Looking at buying a 2024 Tacoma 4x4

Hello. I am not yet an owner. But it looks as if I may become one soon. I am researching 2024 Tacomas in double cab 4x4 before I buy one. I would be trading in (or selling) a 2017 Subaru Outback with 28K miles on the clock. We want something more versatile, and something my daughter can use when I quit driving. That could be in 5 years or 15 years.

The last Toyota in the "family" was a 1971 Corolla my then-girlfriend sold in 1975, so we don't have recent experience. So I have some dumb, newbie questions. I do 80% of the work on my cars & trucks and I also want those that I keep forever to last and last. (I have, for example, a 1996 Dodge diesel.) The questions:

• Who makes the Tacoma's automatic transmission? It it an Aisin? A JATCO? Something else? Does it carry over from prior years? Is it a CVT programmed with "shift points?"
  
• I would ask about the I-4 engine & turbo durability, but there don't seem to be real answers yet.
• Does the transfer case come with a low range? This is important to us.
• For those that bought them, are there (A) options that they regret, or (B) options they wish they had bought?
• We are in Maricopa County AZ. Any dealer suggestions? When we last walked into a Toyots dealer looking at minivans, we ended up buying a Chrysler in part to the shabby way we were treated. Just as bad, the immense showroom mural of that disgusting high school PE coach from their ads was leering at us all the time.

Many thanks. My user name of I-give-up isn't an attitude, just the first user name I came to that wasn't already taken.

 

Bullet point 1, yes it is Aisin. 8 speed with real gears, no CVT.

Bullet point 3, yes on the low range.

Others will have to fill you in on the others, good luck.

 

Taco? Versatile? For 2 adults and a grown child? Absolutely not.

Btw, gen 4 tacoma won't be one of those diy friendly trucks of years passed.

If you're planning to keep the truck "forever", a 1st year 4th gen Tacoma is probably the worst idea in the world...buy one in a year or two when they've identified and fixed all the kinks.

 

You haven’t considered the 4Runner Off-road?

 

How TF do you have 2017 car with only 28k miles??

 

That’s Corvette garage queen mileage.

 

Welcome to TW.

 

Placing an adult, or nearly adult sized human in the back seat, will require someone in the front to slide their seat forward a bit. I would take your family down to the dealership and test drive one. That said, I absolutely love my Tacoma.

 

And let me guess, your 3rd gen is right? rofl

 

I'm guessing you've never popped the hood on a 2tr-fe eh boy

 

I’m also going to second considering the ‘24 4Runner. You may consider that it’s outdated, but it’s already proven very reliable, and a SUV is a better family car than a pickup if you don’t need/use the pickup bed. Also comes with 4WD with low range. Only comes in an ancient 5-Speed automatic transmission.

The turbo 4 engine though would outperform the outgoing V6 (both the outgoing gen Tacoma and current gen 4Runner). I can’t comment on its durability.

 

If you don't need the truck bed I'd keep the outback if it is the 6cyl. Give it a lift and a trailer hitch. If it's the 4cyl or you need the bed I'd look at the frontier/ridgeline, tacoma24 and 23. Then decided between those or one of the fullsize trucks some have some big discounts right now. Gladiator too, there 20-30% off MSRP right now on the 23s. With only 4k miles a year MPG isn't that big of a deal.

As far as dealer I would do all the negotiating through email or phone calls. And would be willing to drive a day or 2 away to pick it up. Even fly in and drive home for the best deal.

 

If one does not need a truck box, 4R is definitely a better family vehicle. Much better off-road too.

 

2TR-FE is built in Japan by Toyota samurais. Guaranteed million mile engine.

 

1 BILLION!!

*Dr Evil laughter ensues*

 

Keep the Outback.

Want to sometimes tote dirty stuff? Buy a small trailer if you have storage room. If not rent a trailer or home Depot truck for those situations.

At this point no one can tell you how healthy that 1st year Tacoma will be in that 5-15 yr span.

 

Oh right it’s a billion mile engine.

It’s the 2GR FKS thats a million mile engine.

 

No that's hundred thousand max

 

Damn. So I am only gonna get 35k more miles out of my minivan engine?…

That’s pretty sad…

 

Unless you sacrifice a lamb to the DI and plastic coolant pipe Gods every summer equinox....
I don't make the rules