Buying Advice Needed. Please and Thank You

Hello everyone,

I hope that I am posting this in the correct place as I am new here. If this post should be somewhere else, just let me know.

I am currently in the market for a new used vehicle as my daily driver and am having trouble deciding what to get and have a couple question I would love if someone could provide an answer for.
Needless to say the Tacoma is a strong contender for the top spot on my shopping list. I haven't quite decided if I want to go with a truck or an SUV, though I am thinking a truck might suit my needs a little bit better.
It seems like everyone I know owns a Tacoma a Tundra or both and I have grown to love them.

I am looking at purchasing a 2nd Gen. Tacoma as my first Tacoma. Looking for a 2012 or newer Double Cab Short or Long Box with either TRD package on it.
My other requirements are that it must have less than 100k Kilometres (62k Miles) and be under $20-22k USD (currently about $26.5-29k CAD).

Some things you should know:
1. I live in a small mountain town that gets lots of snow and has terrible road conditions in the winter due to poor snow removal, so 4x4 is a must.
2. I spend a lot of my time on the highway as I go to school in a nearby city. About 90% of my driving is on paved roads, about 100 miles a week.
3. I do not do any serious off roading, poor dirt mountain roads that require some ground clearance, the occasional snowbank and that type of thing.
4. Double Cab for people and all the stuff I carry around daily, the extended cab just wont cut it.
5. Probably wont haul any heavy or oversized stuff. Nothing more than rafts, bikes, ski gear, climbing ropes / gear, etc.
6. I plan on keeping and driving this truck for at least 10 years.

My questions are as follows:
1. How beneficial is having the TRD package? Do I really need it?
2. Is the ride noticeably different between the SR5 and TRD? I have only ever been in the TRD or limited model.
3. How expensive are repairs typically?
4. How often have you had serious issues arise?

I hope you guys are able/willing to help! Thank you very much in advance, I appreciate any and all advice!

Thank you!

 

1. Probably not, but I don't mod, so I wanted the best I could get stock.
2. Don't know.
3. If you do a 5 year cost analysis on kbb.com (I think that's where it is), it ends up being the cheapest pickup to own IIRC.
4. Mine's loud at startup for a couple minutes, but otherwise, nothing. We also had an '06 for a while.

It'll be tough to get a deal. Tacos have crazy high resale, but don't let that scare you away.

 

For $22k you're looking at a dcsb with closer to 100k miles. Fwiw I just sold my 02 dcsb or for $8k and it had 200k miles. Good luck in your search.

 

I don't think you are going to find a DC 4 x 4 for $22k with less than 62000 miles. You might get lucky, but it will be the rare occurrence.


As an owner of both a Tundra and a Tacoma, I think the Tacoma does better in the snow, but that could easily be tires or just that I like running the Tacoma better in the snow. I dunno.

The TRD package really gains you nothing. The shocks and stickers will not make the truck handle snow better. Take the extra money and buy quality tires.

I owned first gen Tacomas with and without the TRD package. The rear end locker is nice, but running in 4low to commute is a waste. You have to run in 4 low for the locker to work on 4 x 4 trucks. I see myself never useing the locker, but 4 x 4 does get used often

 

From my knowledge of the 2nd Gens
1. Only reason id recommend the TRD Off Road over the Sport package is cause of the locking Rear Differential. The locking rear Diff does wonders
2. My friends who own them say theyre a bit different but since youll be mostly on road you wont notice much
3. Depending on how the owner before you took care of the truck. But also to answer your exact question, im not to sure. Since I own a 1st gen.
4. Again im not to sure

But however! If you dont mind owning a tacoma with a bit of higher miles you maybe able to find one easily but just make sure to check for the frame (Which you may know since you live up in the northern parts) Also these are pretty much bullet proof trucks just be sure to take care of them. Also just keep looking at local dealers and Craigslist in your area or even a bitter farther if youre willing to pay for shipping

 

Thank you everyone for your replies, I really appreciate all the info!

There are actually two Tacoma's is my area at a local dealership that fit my criteria, so I am planning on going to take a look at them as soon as I can. Fingers crossed that I might become a Tacoma owner in the near future, if not. It will definitely happen one day!

 

Take lots of pics. We like pics. Enjoy the truck hunt.

KO

 

TRD sport package maybe. You do get much better seats, upgraded interior trim, better shocks, and a bed power inverter.

But the TRD Off Road is another story with the above plus a rear selectable locker, ATRAC off road traction control, and upgraded braking power with an electronic brake booster (part of ATRAC).

 

Does upgraded trim help you in the snow? Does a locker help you in snow? Both questions are "no".

A posi rear end in snow is not an asset. You just end up moving sideways into the ditch with a locked rear end.

 

Locking the rear on the street in the snow is obviously a bad idea. Should you end up in a ditch or otherwise stuck in the snow, the locker is a lifesaver.

 

anyone know of any sites out there to buy TRD package parts? Especially looking for the bed inverter....would be very helpful! Thanks!

 

It'd be hard for me to figure if you need (want) a truck or a SUV, but hopefully you'll figure that out. 1. Very few need the TRD, they just want it. 2. I don't know the difference in the ride. 3. Outrageous at a Toyota dealer, expensive at a private shop, reasonable if you & your buddy do it. 4. That's why to get a Toyota, shouldn't have serious issues. Learn the mkt. in your area, it varies greatly from place to place, & be patient. Good luck.