I want to buy a Tacoma

As the title says, I am interested in buying a Tacoma. Unfortunately I don't have much experience with buying new/newer vehicles, especially trucks. I would like as much feedback/input as possible to help me make my decision.

That being said I believe I should also add a little bit of my background. I am currently Active Duty Air Force and I absolutely love it. Where I'm currently stationed at has some pretty nice trails and I would like to take it off-road on some local trails. My current vehicle is a 2013 Chevy Malibu and I definitely feel like its time for something new and exciting.

But the questions I do have are:

1. And this may be a little bit of a dumb question to ask a Tacoma thread, but are the Tacomas worth the price? If so at which trim level do they become worth it?

2. What are some quirks about your Tacoma that you love/hate.

3. Why Tacoma?

Finally, to state the obvious, I am new to this forum and I would appreciate to hear anything back, even if it's not pertaining to any of the questions I have asked. Thank you for your time.

 

1. If you look at it from an economic perspective, Toyota's and Tacoma's hold their value well. Get at least the OR trim to get rear e-lockers.
2. Nothing
3. Because Toyota reliability/pricing and off-road sounded like a good idea to mix together.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld!

 

So budget starts the conversation.

I had a budget of $45,000. In 2016 was looking at brand new TRD OffRoad Tacoma’s. Probably the most bang for your buck trim. But 2016 was the new body style and they were flying off the dealerships left and right.

So I went and looked at a 2015 with low miles. I ended up getting all the things I wanted and saved $11,000.

The big choice to make will be 4x4 or RWD. If you’re wanting to do trails then get the TRD OffRoad. Has rear diff locker, 4x4 and the 2016+ have Crawl control which basically gets the truck un-stuck.

You can save some cash and buy a 2015 or previous but keep in mind the 2nd gen trucks are pretty basic trucks and don’t come with a lot of technology. If that’s something you like/want get a 3rd gen (2016+). My 2015 has Bluetooth audio/calls/gps/music and rear view camera. That was enough for me. But the 3rd gens come with projectors, easy down tailgates, just overall more bells and whistles.

The 4.0 in my truck is well known for being bulletproof on reliability. That is why Tacoma’s are so expensive and hold their value so well. 4x4’s are usually more expensive by at least $5,000.

Go on toyotas website and look at some of the features, go to a dealership and drive one or two. I think you can still get the Tacoma in a manual but I’m not sure.

Great truck. Tons of great stuff on this forum. Welcome.

 

Oh, next year they’re putting out a green one. So if your military you might like that color more.

 

Welcome to the forum Zach.
Thanks for your service.
These trucks hold there values like no other.
Good luck with your search.
Test drive test drive and test drive again.

 

I figured since he's Air Force, the blue ones would work..

 

I'm actually a huge fan of the quicksand and cement colors on the truck. Granted I think most people are.

 

You never know. My uncle was an Apache Pilot, Chief Warrant Officer 4 and loves OD green.

On the other hand, Tons of civilians buy the sand colored ones and pretend to be operators anyways.

 

That’s another thing to consider. I think quicksand is a “fad” color. I’m assuming won’t be as valuable down the road.

Cement looks nice and will hold its value since it’s grey. You could also do some cool vinyls to make it look like a F16 or something since it’s close in color already.

 

1. I think all Tacoma trim levels are worth the price, just depends on what you need it for. Trd off road probably gives you the most bang for the buck right from the factory. The SR5 you can get with the same power train minus the looks and the locker. Pro is too expensive for my tastes especially because I did not want to keep my truck stock at all. The sport was the only configuration with the double cab long bed so for me that was the best choice even with the longer wheelbase and no locker. I offroad tge shit out of it and have had no issues besides blowing my shocks out, but thats my fault lol.

2. Only real complaint is how much work is involved to fit bigger tires. 33s doesn't takr much, but I'm running 35s now and took a lot of cutting to get minimal rub.

3. Tacomas are reliable and I love the way they look and the aftermarket for these trucks is huge. Parts are widely available and they hold their value very well.

 

They have DCLB for OR trims now for 3rd gens

 

Welcome to TW Zach

 

You want something new and exciting?


Go Baja that Malibu on those trials

 

I know but the 2nd gens didn't have it

 

Welcome to TW! Heres my opinion to your questions based on my 2.5 yrs in my 2017 DCSB OR
1. And this may be a little bit of a dumb question to ask a Tacoma thread, but are the Tacomas worth the price? If so at which trim level do they become worth it?
From the base model SR up all are good for basic trails in any weather with 4wd. The OR does have an advantage with the rear locker and on 2016+ the added MTS(Multi-terrain Select aka Traction control on crack aka cheat mode). I find crawl control mostly useless but maybe one day it may save my ass. The pro your paying a premium to get a merge of the Sport and OR and paying a pretty big price difference. If you plan to lift the truck the Pro loses some value since your replacing the suspension which is a lot of the price difference.
2. What are some quirks about your Tacoma that you love/hate.
The shifting takes some getting used to and with mods and not re-gearing I rarely see 6th gear anymore. Wouldnt trade it for anything else.
3. Why Tacoma?
If you hit trails you'll quickly notice the most used off road vehicles will be jeep, tacomas and 4runners. I chose a Tacoma because I wanted a very capable vehicle that would get me back off the trail. The reliability and capability is what made me want a Tacoma. Yeah a jeep may be more capable at some things but no jeep can carry all the gear I pack for a long trip, my 2 dogs and have room for another person and their gear. Also a jeep doesn't drive as nice on the highway nor is it as reliable. If I didnt want a bed to store gear I would have bought a 4runner.

 

Welcome to TW...Thank you for your service!!

 

1. If you are planning to off-road regularly you'd probably appreciate the extra features on the TRD Off Road. With that said, any 4x4 Tacoma is pretty capable. I think the SR5s and Sports are pretty nicely equipped but the SR is a little too bare bones for my tastes.

2. I have the V6 with the automatic transmission and it definitely feels like the shifting should be smoother at times. However, I think the truck has plenty of power and I still love driving it after nine months of ownership. Just know that if you spend enough time here on TW you will become hyper aware of every quirk and will start to think that your Tacoma has cancer.

3. I have never really, truly NEEDED a truck but I wanted a Tacoma for years. They are simply the best looking trucks (no matter which generation) and are incredibly versatile. It also doesn't hurt that they hold their value like nothing else. I don't off-road but I love using the Taco as my daily ride, and I get a lot of use out of the bed. As long as Toyota doesn't completely shit the bed I can easily see myself owning another Taco (or several).

 

Welcome to TW! Thank you for your service. I have had several Tacoma's throughout the years, they just don't quit. I now have the Sport which is right for me I don't do much off road and it is a daily driver. I did buy the 4x4 for those times that I need it. I love the Cement with all the blackout and black rims, the combination looks awesome. I was thinking about the new Ranger (only once) but don't want a Turbo or the start stop function.
Good luck on your search.

 

welcome