Looking to buy a taco - which years good/bad

Friend has an FJ but I need to haul dirtbike(s).
What years / packages are the 'good' ones ?
Need 4x4 and standard bed.
Auto preferred (for Mrs.) but manual fine, too.

 

4 door?

 

2018. But I’m biased. Real light bulbs. No CarPlay. Good nav in head unit. No sos button near your head. Both side bed cubby boxes. Its own separate trans cooler. Less “bugs” from the first 2 years 16 & 17 and in the sweet spot before they do their usual cost savings metrics.. nothing too tech fancy. Gives the illusion you can fix it yourself.

 

"They're all good dogs, Brent."

Narrow it down to things that are important to you. New or used? Do you want the radar safety stuff/ adaptive cruise or no? What kind of cab? Is a 2nd gen/3rd gen important? Power rear window? Little storage cubbies in the bed? What's your budget?

 

Just the basics. No radar, adaptive cruise(?), pwr rear win - 2dr if possible, and not sure of the 'Gen' - hence the name of the post.

 

They all have their issues:

2005-2006 have head gasket leaks and cracked engine mounts

2005-2011(?) have clutch throwout bearing that wears out the transmission extension housing

2005-2015 have timing cover leaks (more likely than not)

2016-current also have timing cover leaks, but less likely

2012-2015 have an unreliable manifold air injection system

2005-2017 have frames more susceptible to rust

2016-current have a coolant crossover pipe that leaks on some trucks

So 2018-current would be the best years. There are still more minor issues (low pressure fuel pump, high pressure fuel pump, vacuum pump, master cylinder, millwave radar...) but covered by recalls and campaigns. Consequently you'll find prices are as high as new trucks.

Buy a Nissan Frontier, 2010-current are OK and priced more reasonbly.

 

That narrows it down quite a bit already. 2018 was the first year to introduce TSS (radar), so 2017 and prior will not have it.

2014 was the last year of the regular cab (2 doors, nothing behind the seat). Most years will have access cabs (2 real doors, 2 half doors, and enough room behind the seat to make a medium sized dog happy).

Some people argue against 2016-2017 as those were the first two years of the 3rd generation Tacoma, and they have a reputation of some, ah, glitchy personalities. Personally that wouldn't scare me off. It scares some, but a tuned 2016 runs just as great as a 2023, and it has all of the aftermarket support as the current models.

I would be the weird one to say look for a 16 access cab. But pretty much any pre 17 A.C. in your area will be worth a look if the price is right.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

V6s from 2016 to 2023 aren't super reliable..so there's that

 

https://youtu.be/b6tRAQ_r0Ms?si=8bz7I7HvUF7T8jRr

Looks like 2018+

I like my '21 SR5. Its solid as a refresh with electric driver seat. Apple/android car play. I've bypassed most/ (all?) the recalls. Only negative is that stock SR5 suspension is garbage. So Bilstein are a must.

 

2023 the last year for Gen 3, cause they already work out every kink from the previous years...
Long video But this guy will tell you whats UP...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqJe5OCdjZc

 

Move along, they are plenty reliable. Its just people like you blowing it out of proportion, when the 1gr-fe came out, it had just as many problems. The difference is, it was 2004 and next to nobody was on forums like this complaining about it. In addition, the number of trucks that experience failure is SUPER low in comparison to the number sold. Toyota sells hundreds of thousands of these. Don't worry OP, they are one of the most reliable new cars you can buy, if not the most.