Assessment of Two Tacoma's

Hi everyone!

I am trying to decide between buying either a 4.0L 2005 Tacoma PreRunner Off-road Double Cab or a 2.7L 2006 4x4 Access Cab.

05 Tacoma wants 8k
Pro's:

• 4.0L v6
• Double cab
• Electrical outlet
• Automatic
• 1 Owner
• Clean title
• Tow Package
• Off-road package

Con's:

• 165k miles
• Clear coat damage all around
• Some work needs to be done: New brakes, new spark plugs, one of the rotors are warped

06 Tacoma wants 9k
Pro's:

• Manual transmission
• 111k miles
• 4x4
• Tow package
• Grille guard
• Seller is 2nd owner

Con's:

• 2.7L 4 cyl.
  
• Access cab
• Salvage title (The damage was to the front and just body damage no mechanical problems)
• Clear coat peeling
• Tailgate has some rust

I would prefer getting the 2006 Tacoma for the 4x4 and the manual transmission but in the end this is an investment that I want to pay off in the long run. Having the 4x4 would be useful for off-roading but the 05 Taco has the rear diff. lock.

Thanks everyone for the advice!!

 

4x4 or stay at home at least where I live at

 

I vote neither... Look a little further.

 

I agree, check CL and you can find better.

 

I checked within 500 miles of my zip, the lowest mileage I could find was the 2006. After that there aren't any newer than 2001 and those all come with no less than 200k miles. So these are my main two options

 

I would worry less about miles and more about condition.

 

Do you ever need to use four wheel drive? It's always better to have the 4x4 option than finding yourself needing it and not having 4x4.

 

Sounds like you might need to travel or wait!

 

Im still new to typing in forums so I am not sure how to highlight a previous comment. This might seem a little garbled up, but

BDL5589, the condition of the engine I would say is better on the 2006 tacoma because of its known regular maintenance, while the 2005 mostly was centered around getting the oil changes done.

Solid Seung, I want to go off-roading my buddy has a 4x4 taco and said he would want to go off-roading with me and help me learn. I currently do not need it. 4x4 is mostly a luxury at this point since I mostly drive in the suburbs.

RogueTRD, I am looking at other sites like Copart because I do work on cars as a hobby and have been fixing salvage cars. I am in no rush but I would like to get one soon.

My big worry between the two is the mileage and engine strength.

 

Fair enough. Out of those 2 I'd get the 4 banger 4x4.

 

Dilemma..gas mileage vs engine strength. "There ain't no replacement for displacement!"

 

lol my bad i said that wrong, my biggest worry is the engine strength and the miles on the chassis

 

4x4 or go home IMO. I'd probably rather drive a Camry than a 2wd pickup.

 

In most cases I'd agree with you, but if you were to come out here to Southern California you'd see that 99% of every Tacoma (or any other pickup) on the road is 2wd. Honestly, whenever I see another Tacoma the first thing I do is look at the mud flaps to see if it's a fellow 4x4 Taco. 9/10 it's not. I know of a few around me in the area (a couple of them are TW members on here) but it's rare to see a 4x4 truck here.


That being said, OP I agree with @JeffreyB....get the 4x4. If you're a member on this site, you'll end up regretting it if go with the 4x2 lol.