Looking at first Tacoma

Hi new to the forum. Looking to buy my first Tacoma. 2018 Sr5 with i4 motor 4x4. Any info good and bad would be appreciated. Don’t haul much. I do pull an aluminum trailer once and awhile. Think it should be fine for that. Just looking for owners input both good and bad
Thanks

 

Where has the truck lived it's life?

Where do you live? Not your address, but location/terrain/weather

Miles? Service history availability? (not just carfax)

Access cab or double?

You mention light haul/tow. How will you use the truck otherwise?

 

Live in Iowa, truck has 40,000 miles on it. Mostly just used for daily driver to work and back
It’s a access cab

 

i4 is dead reliable, but make sure you won't regret not having the V6.

 

Has the truck lived there too? Has the frame been properly treated? It needs a careful exam regardless.

And??????

 

As mentioned, the 4cyc is a great engine as far as reliability,, and there is about where the list ends. Also consider, regardless of engine config., this is a heavy and un aerodynamic truck.
Since you plan to tow,,, even the slightest bit, I would look to the V6.
Another consideration- there are little (to zero) fuel savings from one engine to the other.

 

Truck was here its whole life. I rolled under the truck front to back the frame is in great shape. Very little surface rust anywhere.
Been dealer serviced

 

It really depends on what you haul, how far and roads. I have the I4 sr5 and love it.don’t really tow but occasionally haul flat goods and mulch. Upwards of 300 miles

 

Don’t haul much. Mulch or things like that. Occasionally my riding mower to town for service. Just little things like that

 

Auto Or Manual?

 

Automatic

 

Some great info here too. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2022-sr-2wd-ac-265-75-16-needs-gears.773455/

 

Sounds like it could meet your needs. However have you test drove it yet? As mentioned they are anemic but super reliable.

Some really prefer the slight performance feel of the manual. If you really adjust your expectations this might work for you. Iowa is mainly flat as well?

 

Are you ok with being slower than a school bus ? But being able to drive to Jupiter and back? Then the i4 is for you

 

I can pick this one up for 26,000 access cab 4x4 with 41,000 miles. That seem like a good deal

 

2020 SR AC 2.7l 4x4 here. Basically same thing you are looking at. Bought mine new. The only prob I had was a leaky rear wheel axle seal that showed up at 15K miles which the dealer fixed. 50K miles now and no probs.
I am very pleased/happy with my truck.
The 2.7, yes it's just enough to power it (No speed demon, but then again neither is the V6) it will get you where your going. I've had no prob passing other rigs when needed. And know that the 2.7 is a bullet-proof engine. NONE of the timing cover leaks or the rear crossover coolant tube leaks like on the V6. And it has an easy-to-change spin-on oil filter. (To me a huge plus)... Everything under the hood is very easy to get to.
I do no towing with it... Just the occasional loading the bed up to go to the dump or going to the lumber yard.. Stuff like that. But have a 200 lb. shell on it and right now about another 200 lbs. of tube sand in the bed for winter... does just fine.
So can't really give any input on towing.
Also, while others will call BS, I can easily get 27-28 mpg out of it. Just gotta take it easy.

 

26k could get you real close to a similar 2023 model.

 

For a 4wd? I don’t see anything close to that

 

Sounds like a great daily and occasional workhorse. I too am in my first ever Tacoma, hell first ever Toyota and I love the thing!

Welcome aboard!

 

Oh I misread thought it was 2WD.