Pre-Runner or Standard

Hi guys completely new to the forum and new to the Tacoma. I'm a Ranger convert. Anyhow I'm locked in on a tacoma but I'm torn between these two and wondered what some of the experts think. I'm trading in my 1999 V6 ranger under the cash for clunker program for a tacoma.

I'm in love with a Tacoma Pre-runner access cab 4cyl manual SR5. Well I'd be more in love with a V6 but the it won't quailify for the government program. Problem is I'm very frustrated with the dealer I'm working with as I'm out of town and my guy is impossible to get a hold of to iron things out. Anyway from all my searching it appears a 4 cyl pre-runner is fairly rare at least in cali.

I guess my question is would I really be loosing much by going to a regular 4 cyl access cab sr5 rather then the pre-runner. A lot of dealers have those in stock and I'm really tired of dealing with this dealership that has like the only pre-runner 4 cyl arround. It seems the pre-runner has bigger tires and looks a little more sporty/offroad thats the main reason I like it.

Whats your guys take?

 

Welcome, i own a Prerunner and love it b/c of its offroad look and hood scoop its a V6... good luck on ur decision

 

Is it a TRD package truck?

 

No just SR5 I'm assuming as thats all it says doesn't mention TRD

 

IMO you should get the TRD OR if your gonna get a PreRunner That locking diff helps out alot

 

The way I see it it's your money get EXACTLY what you want. If you don't you will regret later on not getting the exact truck that you wanted. Also some dealerships will trade trucks around for you to get the one you want. I called my dealer and told him exactly what I wanted and the only one like it was over 1000 miles away in South Carolina. He had it shipped in for me at no extra cost and that is why this is my second taco from them.

 

I'm pretty sure it does. You might want to read the final rule that came out today if you haven't already. The V6 has an EPA average of 18 mpg.

 

v6 auto qualifies, std does not.

 

It qualifies in general as in 18mpg but my Ranger is V6 flex fuel which gets 17mpg. I need a truck that gets 5 or more mpg or 22mpg combined to get $4500 or 19mpg to get 3500. So it does qualify but not for the maximum credit for me.

Thanks so much guys for all the responses.

 

Also it looks to me TRD only comes with the V6.

 

If you can afford the PreRunner do it. Your right they are rare in California. The Runner sits higher, the rear end is geared better, and the disc brakes are larger, and some like the way your seats sit.

Good luck with the Clunker Law, the EPA has set the gas mileage rating lower (even on the Tacoma from 23 mpg to 22 mpg) and by doing that will reduce the Clunker Law by 1K in rebates to the purchaser. The thinking of this reducing in MPG is to make the Clunker Law last longer, (1 Billion has been dedicated), however Dealership's are thinking that this Billion will burn out in 3 days and not 3 months). The latest word I have heard is that the Clunker Law is on hold in California because of the financial crisis of the State, and that the State wants to make sure they get there fair share of the taxes due to the rebate, since they passed a budget today.

Good luck and I hope you get what you want. Maybe you should consider writing a thank you note to Rep Betty Sutton for developing the Clunker Law, but she is probably shaking her head because it's not working so far..........but hang in there and think positive.

 

Thanks Del Taco,

I'll take your word for it and just deal with this dealership. I'm still good with my Ranger as its gets a 17mpg combined average and a 4 cly Taco gets 22 the exact mileage over I need for the 4,500 cash credit. However I must say half the dealerships have no idea whats going with the program here in cali. Some ford dealerships were going to give me the credit before the program even rolled out today to get me to trade it in with them.

Toyota dealerships seemed the least enthused about the program, though probably because they are the least hit by all this recession stuff.

 

+1. The government enacts a law and sets it in motion without having an ideal how to carry it out. They put a specific timeframe on the NHTSA to develop a plan, rules and procedures(30 days) and expect it to go off without a hitch. Then many dealers are jumping the gun and advertising(Toyota is one of the biggest offenders) that they can "reserve" a car for you and then when the final rule is released and the dealer is registered with the NHTSA and has found a government approved salvage facility they can sell you a car.

 

That's wierd since Toyota is the one pushing "Cash for Clunkers".

Also, I would think it would be worth it to only get $3,500 for your trade in and get the V6. I think you'll regret getting the 4 banger just to get the extra grand.

 

I love my prerunner SR5. The priority reason I bought it is because of the ride height. I sat up so much higher than all of the other trucks I test drove & it made a huge difference in being able to see my surroundings better. Also, it gets pretty good gas mileage even though it's v6. I've got 22mpg. on the highway consistently & about 17-18 in town.

 

All I can go off are the sales reps I talked to were more like well just give me a call friday when it kicks off we can't do much till then. No business card nothing, no test drive seemed very uninterested until friday. The ford, chrysler, and chevy were all but begging me to nail things down so as soon as friday hit we could finalize.

 

So true. Just wait until they control the healthcare system.

 

It will never happen. There are too many docs with too many lawyers ready to fight this thing to the bitter end. As a physical therapist I know first hand that this countries healthcare is going down hill faster than you think. Sorry didn't meant to hijack your post but this concerns us all.