Best and Not-the-best years to buy 2nd Gen

Agreed, I took my first 2012 up to 125k miles no issue, and I bought another that is currently at 50k with no issue. If anything, 2012s are cheaper because of this overblown fear which makes them a better buy, and even if you do happen to have the problem, there is a recall for it so Toyota will fix it for free. Not at all a problem like the early 2nd gen headgaskets.

 

my 2005 Tacoma PreRunner has 196k miles (2.7), still runs like new. i've had the hvac resister problem and the coolant bypass hose problem as previously referenced in this thread. also had one u-joint fail. simple replacement.

 

I'm going to disagree and say 2013 is actually the best. Has the clock, but backup camera is in the rearview mirror (which I personally like better as you sometimes still need to use that mirror). It also has better controls on the steering wheel (2014 they switched to the stupid confusing joystick for volume and track selection) and larger knobs on the head unit.

 

I vote for the 09, 2.7 as the best ! Well, it's the only Taco I have owned so I can't compare it to any other year!

 

Worst year =2012

 

I wouldn't be scared to buy any model year 2nd gen Tacoma as long as the maintenance has been done. The amount of money saved from buying an older model will offset the future issues, if it even occurs. Besides the usual wear items such as wheel bearings, brakes etc.. My '05 has only pulled a CEL for a loose gas cap since ownership and drives flawlessly. The extra money I have saved from going with an older makes even this so called head gasket issue that TW states that I am doomed to have, a non issue since I have the funds to cover it.

 

Had an 06' PreRunner and sold with 80k... it was fine once I made certain the transmission had the correct amount of fluid.
Now have a 2014 Sport... more finer! Check trans fluid the first week of ownership. No issues.

I only have 60k on my 2014 and will keep until the dealer gives me the $43,260 I'm asking for it...

 

2010 here. No major problems. 130k…One bad O2 sensor and one bad wheel bearing. And replaced belt at 90k . Other than that starts up and runs great every time I turn the key. And i also get around 18mpg with normal driving. You really can’t go wrong with any year as long as you know he history of the vehicle

 

Hang tough!! ...I'm holding out until the dealer forks over $43,261... (current clock: 114k) (and of course agrees to throw in a set of floor mats and that "paint sealant" stuff....)

 

Pretty sure my 2015 was one of the last ones on the west coast. When I got it late 2015 there was only four 2nd gens left on the lot. I got the only DCLB, thank god it was black.

 

NFW. Trouble free 2012 owner here, 2.7 purrs like a kitten and I don't even have to turn on my running lights, ever.

 

Hi. Can you please elaborate a bit more on the air injection problems in the V6? What is it about, and what the symptoms are?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2012-secondary-air-injection-system-sais-recall.729514/

 

@Alquimista Happy to give you some resources on the failure prone Secondary Air Injection System. If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out, DM or give us a call.

What Does the Secondary Air Injection System Do?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-does-the-secondary-air-injection-system-do.780847/

What Do My Secondary Air Injection Error Codes Mean?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-do-my-secondary-air-injection-error-codes-mean.780848/

How to Fix Secondary Air Injection System?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-do-you-fix-the-secondary-air-injection-system.780849/

 

I currently own both a 2005 and a 2015; both trucks are identical models: TRD Offroad, 4.0L V-6, 6-speed manual, access cab, long bed, silver over gray. The 2005 sits at 227k; the 2015 at 42k. All recalls have been preformed on both trucks, oil and tires every 5000 miles, major stuff when it is needed (so, not much). The 2015 will be the escape vehicle for when I retire in May of 2023. The things I miss on the 2015:
Outside temp and compass cluster mounted in the overhead.
The two little side pockets above the wheel wells in the bed.
And that's about it. Any doodads that were added between 2006 and removed by 2014, I never had so I don't miss them. I love that I got a gently used ride with all the newish tech and 20% of the miles. I am modding the 2015 into an overlander capable of a months long trip pulling a small teardrop. But, I would not hesitate to climb into the 2005 and head for Montana today.

Anybody got a gauge cluster or set of bed side pockets they want to send me, just let me know

 

I have the same one - Love it!!!

 

I'm not too far behind you for retiring, I'll be at full retirement age in December 2023. Cool both of your trucks are 6-speed manuals. I also have 2 trucks, one is an older Chevy Silverado which I'll keep as a backup vehicle while I'm still working full time. When I retire I didn't want the expense (insurance, taxes, etc.) of 2 trucks so the plan is to sell the Chevy, maybe. Or maybe insure it for half of the year. Just used it yesterday to get pallets to be used for firewood, which are burning in the wood stove right now. I measured the longest pallets, in the Tacoma I'd need to open the tailgate for them to fit, but that's fine I guess. I've heard good things about those bed extenders.

Nice to know you've got 227k on the 2005. Would you sell the 2005? Because it's a manual, these days that may command a higher price since they're getting more rare as time goes on.