Looking to purchase a 2nd gen, opinions

Hi I'm looking to purchase a 2nd gen Tacoma. Looking for a double cab V6. I will only be using it for trips to the desert, offroading, prospecting, and on a rare occasion pulling a small trailer.

So my question is, how high of mileage should I consider?
What years or things should I consider or avoid?

Take a look at a couple I'm clicking around on. And if theres any in Las Vegas or close by contact me.

https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/6899807762.html

Check out this 2007 Toyota Tacoma Lifted for $11500 on OfferUp https://offerup.co/hBc2j6ngcX

https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/d/las-vegas-2007-toyota-tacoma/6894537792.html

I like the lower price range as it wont be a daily driver, but I want to make sure it will be depandable.

Thanks, Brian

 

From what I hear the 2005/6 has some head gasket and overheating issues. You should be good with 2007 or later. I bought my '07 2.5 years ago and I've had to replace both front wheel bearings and a U Joint (today actually). If these engines are properly maintained there's no reason you shouldn't get 500k miles out of them. The main thing you should check is the frame for rust, that can be a deal breaker. If you find a truck that has lived in or around Vegas it's whole life that shouldn't be a problem.

 

I owned a 2006 Double Cab Short Bed that was great for over 200,000 miles before I sold it.

I now have a 2012 Double Cab Long Bed that is rocking and rolling at 160,000 plus miles.

Go Long Bed or Go Home!!!

 

Realize that a higher mileage vehicle, even a Toyota, will need maintenance and some issues fixed. Got mine at 90k, took a bit of work to get the maintenance up to date and fix a few issues. Stay away from used car dealers, and try to find and owner who has taken good care of the truck. If it has been well maintained, then the mileage doesn't matter as much.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fs-2010-toyota-tacoma-dclb-4x4.593128/

 

I don't think higher mileage would be as much of a concern, I'd be more worried about somebody else's "project" like the lifted one you posted. Chances are that one has been beat on. Even a truck with 150K is fine (IMO) if you can prove maintenance history. I came across my truck pretty much by accident, but could tell from the pictures online they have had it a couple months ago and used that to my advantage. I was able to drive away with my 09 TRD Access cab 4wd with 130K for a little over 13K, which honestly isn't bad considering it's a Tacoma and in my area ALL 4wd's are overpriced.

 

Third one you have listed is a Pre Runner - not four wheel drive, if that matters to you.

 

I would agree with Delta09, if its lifted n seems all beat up like they actually used it for its intended purpose after lifting it (i.e. 4 wheeling) than i would be a little more concerned for a lot of things. A common issue is the stearing rack and pinion. These are generally long gone if its used like a truck esp after a 100k or so. Its a weak link in the tacoma in my opinion and an sxpensive time consuming fix that requires a giant headache if u do it urself. (Which it can be done). Even the cheapest parts for this fix are about 250 but oem stuff is closer to 800 or so. Ball joints, bearings, shocks, are the main concern even if it was properly maintained, these things go n toyota does an excellent job on many items however these seem to go out pretty often with stock parts the shocks however is hit or miss kinda depends how it was used. A pretty decent indication if it was off road is by looking at the lca, see if there all dented up n jacked up looking, just because thats a pretty common spot to smack with rocks. And obv be smart check all the fluids drive in the hottest part of the day n take it on the highway at least up to 70 mph n see how it handles that will tell ya a lot about the suspension. Check the tires if there not brand new for wear n see how they are wearing even or choppy which tells u good info as well. And like already stated buy from a 1 owner or 2 owner they are easy to find n the person will be able to tell ya how it was used u can get idea of the buyer if seems like a person who actually takes care of stuff. If he did he be adamant about explaining everything he did n if he says he changed the oil every 3 to 5 k and changed the diff fluids every 30k n can tell ya exactly what is in there chances are he prob did tbh. Question him. Figure out what the maintenance schedule is for the model ur looking at n ask him when the last time u did this, when the last time u did that n if he has any proof.

I recently bought a 12 tacoma 4x4 2.7l with 110k. It runs great. I did do a lot of maintenance because i dont trust people. I changed the rear diff fluid it was like new. Changed the transfer case fluid it was like new. Almost didnt touch the front diff but said the hell with it, its not a lot of fluid n when i did it was dirty as hell. So obv the person didnt feel like doing that one. I also change the oil even though it was clearly new because i wanted a specific brand n im pretty sure it was the correct weight because when i started it in the winter it would do the typical tacoma knock which is normal for the extreme cold until the oild heats up n thins out. I changed with the filter i like to use n mobile 1 hm synthetic 0 20 n it never did that again upon starting it so it makes think it had 5 30 or even 10 30 n was way to thick for this engine. I changed the plugs which were all original and they were still okay but they needed it. I changed the filters the air filter was okay but the cabin filter was filthy. It had a dat on it from the manufacturer that said the year 2015 so it was at least 2 possibly 3 years old most likely. I changed the front brakes because upon driving it, it braked fine but i never really drove it faster than 50mph on the test drive (my mistake) and when braking from a higher speed it was then obvious the rotors were slightly warped, the pads were new so i attempted to rebed them but this only helped minimally and so i replaced the rotors and pads with good products n that was $200. I also had to get the wheels balanced as it shook badly at highway speeds past 65 (really made me think there was something seriously wrong) but to my suprise it rides great no with just getting them balanced. Also, when i drive on a bumpy road a feel something loose in then steering wheel (think it has something to do with the rack n pinion) but havent gotten to that yet. This truck wasnt abused never even had a hitch or towed anything (which is a good reason to buy 4cyl anyone who tows anything over 2000lbs generally will opt for the v6). It jsut goes to show you though there is a decent amount of maintenance with something over 100k. Im still happy with my purchase but feel for the same price I could have bought something a little cleaner than this. Just the issues i ran into n the maintenance i did so far so take ur time looking over n drive it for a bit open the hood n smeel it after u get back keep the ac on full blast for a little while n let it idle with it on for a while n see if it starts acting up at all.

Good luck n take ur time man u can find very clean truck for 10k or so if u look. That same truck u buy off of someone for 10k will easily go for 15 on a lot. So buy off of someone there is no benefit to buying from a dealer unless they are offering a bumper to bumper warranty for free for 3 years otherwise who cares the motor or trans isnt going out anytime soon. Lift it urself if thats what u wanna do. You will then know every part that was replaced and the quality of those parts n age of them.

Like i said my truck is stock with generic tires and its a 4cyl access cab 6ft bed n i take it occasionally on pretty agressive (no giant rock or anything like that but full of bowling ball size rocks n some very steep hills n this thing climbs them like its on pavement man no kidding) state game land roads here in pa.
I really bought this truck because my bmw cant even make up my driveway in the winter thats on the steepest grade ive seen. N it gets covered in ice because of terrible lanscape design n lazyness on my part but this thing goes up my driveway covered in ice no problem, ive even stopped in the middle n kept going n its amazing. In 2 high in snow it will spin like crazy engage 4 wheel n mine is a base model no locker or anything n its still amazing.

Lastly sorry i know i just keep thinking of shit take someone from this site with ya if u want. there are some extremely helpful people on here that know these trucks inside n out.

 

Silver sport with cap would be my choice between the 2

 

If you are wanting to go to the desert and go offroading, why are you looking exclusively at prerunners?

Edit: WOW! Didn't even stick around long enough to read 1 reply.

 

Stick? I have been around for many years. Good one though. I work 60 hours a week, and cant reply during the week very easy.
I like the input here. Private party vs dealer. Maintenance heavy used 1st or 2nd owner. I'm in the range of 10-15k cash. 07-2013. I really want to purchase one.
Im going Tacoma because I sold my previous one with 190K, and I changed fluid, belts, plugs, and the brakes once. Not a single issue. I used it in the mountains and desert 2wd without any issues.
*plus I will inspect the frame etc

 

Im probably going 2wd auto (I have a wife and kids) 6cyl 3.5 or 4.0. The desert, high desert, Barstow, Ridgecrest, Vegas, lower Sierras, central Nevada, Northern AZ. Im not considering sand dunes.

 

Why would you choose the Silver one with the cab for 14k?

 

Mileage. Yes Toyota go “forever” but it’s still a big factor on wear parts. I also think the matching cap is really nice, but if you don’t want it, you could easily sell it for around $500-600 I would think

 

09+ have a few more safety features plus a-trac and VSC (uses brakes to keep you from getting stuck). 12+ have the infamous SAI.

 

I’ve got mine for sale on here but a bit outside your budget and a bit overbuilt for what you described - plus it’s 4X. Not sure how to copy the link but if you decided to raise your budget by another 10K or so you can search under my posts.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2009-trd-offroad-4x-dcsb-for-sale.605025/#post-20683440

 

I am in Vegas ,2wd is all you need here and in Arizona,never needed a 4x4 for anything.All my hunting buddies are 2wd also and we go everywhere in the mountains and desert.

 

I’ll definitely pass on any lifted trucks if I’m in the market.

 

3.5 is 3rd gen, '16+

2nd gen is only 4.0 in the v6.

If you can swing it, a '13-'15 would be the goal for me. The redesign was in '12, but '12s had some issues. '13's have a lot of prewiring still installed if you get a lower model with things 'missing' you'd like to have, making those changes PnP.

If 2wd will meet your goals, certainly do that. You can get more truck for less money and have less stuff to break/maintain. They sell for less because they cost less new and many feel like they 'need' 4wd (many want an overlander/expedition/adventure truck) so they are more popular used.