Insight & Expertise NEEDED - Used 2nd Gen Taco for work abroad

Hello – New to the Tacoma Group (a 2013 Highlander owner)


Reaching out to this group humbly asking for your insight & experience to help me identify “best fit’ 2nd gen (2015) Taco model-package for overseas work in Greek islands (hot-mild climate. (Toyota has good market presence in Greece parts & labor). Still researching – learning tradeoffs (use, need vs budget) – TACO insight & wisdom greatly appreciated.


Planned Use

§light construction, farming: Paved road- 70%, Rock-gravel road – 30%, Towing < 3,500

§environmental recon/survey: Paved road- 50%, Rock-gravel road – 30%, Overland trail– 20%, Towing <3,500


Budget - $20K

Need - Crew cab, 6’ bed, Auto Trans


QUESTIONS –

§3.5 V6 or 4.0 V6

§4WD or 2WD

§Mileage - < 125,000, other?

§TRD (Off-Road, Sport) vs SR5.[TRD Off-Road, Sport sound good but not sure if I’ll find for my budget]


Many thanks for your taking the time to help me navigate true north!

 

Are you currently in the us and looking to export the truck to Greece for work?

Why not just shop for a hilux in Greece?

A diesel hilux will certainly get better fuel mileage and possibly have a higher tow rating.

 

Ditto. Not seeing the economics of shipping a US domestic truck overseas for work use. Also $20K for the desired traits is probably going to be tough?

 

I'm going to have to agree with the other two about looking for a used Hilux over there. On the plus side, it's metal bed provides a solid mount for your DShK in the event that you find the need to freedom fight. On a more serious note, the diesel hilux is easily fixed in austere environments. TopGear did like 2 episodes on the Hilux and how they couldn't kill it. Buried in the beach tidal sands, dropped off a building that was scheduled for demolition, crashed, crushed, and I believe set on fire.

-J

 

Thanks to all - I anticipate being able to transport a used Taco via container along with tools, house contents without VAT. I understand it will be difficult finding good match Taco with desired traits for my $20K budget. Question - whale the TRD (off road) may be ideal for option for my needs, is there another Gen 2 non-TRD option you suggest I consider looking into?

Thank you for pointing out the Hi-Lux - I will research this vehicle's availability in Europe in the 'used for sale' market. Is there a Tacoma Hi-lux Group or contact for used Hi-lux trucks in Europe?

Thanks again!

 

IF you are going to spend time on this at all, go directly to Hilux instead of mulling over Tacoma any further.

 

Pretty sure DCLB OR wasn’t offered in 2nd gen. You’d have to get a 3rd gen to get that configuration.

I’d still vote hilux but If you dead set on a 2015 I’d look at getting a DCLB V6 4x4 TRD sport. You already know this but finding a 15 truck in that configuration with less than 125k for less than 20k is going to be damn near impossible to find.

For reference trucks with that configuration and 200k+ are selling for up to 20k here. Trucks with 125k or less are bringing in up to 30k.

 

just buy a hilux over there. We all know they are superior and easily supported in its locale.

 

Any parts specific to the Tacoma are going to be pretty hard to find overseas, you’ll save a lot of headache buying a hilux and it will probably end up being cheaper

 

DCLB TRD OR was sold in Canada.. Shame it was never offered in US.

 

if you’re looking at a 2nd gen

OR comes with rear locker out of the box.

also, if you’re in ROW, why not ROW model
Toyota has a policy of sell good stuff in ROW and sell garbage in US that people eat right up. Profit.

example
70 series LC

German brands do exactly the same thing.

diesel can probably tow better. More torque. More efficient. Last longer. Potentially cheaper fuel.

don’t really know the point of gas if it’s an option. I heard in military use, gas is quieter and smells less, to reduce giving away your position. Which doesn’t seem like a concern here.

if a vehicle is not local to that environment it will probably be harder to find parts.

I want to know if the Autozone computer even works the other way around. “Do you have a serp belt for 2015 Land Cruiser 5spd diesel?”