Help with buying first Tacoma

Hey everyone right now I'm looking to buy my first truck and tacoma (I'm 19). Im in southern California and a huge surfer and traveler. I plan on putting a shell on the back of the tacoma I'm looking at and also am somewhat interested in some off-roading (being able to drive on beaches and small trails).

I do however only have a 10,000$ budget, but I wanted to get your opinions on the three options I was able to narrow down on:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/703134588/overview/

4x2 Auto Prerunner

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/705682939/overview/

4x2 Auto Prerunner

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=459956592&zip=92134&referrer=/cars-for-sale/searchresults.xhtml?zip=92134&doorCodes=2&startYear=1999&bodyStyleSubtypeCodes=FULLSIZE_EXTEND%2CCOMPACT_EXTEND&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&maxPrice=11000&vehicleStyleCodes=TRUCKS&incremental=all&firstRecord=0&endYear=2018&makeCodeList=TOYOTA&searchRadius=50&startYear=1999&numRecords=25&maxPrice=11000&vehicleStyleCodes=TRUCKS&firstRecord=0&endYear=2018&makeCodeList=TOYOTA&searchRadius=50&makeCode1=TOYOTA&modelCode1=TACOMA

4x4 manual tacoma (likely will need a paint job)

I do know how do drive stick but am not yet really efficient at it. Looking for decent mpg and I know 4x4 might hurt that a little but wanted to get your opinions! Also somewhat concerned with the maintenance costs of the 4x4 again looking to do some trails and off-roading and traveling but also a good amount of commuting. Thank You !

 

Based on price mileage and features th 4x4 is the best deal in my opinion. Also the lowest mileage.

 

How much will the 4x4 affect the mpg?

 

Not terribly much. I won't lie and act like I know a number but it would only be a few miles.

You're on the right track with the first gens but out of the 3 I'm a bigger fan of the 4x4. I am biased in saying that 4x4 is a nice option to have in a truck if you plan on doing any off roading, but it's not a neccesity. The other two are "off road" editions so they should have a rear locker. You can get pretty far with the two rear tires spinning.

You would really benefit from 4x4 in soft stuff like sand. I also like the significantly lower mileage.

 

My vote is also for the 4x4 if you have any intentions of going off-roading. It's much better to have too much truck than too little, and you don't want to be stuck 6 months down the road wishing you'd gotten a truck with 4wd.

4wd will really come in handy in sand dunes compared to a prerunner.

I don't think the maintenance costs will be very much greater with a 4wd compared to a rear wheel drive truck.

FWIW, the fact that the 4wd truck is a manual (therefore, probably slightly better mileage than an auto of this age truck) may negate any loss in mpg due to 4wd.

 

I really appreciate all the information guys. But say I didn't off-road as often like maybe once or twice a month...would the 4x4 Tacoma still be the best option due to the mileage and stick shift? Also considering I plan on adding more weight by putting a shell on top of the bed.

 

I'd still go for the 4x4. The mileage on that one is better, I don't think you'll suffer much in terms of gas mileage, and it's always better to have more truck than less. The 4wd will have better resale value too when you ever consider selling it.

 

I was basing my pick on mileage to price ratio as well. Can't see the listings anymore to review but I remember the 4x4 being a few grand more but like 40k +? miles less

 

I would go with the 4x4 especially if your a surfer (it also has the lowest miles). Its really nice to be able to drive on the sand to the surf spots. I spend alot of time in Southern Baja and all my friends are surfers or kiters. Everyone has 4x4s and those who dont cant drive to the beach head.