Buying 2nd gen, need help!

First time posting here, thanks in advance for lending a hand.
I'm looking to buy a second gen tacoma in advance of a summer road trip. I'm gonna either build a sleeping platform into the bed or find one with an existing build out.
Requirements are manual/access cab/long bed.

Looking at these two on craigslist locally and wondering if you could give me any advice about which to go with? How concerned should i be about 205000 miles on a 2006?


https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/d/bremerton-2006-toyota-tacoma-access-cab/7140268737.html
Pros:
Price
Existing bed platform
Aftermarket upgrades
?

Cons:
high Miles
Wear and tears
?


https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/7150286179.html
Pros:
low mileage
V6(?)
less wear and tear
And....?

Cons:
Price
No existing rear platform, would need to build
And....?

 

Just check for rust!!!!

 

Lower mileage one with LESS aftermarket "upgrades" is what I would choose.

1. You can easily build a platform.
2. You cannot easily reverse 80k miles.

 

I vote for the silver Tacoma. Mileage isn't bad and the price isn't that unreasonable. Plus it has the V6.
Ultimately check everything out. Inside and out. Drive it. Engage 4x4. Go for it!

 

I had a PreRunner with the 2.7 -5-speed.
Great little engine, but it lacked in power. If you ever plan to tow (just about anything) you’ll greatly appreciate the V6.

The only issue I have with the V6 truck above is that it is an 06’
05-06’ had some issues with leaking head gaskets.
Typically failure appears around the High 100k-200k range.

There is hope however, some late model 06’ supposedly got the updated gasket design.
I don’t remember the date range, and the exact date is really known.
I’ll see if I can find the link to the post where this is discussed if you like?

 

Yeah that's what I'm leaning towards. Seems like it should hold it's value better than the higher mileage one as well

 

Ok awesome. That's helpful. If you do find the info the head gasket that would be great!

 

Here it is
The info you are looking for is on post #27
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/05-06-tacoma-head-gasket-failure-poll.595994/

 

excellent, thanks

 

Both of them are way overpriced. This is a much better deal on a newer Taco with less miles, a TRD Off Road, and the best color. 2008 get's you away from the dreaded 05-06 head gasket problems.

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/d/portland-2008-speedway-blue-toyota/7143168718.html

 

Oh, and the one I posted still has the full length mudflaps, so you know it hasn't been boulder bashed off road.

 

Nice catch, they tend to shed themselves easily.

 

Thanks for the tip. Can you tell from the photos if it's LB or SB? I'm gonna need the 6' bed to convert into a sleeping space, but otherwise this truck looks a lot better than the other 2

 

All access cabs are long beds. Double cabs come in short or long bed.

 

Getting this one inspected tomorrow, and barring any issues will pull the trigger. Thanks again for your help!

 

WOOOOHOOOOO. I hope everything checks out. Make sure they look the frame over very carefully for rust. A 2008 is probably past the 12 years from date of 1st use, so if the frames rusted out, you would be SOL on getting a free frame replacement by Toyota.

Edit: Oh, I just went back and looked at the ad. The frame was replaced in 2018, so you're good to go.

 

Yeah sounds like I’m covered there. He mentioned a bit of surface rust elsewhere but I’ll have the mechanic check it out tomorrow. Excited to get this thing on the road!

 

Cool. Hope it works out.

 

welcome to TacomaWorld

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