Longing for a tacoma. 2wd or 4wd?

I'm a 16 year old from Stone Mountain, Georgia. I work at an auto repair shop that does foreign cars only, and specialize specifically in Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. I'm learning to become a mechanic. My dad has driven exclusively toyotas my whole life, and I've wanted a truck since I was a toddler. My parents have agreed to buy me a truck within the year as long as it's:

-under $10,000
-less than 100,000 miles

My dad wants it to be a prerunner but I would like a 4x4. Any suggestions?

Thanks much.

 

If you want 4x4, get 4x4.

 

4wd is always nice. Gonna be hard to find a toyota truck though with 4wd under 10k with less than 100k miles. The second Toyota truck I bought about 7 years ago w/ 4wd had 140k miles and was $7k.

 

Whatever your parents want. They're paying for it. You don't get a vote.

 

With 4x4 and first car comes many expensive repairs.... If you want a 4x4 for your first car I'd go with something old you wouldnt mind beating to #$%. My first car, Jeep, 4x4, drowned the computer... There was no mechanical fix around that.... But dont settle for Prerunner if you are going to be in a situation where you want to off road your brains out.

 

I've never owned anything (except motorcycles) that wasn't a 4x4. So I voting 4x4 as long as you don't think you indestructible its the better choice for a pick up. IMHO.

 

Welcome!

I'd pick 4x4.

 

Your right it is up to my parents in the end, and I'd be fine with a prerunner if it's alright for mild off roading. I don't plan to do anything crazy or too challenging, just some lower level trails and camping/hunting. I found a couple with around 90k for $8000-$9000, and hopefully will test drive some this weekend. Thanks guys.

 

I'll also say that this won't be my first car, I've been driving my dad's old 99 sienna since he got a new prius about a year ago.

 

I bet that Sienna gets you loads of ass.

 

MY first car that will be in MY name, and hahah hell yeah, shaggin wagon, it used to have cheap flame decals on the doors

 

^That's awesome. If you want something 4wd under 100,000 miles for 10k you might want to look for something other than a Toyota. You could probably buy a 2 year old ford ranger for that lol.

 

Haha I've seen full size 08 dodge rams for the same price. I've found several regular cabs that meet my requirements, but I'd really like an extended cab

 

i have a prerunner as well as a jeep and i would say if you can find a 4x4 get it. Its the only truck we have in the family and there have been many times in the past year where we needed it just for simple things and have had to improvise or use a friends truck. Also a tip with off roading with 2wd... make sure the trail is simi dry. Coming from peronal experiences with ga red clay its not to easy for 2wd to go through slick mud unless you have mud tires but still always have a backup plan.

 

Mud tires won't do too much in the mud if 2 out of 4 of them aren't moving.

 

GA Clay mud and 2wd isn't good unless you have m/ts and locker, your tires will turn to slicks instantly otherwise. Even then, a 4x4 will be loads better.

It's possible to have fun with a Prerunner, but your not going to be able to go everywhere a 4x4 can. You can always start with a Prerunner and convert to 4x4 somewhere down the line...

 

X2 Take what you get and be greatful for their generosity or buy your own truck.

 

To be clear, I am putting in 3k and they're matching, plus whatever we can get for the van, so I'm not a total bitch, and in the end it is up to them. They've left the choice up to me, but my dad thinks the disadvantages of 4wd outweigh the advantages. He believes that it weighs the truck down, makes it less reliable, doesn't tow as well, etc. If I can come up with more advantages then he's fine with it. But in the end either one would be fine, I could make the prerunner meet my needs.

 

But I thank you guys for all your input.

 

lol for him thinking the 4x4 is worse at towing. Having a front driveshaft doesn't affect the vehicle's towing capabilities. In fact, it could help. Example: Pulling a trailer with a boat out of water on a wet slope.