First truck! Looking at 2010+ Tacoma's, your input?

Hello everyone! My name is Ryan, I live in Florida and I am 16 years old about to go find my first truck within the next month. I am dead set on buying a double cab Tacoma. I am just looking for other people's input on my decision. Yes, it may seem that I am a spoiled kid who's dad bought him a nice truck, which is completely true. But I cannot be thankful enough and I have worked my @$$ off with my parents for this moment. So hold back the hate, if they didn't want to they never had to. But they want to, and I cannot be thankful enough for that. So! I'm also looking into lifting the truck or leveling it out, preferably 3-4 inches. Dad had a 2013 f150 fx4 , ecoboost model. With a 4 inch lift and 35x12 inch tires. It was a very nice truck and I am looking to replicate. Speaking of him, he's about to lift his '16 f150 fx4 ecoboost. So we will both have a couple of nice lifted trucks. I know a lot about the Tacoma, I have friends who own 20+ year old 4 runners with 200K+ miles on them, still running strong. So I more than believe in the brand. Thank you to everyone who replies!, Ryan

 

Welcome to TW !!!

Get a 2013-2015 if you can. The front end looks better and you won't have to worry as much about melting headlights and frames rusting in half.

 

Welcome! Best advice? RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, and SHOP AROUND!!

 

My recommendation would be to really figure out what you want from your truck and learn about the different types of lifts that're out there.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lifting-your-truck-things-you-need-to-know.40469/

0-3" lift can be achieved via a suspension lift, to go more than that if your 4x4 you're limited to drop bracket style lifts, 2wd can do spindles.
A cheap spacer lift will yield a poor ride, up from that check out bilstein 5100 or OME (Old Man Emu), and then above that you have coilovers like Fox, Icon and King.

 

there is a Tampa Bay Thread on here. Look it up, and you can get input from people closer to you...

 

10+ models dont have the rust issue. You'll save money on pre-12 also because of the older front end (that I like more IMHO). Don't do a spacer lift or drop bracket-stick with suspension lifts and always remember: you get what you pay for.

 

2010+ tacomas cost a good amount since they hold their values. The fact you brought up that you're not a spoiled kid at the age of 16 with a father that is gonna buy one of these trucks tells me something....

Unless money is no object, I'd suppress your expectations about what kind of Tacoma you're able to get. I know a good conditioned doublecab 2010 prerunner can run you about $22k easily

 

Welcome!
I, being a bit biased, will say go with 2012. I believe it's the only year of that generation that came with a compass and thermostat in the rear view mirror (along with a rear view camera, which now that I think about it may be a TRD package exclusive) and 'cavity pockets' in the bed (just an extra uncovered pocket)

But that's just me.
Otherwise, whatever you're going to get you'll enjoy it

 

And you also get to enjoy the "limp mode" feature that began that year

 

Wow, thanks for all of the replies! I have done research on them like crazy the past few weeks. Was able to drive a 2011 prerunner 4x4 double cab, with the long bed. And it was a very nice truck. I definitely have decided I want the short bed though. To me the long bed just looks a bit dorky. Anyways. My expectations are low as they can go, I'll post an update soon if I perhaps go to look at one and or purchase a vehicle. I have been doing nothing but reading up on the truck in my spare time so I know quite a few things. I'll know what to look for and at when I go to inspect a truck. High wear items and certain little bits. Thank you all for the replies! And I will have to check out that Tampa Bay thread.

 

Only during startup at least for me. But, point proven

 

No such thing as a "Prerunner 4x4". Prerunners are 2wd. Make sure you end up with what you actually want.

 

Huh, then I wonder why they had a pretender emblem on it, was definitely a 4x4 too. Wasn't an actual Toyota dealership though. Idiots.

 

Well, if it were me, and knowing FL pretty well (flat, with bottomless mud that 4x4 will not help with), go for the 5-lug 4-cyl, which is available in doublecab.

 

Picked up this today! 2014 XS-P PreRunner. EXTREMELY HAPPY with it. Rides well. Gonna put some Nittos on it soon and it has 33k on it. Purchased it for 22,500

 

Good looking truck man! If you're going to lift in the near future, wait on the tires. You'll look goofy with a 3" lift on the stock tire size. Be aware that mud terrains will have some road noise and will impact your gas mileage. If you were anything like me, that didn't matter at that age. Just enjoy your ride and take care of it. Change the fluids on time and you will have a truck that will last a lifetime. Congrats!

 

Thanks man! I'm gonna go for a larger tire than stock. Those are actually the stock tires shockingly!! They rode quite nice on the way home but they gotta go. Gonna give it a deep clean tomorrow and look at what tire I'll be putting on it. I'm actually not too sure about a lift kit now. I like the ride height it is at, with a slightly more meaty tire I think it'd look good and be at that right height. If I want an extra inch or two I'll figure it out then. But for now it's just gonna be getting it clean, fixing some of the dents and especially the one on the driver door, completely bent in and it may need a bit of paint work. I'll figure that out. For now it's just going to be making it strait again and if it chips then I'll take it to a local reputable place to get that done, I'm also considering getting the flares redone too since they are also looking a little yellow. All in all, it's gonna be a great vehicle and I am looking foreward intently to using it

 

When shopping around for a 3rd gen Tacoma most dealerships were offering 20-23k for my 2010 on trade-in. So I'm going to safely assume that a 2010+ with 4WD and taken care of is going to run you 24k+. My advise since money doesn't seem like too much of an issue is shop around, test drive whatever your considering, have a mechanic look at it, and most importantly, be patient and find the right deal. I'd go with a 2012-2013, touchscreen panel, front bumpers changed and more playroom for 33" tires.