i need help deciding...

i just sold my 1999 toyota tacoma sr5. i am looking for a new toyota. i go to college right now so i dont have a ton of money. i hunt and fish a lot and drive around in the desert quite a bit. i really want a newer DC tacoma but the are so expensive. i was wondering if anyone knew how the trd edition prerunners did offroad having the rear differential lock and all? or should i just sack up and buy a 4x4? any info will be appreciated

 

How serious Off Road?

I like to Off Road mine quite a bit and so far the biggest problem I have had is with the stock tires.

 

i'm in college too it can be quite a handful taking those payments, i sprung for the sport because of the ergonomic design nothing against the off road i just liked the sport better.

 

i like to go play in the mud every once in a while and i climb some pretty steep trials. the only thing that i am really worried about is when it come to winter time.

 

get the 4x4 and you won't have buyers regret! I have a prerunner and I love it but I wish I got the 4x4.

 

I am happy with my PreRunner. I never want to get it too muddy.

Personally just buy an ATV, old ass Jeep, or a dirt bike if you want to do some serious offroading.

I went with the Off road because of the locking diff for snow and sand.

Get some aggressive tires and you should be fine on trails, no rock climbing!!

 

if you can afford 4x4 get it. i always hear people say they love their pre-runners but wish they had the 4x4, at least this way you wont regret it later. plus, if you're in sand a 2x4 can handle it but a 4x4 is always superior in loose sand. you can offset the price by getting an access cab unless you really need the DC. you could go access cab and 4cyl 4x4 as opposed to the DC V6 prerunner and it would be much more capable off-road. just a suggestion. why did you sell your 99?

 

i sold my 99 because it had 165000 miles on it and i was starting to fix things a little to much. right now i kinda wished i wouldn't have sold it, but it is little to late now. right now i am looking at an 06 prerunner DC 20000 miles for $21000 or an 04 DC 4x4 with 36000 miles for $19500. What do ya think?

 

personally, if those were my two options, i would go with teh 1st gen 4x4. i absolutely love the 1st gens and was looking into buying an 04 DC 4x4 TRD but it was only about 4 grand less than what i got my new 07 for. since i wasn't on a real tight budget i went for the new DC 4x4 TRD. The 1st gens are badass trucks though, and 36k miles is very low. 1st gets dont have quite as much power, but it has more than enough unless you tow alot of really heavy stuff. on our last off-road meet one of the guys had a 1st gen, an 03 i think... anyway, stock 1st gens have a little more ground clearance than stock 2nd gens, and since they are a little smaller, they can navigate narrow trails with a little more ease. either way you'll be getting a great truck, but if you go with the 4x2 and ever get in a situation where you need 4x4 you'll be kicking yourself in the ass

 

Still in school?

I wouldn't think of $20+K on a truck right now unless you have really have the extra funds. Drive a beater, save your $. If you really need a truck, 99-03 Gen 1 4x4. Proven, and can cost half of the new Gen 2's.

Once you have your education, are working, and got the money ready, then get that you want.

 

i have my schooling paid for with scholarships and i need to build my credit somehow and i am staying away from those damn credit cards lol. anyways i am hoping to get that 04 DC. either way i will post pix of my new toy that i get.

 

i'm jealous, i love that body style