Need your opinion on used Tacos

Warning, OP is a total newb when it comes to Tacos.

I'm currently in the market for a clean 2nd Gen DCLB 4x4, preferably with a shell, but if not I'd like to go with a Bestop later on. I'd like to do some mild wheeling, no super technical stuff, mostly for truck camping/getting me off pavement without worrying about getting stuck. I've found 3 locally on craigslist, but I'm not exactly a guru when it comes to these trucks, as this is my first one. My budget is between $20-27k.

What should I be looking for when checking out used Tacos?
Any model years that had more problems than others?
Any specific things to check while test driving?
Fair price considering mods, etc?
What is a good mileage to stay under?
What should I stay away from when buying used?

Obviously, the condition of the truck is going to be a big factor in the price or if it's worth buying, but from what you can see in these ads, what conclusions can you draw, if any? And are any worth checking out?

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2928322755.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2929715480.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2849334146.html

Thanks in advance guys, and sorry if this is posted in the wrong section!

 

MAke sure no matter what year you look at the V6 @ 100k miles will require a water pump replacement and timing belt. Make sure it has already been done. If not offer less for the truck because this will be in your near future to do. Also if it is a 4x4 check all cv boots and bushings, these can rip and wear when wheeling. With this said even at 100k the tacoma is a solid truck. Good luck and Welcome to TW.

 

I like the 2nd or 3rd

 

If I had to choose among those, I would take the first. No mods, reasonably low miles. As for price, I would check out the Kelley blue Book and NADA guides. It would also probably be worth your while to do the Carfax thing. When you look at the Carfax report, check out the details carefully. Once a few years ago I found a discrepancy in the conclusions on the front of a report and the data provided in later pages. That might have been with one of their competitors, but it is a good idea to be careful with all of them.

 

I like the 1st and third ones, they're a bit more unmolested and you won't be haggling over what the owner values all of his modifications to be. The wheels on the third one are really nice looking too.

Also, the second generation V6 uses a timing chain, not a belt. The chain does not need regular replacement. You can also see a part of the chain if you look down the oil fill port which is kinda cool.

 

1st or 3rd.

 

the second doesn't seem bad at all. ask for a pic of his lift. he said aftermarket upper control arms so it's probably a suspension lift (which is good). i wouldn't buy one with a spacer lift (third one), as mild to moderate wheeling has been know to break stock front shocks (which the spacer lift would likely still have).

just generalities -

for the money you're planning on spending i wouldn't get one with over 70,000 miles. i just wouldn't.

second gens are 05-present. ive owned a first year model vehicle and it was a mistake. i'll never do it again. are the 05's bad? no not at all. just a personal thing i thought of when i bought my 07, and i love it. owned it about a year and a half, never had a problem. it's up to around 104,000 miles.

a prerunner means no 4x4. even if it's jacked up with mud tires. you probably knew that, just saying

sport- limited slip rear dif
offroad- rear locker
^^^ those are also offered as prerunners. so you would get those things, but it'd still be 2wd if it's a prerunner package.

the temp gauge will probably go out at some point. but that an easy (and free) fix.

bout all i can think of at the moment. good luck.....tacomas rock

 

Some great insight here...

I like the third one because it already has the clearance and tires I need.

Another question that came to my mind is about gearing...with a 3" leveling kit and 33" tires, how badly does the mpg drop, and how much strain is it causing on the drivetrain assuming it has stock gearing?

 

Thanks for the tip about the spacer lift...I do like the second one, but the only thing stopping me is the higher mileage plus the aftermarket navi and roof rack. I wouldn't use either of those. But I REALLY REALLY like the front end and winch setup he's got.

 

note on the third one i just realized. it's a base model 4x4. that means it's not a sport or an offroad. it doesn't have the limited slip diff or a rear locker, and the shocks are not as nice. also you won't have things like a rear plug in the bed (which honestly is kind of useless), and a few other "luxeries" i cant think of at the moment.

as for the mpg, id say it probably gets around 16ish with a nice foot. . and 3" isn't that big of a deal on the gears or drivetrain.

 

well you're preloading the shocks with spacers, which is bad, and mpg dropped 1-2 mpg's when i put my 33's on my V6 DCLB prerunner

 

i like the second one. especially if it's a suspension lift he has. a pair of aftermarket upper control arms is like $600. this guy wasn't putting shit on his truck by the looks of it. . . and you can always sell the stuff you don't want. there's people on here selling their stock headunits all the time.

and it's not bad mileage, despite my other post. when/if you buy it. get it looked at by a knowledgeable mechanic before you buy. period. after, change the fluids and spark plugs. preventative maintenance goes a long way. there's one member on here that's already put 250,000 miles on his second gen with no real problems.

 

First.

 

Well looks like option two just got sold today! But very good points, and thanks for the heads up.