Shopping Tacos - 2012 or 2015 - which do you prefer and why? Updated: the '15 is gone.

Looking at two Tacos - both DCSB V6 Prerunner models - no tow or TSS or TRD on either - seem to be interchangeable re options - but one is a 2012 the other 2015 - both one owner with good Carfax - the 2012 has about 10% more miles than the 2015 - the 2015 got its miles in a hurry.

I prefer the 2015 - but wonder if the mileage in a hurry is good or bad?
And all things equal - any significant difference 2012 versus 2015?

Thanks to all - this is a great Forum!

 

Biggest and important difference is the 2012 is much more likely to have its secondary air injection pump and valves fail. Expensive fix that is rarely covered by warranty. The later models have the same pump but the ECU is programmed to purge the system on shutdown which greatly increases the life of the valves and the pump. If it wasn't for that problem I'd say they are pretty equivalent, but because of that I'd take the 2015 over the 2012.

 

@DVexile thank you for that info!

 

I have always been partial to the 2015 inferno pro myself. If I had waited long enough for a 15' that is what I would of gotten over the Baja.

Coot

 

Some would say the 15 just because it is the last 2nd gen year and maybe because the minor problems and recalls were already fixed by Toyota by then which I doubt.
I have 12 with 39k and as a matter of fact I took care of the common problems for example the vibration issue and the engine knocking.
So I think it should be the price in your case and the condition of course.

How much they are asking for if you don't mind.
I may consider selling mine

 

2013 was the best year they made.


I would rather buy a used vehicle with more than average miles than less. Driving the car short distances (ie not getting the engine oil up to operating temp) actually puts more wear and tear on the car than more longer trips.

When I was Taco shopping I stayed away from trucks with super low miles.

People put too much focus on miles, as if that is the main determiner of life in the vehicle. This is incorrect logic. So many other factors come into play.

If it were me I would go 2015.

 

Both asking about $22k and 65/70k miles

 

Yup 2013 is the best year among the 12'-15' Has the upgraded radio the 12' doesn't have nor has the smog pump problem either. Has the outside temp the 14'-15' lack, same goes for the radio and compass.

 

Pretty sure it was the last year of the rear view mirror camera aswell...

OP, i'd go with the 15'. The smog pump/valve problems with the 12's seem to be extremely common.

 

Yep! I was bummed that my '14 didn't have the compass and temp in the mirror. I have thought about buying a '13 mirror just for that feature. Oh, and I believe the '13 didn't have the stupid sharkfin antenna but I could be wrong.

 

Rear view camera is a plus - for outside temp and compass I'll just open the window as I navigate by the stars...

 

A 2015 with 65~70K miles must be a lot of highway driving. Which is good, the larger fraction of the miles that are long runs on the highway on the better for the engine.

Within 70K it is hard for someone to have too badly screwed up on maintenance unless they were horribly bad at doing oil changes. They could have skipped various other long term maintenance items without it doing anything bad yet.

Lastly depending on where you live another advantage of a newer vehicle is you can have rust prevention under your control for more of the life of the vehicle.

 

It absolutly does not have the stupid shark fin antenna

 

'13 is the best year. I got lucky and bought one, because it was equiped/priced/condition I wanted. I've since learned that I did well with my choice.

But in your specific questions, take the '15. Same price, 3 years newer. While miles are currently a higher per year, does that really matter? If you keep it long enough you can either lower the annual average or blow it out of the water. Either way, 10-12 yrs out it doesn't matter much.

 

To be clear they all have a rear view camera. In the earlier models the camera view is displayed in the rearview mirror, in the later models it is displayed on the radio display.

 

What stupid shark fin antenna?!? Does my 12 have it!!!???!!! Aahhhhh
As far as I know all Tacoma's 05-15 have the same roof fin antenna.

 

No, originally you got either the shark fin or the patch antenna depending on the options you had (e.g. XM, Nav). In later models they started always doing the shark fin even if you didn't have radio options that required it.

 

Nope. My '13 base w/base jukebox has a fender mounted antenna.

 

As long as it passes *your* mechanic's inspection, go '15, because (as noted) those have a higher chance of being highway miles. Plus, there's a fractional upside when/if you sell it on. (I'm too lazy to go to kbb to verify, but I'm pretty sure a 3 year gap equals dollars.)

oh, and forgot to say, you'll get a couple of years on things like the emissions/drivetrain warranty...

 

13' is the best year.

How about telling us the actual miles on the trucks?!?