Potential Tacoma buyer

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum, this is my first post.

I'm looking to buy a Tacoma to replace the Ford Focus ST and Ford F-150 that I currently own. Time to consolidate vehicles.

I'm looking at 2010 and newer, less than 50k miles, 4x4, manual transmission models. Most likely will not buy the 4-banger-lacks power in my book. Looking to be in the $25k range.

Any issues in specific I should be looking for with these trucks when I'm shopping?

I've read a bit about frames rotting out. Specific areas this happens? I live in Wisconsin so this is a major concern.

Any other common issues with these trucks?

Thanks for any input you can provide!

Tony

 

Do plenty of reading on the 6 speed before you purchase, and take it for a good test drive before you make your decision.

Many can post about the frames.

You find it difficult to find one for 25k range with those specs. At least in my area I've seen low mileage 07s and 08s in the low 20s.

 

You should be able to find what your looking for with $25k. May have to travel a bit though. I got my 2010 access cab auto 4x4 TRD OR with 41,000 mi for $24k. I used either autotrader or cars.com to find it. You can type in the exact specs you want on the truck and it will search only for those in your area.

 

Bought new 2015 4 door tacoma 3 months ago....wish I had kept my 04 Tundra...disliking my Tacoma....

 

then get rid of it...

 

What do you dislike about it?

OP, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding one with those specs.

 

I recently got rid of my 2004 Sierra 4wd for a new Tacoma DCLB. In Maine, all trucks have frame rust issues; my Sierra was looking rough with 87k miles and 11 years. Body panel (rockers, cab corners, fenders) rust seems to be much less of an issue with Toyota than with American FS trucks. I do see older 1st gen Tacomas still on the road here, and occasionally peek under one in a parking lot; they look no worse than American FS trucks of the same era. I plan to coat mine with fluid film once per year and not worry too much.

If you have not yet driven a Tacoma, be aware that you will find it has a lower seating position than the F150, and feels more like a car on the road than your truck. This may be good, it may be bad, depends on what you want. I find I am adapting to it, and am fine with it. You may miss having 4' between wheel wells to haul sheet stock without extra supports, and your payload will be significantly less.

 

same here. There are TONS of 1st gens on the road, I cant go anywhere without seeing them. And i live in an area that overuses road salt. I just take care of my truck and dont worry about it.

 

I have a 2010 sport 4x4 double cab 4.0 love the truck two things I would change reverse because backing heavy trailers is a pain geared to high in reverse and 6th gear not high enough I put about 2500 miles a month on mine love Tacoma this being my 10th one

 

Welcome to the forum!

So Tacoma trucks have very high resale value. Carefully consider the price of a new truck instead.

Be aware that a brand new 2015 4x4 V6 MT Access Cab new would be about:

Base - 25K
Convenience - 27K
SR5 - 28K

Add 2K to those values for a Double Cab short bed. If pricing out configurations on the Toyota site be aware you should be able to get at about $2K below MSRP without too much trouble from a dealer. People get bigger discounts with some effort haggling over something on the lot the dealer wants to move. But even ordering a custom configuration you should be able to get about $2K below MSRP using Costco or TrueCar.

So 25K to purchase a used truck with known frame rot and rust issues that has been driven through Wisconsin for up to 5 winters when you can get a brand new one for only a little bit more?

With a new truck you can protect that frame yourself each winter. No telling what the previous owner of a used truck did. And check out the frame rot threads here. Some frames looked pretty good until hit with a hammer. They rot from the inside out which can make it hard to see.

Vibrations. Driveline especially but also front diff.

Personally I'd never buy a used Tacoma in a state with salt and snow. The resale is just too high on these trucks to be worth saving a little bit of money at the risk of a junk frame. But maybe I'm just paranoid.

Another option is to purchase used in another region, won't have any frame rust problems in Southern CA, UT or AZ. Of course a bit of a hassle to shop for a used truck in another state.

 

What if the truck came from the salt lake/ bonneville salt flat area?

 

Frame rust is mainly prone to 05'-08' models. Typically on the front of the truck under the motor.

 

Well, yes, if they drove it a lot on salt flats and never washed it that would be a problem

But having owned and driven vehicles in the southwest for a number of years and then moved to Maryland... Wow... One winter here can do more damage than twenty years in the desert southwest.

 

Statistics show that American males buying Tacomas that were prior Ford, Dodge, Jeep and GM owners exhibited a substantial improvement in the workplace, increased wages per year and tend to retire at an early age.

Other personal changes was the dramatic increase in sexual drive, elimination of erectile dysfunction and the complete loss of sexual fantasies and desires for other men.



.. just kiddin'

 

ive heard this before. Is it official that they changed frame manufacturers for 09' and up?

 

The salt is in the lake and on the flats, not on the road mixed with snow/slush. It's also high desert and dry most of the year.

If I lived In the Salt Belt, I would drive a winter beater. My brother lives in Indy and every winter he drives his trusty albeit rusty Mazda B2200 while his 4Runner sits in the garage.

 

Plan on it

 

Frames are supplied from a different vendor starting with model year 2009.