Buying Used- Avoid Recall Years?

Hi All!
I'm new to the forum and I'm sure similar threads have been posted plenty of times so apologies for beating a dead horse.

I'm on the hunt for a used tacoma and initially looked up the rust recall years (05-10 were the years I saw listed) and was conducting my search around that, not even considering those years. Is this this a smart move or am I just narrowing my options unnecessarily?

I live on the west coast in a city that almost never uses salt on the roads, and where Tacos are stupidly overpriced because the demand is so high. (seriously...I'm currently considering paying $16995 for a 2002 with 169k miles...I know it's too much but I'm not finding better!)

Any advice appreciated!

 

First off, don't buy that 1st gen just yet, that's way too much too. Let me find my previous post on best years to buy 2nd gen wise and I'll post in a min

 

@FlinkPamingoes

^From a previous post of mine on a different thread. ^

1st gens are fantastic and I wouldn't shy away from looking at them too, but $16k for an 02 with 169k miles is too much. I drive an 07 double cab short bed prerruner with the 4.0 and its probably second best year to buy if your buying pre 2012, 2012-2015 2nd gen tacomas have a redesigned front end, different grill, different lights, different bumper, etc, but mechanically 2005-2015 is almost the same depending on which engine and which transmission you purchase yours with. 2 engines: 4.0 v6 or 2.7 i4, both pretty great considering a couple very minor problems over the years, but every vehicle has some problem in its lifetime. Transmissions: 5spd auto or 6spd manual, 5spd auto is fantastic, as long as you change the trans fluid every so often, it isn't as sluggish as it ages as other auto transmissions ive driven. 6spd has had some issues over the years, manual guys on here can better explain the problems. Being you're out here in the west, rust is not a problem really, as long as it was taken into the dealership for the tsb to have it looked at and maybe resprayed, it should last a lifetime. I have zero rust out here in Vegas fyi. 05-06 had a problem with head gaskets but I'll bet you if you see a used 05-06 on a lot, it has had the tsb done and head gaskets replaced and no problems. We did have a leaf spring recall for certain years, I did get mine replaced under warranty. The old leaf spring I guess was not heat treated properly from what I've read and some people reported leafs actually snapping in half, and judging by what the tsb said, at least one tacoma had a broken leaf spring puncture the gas tank causing a leak, thats why they made it an immediate recall (took years though) Sorry for the long post but I hope I've summed up pretty much what 2nd gen years are all about, I know a little about 1st gens but not enough to speak on their behalf. On the other hand, lets not talk about 3rd gens unless you are actually interested in one which judging by what you've said, you want a used 1st or 2nd gen. Hope this helps somewhat.

 

I agree with PapaBear's advice. My 2007 was a lease return to a dealer in Portland, then bought at auction by the dealer I purchased it from up here in Soldotna in 2010; it never developed any rust issues here (Alaska). I'd suggest getting a CARFAX on any truck you're serious about and avoiding trucks that spent any time in the North East.

 

Buying a first gen to avoid the 2nd gen frame rust is like jumping in a lake so you don't get rained on.

 

May want to avoid the 2012 due to the secondary air pump issue...

My 2010 has been great but I would recommend a 2015 if possible since it is the newest of the 2nd gens

 

Anyone have link for thread discussing 2005 head gasket issues./tsb.?
Preferably on a 4cyl.

 

Everyone here is going to say that the year they own is the best year. My opinion is buy the newest year that you can afford to pay cash outright for. Regardless of how you pay for it, you need to decide which has priority, hauling people or stuff. In my case, hauling stuff is more important, so I bought an ACLB. Also if hauling stuff is a priority, the '05-'08 is the better choice due to the better rear seat design.

 

05 and 06 had head gasket issues didn't they ?

 

OP, all gens have problems: 1st gen is too old now, 2nd gen has potential rust and later 2nd have the limp mode problem, 3rd gen has leaking dif problems.

Honestly, if you're trying to avoid recalls, probably buy a tricycle.

With that being said, early 2nd gen may be the happy medium. Just buy from one of the southern states like Texas where rust isn't a problem.

 

1st gen frames rusted just as bad. Based on the price your seeing for a used 1st gen I'm guessing you're in Portland or Seattle. The frame rust issues are not a problem here. The pricing for a used truck here sucks. When I bought my 14 a used 09-11 DCSB 4x4 6mt was still 28k to 30k.

 

Pretty happy with my 2015. The only reason I like 3rd gens are cosmetic only. I didn't buy a 3 ton 4x4 v6 for fuel economy, although it does help save for mods

 

I bought my '06 with a 4.0, with 195,000 miles on it. I don't know the history of it though.

 

That's just what I've read, there is probably a new head gasket for it maybe . I'm not sayin you will have any problems , don't get worked up lol . I could be totally wrong

 

I'm almost to that point, never had a problem with head gasket

 

MY13-MY15 have the most creature comforts but you lose the bedside cubbies. The stereo headunits are pretty nice and the Bluetooth function is far less buggy than previous years.

MY13 is the last year for the backup camera in the rear view mirror. I believe it's also the last year for the auto dimming rear view with compass.

Aside from being sure that I had a 3+1 leaf pack under the rear end I'd just look for a truck that's bone stock or as close as possible.

Replacing worn out parts like shocks/struts is as easy as doing a quick CL search for take offs.

Since you're west coast I'd search in AZ first. No mold. No rust.

My $0.02

 

Truth. Im equal parts on the people and stuff!

Ding ding ding. Portland. It's bad but I'm glad to know I'm not just crazy. I did a bunch research (even checked to see if it was worth it to buy one on my next trip to visit friends in California, but its not much different) and basically found that I could absolutely get a first gen in the 13k range IF I was willing to forego 4WD or Double Cab.. but with those two requirements it wasn't gonna happen. I'm buying it because I'm about to start a bunch of projects on a new house, so I don't really have the luxury of time to wait it out. I know I'm paying more than I should but I got under asking price on a house in PDX (which does not happen) so I'm just calling it even and goin for it. I'm sure it sounds nuts to anyone not currently in this area buuuut I'm still stoked to be joining the tacoma club!

 

Sometimes you gotta drive to podunkville to get the good deals. Although this isn't a red hot smokin' deal, it's not bad and it will haul your people and their stuff. Since you live in Oregon, you don't have to pay sales tax.
https://spokane.craigslist.org/ctd/6173581107.html