Buying a used 2nd gen Tacoma. Advice?

Hi all,

Brand new to Tacoma World. I'm looking at buying a used 2nd gen Tacoma. I have been doing a fair amount of research and have concluded that I have the following criteria:
- 4x4
- access cab
- 6ft bed (which from my understanding is the only option with the access cab?)
- 4 cylinder
The reason for these criteria is that I want to build a camping set up in the bed (so I intend on getting a topper). I'll likely be driving it a lot so the 4 cylinder wins with mpg. I'll want the 4x4 for mountain roads and also living in a snowy climate.

I've narrowed it down to 2nd gen because I want to get something a little newer and with fewer miles (less than 150,000?). Some 1st gen models with low miles are priced ridiculously high. 3rd gen is likely out of my price range (trying to stay below $15,000 - ideally below $12,000). I'm not particularly sold on 2nd gen, it just seems that is where most of my craigslist searches come down to - so this is where I'm starting.

I've never owned a truck so I'm pretty new to a lot of stuff. If I am buying a 2nd gen Tacoma, what are some things to be aware of/inspections to make before buying? I've read rust isn't much of a problem with 2nd gen, is that right?

I appreciate any and all input! Thanks!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/search/9460693/?q=buying+advice&o=date&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=5

 

4x4's with 4 bangers don't get amazing mileage, they work harder especially in the mountains.

Do some major reading on here before you pull the trigger.

 

6cyl 4.0
After a few camping trips and lack of power when you really need it you'll wish you'd bought a4L.

 

The clincher for me buying a 2nd gen access cab was that they all have both side opening access cab doors. 1st gens do not. Loading suitcases, groceries, golf bags, etc. is so easy with an access cab.

 

Buy it and never look back....except maybe to wave to your wallet.....lmao

 

I searched for years. Looked at 2.7, 3.4L, 4.0L, and the newer 3.5. Test drove them all. I can say that hands down I am happier than I have ever been with the 4.0. The added power of the 4.0 will help with all the gear you will be hauling for your camper setup. I thought I would be happy with the 4cyl 2nd Gen, but I will never look back after buying the V6. There are fantastic deals out there on 2nd Gen V6s, you just have to be patient and keep searching. I looked for over 2 years.

When you get into 4WD all bets on MPG are off on either engine.

 

Honest to god, I had all the same criteria as you except I went with the 4.0L V6 and I'm extremely glad I did. In city driving I can get around 320 miles to the tank which works out to about 13 miles to the gallon. That's a lot of stop and go and with a heavy foot. You want the extra oomph of the V6 for anything off-road or rougher than flat pavement, trust me, I drove them both and the V6 wins, hands down.

Check to make sure all the appropriate recalls have been done (you can do that at the NHTSA website with the potential truck's VIN) -- if you can't get a CARFAX or similar, get the CARFAX app and add the VIN there as your own vehicle, then look at the service history (that's all you can see with the app but it's something). Make sure recorded services have been done at regular intervals if this isn't coming from someone who can do quality maintenance work on their own.

Also watch out on Facebook marketplace. Honestly that's how I found my 09 AC with 128k miles for $9k. A nice lady from West Virginia used it to tow her camper. She is older now and got rid of the camper, so also got rid of the truck. Other than some dents in the body, the truck was pristine. I got it for a steal after talking her down some.

 

Find a 4.0 4x4. Got mine for 18k with only 57k miles on it. There out there, just have to look and be patient!

 

Listen to everyone here. Don't get the 4 Cylinder!!!!
It'll be disappointing Big Time with what your planning for your Tacoma . You'll need the 6 cylinder for sure!!!

 

if don't mind going slow, a 4 banger will be just fine.

check the frame.
check the frame
check the frame

by the cats.

when you find one, make sure to open a toyota owners account to see everything that has been done at the dealer.

 

That is the thing, I don't mind going slow. And I don't plan to do any typical truck things (Towing, Hauling, Off-roading). To be honest, the only reason I want the truck is because I can build out the back and sleep in it. I know with the 4cyl mileage will suffer in tough locations (mountain passes, steep terrain, etc) but it will benefit me on the highway. I'm planning to do a big multi-week road trip (3000+ miles maybe) around the Western US in the next year or so. A very large majority of that driving will be on a highway. I am willing to sacrifice power for fuel-efficiency.

I have found a 4cyl manual 4x4 AC with 89,000miles for $14,990 and comes with a topper. From my searching over the past few months in multiple cities on craigslist, this seems to be a pretty good buy. Thoughts?

 

A 4 Cylinder still has to work harder that a 6 cylinder to do the same heavy work. That extra weight in the bed creates more work for the 4 Cylinder and will impact mileage even if just cruising down the highway. Especially if the planned living area extends above the cab roof height. I'll think that in the end, the mileage would be pretty close between both engines.. But you'll have the extra power from the 6 cylinder in case you ever needed it.

This is just my thoughts though. I'd loved a 4 Cylinder 5 speed. But l live where there's lots of hills, and l carry weight in the bed a lot of times as well. Plus with the 2 lane highways l need the extra power to pass slow moving trucks.

Only you know what will fit all your needs circumstances, and make you happy.

Good luck and keep us posted

 

Okay, i believe i am qualified to chime in. Im running a 4 banger 5 speed 4x4 SC with full load (sleep platform,gear bins,foam pad,recovery gear,rack,5 gal fuel cell empty,steel armor plates etc) and my wife and i did a multi month run around the U.S. later landing Colorado for a few years and having a commute into the Rockies every day. You can get buy without the 4.0 but you will have moments when dropping gears and smashing the peddle wont cut it. When the engine is o2 starved say good buy any get up. I would not change a thing with my rig but running the revs so high all the time made me feel bad lol. The price of these things will only go up and if you can find one without frame issues and lowish miles your good to go with wherever you get. P.S. I paid 20k for it a few yrs ago. Its an 08 with 6k on the odometer...60k now at 18mpg.

 

Another thing to consider is that the ‘05-‘08 access cabs have the cool fold forward rear seats which are better for hauling stuff and dogs in the back. If you get a truck with a 4.0, and want those seats, narrow it down to ‘07-‘08.

 

My front passenger is a fold forward and I have an 09 V6.

 

If you have your mind set on a 4-banger, definitely get one with 3 pedals

 

Very nice Tacoma

 

The OP wrote he wants to go camping, add the weight of a shell, add the weight of camping gear, that is hauling no matter how you slice it.

The OP wants an access cab. According to one of the posts above the standard cab with a manual transmission and with a shell gets 18 mpg. The 4.0l automatic gets 17 mpg. The OP wants a automatic. That 4 cylinder mpg will probably go down with an automatic.

Any vehicle with low mileage for its year will have less wear on mechanical parts and equal wear on all plastic and rubber parts compared to the same year vehicle with higher mileage. A 20 year old 1st gen is a 20 year old 1st gen regardless of the mileage.

A 1st gen will get you a lighter and less easily damaged tailgate. A 1st gen will get you glass headlights (1995-1997) that the glass lens will never fade on. A 1st gen will get you steel vs plastic bumpers, the older the 1st gen Tacoma the more the steel. A 1st gen will get you far less electronics to break. A 1st gen will get you a steel pickup bed vs the 2nd gen plastic pickup bed that is known to crack - especially with a shell. A 2nd gen will get you about 45 more horsepower (V6) that Toyota restricts at the gas pedal (4 cylinder and V6) and a heavier vehicle weight. A 2nd gen will get you a taller pickup bed (3") and a bigger cab. A 1st gen heater works at any fan speed, 2nd gen heaters do not work well at higher fan speeds. A 1st gen allows any aftermarket stereo to be installed with factory parts and it'll look near factory, a 2nd gen will not. With a V6 a 1st gen will get you a timing belt, a 2nd gen will get you a timing chain. A 1st gen will get you rear springs below the shackle instead of above which will give you a softer ride but less stability, all things being equal. A 1st gen doesn't have that bogus mid cab body mount that 2nd gens have which only comes into play with 33" or larger tires.

The newer the Tacoma the less it is like a Toyota and the more it's like an American truck with more plastic, more electronics, more gadgets, and more cup holders.

 

I mentioned the rear seats. You have the crappy fold rearward rear seats.