New member! Considering buying a Tacoma...

Hi All,

I am a new member and excited to join this community. As the title suggests, I am in the market for a Tacoma. Any advice?

So far, I've noticed that dealerships and other marketplaces usually sell un-modded tacomas while this forum is filled with lightly to heavily modded ones. Part of me likes the idea of buying a a clean rig and building to my specification but another knows it'll be much more expensive as opposed to a modded one that I could plug-n-play(which may have everything I want at a discounted price).

Anyways - thanks for reading!

 

Welcome to TW.....

 

If you're looking for a slightly modded Tacoma, go here and look.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/3rd-gen-tacomas-for-sale-2016-2023.207/

 

Welcome to TW! I normally don't recommend anybody buy a modified vehicle. You never know the quality of the work done. Of course, if you find a crazy deal then you might be more willing to take that risk.

When you buy somebody else's project you also buy the problems...

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Hey Kevin, I bought a new 2023 TRD PRO in October.

Cons:
-I would definitely go bigger than 5ft on the bed if you're planning on moving anything. I'm disappointed with how tiny the bed is- true 5 ft and VERY NARROW.
-I find the interior to be very tight -especially after a weekly shopping trip. If possible, go for the double cab- if you plan on transporting anything within the cab(including people obviously).
-The JBL audio system doesn't seem loud enough. I like to turn it up and I guess I'm spoiled with party mode in my 4Runner.
-Price. It was a lot. I was doomed from the beginning because I was head strong on certain features- but I could have had a Tundra at close to the same price.
-Although capable for everyday towing ie)utility trailers/small campers... it tops out around 6300 lbs
-Seems to use more gas than I thought it would for a small truck.
-Even though this truck was a high ticket for a Tacoma- there were no protectors on the sill when you step in. I got those ASAP.
-Get a phone mount because the charging pad is kind of IN the dash at the bottom behind the cup holders. I barely use it unless I forget my wired charger. Also, my phone slides when I'm driving and stops charging -_-
-If you've ever driven a full size truck, this may feel like a car to you. I've driven everything from motorcycles to 550s and this is the tiniest truck I ever drove/had-maybe with a more substantial lift than what mine came with, it would feel more trucky.
-Very narrow view through windshield and likely will not be using your visors while driving. I am not fond of the tight space there.
-Head rests don't tilt (my son's complaint, not mine).
-No bed steps

Pros:
-It's a mean looking Tacoma, and it gets a lot of looks.
-The TOYOTA grille helps make the front look wider than it looks with the emblem.
-The rear slider is a cool feature. A Chevy dealer tried telling me it's not a popular feature- but I love it. Have that in the Runner too and only issue is you'll sometimes get exhaust fumes inside but I enjoy the open air feeling.
-The bed has lights in it and a soft open tail gate so it doesn't just fall down or leave all the weight in your hand.
-Handling is wonderful. Very comfortable smooth ride.
-Night driving isn't scary for me anymore! The lights are very bright and cover a nice span.
-Mine came with rubber mats. I HATE carpet mats. I live in the woods and we have sap/pine needles, dirt, gravel...Carpet wouldn't last, so I'm care free with the all weather mats.
-Bed isn't metal so that was another wow moment for me. Very happy not worrying about that getting rusted.
-Despite me not loving the small bed, this truck can get in tight spots and move through traffic pretty easily. Doing a k turn is cake on a narrow road.
-Overall a fun small truck to drive around and have fun in- I haven't taken it offroad unless you consider off road my dirt/diminishing gravel dipping driveway, which in that case, yes. I off road with it. But it handles great on that messy driveway in 2wd.

***The recall fix for the welding debris on the rear axle is known now, so be mindful if you do buy a model year that was affected by that recall through a private seller. This recall made me extremely nervous. I was scared driving it and very anxious for this to get rectified.***

I think I could have been just as happy in a cheaper model with less fancy stuff- but now that I have this one and see what else is out there, I'm kind of happy I chose to go this route. I looked at and driven a LOT of trucks over the last few years from Dodge, Chevy, Ford- The only truck I really felt was worth it was Toyota. And if the Tundras didn't have the fuel line recall, I'd be in one of those instead for sure. Hope this helps! Took me all darn night to type out lol!

 

Test drive before you buy so you're not surprised afterward. Be prepared to be broke...the mods are endless.