2006 or 2012 Tacoma?

I own a 2006 and I would go with the 12. Both trucks are little tanks and will take good care of you.... but if I could do it again I wish I had a 12+.

Back in 06 there were still little nuances they were working out.... for example:
Bendy tailgate
Timing cover leak
Ticking blower motor

Just little stuff. Youll also have a cleaner frame on the 2012 most likely.

Lastly, the 2012 facelifted front end looks gooood

 

Get the 2012 and don’t look back

 

While both are beautiful Id go with the 12 its newer better features etc. Only concern with the 12 would be the air pump that was introduced this year. Upon start up you will here it whine an shutdown also sounds like a turbo on its last legs while thats nothing concerning jts normal the 12s were plagued with them failing an the truck going into limp mode. 13 to 15 have way less issues.

 

Get the 12, and get the Falkens. You will be happy .

 

I have the Hankook Dynapro ATM which has been a great tire in northeast weather and are quiet. The 17” versions can be had for just over 500 for 4 but it looks like your truck has 18” wheels so you would want 265/65-18’s and they are priced at $719 before install.

18’s definitely more expensive.

https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/172755453959

 

I hope this doesn’t turn into a tire thread, they are as bad as oil threads. Everyone has an opinion but few can give valid reasons.
Here is my suggestion. Take a look at Hercules Terra Trac AT2. An excellent all terrain tire with a 60,000 mile warranty. Over the years I’ve had lots of all terrain tires and these are the quietest I’ve ever had. They are reasonably priced so won’t break the bank. They have outstanding traction in rain and wet roadways. Good in snow too. I’ve also used them off road and they did well in dirt, gravel and 4x4 trails. They are not bad in the mud either. I have 45000 miles on mine and they still look good. So check out the Hercules Terra Trac AT2’s, you’ll like them.

 

You forgot to add that they are made by Cooper.

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, doesn't the sport come with color matched bumpers? Just wondering why there is a chrome one in the rear? I was going to question the rims but those are more likely to be changed based on PO taste. A different rear bumper makes me wonder if there was an accident or something else. Just curious.

 

Go with the 12, and right off the bat, get yourself a 1" unifilter and get rid of the foam one that came stock in the secondary air pump.

 

Both are fine just depends what you want to spend.

It is not hard to install a backup camera if that is what you are really worried about. Good head unit and tailgate handle backup camera costs about 400-500 dollars.

If you are looking to save money buy an 07. That way you don't have to worry about the head gasket issues. Just check the frame first!

 

Falken AT3w's, great on snow and wet, cheap and quiet. Like them much more than the KO2's.

 

Thanks everybody, you guys rock! Picking up my 2012 on Thursday! It currently has 18” rims on it... They told me they’d swap the tires and rims to 16” which will save me money down the line. Looks like the Falken Wildpeak AT3W’s are $145 even in 265/60R18, and only $20/tire less on 16” rims. Kinda think I should keep the 18” rims but damn they are so CHROME.

 

HIYtoy... I think you’re right - Sport usually has painted bumper but this one was rear ended a few years back and they replaced the bumper with a chrome one. I actually like the chrome bumper but I definitely need to do something about those rims and step rails!

 

Go with the 12

 

Dealer said they'd be willing to sell it with either of these tire/rim combos. Currently has Dynapro's with good tread on 18" wheels but second option is Wranger with less tread on 16" wheels. If the Dynapros were on the 16" wheels my decision would be easy... Which would you go with?

 

I would hate that giant chrome wheel and actually like the design of the 16. And the good years tread from.the pic doesn't look like it's worn down much. Besides you were already thinking about new tires anyways so get the nicer wheel and then run the tires til you need new ones.

 

Go with the 16s if you ever want to lift and get bigger tires the # of options is greater with a 16 and cheaper. Either one of those sets you'd be swapping soon those goodyears on the 16s aren't a good tire and neither are the hankooks IMO unless you can live with them till they wear out. Personally I also like the look of the 16s those 18s look like a smaller chevy tahoe/truck wannabe wheel.

Rearended hmmmmm what does carfax say about the repair. I would have it looked over good just to make sure there isn't anything that hasn't already reared it's ugly head from the accident.

 

Thanks Skip! Oh, we looked into the rear-end heavily. Even saw pictures of it wrecked and it was really not bad. Frame is completely unaffected and we did run a carfax report, title is clean.

 

Whats the price from the dealer for the wheels if you decide to change things up ?

 

Good!