Buying Advice

Hi all,

we have had a 2wd gen1 5-speed manual taco for my wife's work truck and it has been a dream.

we bought another one just like it as a replacement for her, but a yr2000 (with 100k mi) and the frame rotted right out from under us, not safe to drive on the road. (for sale btw if anyone interested)

since then, we have been looking hard for a mid level miles 2wd (need good fuel efficiency - she does 50k+mi per year) gen 1 taco, and have had very little success.

Recently, I came across a couple Gen 2 tacos that were in our price range. Trouble is, I don't really know jack about the gen 2 tacos, so I don't know what to inspect, and what trouble areas to look at, whereas I know the gen 1s like the back of my hand now.

Any advice on stuff to look for?
I heard some of the Gen2s still are plagued with some frame rust? how to identify? She will be driving with a decently heavy load- we need overload leaf springs, so need to be solid there.

Please anyone mechanically familiar with the gen 2s, specifically 2wd let me know the trouble spots!

A few options we found:
2011 155kmi dealer asking $6200

06 93Kmi dealer asking $6500
TPMS light on
found out it was totaled and then repaired -- thoughts on this?
https://poctra.com/2006-TOYOTA-TACOMA/id-AhChMAW067E27XxR/INDIANAPOLIS-IN/Photos#
we drove it and couldn't tell it had been wrecked. It was raining, so I didn't crawl under it and give a full deep inspection. But the frame was immaculate -like it was new from the factory (but I didn't look at the side that was hit)
here is the after pic



08 133kmi with commercial topper (which she would need to buy anyway) dealer asking $6k
it was a fleet vehicle and may have been/seemed to be treated roughly
CEL on
TPMS light on
lots of surface corrosion/oxidation in engine compartment similar to this
broken antenna


would love to hear some thoughts on these options

Thanks!
Nick

 

I’d be worried about the one that was wrecked. There’s a possibility that the passenger door won’t seal properly, it doesn’t take much for water leakage. Also where it was hit is right over the rear wheel, so I’d be worried about a bent rear axle as well, you may not even notice it until it’s eating tires.

As far as the TPMS, most of these trucks are getting to the ten year mark, and the batteries in the sensors are dead or dying. It’s not really worth replacing them unless you’re getting new tires, and even then some people still don’t replace them.

 

If you are looking for a truck for your Sweetie, I am going to buy my brother's 4 wheeler, I am planning on selling mine 2006. It has been a great truck, last month took it to Las Vegas... perfect ride. It has a tow package on it. Currently I drive it to work every day as it is my only ride. I don't think it has every been in the snow. I will post it soon.

 

Thanks for the offer, but we need the full bed, and 4cyl for the fuel economy =)

 

Thanks for the advice, we got a nice 5-spd manual from Kentucky instead. I love it.