In the Market

Tacoma Enthusiasts,

I just recently returned from a 500+ mile off-road expeditionary trip covering Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. Now I have off-road fever! After driving different off-road vehicles, I am settling on the Tacoma, 2nd Gen. I am here to pick your brains and get your advice since a lot of you have been doing this for awhile. I live in the Virginia Beach area and am willing to travel (not across the Country!) to get the right taco. Here is a vehicle I am going to look at this weekend:

http://www.carwebinc.com/web/used/Toyota-Tacoma-2009-Fredricksburg-Virginia/25835695/

I understand my physical inspection and driving of the vehicle will be the best judge of what I am buying. All I am looking for is something that may raise a red flag to some of you subject matter experts, like price, previous Carfax history, mileage, etc. I would say I am 80% sure of what I am looking for when going to inspect the vehicle, but if there are little things you all have come across during the course of your time with the Tacoma, please let me know. Thank you all for taking the time to read this and give you input.

Steve

 

Why not consider buying a leftover 2015, used Tacos are usually not much less than new.

 

It all comes down to my budget! I am not looking to go over 20k. I am trading in or private selling my 2009 F150 2WD. It appraises in the range of $15-17k. Not trying to come out of pocket to much right out the gate!

 

You have any thoughts on the taco in the original post? Good price?

 

If it was me I would keep looking. That price seems alittle high. My friend just got a 2008 trd off road with 75,000 on it for $19,000 from a Toyota dealership. I know these trucks last along time, but i would have a hard time spending 20,000 or more on any vehicle with almost 100,000 miles.

 

Price seems reasonable to me, these trucks have the highest resale value out of any vehicle sold in the USA. Price of admission is high, which is what pushed me to buy brand new rather than used. Trying to find a good condition, low mileage, 2nd Gen OR for under 20k would be a challenge. I just checked my local area and for an OR, in the low $20k price range you are looking at several years older with a lot more miles, making this truck look like an excellent deal.

I believe 2009 is also the year ATRAC was introduced, giving you the greatest off road capabilities the 2nd Gen has to offer. If you have the off road bug, be sure to get the off road model (as you have linked) and not a sport. The off road has the locker and ATRAC (including electronically boosted brakes) whereas other models do not (save the 2015 Pro).

92k miles is just breaking these things in. The one thing to look for on the earlier second gens is frame rust. So be sure to stick you head under the truck and check out the frame.

Edit: Also MGM is the best color.

 

Crash and Flagstaff,

Thank you for your advice. I definetly have a lot of things to think about before making the big purchase.

Steve L

 

You are in a region where it could be affected by road salt. Especially if the truck lived up north. Definitely check the frame. Especially the area on the inside vertical sections by the cats. That's the most common problem area. There is currently a frame recall on 2005-2009's. You could check the VIN here: http://www.toyota.com/recall

 

Price is right in the range of what KBB has listed.

http://www.kbb.com/toyota/tacoma-do...303435|true&mileage=92318&condition=very+good

 

Also when buying a vehicle I always think of how long I will be making payments on it. If you get a 5 year loan on a vehicle with 100,000 miles and you drive on average around 20,000 miles per year. You will be making payments on a truck that almost has 200,000 miles on towards the end of the loan. I personally think that's high mileage to still be making payments. That's just my thinking.

 

Do you guys have an opinion or facts on Tacos made in Mexico vs Japan or USA? I have been combing the internet and found a forum from 2007 that talked about it, but nothing recent.

 

No Tacomas are made in Japan

 

No 2nd gen tacos made in japan. You'd have to get a 4runner to get a Japanese built offroad vehicle. Whether it's Mexico or US, not really any issues with one or the other.

 

DCSB (double cab short bed) = Kentucky
Long Bed = Mexico

Inspect the frame front to back. Rear enders bend the back end of the frame very easily. 2nd Gen Tacomas are prone to frame rust. There's lots of threads about that here on TacomaWorld.

 

To all in this Thread....I just bought my Taco...2015 (screw the budget!) DCSB TRD Offroad 4WD. Time to start my Christmas wish list! Thank you all for your help.

 

Sweet, post some pics when you get a chance.

 

My short bed was manufactured in Baja California. Has it changed in the recent years?

 

Awesome to hear, you made the right choice, congrats!

 

The DCSB I just bought was manufactured in Mexico. I will try and get some pictures up tomorrow when its daylight. I went into the dealership while it was still light outside, but left after closing....had to wear them down...4 hours! Went there to look at a '12, test drove a '14, and walked out with a '15!

 

That is the port of entry it was received into the US I believe. That one tricked me too.