Need help narrowing a 2nd gen purchase

Hopefully this is the correct place to ask this, but I could use some advice on how to narrow down a purchase. I am looking for a new-ish 4wd v6 access cab. I am hoping to keep the price under $20k, but I can go higher if needed. At a given price, I can find newer trucks with higher miles and older ones with less. I believe that in 2009 there were some safety improvements which while nice, I am not sure how much of a concern that is. I am also unfamiliar with any years that are prone to issues or what exactly to look for in a used Tacoma, so any advice there is appreciated. This will be used as a daily driver and basic truck tasks, in an area that gets occasional snow. No plans to modify it, off-road it, or tow anything besides a small trailer.

For example, here are three options that I found, all are similarly equipped (access cab, v6, 4wd, auto trans, and TRD package). I can post links to the sales ads if that is helpful.

2007 with 45K miles for $19.5K
2008 with 58K miles for $18.8K
2010 with 154K miles for $17.5K

I doubt there is a correct answer as to which is a better purchase, but I am interested to hear some thoughts on why you might favor mileage over age, or vise-versa. I would likely get any vehicle I am considering inspected by a local dealer before proceeding.

Thanks!
Dave

 

hmm I have a 2007 model and I bought it with 146k miles on it for $13,000. I think 2007 model is the best way to go!

 

Go for the 2010. $150k is nothing on it. Just breaking it in

 

I don't like to be that guy, but I just wanted to say that if you only get occasional snow and aren't going off road...I'd strongly consider a 4X2. You could always get a set of wheels and snow tires for the cold months and throw sand in the back. The result would be a cheaper truck with the same age and miles, or a newer truck with less miles for the same money. Also, generally speaking better towing capacity and gas mileage for a daily driver. You definitely don't need the TRD package for what you say you will do with it.

Food for thought.

 

Whatever you get, I would plan on spending a bit of money on the new truck right away. Sometimes people trade or sell because they know some maintenance is coming up. Like tires or shocks....

I would be prepared to AT LEAST change the 4 fluids in the drivetrain (tranny, transfer case, front and rear diffs), flush the coolant, and change the shocks, and do an alignment. Tires as needed after you do the alignment and are sure it is running true so you don't cook off a set of new tires.

If you do this, there's a good chance that the truck your buy will last a very long time. As you'll find out, these trucks have a well-earned reputation for lasting a long time. Just be prepared to fix a couple bugs now and then.

 

Apparently someone else agreed with you, as I just noticed that the ad has been deleted.

 

Good work on the name! and welcome!
I would go for the 2008

 

All valid points. My wife and I switched to awd cars many years ago, since the few times we need it, at that moment it seems worth having it at any cost. Does that really justify the cost? Probably not. I am not specifically looking for the TRD version (or really even know exactly what difference it makes), I was just trying to compare apples to apples and all three of the ones I found had it.

 

Yeah, that is a good thing to keep in mind. Even if a dealer does not find any issues, I doubt they would be able to tell me much about the state of fluids. Seems like a good investment to just change them all.

 

This is the only one I was skeptical of. I am sure that mileage is nothing for these trucks, but it just seems like a lot to start with when purchasing a new (to me) vehicle. It is cheaper and newer than the others, so that does work in its favor.

 

Thanks! (I can't tell you how many "clever" taco names I tried and was surprised that ALL were taken). The 2008 seems like the best compromise to me.

 

Just figured I’d mention it. As for TRD, they are set up with suspension and driveline upgrades for off road and have appearance add ons...layman’s terms...which I am.

I just went through this same thing which is why I chimed in. Carry on.

 

One other thing to remember, any Tacoma with the ATRAC crawl control has an electrically assisted master cylinder (the thing that runs your brake system). If this part goes bad, they are much more costly to replace than the regular master cylinder on Tacomas without crawl control.

 

If you can...check the service records and test drive and see each. You'll know straight away after that.

I sold my gen 1 2003 with 150k miles and it was better condition than a gen 2, 2010 I test drive with only 30k miles.

I would suggest 4x4 even if you'll rarely use it.

Good luck...

 

I would go with the 2008 but that is just my choice. I purchased a 2007 with 188000 miles for 9500 4dr 4wd base model. Right off the bat I had to deal with a bad rear wheelbearing and put new drum brakes on it while I was there. It had a three inch lift so I am looking to upgrade the needle bearing to a bushing. You stated you wouldn't lift it so need for that. I also have a ABS light on and that is giving me a little trouble, but will eventually figure it out. All in all I am very happy with the truck and hope to obtain 500,000 miles out of it. I also had a 2001 Tacoma v6 that I my son totaled right at 300,000. Like most just pick the one that feels right. I doubt any major problems out of the 2008. Good Luck

 

Miles on a Tacoma aren't terrible but my approach would be to buy the newest possible truck with lesser miles. In the case of the 3 you originally posted I'd get the 2008 because it would incorporate more production fixes.

For example somewhere in the 2007 production run the frames were reinforced at the engine mounts, which all 2008 would have but not necessarily all 2007. There are more things fixed in the 2010 I suspect, but I'm not sure what off the top of my head.

OTOH, sometimes the newer truck isn't what I'd look for. As @timothom mentions, during the model years certain things became options or standard. I specifically looked for a truck without A-TRAC because I wanted a vacuum booster and less complex ABS.

That actually made a 2008 more attractive to me, since it was the point where the improved frame was a certainty while still being able to get a vacuum booster, which required a stick shift (also something I specifically wanted).

The other variable here might be styling. I prefer the old front end, so I wouldn't really be interested in a 2012+ under almost any circumstance.

 

Lots of great info, thanks! The frame modification is good to know about, and will likely steer me towards an 08 or newer. Any thoughts on the safety changes made in 09 (iirc)? I assume A-TRAC was specific to a particular off-road trim? It seems as if it replaces the vacuum booster, it should be obvious if the vehicle is equipped with it as soon as I look under the hood.

Any issues specific to either the manual or automatic transmissions? More specifically, any frequent issues with a particular year or configuration? It seems like there were some complaints on the early 6-speed transmissions, but those seemed to have died out over time. I am fine with either manual or auto, but I am getting lazy as I get older, so I would probably pick an auto if all else is equal.

It is nice to see that there is not much concern with either age or mileage, that certainly reinforces my decision to go with the Tacoma.

Thanks!

 

ATRAC is usually on the high-end TRD off-road or the pro models. There's a button on the dash by where the fog lights are that says ATRAC. You have to be stopped in 4LO to engauge it.

I have a manual, but I could go either way. The Auto tranny in the Gen 2 is pretty decent compared to what the Gen 3s are dealing with. The Auto has higher gears 3.43 I think, whereas the manual has 3.73s. The Autos get better fuel milage because of this. Both trannies are bulletproof if you maintain them correctly and drive it like a truck, not a Porche.

Good luck

 

Yes, it's obvious. The trucks with traction control have an electronic brake booster and a spaghetti of plumbing near the master cylinder. Trucks with vacuum boosters have a huge black object on the back of the master cylinder and the ABS pump on the passenger's side. I'm in the minority I'm sure about having a vacuum booster. We had a 4Runner with TRAC and for the way I drive it was always getting in the way on snowy roads. I actually would like to chuck ABS, too, but that's not realistic. I have zero to no experience with A-TRAC off road but from what I've seen it works pretty well, so it's not without merit.

 

ugh no, lets correct some misinformation here. .

all v6 6 lug trucks have a 3.73 axle ratio. i4 6 lug trucks get 4.10's. Reason the autos get better mpg is their OD gear is taller than the MT.

Atrac is only found on the 09+ TRD OR 4x4's and its variants that are based off of it (T|X Pro, TRD Baja, TRD Pro).

09+ saw the introduction of standard vehicle stability / traction control, anything in 05-08 did not come with it stock, but it was an option (tho rarely found)

The electric boosted master cylinder / abs unit is ONLY found in the following. 09+ TRD OR 4x4's or any 05-08 optioned with the vsc / traction control package. After 09 when this became standard any truck that was not a TRD OR 4x4 retained the old school vacuum boosted master cylinder with a re-programmed separate abs unit.

Electric boosted master cylinders are capable of 2x the line pressures at the same pedal pressure compared to the vacuum boosted setups.... i honestly dont know how people drive with the vacuum boosted setups... so mushy.

FYI there are very few that have had issues with the electric boosted master cylinder.


Lastly to answer the OP. i vote for an 09-11 or 13-15 truck.... skip the 2012's as in 12 the v6 got air injection for emissions stuff but it wasnt programmed well 13 changed that. and 09+ gets you vsc / traction control and side curtain air bags standard if im not mistaken.