1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

About to buy a Taco

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by LTDanish07, Aug 27, 2008.

  1. Aug 27, 2008 at 2:45 PM
    #1
    LTDanish07

    LTDanish07 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2008
    Member:
    #8810
    Messages:
    4
    hey guys, new to the forum.

    Today i went and looked the 08-09 tacomas. I really like them and i will prob end up going with the trd off-road. I have a couple of questions though.

    How do they handle off-road? and are they mod friendly? What kind of exhaust systems do people put on them etc?

    comming from a jeep, i am interested in lifting, going bigger tires etc. It is also going to be my first truck, so im really new to the different setup.

    Overall how do you guys like them?
     
  2. Aug 27, 2008 at 3:00 PM
    #2
    Khaos

    Khaos Big Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2008
    Member:
    #4570
    Messages:
    6,454
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bryant
    Jacksonville, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2011 DC TRD SPORT Prerunner
    3” spacer lift, 285/75/17 KO2, Spidertrax 1.25” spacers
    I love my Off Road, especially when its Off Road.
     
  3. Aug 27, 2008 at 3:12 PM
    #3
    genxer36

    genxer36 Lord of Tomfoolery

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2007
    Member:
    #3442
    Messages:
    10,535
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    Bethlehem,GA
    Tow package, XM Satellite radio, K & N Air filter, & Channel Vent Visors
    You will be helped with your question shortly. Lots of good people on here to help.
     
  4. Aug 27, 2008 at 3:18 PM
    #4
    Slow

    Slow Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2008
    Member:
    #7777
    Messages:
    74
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    04 SR5 TRD
    Go with a generation 1 TRD...much better truck IMHO.:pccoffee:
     
  5. Aug 27, 2008 at 8:58 PM
    #5
    LTDanish07

    LTDanish07 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2008
    Member:
    #8810
    Messages:
    4
    I’ve been reading around and bit and they don’t seem to be all they are cracked up to be. I was looking around the "what don’t you like about your Tacoma" thread and there seems to be some common occurrences. Interior is poor quality, stock shocks are garbage, takes long to start (which I did notice when I test drove it. I also let it sit for a second to let the fuel pump turn on). Maybe the 09s are different, but I’ve just kind of been turned off. Have to do some more research I suppose.
     
  6. Aug 27, 2008 at 9:05 PM
    #6
    WilsonTheDog

    WilsonTheDog Kylie's dad

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2007
    Member:
    #3496
    Messages:
    4,809
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Myrtle Beach SC
    Vehicle:
    07 Prerunner SR5 DC/SB V6
    Magnaflow 12576 muffler & chrome tip, Westin step bars, 27% tint, Pop N Lock, AFE ProdryS, bed mat, Husky liners, D-rings added, Access Literider tonneau, Pioneer 4-ways all around, GY Wrangler Duratracs 265/75/16, 5100's @ 1.75", 1.5" AAL
    ^How often do you see people talk about how great something is on the internet? If they weren't "all they are cracked up to be", they wouldn't be the #1 compact truck on earth.

    Interior quality is fine. Stock shocks are not garbage. It doesn't take too long to start.

    The '09's are the same truck as the '05+ with some additional standard equipment added.

    In short, I think what you need is a Ford Ranger.

    Bye.
     
  7. Aug 27, 2008 at 9:08 PM
    #7
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

    Joined:
    May 1, 2007
    Member:
    #1475
    Messages:
    26,212
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    York,South Carolina
    Vehicle:
    '16 Tundra TRD Pro
    getting there....
    go with a tacoma..........best truck you'll ever buy!!! they are very mod friendly....lots can be done to them, and there are lots of exhausts that sound great!!! i love the sound of the flowmaster 40 on the tacomas with the v6............and its just my opinion, but the 4 banger doesnt sound too bad either with certain exhausts.
     
  8. Aug 27, 2008 at 9:20 PM
    #8
    LTDanish07

    LTDanish07 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2008
    Member:
    #8810
    Messages:
    4
    in short, i dont think you need to be an a$$ about it. atleast thats how i understood the tone of your post.

    I still like the tacoma, im just trying to see what peple say about them. Sorry for trying to research somthing before i go and dish out 25k.

    to others: thanks for the info. Its still my #1 choice so far
     
  9. Aug 28, 2008 at 2:47 AM
    #9
    Nimbus 2008

    Nimbus 2008 Protected by GSD security systems

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2008
    Member:
    #8717
    Messages:
    34
    Vehicle:
    08 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab
    LED light bar
    How about posting some of the things we like best about our trucks to help this guy out?

    I was judging my second generation model against others before buying also & from my research it came out on top, again. I was looking at all of the negative feedback from all trucks on yahoo auto feedback as that's the fastest way to knock them off your list.

    My pros (very short list I have so many):
    * It's a Toyota - change the oil & rotate the tires (other brands rack up hours in repair shops).
    * It parks/corners better then any other brand I test drove.
    * Solid & feels safe - look up the great crash test rating.
    * Drives smooth, so smooth you often forget you're in a truck.
    * Spacious (double cab) rear seats do acrobat folding options.
    * Decent gas milage (better then my little manual '05 Rav4)
    * Has far more perks with sensors, the engine functions, etc then my past 1s generation Tacoma's. I still can't believe what I received for the money.
    * Mod options galore for this truck.

    The breaks take some getting used to, took me about a week, so don't listen to that feedback on yahoo. If you need to stop in a hurry they are there for you & some. The auto frame balancing (not a tech head, don't know the name of this) you feel when breaking hard is awesome too! I grin every time.
     
  10. Aug 28, 2008 at 3:14 AM
    #10
    Ridingontrd

    Ridingontrd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2008
    Member:
    #6459
    Messages:
    7,945
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Richard
    Laughlin,N.V
    Vehicle:
    trd sport 4x4 w/towpkg
    aFe prodry,Dynomax ultra flo ss,Scangauge2,Demello front bumper,BudBuilt skids,sliders(local)AllPro rear bumper,Wet O's cobalt blu,w/halfpiping,TRD logo in gold,R/L hood struts,5150's@10"aal 3 pack,T/C uca,Light racing c/o,1"diff.drop,de-badged,
    The fun factor (mods) as I like to call it. :D How much do you like spending $$$,?? Look around this forum and you'll find trucks w/150k+ miles.Guess what,they still start.lol,Reliability,mpg,crash testing are a few things which are very right with these trucks. Drive them for your self. :) Still loving mine at 18k. :D
     
  11. Aug 28, 2008 at 3:58 AM
    #11
    beastlytaco

    beastlytaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2008
    Member:
    #7660
    Messages:
    4,044
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ian
    Vehicle:
    08 Access Cab SR5
    yes the 4 bangers are nice too. but if your going to be doing off roading get you a Trd.
     
  12. Aug 28, 2008 at 8:42 AM
    #12
    camsbored

    camsbored Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2008
    Member:
    #5932
    Messages:
    184
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    08 PreRunner DC/Sport/LB
    Kenwood DNX8120, Homelink mirror, Valentine One hardwire
    It's all relative I suppose... of course there are lots of "problem" threads, that's half the reason we're all here, to solve problems, but this forum (and others Taco related) tend to be very positive. Think of it this way: On other brand's forums you might see threads relating to transmission problems, here you'll see a thread about someone scuffing their dashboard. :) You said you read the "what don't you like about your taco" thread... did you also read the "what do you like about your taco" thread?

    Pros: Aesthetics, gas mileage, automatic transmission rocks, DC roominess, bolstered sport seats, aesthetics

    Cons: Brakes are a little squishy (if you often drive other vehicles), Frontier drivers will scoff at you for being smarter, and the cloth seats seem to stain easily.

    Seems like a no-brainer to me. Just don't get a Radiant Red Sport DC LB so I can remain more specialer. ;)
     
  13. Aug 28, 2008 at 10:16 AM
    #13
    Mr.Ed

    Mr.Ed Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2008
    Member:
    #8649
    Messages:
    843
    Gender:
    Male
    Wilbur's Barn
    Vehicle:
    08 TRD Rugged Trail V6
    Toytec Ulimate W/Dakar leaf pack, LR UCA'S, Undercover, Weather Tech, Block Heater
    Go look at a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Z71 Off Road, Like a friend of mine you can buy a nice one for $38K. Just one problem the front bumper valance with the lights is about 6" off the ground. After looking at the front of my 08 TRD Rugged T. we had a good laugh. He laughed and said "Off Road, I can't clear a curb".
    Also my old 1999 TRD off road had 222,115 miles with origial shocks,clutch and so on.
     
  14. Aug 28, 2008 at 11:16 AM
    #14
    SamSter0077

    SamSter0077 Happy Camper

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2008
    Member:
    #8396
    Messages:
    1,702
    Gender:
    Male
    Katy, TX
    Vehicle:
    09 Tacoma 4x4 TRD OR
    OME 886 Coils, and Struts, Rear Toytec TSB AAL/ OME shock absorbers, Fog Lamp anytime mod, Voyager Brake Controller.
    I've purchased GM, and Ford.. GM doesn't seem to be too bad, but things definitely Rattle loose. Ford, wow.. you need to be a mechanic (seems like) to keep it running. I was sick of my Ford Ranger at the time, so I went out to find "My Truck". I read, and test drove Dodge, Ford, Chevy, Nissan and Toyota Full sizes. I was amazed at how great the Toyota drove. I narrowed it down to Nissan Titan, Tundra, and Chevy. Chevy was easy on the check book.. but I hate getting killed on resale value when I get tired of owning them, so it was down to Nissan and Toyota. I couldn't accept the gas guzzling of the two models, so I shifted to compact trucks. Did the same thing over again, except this time.. I didn't drive the Tacoma (I didn't want to spend that much money, and didn't want to fall in love with it). I went out to buy the Nissan V6 SE, heard an ad on the radio for a Tacoma (while test driving), and called Toyota. Dealer up the road talked me into looking at them. Of course the vehicle I came in on, no one could find.. but he said he would make the same deal on any one that I liked. I landed on the SR5 DC.. Once I drove it, it was over.

    1 year, and 17,000 miles later.. I can't believe it still goes straight, gets 20+ mpg city, and doesn't rattle or anything.. in fact, it's more quiet than my Wife's GM Minivan. About half of those flawless miles have been towing. I have not taken it offroad (except playing in the mud), but everything I try to do with my truck.. has been heaven. My ONLY REGRET.. is that I didn't get the TRD 4x4 and spend more money on the truck up front.

    Sincerely,
    Sam
     
  15. Aug 28, 2008 at 11:47 AM
    #15
    LTDanish07

    LTDanish07 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2008
    Member:
    #8810
    Messages:
    4
    Thanks for the help guys. I like the tacomas very much and will probably end up going with one. That is if I can find a black 08 DC trd 4x4 around. I really like how they come with a locker too. There is a lot of stuff I really like about this truck that really outweighs the stuff I was nit picking about.
     
  16. Aug 28, 2008 at 1:40 PM
    #16
    nd

    nd Radical Town. It's a hell of a place!

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2007
    Member:
    #1047
    Messages:
    12,619
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Greenville, SC
    Vehicle:
    07 TRD Off-Road 4x4 debadged
    De badged, 5100's, Black Toyota Baja wheels
    main thing is quality. lets be honest, its just a truck. there's nothing magical about it, its like every other vehicle, there isn't a vehicle in existance that doesn't have something to criticize. but at the end of the day i have a great resale value and a truck that does exactly what i need it to do. it off roads, it tows, it hauls, it starts, and has plenty of aftermarket mods available, looks good (imo) and is solid as a rock. you know how jeep owners say "its a jeep thing" well the tacoma cult feels the same way. we cant tell you why we love our trucks, we just do. its a taco thing. personally i hate jeeps (wranglers) with a passion. i think they're ugly, non functional (good for offroad and taht it, not good for towing or trips), and built poorly and over priced. my good friend has one and the wheel litterally fell off after trying to haul 2 sea doo's to the lake. he has also snapped his front axel doing light off roading. but he swears he will never in his life be without a jeep. there is nothing i could say to change his mind. So basically, i cant tell you why you should buy one. stock shocks are not great. but the other things you mentioned are just a matter of opinion. actually get in one and see what you think about the interior. and the starting slow thing is a new one for me, mine cranks right up. anyway, hope you're part of the cult soon, if not i hope you enjoy whatever you end up with. good luck
     

Products Discussed in

To Top