A Tale Of Two Tacos

Hi all, I’m new here and in need of advice.

My existing Tacoma is a 2009 Access Cab, 4-cyl, RWD, manual transmission, 84000 miles

I am considering trading it in for either a:

2021 Access Cab, 4-cyl, RWD, automatic transmission, 22000 miles

or a

2022 Access Cab, 4-cyl, RWD, automatic transmission, 9000 miles

I greatly prefer the manual transmission, but in recent years it’s become less of a dealbreaker. Here are my questions:

1. Does Toyota offer a manual transmission Access Cab in their current lineup?
2. Should I keep the manual 2009, or upgrade to something newer with an automatic?
3. Are the 2009-era Tacomas better than/equal to the new 2020-era models?
4. What would be your deciding factor(s) in the decision?

Thanks, everyone.

 

I’d get a 2012-2015 6 cyl 4x4 DCSB automatic. Milage and color negotiable.

 

Unless you just want the newer truck features (or want to upgrade to a V6) and don't mind spending the money to get them I'd keep what you have, the 2nd gens are solid trucks and don't have nearly as many electronics to possibly fail.

At 84k miles if it's been well maintained it should have a ton of miles left in it, the only real flaw in the 2.7L is the plastic coolant bypass pipe but it's an easy permanent fix to change it to the steel version when it does start leaking.


You can gen a manual Access Cab 3rd gen but I believe after around 18 it was only paired with the 3.5l V6.

 

I'm guessing that your "09 is a 5 lug? The Gen 3's all seem to have the same chassis for 2WD and 4WD (with a few obvious changes for the front driveline) so upgrading at a later date might be more straight forward. My brother-in-law's '19 4cyl 2WD looks just like all the other 4WDs out there. The 5 lugs are great trucks and will last forever but the newer chassis are an upgrade. JMHO

Cheers