looking to get into a tacoma

Borrowed an 04 around 10 years back and loved the thing. My brother had one and it ran forever. I'm looking to spend ideally 15k but will go up to 20k. What years to avoid, what years are gems? Manual or auto? I'm in the salt band so finding anything that isn't a rotted mess will be difficult. Thanks for input. Also if theres a thread somewhere around here that can answer my typical questions, I'd welcome it. Admittedly did not do much digging around.

It'll be used to plow my driveway (maybe next year unless i find one with a plow already), and run trash every other sunday. Other than that I've got a 32 mile round trip daily commute.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

1st gen 4banger manual with the 2.7 reg cab?

 

What ever you like. They all gonna last. If you’re in to off roading the go for the trd off road so you can get a rear locker, if you want 4x4 then go for a 4x4 if not you can go with 2WD and then convert it to 4x4. Etc etc…. Cheers and welcome.

 

Definitely want manual!