considering buying a third gen tacoma

Adding the locker and OR decal won't change the funky auto transmission.

 

Well after doing some digging today online I believe a found one that catches my eye! Found a silver 17 sr5 4x4 double cab with only 17000 miles! Right in my price range too.. with that being said anything common I should look for on the truck? I’m an auto tech so I know how to give it a good once over I’m just curious as to what you guys think. Any help would be great.. thanks!

 

DO ETTTTTT!

 

You don’t say?

 

DO IT

 

I would buy new if I were you.

 

I've had the truck for a little over a week now. It's my first Tacoma, second Toyota pickup. Obviously I can't give you long-term reactions, but in the short time I've had it: I love it. I haven't been this happy with a vehicle purchase, ever. I have yet to have even the slightest regret. It's the perfect mix of utility and creature comforts for what I want. I can comfortably take trips with my wife and our son. I can haul lumber and mulch and move appliances and whatever the hell else I need, but I don't feel like I'm driving an aircraft carrier like when I test drove contemporary full-size pickups. I love the way it looks. I love the way it feels in general, and particularly how competent and comfortable it feels when I'm on gravel or dirt, or even crappy potholed roads. There's a road near where I live littered with speedbumps that I actually look forward to now.

I'm getting around 21 MPG, but that's largely city driving. That's a huge improvement for me, since my old first-gen Tundra's mileage was measured in gallons per mile. But coming from a Civic... my advice would basically be prepared for your fuel bill to double, and if it doesn't quite jump that high, consider it a win. You definitely can do better than that mileage-wise if you drive really carefully, but depending on conditions/traffic/etc... I just wouldn't get my hopes up for anything unrealistic. Buy the truck comfortable with the fact that in terms of fuel consumption it's on a different plane of existence from a Civic.

On the other hand, take decent care of the truck and you'll make some of that money back in the form of the lack of depreciation. I'm still shaking my head at how much I got when I sold my 17-year-old Tundra with 140k miles and a slew of issues. Even with a century and a half on the clock, a tailgate that couldn't open because it'd nearly rusted off, and a slew of other minor-to-middling issues, I still sold it for more than the KBB value for a "good" example within two or three days of listing the vehicle, because for all its issues the frame, engine, and drivetrain were still rock-solid. People always want functional trucks and they always want Toyota trucks.

I dunno, man. Test drive the hell out of as many trucks as you can get your hands on. Make sure you know what you're getting into--good and bad--when you buy a truck, and don't talk yourself into any fairy tales. But if I had it to do all over again? Hell yes, I'd buy this truck again.

 

You're welcome.

 

I’m glad you’re here. I could have made another big mistake.

 

I’m 6’2” on the hoof, I found 2 manuals close to me, the one 50 miles away was another 1k off, for a total 4K off sticker. My first Toyota ever! What a switch from Nissan! I commute 57-65 miles a day depending on which route I go. One way is two lane slow speeds but faster than the highway in town (Co Springs) so I have hit 28 mpg. Most the time going home I get 19. Per tank full usually for me is 22-24.

In saying that I do not run any gas containing ethanol. I run a mix of 87 non-ethanol or 91 non-ethanol. No pinging, better mileage for me, and I noticed the power difference and consistency. I would buy again, however I would not use the dealership for service, the first 5k service wheel damage from tire rotation. So that sealed it for me I’ll do my own maint as I always have.

 

I dealt with that too. Damaged all 4 wheels powdercoat. That’s after I requested them not to rotate.

 

What’s odd my ‘19 does not have this screen on my manual DC OR 4x4. I only have the screen that shows the tank average.

 

Like why is it so hard?! I’m pretty particular because to me it’s a lot of money. I just don’t understand why nobody gives a crap about the work they do anymore.

 

If I remember correctly his truck is an automatic, 4x4, OR, DCSB. @TacoPharm

All I know is the truck drove fine for me and I'll never see those types of numbers on my 5.7L powered Tundra.

 

You can configure the three menu pages how yuh wish in the settings tab on the HUD. (You have to be stopped to do this)

Correct
Dirk has a lighter foot than me
but I average 20 hwy/15 city. I usually keep it around 70 on hwy if I’m not running late

 

But he wants a truck though.

 

The Ridgeline is a FWD car or AWD Honda Ranchero

 

LOL

 

In Post #44 the OP said he went out and drove a Ridgeline and liked it, he is in for a different experience when he finally test drives a Tacoma...

 

Mileage isn't stellar. The photo attached is my '19 TRD OR after a 280 mile trip. Granted, it was about 1000 ft total elevation gain and had cruise set at 80 most of the way.

Everything else about the truck is awesome, rode pretty well and was just fine at 80. Also, the adaptive cruise is a Godsend on the highway. Just be prepared for your fuel bill to jump coming from a civic.