Please give me new Tacoma buyer advise

Hey all,

I'm in the market to buy a 2002 or newer 4x4 extended cab with manual tranny and V6. I'm looking but have not bought yet.

Question: Are there any particular things that commonly break or need repair on these trucks? Anything I should check out or look for while I look her over? I know the standard general things. I'm wondering about things specific to this vehicle.

I have all the tools and do all my own mechanic work like suspension and/or engine building. I'm not worried about required maintenance or fixing stuff. But Toyota's are great vehicles. The last one I owned was a 1991 Camry. That was the best machine I ever owned. All I put on that (for 100k miles) were brakes and change the oil. I didn't become a Mechanic until I bought a Volkswagen!

Thanks,
John

 

Only thing I can think of on a gen I would be frame rust, If you search on here, there is a list of TSB's for the gen I's, that'd be a good starting point. Best of luck to you.
Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW John.

The worst thing about these Tacoma's is their overpowering desire to have mods done to them. This is especially true if you hang out around here very much.

Seriously, watch your wallet.

 

X2

 

Good ol VW's. +1 on the frame rust. then check the oil, and make sure the title is clear. other than that, if its got less than 400k miles go for it!

 

fortunately here in Southern California your ass wears the seat out or the sun kills your clear coat before rust starts. My current project car is a 1986 BMW and original bolts come out of that thing easier than those on a 1 year old Ford living up north.

 

Yea, I know what you mean about VWs. Took me years to get the air cooled bugs out of my system. I did get to where I could swap out the engines real fast.

Nothing I can think of to alert you about first gens except the mentioned frame rot. No rust problem with my 2002 that I bought new in 2001 and still have which is a record for me. It has lived in Floriduh.
New front pads at 90k and new tires at 60k is about it. Oh, a new battery at 5 years.
Regular maintenance by the owner's manual.

 

i have a 02 xtra-cab v6....make sure all TSB's ie...frame rot, ball joints and dash rattle have been done. when i bought mine the dash rattle TSB had not been done and it was too late for me to get it done. I fixed it myself and no more rattle. I wouls also find out if/when the timing belt and water pump has ever been changed...lotsa $$$ to get that done unless u do it urself. Only other thing is 1st gen Tacoma's are notorious for weak leaf springs. They flatten out quick and the truck will get a bro lean(front end higher than rear). I replaced mine and all is well. I love my truck and would not trade it for anything!!! I will drive it to the grave....

 

front diff could have worn output shaft bearing. Symptoms are vibrations that comes and goes and changes whether truck's in 2Hi or 4Hi.. Toyota has severe design problems with their front diffs affecting tacomas and tundras..

 

Hey guys,

Here's my update. I got back from the stealership with my new 2010 4x4. I hope the wife doesn't mind it if I sleep with her tonight instead.

 

thats awesome man, you are going to love your truck!

 

Very nice!

 

X2 awesome choice and you you will love it. Wecome to T W joe.