Common Tacoma Problems? F150 owner looking to switch

While I'm biased towards the V6 and larger cab, here was my problem with a single cab short bed (2000 S-10) as a student:

1) I could have my books in the seat when it was dry out, or I could have a passenger in the seat and my books tucked in the back when it was raining

2) I could have my books in the seat with a wet passenger in the bed, or a dry passenger in the seat and wet books when it rained.

If your passenger has books, too, then its time for a tupperware party in the truck bed.

A tool box/bed cover with netting helps (adds $$, though), but it doesn't substitute for tossing cargo in the back for quick transport. This seems like a little issue; just a minor inconvenience. Every day. For as long as you have it as your only vehicle. Every time you want to have a passenger. Haul groceries. Want to move a flat television. Etc.

Make sure you're ok with the 4cyl auto as far as get up and go. It's completely adequate, just boring. 4wd in that setup is great for taking a small boat to the lake, and getting through farm mud and snow. If you don't need 4wd, you could save a lot of money up front and some on gas.

If you're ok with that, you will probably find the truck to be excellent. Just remember--if you ever go shopping with your girlfriend in the rain, pick her up a shower cap if you want to keep the groceries dry

 

^So get a tool box.

 

Or bed cover

 

You can read about my experience here:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/297519-my-11-tacoma-75k-miles-later.html

To that, you can add another front wheel bearing that's just about had it.

Anyone that follows me in my daily routine would say what I do to it is borderline abuse.

When I told my mechanic about the minor issues I've had with it, and what he'd recommend come replacement time (next spring if no new '15 model, in the fall if new model released), he calmly replied "another Tacoma". He drives a Silverado, his helper an F-150.

 

I don't think you'll be happy if you go from having all the bells and whistles to nothing. Having no power windows/locks and whatnot. You'll end up regretting it. I would at least get an SR5 Tacoma with some options on it.

 

Thanks for all the help guys. After being a member on several Chevy and F150 forums so far, you guys have been the most helpful and welcoming.

I'll only get the tacoma if I can get a straight up trade. Otherwise, I'll probably just sell it private party and try to get one of these:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...4000&listingId=354509517&listingIndex=9&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...4000&listingId=350702945&listingIndex=2&Log=0

Any comments/opinions in these two?

 

If you really can't live without the power windows, you could always do the Red Green mod:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YCmYHvTXBc

 

If the prices were the same, then the TRD OR is a year newer, and has a few less miles.

Having said that, if you think you need the long bed and 4 real doors/cab space, SR5. There are some folks who are passionately opposed to the LWB for lots of reasons, and sometimes none at all.

If you don't need the extra bed space and 4 real doors, the TRD OR is probably a better value (again, depending on how far you can negotiate), and has a locking diff for hauling a boat off of a slippery ramp, and generally getting you unstuckededed.

 

for starters, we dont have to start our spark plug change with a prayer
those ford F150 sparkplugs require divine intervention for success.

 

I can't imagine the engineer who designed them is still in work. The 5.4 is really one POS engine. How often are spark plug changes recommended on tacomas? The f150 was 100k in the manual, but a TSB ended up saying 60k

 

Welcome my fellow bears fan!! I would try to find an slightly older Tacoma access cab or double-cab if that is an option. Then you can get the power windows and locks.

 

On the 4 banger I'm pretty sure it's 100K with the iridium plugs.

Also, I entirely know what you meant by downgrading regarding creature comforts. That being said, you are talking about a half ton versus a quarter ton truck. Now if you were comparing Tundra to F150...

 

hahaha Well put! I suffer from the same condition.

 

WEAK ASS REAR SPRINGS. I have a brand-new Taco (under 5k miles), put a shell on the back and it's gone from a bit of rake to dead flat. I may not be able to wait for the inevitable TSB as it's really pissing me off.

That's all I've noticed. I'll be keeping an eye on the frame for rust, probably not a problem as I don't offroad and live in SoCal, but it's easy enough to deal with. Last vehicle was a Lincoln Aviator with the works, so I get the "downgrade" statement as I went from that to a base model Taco. Miss the luxuries less than I thought, but still leave the door unlocked sometimes. Power remote locks train you into some bad habits. And actually rolling down windows in a pain in the ass. But the right way of looking at it, if you're in a vehicle for the long haul, is that these are less things that can break.

I loved the Aviator but it pissed me off in the end, dual climate control was always a total clusterfuck, and finally the AC died in the middle of summer at around 90k. Had two Ford products in my life and they both had major failures at around 90k. It's like they're on a timer or something.

Very happy with the Taco, bench seats and all, save for the rear springs. At least that's reasonably easy to fix.

 

I'm curious to see what happens with the whole frame rust thing on 2nd gen tacomas - I guess we still have a few years before that would be a widely spread thing though but I believe I've seen a few 2nd gen pics on here, lately even, showing symptoms.

Anyway, your best bet for doing in depth research is to comb through the zillions of threads on here related to a topic you're concerned about. Also using google is helpful to search quickly - like "Tacoma regrets site:tacomaworld.com" and stuff. I think most of the nuances I was going to post have already been mentioned in here - if you want to know more specifically, say something like clutch squeak, just search for it.

Not trying to be one of those search jerks - I have no problem posting TL;DR shit but it's an incredibly efficient way to learn about a vehicle you're considering posting. I also like to do it on different makes, like "ram 1500 regrets site:ramforumz.com" or something.

What I will say, though, is that I've been a little confused by Toyota letting problems slide for years and years. If you acknowledge a problem in 2009 for instance, it would seem as if any trucks produced after that point would be built correctly. It's better for the buyer, the brand's reputation, and the company - not having to replace a bunch of leaf springs or clutches you know? No make or model of truck will be perfect, maybe Tacomas are the lesser of all evils even with their problems. Whatever truck you wind up with (since you mentioned used), make sure it's still eligible for repairs on some of this common crap if it hasn't already been fixed.

 

I think I'll be fine with no power locks or windows and a single cab. That's the configuration my silverado was and I was just fine with it, got a tool box for more cargo room. I may be in the minority here, but the lariat had more bells and whistles than I needed. Not a fan of leather because of the sensitivity to heat/cold and the tearing.

That being said, what of you guys think is fair value for the truck I'm looking at?
http://www.mangoldford.com/2011_Toyota_Toyota_Eureka_IL_212785673.veh

Considering I work there I'll get the best price, but just so I'm sure.

EDIT: put the wrong link up, fixed now

 

Well, looking at kbb.com values that seems like a good deal. I still can't believe an 8-9 year old truck would be fetching that much. I mean... a regular cab 4x4 is only 20k new. I personally couldn't do it - just too much money for something that old.

I will say that manual windows sucks when it starts to rain and you're on the interstate or something, but it seems like you're familiar with that. No intermittent wipers is doable, I barely think about it but if it rained more in CO I may. Could always replace the stalk though. Cruise control would be nice but I have to downshift too much as is. 4cyl may perform acceptably in IL - just know that even if you don't tow much, your every day driving may not be too enjoyable if you feel underpowered.

 

I apologize, I linked the incorrect truck. Here it is:
http://www.mangoldford.com/2011_Toyota_Toyota_Eureka_IL_212785673.veh

 

I know you work there and will probably get $1000's off of that price. If the frame looks good, I would do this over a regular cab 4 cyl. You never know when you might need to the room or the power.