Used Tacoma Search

How does everyone feel about push button start and V4 engines?

Im in the market for a used Tacoma and ideally Id like to find something with a traditional key start and a V6.

Is there a model year thats highly regarded as the "golden age" of Tacomas so to speak?

 

Welcome aboard!

I've owned many push button start vehicles over the years, and never had ignition problems with any of them. If your battery or starter is dead, it won't start regardless of whether you have a push button or a key start.

I believe SR and SR5 models have traditional key start.

The "golden age" of Tacomas is entirely subjective, it just depends on who you ask.

 

Depends what forum you ask this in, every gen has it perks and downfalls. Just to clarify it's an I4 not a V design. Also a lot will depend on your budget on what you end up with.

Most agree it's best to stay away from the 1st 2 years of the 3rd gen, and apparently everyone hates the 4G here.

 

Probably just doesn't want to deal with the accessory-mode auto-shutdown (after 30 or however many minutes) and/or keyfob-battery and/or remote-hacking issues of so-called "smart-key" systems (its for these reasons I fully appreciate the real physical key my TRD Sport MT has).
AFAIK, every manual-transmisssion Tacoma thru 2023 has real keys, and also can be push-started when needed.

As for best Tacoma, lots of guys will swear it was 2015, but I agree it really depends on what you're after (if it's practical sizing, then 2003 or 2004... If it's wanting ALL the latest technicalogical junk, then 2023... If OK with some safety nanny junk but w/o the privacy (telemetry) implications, then 2018 or 2019).

Like said, the first year or two of a new gen tends to be more problematic than later years within the same gen.

 

I’m partial to my 2013, not too much electronic wonder stuff. Touchscreen, but just sound system, and the backup camera is in the mirror and worthless to older eyes.

 

I'm currently on the hunt for a DC with a manual transmission myself. Looking at a 2010 TRD with 152k (clean truck, no rust) and a 2023 TRD with 12k.

My goal is a mainly trouble free truck that needs normal maintenance and minimal repairs.

 

My 2022 TRD Offroad is V6 and a traditional key. But it is a manual though. You can get an SR with a V6 and those have a standard key

 

2nd generations have a good reputation but rust is apparently a factor depending where the truck lives