Best year for 2nd gen?

I'm now in the market for a 4x4 Tacoma crew cab off road. I'm expecting my fist child in July and need more room than my 03 Ford Ranger has. Are there any years better than others in the 2nd gen version? Anything I should look out for with Tacomas? I'm looking for something cheaper than $20k as budget is tight.

I don't want to get rid of my current truck but looking forward to the new adventure. Here are a few pics of my current ride.

 

2011, no emissions shit.

 

Also frame rust is the cancer our truck face, saggy rear leafs, vibrations, but if you take care of it, they will last a while.

 

2011 no emmisions? What???

 

no smog pump

 

I would say the 2013+ are the best.

 

I have an 07, but I've concluded that the 2015 is the best. 8 more years of refinement than mine. 10 years of working out the kinks from the first ones. Just an opinion. I'd rather have a 2015 than a 16-17.

 

04. Shhh..its an original Gen 2.

I would think the last year of the run would be "best" in any vehicle. And for fuck sake look for one that has all the receipts, documents and all the routine maintenance done. Dont fall.for some overmodded truck that wasn't done correctly and get the options you want.

Good luck and post pics.

 

I bought a 2015, figured they had 11 years to work the bugs out.

 

05-15 are the same stuff, there was a facelift and a smog pump added in 2012 .. that's it.

different motor mounts 06+
different ECU programming from 09+

same shit leaf pack, same undertorqued u-bolts

 

Still cant haul rated payload without dying lol.

And thats 10yrs isnt it?

 

20 grand x double cab x 4wd x off road package equals older than 2010 with higher mileage. These things got a boost in value when the 3rg generation came out. I could easily get my money back on my '15 with 30k on it.

 

I would agree with the 2013-2015 models. I would through in the 2012 models but it was the 1st year of the makeover with a new grill / headlights, updated interior etc and there may have been a few issues. Mine is a 2012 and I bought it in the fall of 2011. Had it over 5 years now. Other than having to replace the battery about a month ago she's been rock solid. Only routine maintenance. Never a leak, a spudder and everything works just like the day I picker her up with 1 mile on her.

 

09+ has the trac system included which is nice. Although you lose the mechanical lsd if the sport model is your thing

 

2013, last year they included auto-dim/compass/temperature mirror.... but you'll have a hard time finding one for < $20k.

 

2005-2015 is 11 year models. Because math.

What do you mean about the payload? I've never had issues carrying rated payload and then some.

 

Right, thats why tsb

 

He's right. I looked at a 2017 a few weeks back 37K and change. My truck stickered for a little over 32K in 2012. Just for poo's and giggles I asked what they would allow me on trade-in. The Dealership's first offer was my truck and $7,000.

 

My 06 was traded in in October. 139 ish miles. No problems. Nothing wrong.

 

I can probably do a bit over $20k but just trying to stick as close to that as possible.