Buying a 2nd gen double cab

I'm in the market for a Tacoma and don't know a lot about specific years and changes. I have owned many older Toyota trucks and know a lot about what years to avoid and when they did changes to interior but that don't help me with the Tacoma. I only want to spend about $20k so the newer 13+ models are out for me.

Any years to avoid? what years did they do any interior or exterior changes? Anything specific to look for when checking out a used Tacoma?

 

Other than the headlights and grill, I believe the exterior is the same from 2005-20015

 

If you are going Pre-Runner you should be able to easily find a DCSB for under 20k. Probably have to go back to 08 or 09.

Edit.

I am super bored finishing up my day at work and did an auto trader search for your area. You have to go out a 100 miles away(which probably isn't that crazy in your area) to find more than 5 trucks. They can be had for under 20k but you are looking at 06 and 07s.

Prices are crazy high out there.

 

I have looked on auto trader as well and Im willing to fly anywhere in the west for the truck I want. 100 miles in my area is a daily drive.

I see there is a frame rust problem with these trucks. where is the frame rusting at? Did the interior change in 09?

Im having a hard time finding a truck under $20k with under 100K miles. Is 100K a lot of miles for these trucks?

 

Take you time looking. I waited about 6 month and finally found mine certified for 21K w/43,000mi. You'll find one sooner or later.

 

You have to take your time to find a low mileage one for a good price like mentioned above, and be willing to travel for a deal. That being said I told myself I would never buy a truck with as many miles as I recently did. Our family tacoma got up to 150,000 miles without a hiccup and I sold it and bought a different tacoma with 150,000 miles and its running pretty strong (only sold and bought a new one for the modifications done to the new one).

 

09+ had TRAC and whatnot standard, the sport loses the mechanical LSD, all models get LED taillights, side curtain airbags are standard (hence the RSCA off switch), different headrests, and the interior gets some tweaks (area under the HVAC controls mostly).

2011 got a honeycomb grill (one year only) and the late 2011s got new gauges but is otherwise the same as a 2009-2010.

2012 is a slight redesign, different grille, headlights, and some interior changes.

 

LED taillights in 2009+

 

Hood scoop is different, front bumper is different, steering wheel is different

 

I'll keep my bigger hood scoop and bumper with bigger fogs, but I'll take your steering wheel

 

lol