Looking to buy another Tacoma.

I didn't know where exactly to post this, so i decided it would be safe here in the off-topic forum.

Im looking to buy another Tacoma. I owned a 2000 4cyl. 4x4 a while ago. I sold it back to Toyota and used the money to buy a Focus. I still have my Focus and now want to get another Taco.

This time I want, at least, an extented cab and I definitely do NOT want a 4cyl. I'd like a 4.0 V6 this time with a manual transmission. My budget is no more than 12,000.

I was trying looking to get a 2nd Gen+ because from what I read, the 1st Gen's have a timing belt and timing belts scare me. Timing chains are good But! I found a few nice 1st Gen's with updated frames, low miles, and lightly modded Im torn Anyone experience a timing belt break? Lol. I hate them.

I found a decent number of 2nd Gen's too. Im just trying to find out what everything thinks about the 1st Gen's.

Some of the 2nd Gen's in my price range are kind of high in mileage. I dont mind some mileage, but once it gets around the 170,000 mile mark... I kind of cringe a bit. My first Taco, i drove to nearly 300000 miles so i know they last, but 12000 for a truck thats halfway through its possible engine life kind of turns me off.

 

$10,000 and you can have mine. 06 Sport, ACLB, 6spd, lightly modified . Only kicker is she's got 248k on her, but its all highway miles, and just got a new frame and leaf packs.

 

If the timing belt is changed on proper intervals, it's as good or better than a chain.

If you find a nice vehicle but no proof of a belt change (receipts), just factor that work into reducing the price and have it done, along with everything else that gets touched going in and out. You'll be golden for another 100k in that area.

Keep in mind the 4 cylinders are more trouble free (as a whole) than the 6's. And the auto transmissions are simpler and have dipsticks.

But you are on the right path, investigating frames and such.

Good luck!

 

I used to own a vehicle with a timing belt and i know they are pretty bomb proof if you change them, but a timing chain sounds so much better to me. Metal. Chain. We'll see. There are plenty of 2005+ truck available.

I used to own a 4cyl... Yea i want to try the 4.0, 6cyl now. The 4cyl was OK, but i want some more power. The 4cyl didnt even get all that much better mpg either. How are the V6's more problematic than the V6's?

When it comes down to manual vs. Auto with certain vehicles..... Manual all the way. I just cant do auto with a truck. Cant do it. Lol.

But yea i wont buy one unless the frame was updated. Common sense.

 

my daughter's honda accord timing chain with around 250,000 snapped and basically crapped the engine out. I thought chains lasted forever but I guess I was wrong.

 

Is it easier/ cheaper to replace a belt compared to a chain?

 

Where you from? You got pics? I was also thinking about buying a nice high mileage and spending the spending to have to engine rebuilt.

 

I'm just south of Boston, and I don't have any picks of her at the moment, but I could get some uploaded for you if you're within striking distance. Not exactly looking to sell her, but for the right deal? maybe...

 

You can find a nice 1st gen for $12k. I seriously wouldn't give the whole "timing chain/belt" any thought when considering the purchase. They'll last well over 100k miles and it's not that hard to change everything.

 

Ugh thats a bit far. I live in Jersey. There are many available that a re a lot closer. Sorry

 

Ok. There are some nice 1st gen's for sale.... We'll see what happens.

 

No worries man, like I said, I'm not exactly looking to let go of her.

 

Do you mean it sounds better as an idea? As an idea, it's a step back in time. Or at best sideways. There are pluses and minuses to both, and I'd not care which it came with. But I do my own work. What I care about more is the engine design. Is it interferance fit or not? Not, something breaks, you rebelt it and move along. A broken chain won't take out the engine, but could have other negative impacts.

They're not of course. But the V6's tend to have some head gasket issues, the 4's, not so much.

Curious what year. All my Honda's were belts, but I left them in the late 90's. The reason the engine toasted was interference fit caused the valves and pistons to mangle, right?

I've done both. 6 of one half dozen of the other. Chain is generally not a PM item, but a repair item, so done less often.

 

I haven't seen or heard any 3.4s with head gasket issues. It's more of a problem with the old 3.0l.

 

you need to tell us more about how you will use the truck before u can get a good answer to what u should get

 

I would go get that 2000 4X4 you let go. Or any other one owner 1st Gen Tacoma that has lived its life down South, with no mods and all receipts.

Reliable, compact and straight-up sexy.

 

He mentioned 2nd gen. 4.0 specifically. Seems the 4.0's have a problem with the passenger side gasket in many cases? Specifically P0306 code (misfire in #6) that turns out to be a headgasket often? I was recalling a few threads like this one.

I also seem to recall reading that the new headgaskets are a different design. Which is always a little telling...........

I'm not saying he shouldn't buy a 6, just to be aware. Full mechanical pre purchase inspection, including compression check aware.

It may only be on the early gen 2s. But he's looking cheap. Which means early and higher miles are likely.

And, if I'm wrong about all this, I'll take my lashing, hang my head in shame and shuffle out of the thread.

 

You're right. My bad. I was just in a rush and didn't read all of it through.

 

Lots of good information right here So... Ok. I won't exclude the trucks with timing belts.

The V6's tend to have some head gasket issues? How common is it?

So tell me this... Lets say i was going to do what i told the other poster here, that being, i would purchase a truck for a good price with higher mileage than i would normally want and then drove it to a mechanic and told them to rebuild the engine. New water pump, timing belt/ chain, and all the other in's and out's of an engine rebuild. About how much do you think that would cost me? How ridiculous would that be?

What i like about that is if i got a Taco with a new frame and rebuilt the engine... I'd practically have a new truck Practically.

I don't plan on offroading it at all. It's a secondary vehicle for me that i will drive half of the time. It will get me through the snow and allow me to carry stuff here and there. I don't really drive all that much and with two vehicles i would put even less on each. I just dont want a secondary vehicle thats going to be problematic. I have the money now... Id want to make sure things are right, right now. You know what i mean?

Maybe i can find an earlier TRD truck that hasnt been beaten up for a good price and just have the engine rebuilt. I would supply all the kits and parts needed. The only thing is.... What are the chances of them running into an issue with the block or head?

Thanks for all your help!

 

I don't mean to crap on your plans here, but if this vehicle is to just to get yourself through snow, this isn't the right vehicle for you. These trucks are light in the ass end unless you haul a few hundred pounds everywhere in the snow. An AWD would be better in snow hands down.