1st gen Taco, 2nd gen Taco, or 4Runner?

Are any of these a good deal?


I went and looked at:


2002 Tacoma 135,000 miles Double Cab TRD OR - $8500

Truck had some rust on door panels, decent frame but the owner didn't clean it up very well (there were garbage bags and empty beer cans in the bed)


2004 4Runner 68,000 miles SR5 v6 4x4 - $12,000 fairly clean, frame had a little surface rust, but owner seemed like he took good care of his stuff


2012 Tacoma TRD Sport 62k miles 4x4 Access Cab - $20000, truck was clean and looked well maintained


Would you guys buy any of these? Or would you opt for spending the extra $5k on something certified Preowned?


I.e.: 2014 Tacoma DBSB with 35k miles for $26k

 

CPO warranty was completely useless in my case. The first gen looks pretty clean. I'd go with that and spend the extra in mods

2nd gen Access Cab is a good deal too

 

I have owned every single vehicle that you've mentioned.....

and it all depends on what you want to do / how you want to use it / what are your goals for the vehicle....

 

That black trd sport looks so good! I had to think long term when I bought my truck last month I really wanted an access cab (looks better than a 4 door in my opinion) but I need a backseat for a kid in the near future, but 20k seems like a really good price I just paid 25k for my 13' Double cab long bed trd sport in silver with 40k miles , my friend has a 12' sport and there's no touchscreen/Bluetooth audio though which I wanted for something I plan on having for a long time, looked at a couple in black around me in New England but they showed a lot scratches/wear for only being 4-5 years old, best of luck

 

That 4runner is a good price I think, if you don't need a bed...
I paid 21K for my DCSB 4x4 sr5 with 85k miles
The 2nd gen and the 4runner seem like good buys.

 

I just need a commuter vehicle that can occasionally haul my dirt bike and kayaking equipment, along with my dog and the occasional female

 

That’s what I was thinking too... way I see it, if I can get the guy to bite on $19k I’ll walk away with a Taco, but otherwise I’ll probably work with the 4runner to save a couple bucks and for mods

 

Well said

 

Well you want a dirt bike out back so that leaves the 4Runner out. Between the two Tacomas I'd get the 2nd gen for more room for yourself, dog, and the bike. Personally I'd get the 4Runner due to the locking center diff you can drive in AWD then switch back to 4x4 in 4Hi or 4Lo when you get into some serious traction issues best of both worlds