Do not own a Tacoma, but I may!

Hello, my name is Sean. I live in Phoenix, Arizona, and my current vehicle is a 2002 Chevy 2500 Duramax. I previously spent 3 1/2 years in the Army, and I am currently a Computer Science student at Arizona State.

If I own a Chevy, then what brings me to the tacomaworld forums?

Well recently 2 injectors failed in my Duramax, and this a $3800 repair. While I can afford it this time, it leads me to question what else may go wrong with my truck while I am a somewhat broke college student. So the craigslist browsing begins, and the first vehicle that comes to mind in terms of unrivaled dependability is the 1st gen Tacoma.

Personally I feel that I am in the market for a 4x4 (gotta have it), manual transmission, 2.7 Tacoma, because this appears to be the most reliable set up. If anyone begs to differ, please explain the reasoning, as I am new to Tacomas.

That is all for my intro, and I will be talking to you guys soon.

 

Sounds like you did your research! Tacomas are very reliable trucks and they hold their resell value like crazy! That model tacoma is a very mechanically sound vehicle and you should have little to no engine maintenance other than the normal maintenance. Good luck with finding your new(ish) truck. When you find it make sure you come back with pictures.

 

Get one. You'll be happy. Love my Tacoma.

 

Go with the 2.7 4 cylinder 4x4 you won't regret it and a Tacoma is cheaper to repair than a Duramax.

 

Welcome. GO Devils!

 

Okay so I actually found a Tacoma today, but I feel 260,000 miles is quite high, and this is the 3.4, not the 2.7.
Would this be a considerable option, or should I pass?

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/5260642636.html

 

Congrats on the beginning stages of purchasing a Tacoma. I have a 2.7l 4x4 regular cab. If you are leaving a duramax, there will be a lot to gain from a Tacoma for sure. Mainly being relability. One thing you won't get is the same kind of power you're used to.

Don't get me wrong, I've hauled all sorts of stuff in my truck and tow a bass boat from time to time. But it's in no hurry, I promise you that.

Good luck though and almost welcome to the community!

 

Im not sure what other comparable models are going for... 260k miles is high but if the motor is still strong then might be worth it. I know they run forever!

 

Thank you! Yea I actually don't need the power anymore. I used to use it to retrieve my rx7 or other friends broken, stranded, cars, but I don't have an rx7 anymore. Plus I have just always liked diesel trucks. Sold the rx7 off before I ETS'd and went to college, now time to sell the other love of mine before it becomes to much of a money pit.

 

Is there anything I should be looking for when I check it out? Like tell tale signs that something that commonly goes wrong may start to act up? For example my truck is putting out white smoke out the exhaust, and anyone that knows anything about diesels knows that there is an injector malfunction.

 

Welcome!Get a Tacoma!

 

Devils!!!
Go for the 1st gen, it's worth it.
Besides that, which is a better school, ASU or NAU? I need to decide for next fall 16' semester. I'm a huge ASU fan, but the Vegas heat has gotten to me and NAU's 100" of snow a year is tempting... Sorry for off topic.

 

All depends on what you like. I chose ASU because it was Pac-12 and the WP Carey Business School is top notch. I'm a big skier too but I'm from Sacramento (currently living in sac for my masters) and I would fly home during the winter to ski in tahoe.

 

If I were you I'd go for a second gen 4 cylinder access cab. It is a good truck and it is pretty dang reliable.

 

Tacoma's are great trucks, I'm on my second one. First one was 1996 4x4 3.4 5spd and I sold it with 250,000 miles on it for just over $4,000 really quick on craigslist. The truck ran really well and everything still worked. But there is maintenance you will have to do even to these tacoma. Things I remember doing after the 200,000 Mark were timing belt, water pump, radiator, tie rods (inner and outer), rack and pinion, 2 fuel injectors, intake manifold gaskets, fuel filter, plugs and wires, 3 New coil packs, valve cover gaskets and I'm sure I'm missing something. I didn't write this list to scare you away but to let you know you will more than likely have to do some maintenance to keep a tacoma will 250,000 plus miles running and driving well. But in my experience it is everything around the motor that starts to go out and if you like to work on vehicles yourself that's not all that big of deal if you have the time and place to work on it. I personally think you can find a better deal on a tacoma with a little lower miles than the one you are looking at.

 

Welcome! Get one!!