2nd Gen. Models

I'm looking to become a first time Toyota owner by way of a Tacoma. I like the short bed double cab V-6 4x4. Looking through the forums and reading all your posts, I've learned a lot. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions on what to look for or watch out for when purchasing - good or bad? I like to make educated decisions and I find this forum community to be quite helpful!

Thanks ALL!

 

Welcome to TW isusww!! What you are looking at is a great truck, i have the short bed, double cab, V6 and the 4x4. i absolutely love my truck and couldn't be happier with it. Here are a few things to look out for

1. it seems like some of the double cabs have some vibration issues in the drivetrain. be very attentive to the way the truck feels at very low speeds (20mph and under) Some truck vibrations seem to be worse than others. Just be aware of it.

2. Some people complain about "lurching" when at a stop. I have not experienced this but apparently some people have.

3. My advice is to take it for a long test drive, with the radio off and just pay very close attention to EVERYTHING. These trucks are not perfect but they are alot closer than any of the 'big three'.

I do have another suggestion for you. If you have the money, i would HIGHYLY recomend the TRD package. you get better seats, a really handy bed outlet and a few more fun little extras. But most importanly you get the beefed up Bilstein suspension. If you're gonna get the 4x4 it goes hand in hand with the TRD package. It's a litte extra but in my opinion very worth it. I have read some complaints about the factory suspension getting springy and making noise after 40k miles. Like i said, if you can afford it get it! anyone else on this forum with TRD will tell you the same thing. You can look at my signature to see what options i have on my truck. A good price for what i got is between $26,500 and $27,000. I paid $26,500 for mine out the door with no trade in.

Hope this helps, if you have any more questions i would be more than happy to try to help, and if i dont have answers i can refer you to one of the sites more knowledgeable members. Keep us updated, we want to hear how your truck hunt goes. Hope to see more of you around the forum!

EDIT: i also have the tow pkg, i forgot to mention that in my signature. haven't used it yet and don't know when i will but i plan to get a boat so i wanted to go ahead and have it ready. good luck! happy hunting!

 

I most certainly appreciate the information!

 

I agree 100%. The suspension on my TRD is awesome. And although I havent used it yet the power outlet looks like it will be very handy on camping trips.

Oh, I almost forgot. Thank God for that overhead compass, or I would never be able to make it home

Ted

 

How bout an update. are you any closer to buying a truck or deciding what you want? You'll find that people on this forum are almost as interested in your new truck as you are. we're all curious to see what you get and what you think of your truck once you get it. if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask

 

The more I read about the Tacoma, the more interested in it I become. I'm realistically not going to buy until end of the year or first of next. I have a ring to buy first ;O) I think for the money, a Tacoma is the best bet in a truck.

Who on this forum has the most miles on thier truck. I'd like to know how long they go for!

 

Not sure who has the most, but it's not unusual for the 1st gen's to hit 300k as long as they are taken care of.

 

My truck has some of the quirks (ac lunging&ticking) but I still love this truck. It is way better than my 03 was. I have 2 sport bikes and a 6x10 trailer and it does not feel like I am pulling anything. Everyone that gets in comments on how nice it is. 06 TRD Sport DC with 20k. The only other truck I would look at now is an 07 TRD Sport DC with 0k.

 

has anyone else noticed the ac isnt that cold? my ac kinda sucks. its like you just get a cool air not COLD and on those hot days it seems like its not doin a damn thing.. WRXed kindasaid something about AC lunging w/e that is but it reminded me to ask about it.

"06 TRD Sport DC with 20k. The only other truck I would look at now is an 07 TRD Sport DC with 0k." - whats the DC mean?

 

isusww - Welcome to TW! Go with the TRD. I wish I had.

07TRDSport - DC means DoubleCab. The options are Regular, AccessCab, and Double Cab.

BTW - My A/C works like a meat-locker if I am not careful.

 

My AC is also VERY cold. i can tell that it gets a llittle warmer when i'm sitting still for a while but i would still consider it cold. If yours doesn't freeze you out you may want to have it checked because it should

 

2nd gen best purchase also not to mention the looks the 1st gen i would like to purchase for rough mudding

 

Hey ISUSWW, you might be wise to wait for the 08 Taco's to be released, there are so many TSB's on the current model. I just found out about a crank shaft problem with the 07 Tundra's there 100 trucks being recalled so far, bad crank shafts,they are changing the entire engine.
Can't go wrong with the 1st gen Taco.

 

Well I'm sure that the very first years in the making of the 1st Gen. taco's had their fair share of problems too... as is with any make or model of vehicle..

 

ah. thanks 007

 

When do those models come out? Isn't it like in September sometime?

 

Now my suggestio is drive TRD then just SR5 package see what you like for me TRD was overkill for running the beaches Surf Fishing I just didn't need it also it did have stiffer/harder ride to me. Mine has tow package with Limited Slip so with that and 4x4 mode I think I'm good on the Beach. The Tacoma Crew I have now an 07 already rides stiffer then my 06 Frontier King Cab I used one Season down on OBX NC fishing. But I'm still very pleased think I'll get a couple more miles to the gallon then Frontier. Though I liked Frontier alot I'm very happy with this Tacoma Crew Cab a very well made Truck IMHO.

 

isusww yea I think around Sept. the new models come out. Hey I'm not knocking the 2nd gen Tacoma's but there have been a lot of issues with them. i don't know but I think Toyota is slipping a little bit on quality control on these new trucks.
My 03 Taco had one recall since I purchased it. The ball joint thats it. I had a Toyota pick up since 1989 before they even had names.

Good luck looking.

 

Hey 07TRDsport . About your air conditioning. I like to look around under my truck alot ,and i noticed a leak in my condenser coil on my ac. If you looking directly at the cond. it was on the bottom left where theres a connection.The tacoma comes from the factory with a dye in the refrigerant.So a Leak will look oily and green.Took it to the dealer .They replaced the whole condenser and connector and seal.Also i've noticed my ac works better with the recirculation button on. Hope this helps

 

Well my car threw a rod on Friday so it looks like a Taco is in my immediate future. I'm going to look at an '05 Double Cab, short bed, TRD tonight. If it runs good and they'll deal a little, its mine. I'm expecting to pay about $22K. We'll see how it goes, but I'm excited!