3rd Gen Tacoma purchase (USED)

Hello everyone,

I am new here in the forum.. i am in the market for a used 3rd gen tacoma specifically the TRD OFFROAD 4X4 trim.. what are the thi gs that I should look for with a used truck? I keep hearing tacomas being bullet proof and a 20k-30k miler tacomas are still good as new when not abused. How true is this? I own an awd sedan and after going up big bear with snow on the road, i imagined how fun doing this on a truck! Lol!

 

Used prices are usually not all that far off from new, I would honestly shop new and if you wait till the 2020's come out you could probably get a smokin deal on a leftover 2019.

 

What’s your budget? The Tacoma is one of those vehicles it just makes sense to buy new if your able

 

Wow thanks for the quick replies! I will consider all your suggestions!

Regarding budget, 600/mo will be pushing it but if a cheap mint/immaculate driven on pavement only tacoma is up for sale then i would grab it. I want the 4x4 as i plan to take it outdoors.

 

Well that’s great to hear! They don’t like being treated like a house cat

 

By all means perform a leak test of the third brake light using a high pressure hose. Dealer will replace it as long as its still under warranty. If you don't like the way it shifts have the dealer update the PCM software it worked for me. Listen for the rear end howl when slowing down with your foot off the gas when coming down an incline. Some folks don't like the throttle response either so be sure your happy with that as well. Or you can shell out $300 for the pedal commander. Just a few things from my experience with the 3rd gen.

 

Welcome to TW. Pick a spot, and start reading. Most anything you can think of is asked and answered.

G.

 

You can easily get a brand new TRD offroad 4x4 for 600/mo, but since are not in desperate need of a car i'd say wait until the 2020 Tacoma is out that way you get all the new features. Also check out some mods you might want to do and add that into your budget. Regardless you should check different prices in different areas (Autotrader, BlueBook, Autolist, etc.), knowledge is power. Always ask for free dealership stuff (bed mat, bed cargo divider, bed extender, 4 bed cleats), if you don't ask they won't give.

 

I bought my 2016 DCLB with 19,000 kms on it, Feb 2018. I now have 57,000 kms on it and BTB warranty ends Oct 2019. I searched for many months for a good used Taco in Ontario, with a price point in mind. All the 2016's I found had 40 to 70k on them and were mostly stock, certainly not lifted.

After I expanded my search to all of Canada that really helped a lot. I found this truck at a Toyota dealer in Western Canada, Texas built (avoid the Mexico built if you can IMO) highly modified, with low kms and lots of factory warranty remaining. It cost me $1100 to fly out and drive it back the 4000kms but feel i got a smoking deal considering the lift, wheel and tire combo, steps, 3M, and overall excellent condition of the truck.

Yes, its un-nerving buying a truck sight unseen, however using a good dealer, being patient and completing lots of local test drives helped.

This option is not uncommon believe it or not and the dealer i worked with routinely sells out of Province.

Welcome and GL !

 

Welcome to the forum. The price of a used Tacoma can be very close to the price of a new one depending on what part of the country you live in. Here in Oregon I see used ones listed for more than what I paid for mine new. Shop around and as mentioned before, gets prices from several sources before you go to the dealer.

 

I saved $7-8k on my 2017 over a new 2019. I have low mileage and the previous owner did a backflip cover, oem running boards and full 3M... that puts my savings well over $8k.... conservatively.

Also factor in no blazing blue for 2019 the 2017 was a no brainer.

 

Before getting one , rent one and drive it for several days , then you will know if it’s for you or not. Btw I love mine

 

My 2018 Off Road may be for sale very soon! Its very lightly used as I spent most of my ownership time in Afghanistan

 

Either way you look at it, a Toyota is a Toyota.. new or used. You won't be disappointed in the reliability and how cheap they are to maintain.
That being said, I agree with the popular consensus that if you can, try to buy new. The bigger the Toyota dealer you look at, the most likely they will have the inventory for what your looking for and the flexibility to give you the price you want. I love my 2018 Off Road, and the 3.5 seems to be a great motor.

The only thing I had to complain about was the transmission "hunting" gears and noticed that it does great where I live/work which is mostly flat, but as soon as I go on a weekend drive in the mountains I can't keep it from shifting early. I was told there is an ECU re-flash that fixes this problem but unfortunately i have not had the time to hit the dealer.
Nothing wrong with used at all either, but make sure you find something that some kind of warranty is still covering, unless you have plans of heavy modification.

 

Look at both new and used toyota is offering 0% finance in some places. Check out trucar you can do a deep search I just looked and used low mileage still under warranty double cab 4x4 offroads auto trans are going for $30,000 - $33,000.

Check the car fax, if you can pull the toyota service records find out what kind of service has been done on the truck, it's pretty easy to look up on their website if you have the VIN #.

If you pop the hood there might be a sticker on the underside of the hood close to where the hood prop is if your looking at an older 2016-2017 and the transmission TSB has been done and they reflashed the software that controls the transmission (automatic only)

I would recommend test driving for a long time, take it up high speeds like 75 mph. I would do a 15 minute ride out then a 15 minute ride back flipping the ECT PWR button on the center console.

Find a gravel lot to test the 4x4 functions and the rear locker (don't drive around in 4LO just go straight)

If there are any mod's done to the used car like a lift, leveling kit, bigger tires test the car for rubbing at full lock forwards and reverse, both directions, ideally you want to test this turning up a ramp or driveway too so you can flex the suspension and see if it rubs.

 

By new. All the things to check have already been mentioned. Tons of trucks between 33,000-36,000 and you get 1,000 cash back. Shop around and just buy new if at all possible.

 

How many miles on your SR5? I paid 32 For my TRD OR 4x4 new, so I think the comments about price are still valid.

 

I totally agree with you.

Are there people paying close to or at or above $40K? Yes. Is it a stupid purchase in my opinion? Yes. There is no reason to get any Tacoma for anywhere near $40K unless you don’t shop around.

I think buying a Pro is a waste of money but that’s my opinion of course. I paid $32,500 for mine and the new ones online are very close to that price. I just can’t see buying used to save $2,000. I would rather have the full warranty and super low miles than to save a couple thousand.

 

I’d try to find a leftover. I bought my 17 OR Access Cab (w/ premium and tech) for less than used ones listed around me in July 2018. Feels much better getting into a brand new car for less than used. My price before taxes and state fees was right around $32,500. My search was ONLY for CPO so that drove up the used price a bit.

 

My local dealer has new SR5's at about 32 now, with the same discount I got on my OR, it'd only be about $2000 more than what you bought at. So you definitely saved money, I just think for all things considered it's not enough to sweat. I'd rather have the full warranty as experience has taught me it will be necessary... Your sig makes me think you have needed it too. I also think the 18 and up SR5 has some features the older versions didn't have so the price of the model probably went up as well helping your cause.

Nothing wrong with letting some other sucker pay for the depreciation though on trading in a virtually new vehicle. Sounds like you got a good deal.