2006 or 2012 Tacoma?

Hey guys! Switching from WRX to Tacoma after having an amazing older Toyota work truck (a 2000 Tundra) and falling for the brand.

Wanted to get a 2012 - found a super clean one and talked them down to $22,600. Because the older ones are less expensive I’m also considering a 2006 that’s $15,600. Can’t decide if it’s worth the extra $7,000 for the newer truck... 2006 has 140k miles and 2012 has 85k miles. Both are 4x4 with crew cab & short bed. I know the engine is the same, the newer one has the backup camera and obviously the slightly different front end that looks better IMO.

My question is which one will hold it’s value better? Should I just dish out the extra $7,000 to get the one I really LOVE? Or will the 06 be so similar that it doesn’t matter? Thanks y’all!

 

I don’t know which would hold the value better but I would get the 2012. Both are great trucks but I like the 2012 front end, safety features and electronics much better. I also rarely regret spending more on something that matters to me.

 

I am partial the the silver one obviously. As you have probably noticed these trucks hold their value really well. There are some big tech differences, safety as far as air bags, that sort of thing. Either will be a great truck for you. The 05-10 had frame rust issues that there is a recall for, as well as leaf springs, also the 05-06 you may or may not end up needing headgaskets (this is luck of the draw).

What are their trim levels? the 06 looks like just an SR5 '12 looks like it could be a TRD sport. I think the '12 sounds like the better deal.

 

Thank you! Great info on safety & recalls that I wasn’t aware of. You are right about the trims. The 2012 Sport looks sweet, a bit more aggressive. And coming from turbo Subaru’s, I’ve never owned a car without a hood scoop.

 

Welcome! I’m in denver area too, and as the proud owner of a silver quad cab, I say get the newer grey! Seems like 50% of the Tacomas here are silver! For that alone I would get the grey. Cops looking for a silver Tacoma, Ha! good luck with that. Seriously, by the time you’ve got the truck paid for you will be glad to have the grey. Perfect year-round, do-everything, Colorado-mobile.

 

Backup cameras are awesome, get the 2012

 

Learn to use your mirrors


I had a F250 rental for a week with the back up cam I am so use to using mirrors backing up I didn't even use the damn thing.

 

I'm not really impartial since l have a 2012 Double cab short box 4x4. But like all the reasons already given by everyone. I'd go with the 2012 for all the same reasons.

 

I know how to use my mirrors. It's good for parallel parking

 

Scoobies are cool. If you become active on this forum be prepared to be opening your wallet to lots of cool mods and stuff. If you boost then there are some guys on here that have some pretty sweet supercharged and turbo set ups.

 

Was just messing with ya. Some people love them I am just so old school and learned to drive that way it's hard to resort to new tech for me.

 

Welcome! Get the one you like. It's no fun thinking about the truck you 'should' have bought

 

Rare

 

Sold it.

 

Welcome!

Go with the 12. Less miles will allow you to either enjoy it longer, or have a greater resale value when you decide to part with it.

I am also a huge fan of the backup camera. It really helps maneuver a truck around it tight areas.

I also like the 12+ look the most out of any Taco.

 

Lee - your 05 Sport is gorgeous! Wonder why I didn’t find it when searching. I mostly looked on CarGuru’s. May have to throw it into the mix of considerations, although the black just gets so damn hot!

Skip - I read about the supercharger kits and got stoked! That’s going to be the toughest thing for me is giving up the response of my turbo. I drove a 2016 Tacoma and was completely unimpressed with the 3.5L engine! What a huge mistake Toyota made cause the body looks awesome. Much happier with the drive of the second generation pickups.

12rayne - cool to connect with a fellow Coloradan! I’m up in Carbondale. You’re so right - tons of silver Tacoma’s around here! Totally turned off of the color for that reason. Would love to get a blue one but they’re hard to come by...

 

You'll come to find out the 3rd gen Tacoma's are lovingly referred to as Turd Gens mostly for the reasons you said. Weird because they kept the 4.0l in the 5th gen 4runners.

 

Hmm let see...newer, lower miles, better front end design, dynamite color, no leaking head gasket, no rotten frame. Get the idea!

 

i would almost always go for the newer truck and lower mileage.The older the vehicle and the higher mileage the more likely you will have problems.

 

13 years old vs. 7 years old. Spend the extra $$ and get the newer one.