What model year should I be looking for?

Hello! I've been looking into getting a Tacoma for some time now (transferring over from the dark side...(subaru))
I'm hoping to get a 4x4, Double Cab (SB or LB) and my budget is around $15k
(I could also compromise and get an access cab, but the 4x4 is a necessity since I live in CO)

What year should I be looking for? Preferably looking for something I can hang on to for a while and add some mods to...

I've dropped about $4k on fixing my '03 forester in the last year, so if I can go at least 6mo without needing to go to the mechanic that would be ideal

Really not picky about color either!

Thanks in advance!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
1st gen best gen
1995.5 - 2004
DCSB only no DCLBs
18 years on my 2003 without mechanic.

 

That’s a rough spot really. Lots of chances to find trouble in that price range and maybe a few ways to strike gold too. Best option would be a friends and family connection 1-2 owner truck which hasn’t been beaten on and has no frame or engine issues.

Have you considered a loan at all? Or is the $15k price already the loan amount?

It’s a rough time to buy a used Tacoma. If I were in your shoes though, I’d be looking at 2015’s (last year of 2nd gen and possibly the best value of late model Tacomas given popularity of 3rd gen). You probably need to be well into the 20’s to find a good 2015 DCSB 4x4 but it’d likely also hold that higher price on the resale side so it’s mostly parked capital rather than wasted.

 

I figured that much...seems like everyone and their mom wants a Taco right now.
$15k is with a loan at the moment, but I'm also looking into getting a business loan in the next couple months (taco would be used for business purposes too) so my budget might go up a bit depending on what I get approved for. I can definitely wait it out though, 2015 would actually be really ideal but I didnt think I could afford it anytime soon.

Should I be looking for that price range from private part or dealer?

 

Used Tacoma prices are crazy right now, so much so, it might be better getting a loan and buying new, if you can.

 

15k will get you a clapped out 1st gen sadly. or a high mileage base 2nd gen

 

Welcome to TW!

 

For 15k a frontier might be a good option to be honest. Tacoma will be a bit old for less than 20k, which is stupid

 

Go for the 95 -04s 1st Gens. Be prepared to look for awhile and make sure you put it up on a lift so you can inspect the frame really close. These trucks hold up well on the surface but rot to pieces underneath. If you find a good one you will be happy. Look out west or down south. An 86-92 Mazda B2200 is another great little truck if you can even find one anymore. Same problems with 2nd and 3rd gens with rust underneath being biggest issues. All Tacoma's are overpriced. People pay it though. Older Frontiers are good to but avoid anything with CVT transmissions from them.

 

Exactly, but fortunately frontier never came with a cvt. Thank god

 

Thank goodness for that. I wasn't sure and knew the CVTs were killing Nissan with all the problems they had and their poor response addressing the issue. When I bought my 17 Tacoma I passed at even looking at a Frontier. Good luck with your search. Take your time . It will happen.

 

The main thing about the frontier is the turning radius is terrible and the interior is rather outdated but durable.
Jatco cvts are the worst thing ever. Thier trucks were the only thing that never got them I believe.
Tacoma is definitely more refined, but remember that if you amortize it over longer, it's easier to justify new. 3000$ a year over 15 years pays for the 30k truck. Plus resale prevents insurance from screwing you a much.

 

I bought a 2010 TRD sport.....so short bed.....198k.....paid 11200.....have put in another $2500, BUT every fluid and filter has been changed, new Bilstein 5100s all around, 3rd gen rims, bed cover, tint, some interior mods, brakes, valve cover , plugs, Pcv , AC blower, hood struts.....
A few things every month to not break bank.......some Preownd parts, watched lots of videos for easy stuff, TW has some great postings.......cleaning Throttle Body, best tutorial ever
Just down to the frame.....10 months left and it’s going to pass inspection unfortunately.....

the 14/15 models, even high miles are going low 20s......16s (3rd gen) are mid 20s

don’t be afraid of 2nd gen with high miles......the key is maintenance history and a good pre buy inspection.....and finally some common sense......new tires....hides front end alignment.......

i always pull Cabin Air filter (behind glove compartment), and if really interested.....pull a spark plug......both are easy and will tell you a lot about the truck.

good luck

 

I’d say a 12-15, unfortunately as others have said they’ll be up there on miles in your price range. Great thing if you own one, not so great when buying. But if you know the history and it’s not in a rusted out frame, mileage itself isn’t a big deal.

 

I have to agree with this. Used Tacomas are way over inflated and it's going to be difficult to find one with a lot of life left at that price. Look into a Frontier or F150.

 

Lots of life left?
Tacoma’s are easily 300k vehicles IF, you’re proactive with maintenance, and change out fluids.
Don’t believe me, put a for sale sign on your Taco and set the clock....

 

Well, to offer a point of reference.

February 2020, I purchased from a dealer an '06 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport with 105,xxx miles for $15,300 cash. I had the service dept run the VIN to check for recall , TSB and any additional service work before I signed. I was comfortable that critical work had been completed.

Recall
EO2 Leaf Spring
D0L Seat belts
C0B Spiral Cabl
90L Floor Mat 1
60E Child Restaint & Tire
LSD ESD Frame Inspection

Service
Fr. Diff 75850
Rr.Diff 75850
Xfer Case 75850
Spark Plugs 75850
Shocks (4) 75850
Ovrhead Disp 75850
Frame 75850 (replace)
Leaf Springs 75850 (replace)

You may need to be a bit more flexible with the budget and model. Don't be quick to make a buy, but you need to be ready to move when your dream truck presents itself.

Good luck.

 

The important assumption is bolded. You're assuming the previous owners took good care of it. Few of them do.

A quick look on autotrader came up with a 2012 frontier for 14 grand with 60k miles on the clock, vs a 2007 Tacoma with 160k miles. For fairness' sake I cherry picked the lowest miles returned on the first page of results for both models. I didn't take longer than 30 seconds worth of searching for each. I could have picked the 130000 mile frontier or the 260000 mile Tacoma, also both seen on the first page.

Between those two, not knowing the maintenance history of either, I'd take the Nissan. Even for a Nissan it's hard to fuck up a motor with less than 75k on it.

 

Welcome!

 

On the contrary,
I assume the previous owner did NOTHING, so I changed all of them to know what I have.........
there’s a reason why a truck 5 years older with 100000 more miles is worth the same.......
Or put another way, when you drive around how many Tacoma’s do you see versus Frontiers.......
It’s not even close.