Ex rust owner - need help deciding on what to buy

I'm new to the forums here, but I've been lurking for a few days while researching for a purchase.

First, let me state I consider myself a loyal toyota customer. My first car was a 1987 Celica GT-S, my second a 90 Celica GT-S, my third an 03 Corolla, and I now have an 07 Corolla.

Prior to Tuesday, I also owned a Tacoma. It was a 1998 Regular Cab 4x4 2.7 5-spd manual. I picked it up almost exactly 5 yrs ago for $6500. The frame failed toyota's inspection, but it wasn't terribly bad. . there was no holes clear through like some of the pics I've seen. It just had a good deal of rust in general and I guess was perforated somewhere. .

I L-O-V-E-D that truck. I beat the crap out of it everyday I drove it on and off-road. Here's a pic and vid from just 2 wks ago

http://gallery.netmagi.com/d/2008-2/DSC_1685.JPG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kiAyRqVQHI

I originally bought a regular cab, since I figured the short wheel base would be good offroad and it was. The truck was bone stock aside from a good set of offroad tires. It did some pretty amazing stuff in the rocks, woods, and mud of Northeastern PA for being stock.

Toyota is giving me ~9k for this truck as part of the buyback. Not bad given that's 2.5k more than I paid for it 5 yrs ago, but now I have no vehicle. Last week I thought I was good for another 2-3 years, now this week I'm faced with HAVING to do/pick something in the next 2 weeks. I have a rental from toyota until they complete the buyback.

I commute about 70 miles/day total, and I live where it's wise to have at least 1 vehicle that's AWD or 4WD for the winter. I can't afford to miss work when it snows.

I have a family now, so this is a good opportunity to get something that's at least a BIT more practical than the regular cab I had.

With the 9k for my 98, I can spend up to ~23k on something new.

I did the first thing that I'm sure most other buyback owners did, and that was to look at a new Tacoma. I was in love from the outside. . . hot looking truck. I got in, and I liked it. . but meh. . nothin special. I'm not big on the car-like interior's in the newer trucks. I think I'd prefer something more industrial/utilitarian. I know, nuts right?

The truck I looked at was an 09 Access Cab, 4WD, 2.7 5-spd manual with the SR5 pkg. I took it for a test drive, and it definetly feels slower than my old truck. I'm guessing it's probably quite a bit heavier given the larger size. It seemed to drive nice. . nothing stood out as particularly good or bad. I'm guessing the V6 6-spd is probably really snappy, and I've thought about it, but toyota's 4-cyl reliability is legendary and I'll behave much better with the 4-cyl

The bed is definetely a LOT nicer than my old truck, and the access cab would be a definete improvement as well.

I left the dealership excited about the prospect, but not as excited as I expected to be. I think I just expected to like the new Tacoma's more than I did. .

Then I started reading. . and ohh boy have I read. . reviews, forum posts, youtube vid comments. . you name it. It seems this 2nd gen has quite a few hiccups.

Multiple frame issues, surging (only on the auto's?), leaking, radios acting up, premature rusting of frames, rattles. WTH. . .

My old 98 admittedly did get bought back due to a faulty frame, but otherwise that truck was ROCK solid. It still ran and drove like new. . .

I want another truck, but I wouldn't touch an 95-04 given the frame issues, and now I'm scared to buy a new one. I went back to the dealership and checked out the truck again, this time very closely, and the apparent overall build/quality isn't bad, but it doesn't inspire the confidence that the build of my 07 corolla or my 98 tacoma did. I'm genuinely concerned that Toyota's quality, at least on some of their vehicles is falling to the level of the likes of GM, chrysler, etc. I'm willing to pay more and expect a little less as far as amenities with Toyota, but not if the dedication to quality/realiability is drying up. Can you hear me Toyota?

The dealership gave me a Rav4 as a loaner, and it's nice, but I'm not a fan of automatics, and the style of the outside is so blah. Inside, it's much nicer.

I've also looked at the subaru forester's online, but not gone to a dealership yet. Whatever I get needs to be no more than 23k, and be AWD or 4WD. I don't plan on off-roading as much as I used to, but at the same time I would like something that I feel can get around in the bad weather and handle at least a fire trail.

I have ~2 wks to decide on something and I'm totally lost.

Help.

-Rich H.

 

I got $15 for my 2000 2.7 access and put it on a 2008. I loved the 2000 and was not happy to give it up but I took it as a chance to buy new. The 08 is great. Composite bed, don't have to get a liner but you will need a mat. I don't go in the woods but have to go to work in snow B4 they plow so love the 4wd. It rides like a car which she likes so I didn't go for the TSB. Another option is a Dodge. They are giving them away. They never give Taco's away.

 

I would get the 4.0 or forget it honestly. Big difference in power and plenty of room for growth.

 

i dont know to much, and others will chime in who do...but im sure you could find a really nice 2nd gen double cab v6 for 23,000. then youll have room for the kids and what not and still have a bed to use and the v6

 

You had a real nice first gen there. I also lost a first gen to the rusted frame. I got an 08 Ex cab V-6. At first is felt like it was too big, but after a while I got used to it and I am really happy with it. I have had no issues with rattles, vibrations etc., and the quality seems to be as good as my old 97. I've been driving it for a little over a year now. You can probably find one in your price range. Did you get a coupon for $1000 off if you bought a new truck from Toyota? I know where you're coming from, good luck with your decision. I'm sure most that chime in here will try to push you towards a new Tacoma, but hey, if you don't like them you don't like them.

 

I was in the same boat you're in...Toyota bought back my 99 ex-cab TRD. Loved that truck!!! I had it for 8 years and planned to keep it forever. Toyota gave me $15k for it and I had them order in the truck I wanted. Plus they gave me $1k if I bought another toyota, and another $1k if I bought another truck. And they dropped the price of the new truck to their invoice price. Oh and they gave me $2k for a 92 camry w/191,000 miles!

I've been pretty happy with my new truck. It is a bit more like a car, seems not as rugged as my old 99. But it's still really nice.

As for the auto vs stick... My 99 was a manual and I initally wanted a 6 speed, then I drove one and I didn't like how the new ones shift. And the engine seemed to hang at above idle rpms bitween shifts. So I got the auto and really like it. It's always in the right gear, no lag when you're on and off the throttle, and I like how it downshifts when slowing.

 

You could get a 4runner, the older ones came with the same engine/transmissions, as the tacoma you had and similar looks and size with no frame rust issues that I am aware of. My brother has a 97 4runner with the v6 and I really like it and I also test drove a 5speed 4 4cyl 4runner and really liked it. I have no experience with the 2nd gen tacomas, but I have an 03 and if the frame goes bad toyota replaces the frame on the 01-04s.

 

I only have the 5 lug 4 cylinder 2WD but I love my '09 Access Cab. It pulls my Carolina Skiff with no problem and it is fast enough to get me in trouble with the traffic police. I have a 49 mile commute each way so the gas savings with the 4 cylinder is definitely worth the few times it needs more get up and go.

 

Thank you all soo much for the replies. I'm gonna reply individually on some of these more specifically.

-Rich

 

Thanks, and thanks for linking it correctly so ppl don't have to follow the link to view it

My buddy was kind enough to shoot it for me with my Nikon D90.

 

And this is one of the things that has me questioning if I should buy the new Taco. . . is the pricing. . .

I've now gotten the call from Toyota to confirm buyback price and they're giving me $8600. It's a little less than I expected, but not far enough off to complain over. BUT. .there's no additional incentives anymore. You got a SWEET buy back on your 99 and 2k additional to stay loyal to the Tacoma line. .

They're not offering me anything off the new Tacoma. I mean. . they'll go to invoice price, and then there's a 1000 rebate that anyone is entitled too, but they're not willing to give me anything else.

I asked the man that called regarding the buyback about addtl incentives and he said "we're not doing that anymore, it's in the hands of the dealerships now". So I said, "are you telling me the dealerships now have the ability to offer additional incentives to buy that are credited from Toyota", and he said, "Yes". It's also the end of the 09 model year.

I take that to mean the dealership can do a lot better than invoice for me if I buy a Tacoma coming off this buyback. .

I'm feel like I'm getting the shaft here because my truck took a little longer to rust than some others. . . Gosh darn me for rinsing the undercarriage in the winter. . .

So, what kind of deals have others recently gotten on an 09?

The truck I'm looking at is an Access Cab, 2.7, 4WD, Manual, SR5 pkg. They're telling me 23.7 less the standard rebate for a final of 22.7 + tax. Even edmunds looks to be saying 22.4ish for "true market value".

The wife and I are planning on getting out tomorrow to explore what's out there and do some test drives.

On the list:

Tacoma
Forester
Frontier
Xterra

-Rich

 

Really want to get something new. .

I don't mind REALLY older vehicles (like <5k) as used since I don't have much in the line of expectations. . but something I'm dumping serious cash on I get really nervous about how it was taken care of prior to my purchase

-Rich

 

I looked at the other brands and settled on Toyota. But I also like the options and goodies and it sounds like that does nothing for you.

What do you want the truck for? Will you continue to off-road it through the woods and mud?

Does it have to be a truck or are you just as interested in an SUV? If so, have you considered a Pathfinder or 4Runner? How about a new FJ? The Xterra's are nice too.

As for pricing, I can't help you. I paid $27,400 for a loaded 2009 double cab. Dealers can definitely go under invoice. And the rebate is paid by Toyota Corp so get your bottom price and subtract the rebate amount. Many are getting up to $500 under invoice. That should be possible since the model year is coming to a close.

Tough spot they put you in. Whatever you decide on, you will settle into and enjoy just as much as your old vehicle. It's the change that's difficult. I too loved my 2004 1st gen. Didn't want a bigger truck but a growing family demanded it. I now LOVE my truck - maybe more than I loved my 1st gen.

 

They are not budging on the price because they know the demand for Tacoma's is so high. Used taco's only sit on the lots around here for about a day.

And they should be more flexable on their prices, the new ones are coming out really soon...

 

See if there is a dealer in the area with an 08 still on the lot. They should be happy to see someone that wants it.

 

arghhhh

Went and drove both a V6 Frontier PRO-4X double cab today and a double cab V6 tacoma TRD w/tow pkg

They're both more than I want to spend, and possibly more than I can spend but damn i liked them both.

The V6 in the nissan is REALLLY REALLY smooth and nice. Prior to today I only wanted a manual, but damn that V6 is like butter with the auto. .

Since I was willing to accept the auto in the nissan, it pushed me over the edge into trying the auto in the dbl cab taco and it's not bad either. It feels a little more "forced" getting it to shift. .and not as silky, but it sounds like heaven when it starts and definetely has plenty ooomph.

The taco was the timberland and it -is-, in fact the best color. All other threads arguing this can shut up

The frontier was the storm grey or whatever they call their grey color and it was nice too. . the comparable color would be my second choice in the taco, with silver a close third.

Circled around the back of the Toyota dealership, and saw my 98 black regular cab, all sad with some long-lost relatives. I'm guessing they're all rust buybacks. I gave her a little smooch out the window and assured her she'd had WAY more fun than the others, and believe me, she did

 

What do you think about the looks of the two? Do you prefer one over the other? Any things that stand out?





What stands out for me, and something I have ALWAYS loved about the Tacoma, is the stance from the front. It sits like a bulldog - short, wide and tough.

 

I think the Taco has the edge for exterior styling, but to be fair to the frontier that pic isn't what I'd get. I can't stand those tube racks on the roof, or the running boards.

The one I was looking at was closer to this:

 

Also, hands down, if I could buy one brand new, I'd buy a 1st gen taco for looks

Here's my 1st gen 98 shortly after I bought it used in 04' right after a fresh set of BFG's: