Help me buy my first Taco!

Hi all, I'm on the market for my first Tacoma (and my first truck) after my Rav4 was totaled in an accident earlier this week (wife driving, rolled the vehicle twice, and walked out with just a few scratches and no real injuries. Toyota loyalist for the time being!)

What year and model are the best value? Ultimately 4x4, Crew Cab, and automatic are mandatory. And I'm not looking to go below the SR5 trim level (love the TRDs and Limited as well, but might be a stretch on cost for what I want to spend)

I love the 3rd gen body style, 2016 and newer, but have recently begun to read cautionary tales on the newer ones, so am slowly but surely willing to dig back to the 2nd gens if that makes best sense.

My max budget is $25k if I can find a really good deal on a 3rd gen...but I would prefer to spend closer to $15k-$20k, and honestly don't know exactly where to start since it seems that no matter what year I am researching the values hold (which is great, and part of why I'm buying...but also makes the decision process a little more challenging).

So I'm just breaking the ice here. Where should I start? Thanks in advance to anyone who can assist.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld!

 

Welcome

Good luck on finding a 3rd gen for 25k
Even the second gens are up there in price. My 15 is valued at 25k open market and it is a dual cab, long bed, pre runner.

Toyota trucks command a premium price.
Auto trader, car gurus and the like are your best help.

 

Yeah I can see that. Have spent hours every night all week searching sites.

Perhaps what I am hoping for is some direction on where the sweet spot for value is, if it is even that simple. Or some problems or key benefits of specific years that might be worth avoiding or focusing on. I know it's a pretty broad question I posed here, but figured I'd drop the bait and see if experts on the forum can help me cut through the noise and refine my search process a bit.

 

As a proud owner of a 2017 Super Taco (Dbl Cab, Long Bed, TRD Off-road, 4x4, Towing, Tech, etc PLUS OME suspension, ARB bumper, BFG 33's, TRD 16's, Smitty Winch) I can firmly suggest getting a 2016 or 2017 if you want a 3rd gen... the primary reason being that the 2018 and newer models include all of Toyota's new "safety sense" technology, which malfunctions and requires a factory adjustment (not something the dealership can do) if you ever decide to get a lift via spacers, new suspension, or even a different size of tire... However, if you plan to never make your truck better than stock, and you enjoy the adaptive cruise control and other modern luxuries, then this won't be an issue. Any year of Tacoma will satisfy you, but the 2016 and 2017 Tacomas were the last of the best able to be upgraded. I have failed to find anything my truck is incapable of tackling, whether it be racing (on or off-road), towing, hauling, swimming (yup...), pizza delivery, and even family trips with 5 people and the truck packed for several week's worth of camping. If you're looking for a reliable truck, any Tacoma will do.

 

I used truecar to find mine and when I went to buy it I stood firm on my numbers, raised it from what I was standing firm on by a grand once I found out it was a certified preowned and the warranty was extended out for another 5 years on the power train, think my total was 27k out the door, owe 20 and change...

 

Realistically I won't mod the truck. Maybe sometime down the line if I really get into it and have time to play on this forum and see what others are doing. That said, '18 is probably out of my price range so the problems you outline might be a mute point for me.

I was reading of some transmission and rear differential issues the '16 was having, though I'm not sure it was widespread or significant enough to avoid that year, or just ask pointed questions to the dealer and pay close attention on the test drive to avoid the few bad apples that are out there.

I just love the newer body style, so I'm slightly hung up on 3rd gen at the moment, but not opposed to retreating a few years older if that's what I need to do to find the right balance of price, features, and mileage...

 

Welcome to The Forum!

 

Thanks! I have a feeling I'm about to go down a wormhole...haha

 

Welcome to Tw!

Glad your wife made it out of that accident unscathed. I loved my dads first gen. I love my second gen. Everyone is going to have an opinion but they are solid and reliable trucks regardless of what mode year you choose. Pick one that fits your budget and needs.

Good luck with your search!

 

False information.

Welcome to TW, op! Itll be hard to find an SR5 or better 3rd Gen for 25K. Id recommend looking at a late model 2nd Gen 12-15. There are plenty to be had in good shape in your price range!

 

Indeed you are!

Enjoy the ride, resistance is futile.

 

Red flags on this one?: https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...lectedEntity=d311&zip=01096#listing=241301729

 

Looks good.
Welcome to the forum.
Have you driven either a 3rd or 2nd gen ? I’d start there with an extended test drive on both.
See which you like better.
Good luck with your search.

 

That interior is filthy and has 71k miles after 3 years. I would be concerned about how well maintained it is. 20k+ miles a year is a lot of use.

 

Welcome to TW... I second the 2nd Gen 12-15. Try searching through Car Gurus, thats how I found my last 2 Tacomas.

 

is a 1st gen out of your scope for your wants/needs
you can 'possibly' buy a very nice or better truck out there with that budget and whatever 'fixing up' maybe required of an older truck , sorta getting to be a rarity in finding one but definitely have seen a few 0nline now and then

 

Yeah, that fine coating of orange dust covering every square inch of that truck plus the high mileage after just a few years up in Vermont made me nervous somebody was pounding on the truck and driving lots of dirt roads, possibly off roading. My instinct said to avoid it...but the pricepoint is the best I've seen for that spec.

 

I checked what was available in my area on Cargurus. For $25,000 you could get a 2016 Tacoma SR5 with 50,000 miles, or you could get a 2018 RAV4 XLE with 10,000 miles.

 

The Rav4 was a great car for me, and spared my wife significant injury. But I need to do a bit of towing, as well as have the utility of the vehicle to maintain my property and rental units, and expand some of the projects I'm handling myself.