First time buyer advice: is this a good truck??!

Hi all
I am fairly inexperienced and am looking to buy my first truck. Been using and abusing a 2010 Sienna for years as an adventure rig and figured it’s finally time to get a proper truck.

I’ve heard mixed things about the 2009 Tacoma what are your thoughts? Is this a year to avoid?

I found what looks like an awesome truck but I’m not sure if it’s a good buy. Help!

(here is the truck in question: 2009 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab
https://reno.craigslist.org/cto/d/reno-2009-toyota-tacoma-regular-cab/7258011753.html)

 

Welcome to the forum
Nice little rig
Have it looked at by a qualified mechanic.
Not sure if it’s going to make a good adventure rig though.
Good luck with your search.

 

Looks pretty clean from the pictures, seems on the higher end of price for sure. Seeing as you said you wanted it as an adventure rig, do you want 4wd? Also that have the smaller engine which may feel pretty underpowered to you. Best advice I can give for buying a vehicle is go test drive it, and if time allows, give yourself a few days to sit and think and not make an impulse decision. Also I’d highly recommend test drive one with the v6 and 4wd. But only you know what your adventures require. Good luck!

 

To clarify a bit more: I’m not really looking to go “off-roading” so much as having a vehicle that I can drive on dirt roads and camp out of. I do a lot of rock climbing and mountain biking.

this vehicle is located several hours away from me and I’ll be meeting the seller halfway. Not sure if I can arrange for a mechanic to look at it before I purchase. Is this a bad idea?

 

Real bad
$9k is a lot of money to take someone’s word
that the truck is sound.

 

THANK YOU I think I needed someone to tell me that!
I live in the Bay Area and most Tacomas go for way more than this around here even at higher mileages. The ones close to home I can/will get checked out by a mechanic. Just saw this post last night and thought it could be worth it

 

Each individual has their own definition of a "good truck". The answer depends on what you want to do, your budget, your willingness to search, willingness to travel for inspection.......

Above all, TEST DRIVE IT and have a mechanic look it over. Be aware, the mechanic will probably want a fee for his service.

If the deal seems to good to be true, then it probably isn't true.....walk away.

 

I’ve been driving a 2010 RC for more than 11 years, but make sure this one has no rust and no previous accidents before you buy it...

Welcome to TW!

 

If you want something that can take you off the beaten path, I would look for a 6 lug Tacoma not a 5 lug one (that one is a 5 lug).

The 2wd 6lugs (Prerunners) are built on the 4x4 frame and offer much more ground clearance.

They will cost a fair bit more though

 

2009 is not a bad year.

If you're ok with 2WD, it's a good little truck that will get good gas mileage.

 

I don't think it's a particularly bad price, except I'd want 4WD and some slightly beefier tires. But without a chance to really have it looked at, and to take it for a test drive, I'd be wary. It looks nice and clean, and you gotta love the color My last two trucks were 4L sixes, but I've been very happy with the 2.7L 4cyl in my 2007 reg cab (I don't do any towing):



EDIT: I just realized it has an automatic transmission. I think with the 2.7L 4cyl engine, you really want manual...

 

I think that is a bit steep for a 2wd but overall the 4cylinder trucks are super stout and there really aren't any huge issues. The problems you were mentioning are more specific to the V6 and are something to consider when looking for an older 4.0L. I would recommend taking it to a mechanic local to where you plan to meet the seller for a pre-purchase inspection if you aren't comfortable inspecting the truck yourself.

I've had pretty much that exact same truck for 10 years and it was great but I have to be honest the auto is pretty awful, if you know how to drive stick I would highly recommend that over the auto. If you are just planning on hitting highways or grated dirt roads the 2wd will be more than fine but you may find yourself wanting the 4x4 at some point that's what happened to me and I now have an 11 5speed 4x4.

Keep in mind about the space difference moving from a Sienna to a regular cab Tacoma will take some getting used to. Depending on how tall you are there can be a decent amount of storage behind the bench.

 

I paid a company called Lemon Squad to professionally inspect mine that was out of state.
Just a consideration.
I agree with what everyone else says.
My auto is not peppy.
If you keep the small wheels on it, it should be fine though.

 

As others have said, get an inspection.

even though a basic 4cyl 2WD Tacoma is probably one of the top 5 most reliable and durable cars sold ever, there is no guarantee this thing doesn’t have a bunch of shady bodywork or something.

 

Has anyone mentioned rust ? Looks like they did. I’ll second that

 

How many miles does it have on it?

 

Shhh! Every time you say the 'R' word, somewhere/someplace a 1st gen Tacoma breaks in half




Look what you just did

 

The truck is from Reno. Unless it spent the last 10 years in Boston, it’s unlikely to be an issue.