Tacoma purchase? Need advice

Hey all,

I dont own a Tacoma but I have been thinking about it for a few different reasons and was looking for some help.

So my back story is I have a lowered chevy colorado (daily driver) and a 75 F-250 4x4 with 4 in lift. It might sound great to have both but our HOA is a bitch about parking in the street so I have to block the colorado in with the ford and its not exactly a daily driver. So long story short i am getting tired of switching trucks in the morning and keeping a black street truck looking nice is getting old. I am currently deployed and have seen some sweet modified Hiluxs out here, not sure who uses them, but they are built. As a result I have been tossing around the idea of selling both and getting a 4 door 4x4 tacoma and styling it similar to what they have out here. My questions are as follows:

1. Is there anything to watch out for when buying a 4x4 good and bad?

2. Do I have to get the whole off road package to get the rear locker and is the package worth the money?

3. What transmission would you all recommend?

4. Do people fit pretty well in the back seat?

5. Does the 4 door 4x4 bog down the v6 or is it pretty strong? (can't test drive one until i get back)

Thanks for any help amigos

Ian

 

1- Not sure whether you are buying new or used. If used, there is probably quite a few things to look at on the 4x4.
2- I think if you get the offroad package, the locker is included. If you are going to use the truck offroad, it's probably worth it. One thing though, w/offroad package, bed only comes in a short. For the long bed you need the sport.
3- I have a 6 spd and love it, but to each their own!
4- Someone else will have to answer this one, I have an access cab
5- the V6 engines in these trucks are pretty powerful, don't think you'll have any issues.

 

Welcome to the site Ianh, I don't have a 4 door but i'll try to answere you're questions.

1. Is there anything to watch out for when buying a 4x4 good and bad?
Toyota good, everything else, bad

2. Do I have to get the whole off road package to get the rear locker and is the package worth the money?
yes, and if you plan on the alot of offroad and don't want to upgrade to a locker in the future, yes

5. Does the 4 door 4x4 bog down the v6 or is it pretty strong? (can't test drive one until i get back)
strong motor, imo this truck has plenty of getupandgo

hope this helped ya out

 

huh, what happened to 3 and 4, anyway i this is my first auto, and i love it, don't have a 4 door but I sat in one and it was a little tight

 

Thanks guys i would probably look used first and if i couldn't find what I want go new. I thought of another question that might seem strange but are there any years from the 05 and up style that may have been better than others like options or anything of that nature?

 

I think 09 was the first year they started putting the fancy traction control systems in, a very impressive addition i believe. My 09 sport goes places that my 97 sr5 wouldn't dream of going.

 

New or used can mean a lot of difference in what to look for.

If used, try and bring someone knowledgeable about trucks, Don't be affraid to crawl underneath, and look for fluids leaking, Rust, And any things.
If you are not comfortable, dont buy it.

as for new trucks. They aren't really moving on the stickers to much, or offering incentives. You could actually get a decent tundra for the same amount with rebates, and price negotiating.

 

As far as back leg room, it has about the same room as my previous '03 Dodge ram Quadcab. Sits comfy if you are 6ft and under.

 

Thanks for all the help

 

Not to knock the Tacos, but consider Dodge Dakota. Lower resale value; but, IMO, good looks and lower initial price point. It's not a Toyota, but it's a nice, comparable truck.