Thinking about buying a taco

I loved my Jeep when I had it but it was not practical for my needs, and I had serious doubts as to its longevity. If I were buying an extra vehicle that didn’t really need to check many boxes for me except for fun/ light hauling, I’d strongly consider finding a clean I6 LJ and turn it into a mini flatbed.

 

What year did you have?

 

I had an 09 2door with the 3.8l v6. It had a small lift and 33’s on it and it was a blast, top down doors off you cant beat that. Rarely ran doors half the year. Had a lot of fun with that vehicle but starting a farm and a family, that thing just wasn’t doing the trick so I got rid of it for a truck. It had about 60k on it when I sold it and already had some problems, including what may well have been a head gasket issue. I heard the 2012+ motors were better but those 3.8s were gutless and short-lived in my experience and research after the fact. I think FCA started cutting (more) corners after the crash in 2008. The Tacoma is a huge step up in quality in every way, but man do I miss top down doors off.

 

Yeah that was one of the worst years for sure. The 02-06 were my favorite although the 05--06 had a few issues with AT and tcm/ECM. The 4.0 was bulletproof though.

I'm still up in the air. The comment about resale value did get me to thinking. Jeeps do hold their value very very well.

 

I think both will hold a good resale but no so much on a 4 cylinder regular cab version of the Taco. I don't think they are up as high as anything with a V6.

The TJ's really are fetching big money. The first gen Rubicons are still going for slightly what they went for brand new which is plain stupid but the market speaks. Even rotted out junk ones still go for $3-5k. Yet a first gen 3.8 JK are rock bottom prices because everyone is chasing the newer 3.6 model.

 

The TJs in my area are selling at very reasonable prices. I can pick up a low mileage rubicon for $12k. I can pick up an unlimited today with 60k miles for $16k or one with 95k miles for $13k.

 

For stop to stop drives hauling 200#, pretty much any vehicle on the market will suit your needs, it’s just about what you want at this point. And it sounds like you want a Jeep, but are trying to convince yourself to want a Tacoma. Just go test drive one with the engine and configuration you’re considering, and you’ll know. What’s important to you it sounds like are affordability (paying cash) reliability, and enjoyment in a compact 4x4 manual trans package. An LJ will be much older and (likely needing more work in the coming years) and still be expensive, whereas the Tacoma will likely be more reliable and trouble free, but maybe not as fun.

 

How do those prices/mileage compare with reg cab Tacomas in your area?

 

Yes, what's going through my head is paying cash for an EXTREMELY reliable vehicle to use for my business AND possibly enjoying it a little bit for recreational use. The tacoma I'm looking at is white and seems like it would give a professional image when it pulls up at a client's location, as opposed to a wrangler.

 

That is a good consideration. Also, where is your area? Rust is a serious issue for both vehicles, one manufacturer is replacing frames, one is not.

 

2008 100k Mile tacoma 4x4 4cyl $12k out the door.

2006 Rubicon 90k miles $12k OTD

2006 wrangler unlimited (LJ) 95k miles $13k private seller.

And another one I haven't even mentioned
2012 F250 super duty extended cab 6.2 gasser 4x4 89k miles $13700


These are the ones I'm looking hard at.

 

If reliability is the absolute most important thing for you, I’d say find a Tacoma you like hands down. Even with the bulletproof 4.0, any TJ/ LJ is likely to present other issues sooner than later compared to the Tacoma. The 07+ 2nd gen tacos have few real issues ever

edit: except frame rust, educate yourself on the extended warranty..

 

I won't buy anything with rust issues. Surface rust is one thing but serious corrosion is a no go. Metal working is is my biggest hobby. I torch and weld nearly every single day of my life for fun.

 

Reliability is what brought me to the tacoma and is what is pushing me to that. I am one of those men that can fix absolutely anything and enjoy doing it. But a downed business vehicle costs me money and I can't do that. I can easily lose 3-5k a day in lost profit if a truck don't perform.

 

I guess it’s just at a point now where we can’t really tell you much more and you can’t answer much else for yourself until you're behind the wheel and checking each one out in person.

the professional appearance factor is a good one though.

 

Nice username, I’ve got quite a few deer under my belt with that caliber. Toyota wins on reliability and they are fun trucks. I love my 4.0 after having 1 22re and 3 3.4s. My wife has a 4.0 in her 4runner also and we haven’t had a problem with either motor since we’ve owned them. Roughly 50,000 miles between the two. Hers has 160,000 on it and mine has 87,000

 

I don't know about the resale of Jeeps. I bought my "98" Taco reg cab, 4X4, 4 cyl., 5 spd, in "08" from a Chevy dealer for $8K. I totaled it in 2018 (10 yrs. & 80K mi. later) & ins. paid me $8K & let me keep the truck. I sold the wrecked "98" Taco for $3K to a friend of mine who put it back together & still driving & loving it. Kind'f wish I still had it, I enjoyed driving it a lot more than the 2013 Reg. cab, 4X4, 4 cyl. auto. I replaced it with. Old one had plenty of power for me, never a complaint, this one is very weak, May be cause of the auto. trans, but whatever the reason, sure not near as comfortable to drive as the old one.

 

I have a 4 cylinder 5 speed. I've also hauled more than 1200 pounds with it. On stock tires its pulls it ok but you know it's a 4 cylinder. Also did it with 33 inch tires and it's for sure a slow poke. If you plan on regearing and putting on bigger tires it should be perfectly fine, the same as pulling it with stock tires.
People on here act like the 4 cylinder is so underpowered it should be a felony to have a trailer hitch on one and act like there v6 truck pulls stuff just as good as an f350.
My old work truck was an f550 diesel and you really couldn't tell a diffrence 4k trailer hooked up to it or nothing, it was so slow off the line my 2.7 tacoma could beat it up to 70, not by much probably could keep up with it with a 1200# trailer

 

Agreed! And I appreciate all the time you've spent helping me analyze this crazy thinking I've got going on.

 

Thanks man. I've dropped them with so many different calibers it ain't funny. But the 25-06 is a favoorite little hot rod.