Buy a new 3rd gen or used 2nd gen?

My buddy has an 05 4.0 with 290k miles no head gasket issues.

I say keep it and buy a reman from yota1 for 4k as a backup if you're concerned

 

Salvage title accompanied by an explanation, oh my! That's a badass looking truck though.

Any idea if that simulated wood grain was a factory accessory?

 

Hold fuck-balls! I may be an idiot here, but is that the actual price he's asking for that 88?!??

 

It "vintage..."

 

New. Every time.

I've owned two used vehicles in my life and both came with major problems. Never again.

 

I'm honestly floored by the number of people that are looking at the price of things right now and are still saying "yup, I'ma gonna buy it."

 

I do agree to a point. With my current and first ever 2020 DCLB Taco, I made an exception about paying 3,500 or so over MRSP for the year and miles, as I was already ahead because of the same crazy market selling my Jeep last year. I got more for my Jeep than it was worth, and paid more for my Taco than it was worth, but that is about the only situation where Id be Ok overpaying. I actually thought I was going to make a profit, but it turned out I literally made about $65 in the end by the time things were all said and done, so pretty much a wash.
It was also used which I don't normally do unless its still under the factory warranty, which with 7,500 miles on her it most definitely still is.

 

keep it, man!

 

I have a 2011 dcsb. Miles are getting up there. Started looking at some used 2nd Gens. Came across 2012 SR5 dcsb, Pyrite Mica (love that color) ~60K miles. The dealer was asking $33K. I asked how much wiggle room, there was none. Truck was gone in under a week. No way I'm paying more than it was new.

 

When was your truck produced? Only the very early 2006 V6s had the head gasket issue.

 

Isn’t it amusing that a few people talk about head gaskets and suddenly every vehicle 2005 2006 Tacoma is getting ready to blow.? I’ve owned several and a couple near 200k and guess what no problemo. From a financial standpoint the best vehicle is one that has a good maintenance and reliability history and is fully paid for. Those advocating buying new either don’t mind being in perpetual debt or they can pay cash up front. I’ve been looking at gen3s since 2016 but am not impressed with the build quality vs 2nd Gen, then there’s that cost again.

keep your paid for second Gen drive the wheels off it.

 

I held onto my 2005 just past the headgasket issue, blew coolant and cracked the block. Dealership quote of $5k to remove and confirm, with the likelyhood of new block after that on a 12 year old truck..

Hello 3rd gen.

 

I have had 3 2005's. One was a 2.7 I bought new. Second one was a TRDOR that I got CHEAP with 112k on it. It had belonged to a house painter and there was paint literally all over it. Paid cash, cleaned it all up, fixed a few things and until I started having trans issues 2 years later it was great. Sold it and bought a super high miles 1st gen, drove that a year then bought a MINT 05 SR5 double cab. 115k I think on it. A week later it broke a leaf spring. 2 weeks after that it blew a head gasket. Still under the dealer's "30 day" warranty I had to fight a bit but they did fix it. I drove that one to nearly 200k with no other issues other than losing the belt once because the tensioner let go.

All that said I do really prefer the updated look of the 3rd gen. The interior is definitely a lot nicer and the fuel economy is WAY better. And having bought it just a few months ago yes I paid WAY too much.

Not every 05-06 blows a head gasket. I started noticing gurgling in the heater core on mine before it actually tripped the check engine light. Pulled the plugs and number six was squeaky clean... Blown.

 

So there are head gasket issues... So WHAT???

Is there any vehicle that is perfect? Has there ever been? Do you like your truck? For the amount of money you will end up paying out by swapping/buying/financing another vehicle you could easily just do new head gaskets.

Do it preemptively and you won't run the risk of overheating your engine and all the problems associated with that. You'll feel better and not run the risk of "trading up" for a vehicle with it's own set of problems.

 

I just financed a 17 year old 2007 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner DC for $12k OTD.
With 208k miles on it. I feel pretty good about it. I will have it paid off in 4-6 months. These Gen2s seem to hold up very well.

 

nice! Thats a super clean truck, for sure. Tbh, ive always like the base model steel wheels. I've got a set in my barn, gonna paint them and put MT's on. Congrats on the truck, love the 4.0

 

I bought this for my son. It’s clean because I took it apart and detailed it. It cleaned up nicely.

when I took it to the dealership to have the alignment checked they offered me a job when they saw how clean it was underneath.
At that point I hadn’t even touched the interior or paint yet.