2012 Tacoma $20500 vs. 2009 Tacoma $18000

2012 black face lift looks better

 

Absolutely true. My bet is all the Taco frames will have issues.

 

Why are they selling?

Its curious to see people sell when the factory drivetrain warranty is just expiring. Same as when people sell at 36k.

 

True, thought as well. The 09 actually has 56k miles

 

Yet. Was supposed to be fixed with the 2005 models. Then it was supposed to be solved on the 2009. Now they're up to 2010 with the lawsuit.

To the original question, all things being equal I would buy the newest, lowest mileage vehicle that meets the need and fits my budget. In my case I bought a used 2008 instead of a new (at the time) 2014 or 2015 because it was cheaper, had reasonably low miles (42K) and saved me a serious chunk of coin that was put into sliders, bumper, suspension.

So my answer would be to get the 2009 personally. Any Tacoma is basically fungible from a functional and mechanical standpoint. Cosmetics, couldn't care that much. The newer front end looks nice but the old one didn't offend. It's a truck, who cares?

 

Those are a hair too wide for stock wheels and you may rub the UCA, among other bits of plastic. 265/70r17 in aggressive tread will still look good all while not rubbing and not killing MPG if you don't get a load E

 

This....