Going into Tacoma Purchase With Caution

4x4 for snow and rough but not off road stripmine roads for hunting access

Hauling landscape mulch and a few 2xs for home use and venison if I'm am lucky

Suburban flat to small hill daily driving

 

Great. Forgot to ask. Cab size. Regular, Access or 4 door. Which is required, which is desired.

And bed length? short (5') or long (6')

I'd guess from your other T100 thread you are all about function (not level lifts, HIDs, fancy decals, tires that look cool but aren't needed for your purpose, etc.). Is that a correct guess?

As far as manual vs auto. Preference or limitations?

 

X2

Frame seems ok after two winters. This year i fluid filmed some rust spots before major snow and salt hit, but nothing major.

 

Definite access cab
either bed
extras nice but not mandatory

 

Access cab is a long bed by default.

BTW, I've had no issues with my 15, but only just turned 10k miles.

 

I've got 35k on my 2015. No major issues at all. Mine is an automatic and it was low in fluid from the factory. I fixed that myself using the factory procedures with jumpers and a shift sequence that are found online.

The trans will hunt from time to time if conditions are right, but it operates much better and hunts much less than previous automatics I've had.

The rear is light due to the materials so watch rear tire pressure and rotate tires on schedule. Being the least bit high of pressure in the rear will increase wear. My rears run right at 28 psi and you can see where there is about a 1/4" strip on the edges that will be left if you watch the wear or rub chalk across the tread. I'm running General Grabber AT2's in 265/70R16.

ABS on these are a little odd when it encounters snow. Coming to a stop, ABS will kick in and let it roll quite a bit further. I put an ABS disable pushbutton in one of the empty spaces under the radio.

Still this is one of the best vehicles I've ever had, I'm sure you will enjoy yours!

 

My suggestion, based on your criteria, would be a '13 with the 2.7 and either a manual or automatic, assuming you can find one in appropriate miles/condition/color that you like for a fair price. Of course the same truck in '14 or '15 would be fine too.

Your stated goals for use of the truck indicate that the power from the 2.7 will serve you just fine. It's very durable, and will get somewhat better MPG than the 4.0.

The auto behind the 2.7 is not 'sealed'. It has a normal drain plug and a dipstick, so routine drain and fill is easy-peasy.

The main reason I suggest the '13 is twofold. It has some prewiring that allows you to easily PnP some accessories from fancier models if you wanted to, and they didn't already come on the one you buy. Also, the '13, being older, should be a bit more budget friendly than the two newer years. And they are out there with low miles.

I would suggest an OE bed mat, and @mattgecko 's underrail LED bed lighting as two early accessories, should your purchase not come with those.

Good luck with your shopping!

 

Thanks CB for the suggestion. I was not considering the 4 cylinder based on mixed online reviews of 4 and 6 owners. I had a 4 in my 97 Taco that was fine but thought the 2nd gens were a little too big for their power without lugging.

Not wanting to start a controversy but any 4 cylinder owners on this thread and what are your thoughts? I did a search and have found a few one owners low mile at nice prices.

 

I found a few threads that compare the 4 and 6. may have to consider a 4 and there is one down the street from me at the dealer

 

I'd get the newest one you can get, and I'd definitely get a V6. Why, because you'll be much happier with added torque and HP if needed. I get between 18 to 21mpg on open driving and a constant 17mpg otherwise, and towing about 3500# gets me over 15mpg all the time. All that with the automatic, which hasn't given me issues and I'll be doing a oil change before 30k. If you don't plan on carrying passengers, the AC is fine. You can't get a TRD DC OR with a long bed, so keep that in mind.

 

You mentioned hauling mulch and such. I would opt for th v6. I love mine. Its powerful and doesn't get much less mpgs than the 4 cyl.

 

Here is a clean example of a 4 cyl that is built to do much more than you express your needs to be. Yes, it's an RC, but the AC isn't that different.

Everyone who has a 6 will say that's what you should have. Some with a 4 will say they wish they had a 6. Many of us with the 4 are just fine with what we have. 'Cause it does everything we bought it to do.

Mine is a 5 lug, so different than what you need. And most here will hate on it, because it's not 'cool'. But, it does everything I need (and would do more). I don't need 4wd, and I added 1" of ground clearance with the largest tires that fit with no alterations. I haul kayaks, bicycles, project materials/tools, etc etc. just fine.

I get great MPG city/hwy. But again, my gearing is different, it's gonna get the best MPG of all the combos. However, it would easily pull a small boat/jet ski or similar.

I'm frugal. But I'm also retired, and enjoy spending $ on many other things than truck stuff. It's not like I'm a vehicle novice. In the 50 years of vehicle ownership I've had over 50 vehicles. As many as 5 at a time, and rarely only 1. All kinds of trucks and cars.

I sometimes 'overbuy' something just for fun. A truck wasn't one of those for me. At this point, I also wanted something to last me 20 years or so and have a very low TCO in doing so. Which is why I bought what I did.

Engine is easy to service, trans is easy to service.

But in the end, only you can decide. You should drive nice examples of both 6 and 4. A decent dealer might let you have an overnight demonstration, allowing you to do your daily drive. That's much better determinant than a 5 mile loop.

Good luck.

 

WOW! That tharrr is a tahruck! Is it a squirrel catcher? I had to ask.

 

Don't get a Turd Gen. Too many problems noted.

Don't get a 4 banger. I don't care about the arguments for one, but you will regret it on hills, highway, and when haulin' (and resale as you have noted).

Don't get a MT. That's for kids who think it's a race car.

Do not put in a spacer lift/leveling kit. Rides like a lumber wagon.

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I have a DCLB Auto 4x4 TRD Sport with leather and tow package. Lots of room inside for a small family and/or pets, well appointed interior, the LB is bigger than the SB WalMart cart, you're cruisin'/not always shifting, and there's plenty of power for hauling.

See if you can also get the 7 year/100k bumper to bumper warranty in a 2012 - 2015 model.

Anti-rust spray yearly if you live in the Devil piss liquid calcium belt, just like any vehicle.

Slap in a $70 AAL kit in the TRD 4 + overload leaf pack.

Worries are over.

My .02 cents.

 

I was in awe in my test drive, then through the first couple weeks I realized I was riding a tin can, all the creaks and cheap plastic noises, the loudness of the rain hitting the roof, all things I never experienced in other trucks or suvs. That said, I'm over it now and don't notice it. I don't have kids, but love having a dbsb. Get a trailer, fairly cheap and can haul more.

 

Took a dealer's 2014 I4 access auto 23K miles for a ride and not bad. Definitely needed more pedal for the hill near my house compared to the V6 in my Pilot which is what I have to compare it to. Noisier as expected but not noticeable at speed on the hiway. I like the idea of better mileage but not sure I am sold on it yet but not giving up on it either.

What surprised me about it was the amount of frame rust for an almost 3 year old vehicle. The box rails were fine except for the welds. But the steering and brake components were significantly rusted, to the point that a torch would be needed to loosen the nuts. And some of the fuel an brakeline hangers and brackets were rusted to the point of flaking and de-laminating. Also a fair amount of silt in spots on top of the frame rails giving me the impression that maybe it was a leased work truck at the local quarry. The bed, body and interior were excellent.

Looked at another dealer at a 2015 access auto 28K. This one and two other 2015 had no frame rust just a solid flat black coating. I would consider it except it was a smoker's truck and what they used to clean or mask it was a deal killer.

Looked at another dealers 2015 with 21K and same non rusty flat black frame.

Still looking

 

I know what he does is slip an aal in the middle of the two main uppers. He takes your old one as a core and builds another. He says it's as good as single leaf aal you can get. This shop has been in business since the 50's and they know the ropes on suspension, so I am inclined to go with his advice here. He said to expect about an inch and a half, maybe a shade more lift.

 

Right on.

 

Well I bought one yesterday. 2014 Access Cab TRD Sport, Spruce Mica, 4wd, AT, 28K miles, Leer cap, Thule rack and tube running boards with steps. One owner trade at local dealer. Thanks for all the advice.

 

Congrats!!! Where are the photos?