builds, and I could take my dog with me on adventures any time of year. Basically, I was sold on a truck.

Today I found a buyer for my BMW and that sale should be finished this week. That leaves me with a 2014 Honda Civic EX sedan to either sell or trade in. If you ask me what model Tacoma I'm interested in, I'd have no idea. Though the people I talked to at the show all recommend the quad-cab.

As I browse dealerships in the area, I'm really not finding many Tacomas for sale. With my finances, I'm thinking something in the $20k to $24k range. But I'm also noticing that the trucks I do find really seem to hold their value, so within my price range they may have a lot of miles on them.

Anyways, thought I would join this forum as it seems to be the place to go for Toyota mods. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions to help get me into a Tacoma or possibly an FJ, feel free to chime in! Thanks!

 

With your budget you may do good looking for a used 2nd gen Tacoma. You would get a great truck with the 4.0 engine. Check with the 2nd gen guys for any issues you may need to be aware of when buying used.

 

Thank you for the suggestion.

 

No problem. Btw, welcome to TW.

 

Just you and the dog?

Access cab, utility version (no back jump seats)

Driveline choices based on where you live & where you regularly want to go.

Wait on mods until you are using the truck, modify what it takes to make it more capable for what you need it to do. Not just what everyone says you should do.

If I lived in PA I'd be looking for a later 2nd gen 4wd 4 cyl. manual. But that's just me.

Then I'd use a clean build thread like this one as a guide to point me to options I might consider.

I would not start any mods until the truck was baselined service wise and paid off. Exception would be when bits need replacement (like tires) that's a great upgrade time.

 

You can build a brand new 3rd gen Access cab, 4cylinder, 4wd with the utility package for $25k or so. As long as you aren't planning on lots of weight or huge tires, it should be good to go. You get the factory warranty and the knowledge that it hasn't been mistreated.

 

Yep, just me and the dog. And I'm still pondering between a Tacoma and an FJ Cruiser.

I think I want to stick to the V6 because I'm sure I'll want to add a lift and larger tires. Probably a cap and/or roof top tent as well. That is one of the selling points for me, you can do so much to these vehicles to make them unique.

Not a fan of the cap on this truck, or the wheels:
http://www.kbb.com/cars-for-sale/44...=all&pricerange=0-24000&drive=4wd&distance=75

This one looks pretty sweet, but it's the 4-cylinder:
http://www.kbb.com/cars-for-sale/44...ode=&pricerange=0-24000&drive=4wd&distance=75

Then there's this one that is at the top of my price range:
http://www.kbb.com/cars-for-sale/44...ode=&pricerange=0-24000&drive=4wd&distance=75

 

#3. Looks like it has aftermarket halo headlights also. If you go 2nd gen be sure to have the frame inspected before you buy it. Toyota had issues with frame rot on them & were replacing the frames. Again, 2nd gen guys could give you more details on that issue.

 

UPDATE:

A local dealer found a 2007 Tacoma Double Cab, automatic, TRD Off-Road package, short bed, 69k miles, that just came in via trade. He says they are looking at around $21,900 for price (but may be lower). I asked about the frame and he said the frame is in good condition, no signs of rot, and the only outstanding recall is the rear leaf spring which he said will be resolved before the truck is sold.

https://faulknertoyotaofharrisburg....ble-128-v6-at-natl-7z335579-5telu42n67z335579

Not a huge fan of red, and that pinstripe will have to go. But it looks like a nice start to truck ownership.

 

Nice, I wasn't a big fan of Barcelona red either, until I bought one. Look it up on KBB and see what type of value they put on it. Dealers make more money on used vehicles than they do on new so they should have a good bit of wiggle room. My wife traded in her car and they gave her $26k for it, they listed it on their website for $34k.

 

My search continues.

2009 Tacoma, but non-TRD? I have no idea if this is a good choice or not. Seems everyone goes for the TRD models.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/680508215/overview/?aff=tyeminvu&cmp=usedinv

or 2010 TRD off-road model for just about the same price, though 2 hours away.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/682303372/overview/