Buying advice needed on '13 at local carmax

Carmax just got in a 2013 Access cab 6spd 4.0 TRD offroad pkg with 19k miles on it. Priced at $25,900. Std audio and a hitch with toyota rigid running boards. How can I tell if it has an actual towing package on it. Can you all tell me if price seems inline? I would prefer a double cab but either will be a big space upgrade for me from my current std cab. Any other pointers greatly appreciated!

 

I am pretty sure any TRD package comes with the towing package as part of it. There should be the hitch receiver and 7 pin in the back. I am not really sure on the price though, is it 2wd or 4wd?

 

on an automatic you get an external tranny cooler

on std, you only see the 7pin and actual hitch



RockLobster posted this: Look for the engine oil cooler under the oil filter

hmmm didn't know about that, would I have one ? I have an auto not std

 

If it has the factory tow package, it'll have the tranny cooler and oil cooler:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/265175-factory-transmission-oil-cooler.html

** Correction: you said it's a 6MT, so it won't have the tranny cooler. Look for the oil cooler.

 

Not sure what the truck sells for in your area, but I've found Carmax, on average, to be a little more expensive than other places.

 

I've seen the same thing. I would also wonder about the warranty they will give and the kind of service you'll receive if it's needed.

I'd much rather have a Toyota dealer tech doing warranty work on my truck than one of the people CarMax employs.

 

Just wait! There is one out there for you. Be patient. As stated above, I would get a Toyota Certified one from the dealer for peace of mind and a similar (if not better) price point.

You're spending $25,000. Don't settle for less than what you want then kick yourself for the next 10 years wishing you hadn't. My 2 cents.

 

Thanks guys. I'll look for the 7 pin connector. It is 4wd and my local toyota dealer will service it thru warranty period. Then onto my trusty mechanic. Local Toyota dealers are priced above carmax and don't seem to have any 6spd 4.0's which is what I would prefer.

 

Have you had the opportunity to drive a 6spd tacoma yet? Coming from a MT background I was convinced that was what I wanted also but after driving both I went with the auto. If I was to go back to a sporty vehicle of some sort a manual would be on the list but for this truck the auto is really nice.

 

Based on book value with the information you gave that is a good price at least for my area. When checked it came up around a 1000 dollars more from a dealer.
http://www.nadaguides.com/

You can read here about a tow package. It breaks it down near the bottom.
http://www.toyota.com/content/ebrochure/2013/tacoma_ebrochure.pdf

As for a transmission I prefer the standard. I had a 4 runner with an auto and do not like Toyota's autos especially when towing. Too much in and out of lock-up although they did have an override button for that. I do agree that Toyota's manual transmission require some getting used to, could use a slightly lower 1st and a much lower reverse gear with a slightly higher gear in 6th on the Tacoma, but for me they exceed the auto. Then you can expect to rebuild the auto tranny around 250K or so depending. I guess it is to each their own.

 

I don't like the 6speed in 2nd Gen.

When I went looking for my very own Taco I drove lots of them. I was always a hardcore manual transmission guy before I tried this one out and it is really shitty when compared to all of the other manual transmission cars and trucks I've driven in the past.

I would not own one.

 

Love my 2009 manual 2.7. I just like having control over my RPMs, for better fuel economy and also for less frustrating driving in the mountains with the smaller engine. I've also found the shifting to be very smooth. The clutch pedal engages kind of late in its throw, but I quickly got used to that. Looking forward to swapping all my fluids to redline here pretty soon.

 

Wow thanks for the info. My reference point is my current 94 4wd 5 spd and 02 4Runner auto. I love driving my old pickup even with its clunky gearing I enjoy rowing my own. However my daily driver is a Civic AT and I'll be trading this in. I will drive it and see how smooth it shifts. As far as price I can't find a better deal on autotrader, cars.com. Car guru, Craigslist or after checking 4 different local Toyota dealers. In fact there aren't many '12 and newer 6spd 4.0's out there.

 

Well I figure there has to be a reason that There are very few 6spds on the market....either they really suck or people just really don't wanna shift. How is it so bad? Is the clutch too heavy or too grabby? Or are the gears too easy to miss. I'll drive it myself but I e
Want to make sure I don't go to test drive with rose colored glasses on

 

I had the 6 speed in my '05 (same trans Toyota uses today). Junk. It had a funky rev hang that I got used to, but the clutch and the shifter felt weird. The RPM's were too high at 70mph, and 1st gear felt too low. Loved my old 5 speed before it though. Drive it for yourself before you spend any money.
Edit: and I had to have the master cylinder replaced at 15,000 miles.

 

The reason there are so few 6 speeds is very few people know how to drive one especially off-road. An automatic is just easier to drive. As for the clutch it is different on the Tacoma and takes some getting used to. Also 3rd and 5th, 3rd being the worst, tend to clunk when going into gear if you shift too quickly. On mine I only use 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th under normal driving and shift at 1500 RPM. That is not because of shifting problems but to get the best MPG.

 

Thanks crazy, I'll let you know how it drives. I'll bet you mean slave cylinder(?).

 

Thanks I agree. My 94 22re 5 spd has really long throws and does not like to be rushed. How does one know if the slave cyl is going bad? Never experienced that before

 

If you can, pull a carfax on anything carmax is selling. Make sure it wasn't wrecked. Look online at their reviews. They sell a lot of wrecked cars to the uneducated. Rush you into a sale and the car is garbage.

 

Usually if the slave cylinder is going bad, but not totally bad yet, the clutch will not totally disengage and the gears will grind when shifting especially when cold. There could also be wet spots under the truck from a leak.