Looking to buy my first vehicle, and I have a question about the 2nd gen trucks

Hey all, I'm looking to get my first ever vehicle and am hooked on the second gen Tacomas, especially the '12-'15 years. However, I have a bit of a potentially noob question. So when looking at these trucks, it seems that they come as either base or prerunner, however I've seen mentions and videos even of TRD trims/packages. Am I missing something here? Every search I've had when shopping comes up with prerunner or base models.

 

The notation is just the different trim levels. I have an 06 so it doesn't apply directly to the 12' -15' exactly but as an example to give you an idea: The base tacoma has solid cloth seats and standard plastic trim and suspension (if I am not mistaken they also do not include a towing package), the prerunner is going to have nicer seats and you will start to get nicer trims like a tow package and paint matched door handles. The TRD offroad and sport include upgrades to suspension and include tailgate outlets in the back. To complicate things more there are 2wd and 4wd models at each trim level also a 5 foot bed and a 6 foot bed. (you can distinguish between the bed lengths by looking between the rear wheel and the cab of the truck-there is more truck between them. Looking at pictures when shopping for the vehicle will help- also doing a VIN lookup to ensure that what it is saying is what it actually is. When I got my truck the VW dealership had it listed as a base model with factory pictures. I called and asked them to check and see if it had an outlet in the back and they said it did...I rushed over there so quickly and saved like 3k on my truck just because they screwed up the trim level listing....hahahhaha ME=1 Stealership=0.

With whatever trim level you get, you will be getting a great truck, toyota's are known for their reliability and craftsmanship as well as holding value (as much as a depreciating asset will hold value that it). The main question you got to ask yourself is do you need a 6 foot bed vs a 5 foot bed and do you need 4wd or 2wd. I have the 2wd and 5 foot bed and there hasnt been much I havnt been able to do as my daily driver.

 

IIRC:
prerunner = 2wd
base = 4wd (which includes TRD Off-road, TRD Sport and SR5 trim levels)

 

Some sellers will say they have the Offroad model but you need to check if it has a rear diff locker. If your planning on getting in the dirt.

 

I would recommend taking a look at the original Toyota sales brochures. They do an excellent job of showing each trim package and the features contained in each. Another forum member has them in links here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-ebrochures-2001-to-2017.486957/

 

Prerunner = 2WD
Base = 4WD

SR5
TRD Off Road
TRD Sport
TRD Pro

if you were to go from basic to bells whistles and features as well as Cost. in the higher trim packages, leather interior, suspension, back up camera, tow kit. suspension and locking differential. if you are looking around see if you can get the VIN and look up on Toyotas website to see all the feature that came with the vehicle.

 

Hey thanks for the replies! Very good information y'all have given me here

 

Also, the later trucks (2014-15) have some improvements over the earlier (2012-13) ones. One of the biggest improvements is the display of the rear view camera in the radio display instead of in the mirror.

Good luck with the search!

 

Thank you!

 

I would go '13+

The '12 had a couple of issues that were improved in the last 3 years.

The lower model '13s have some prewiring for some higher model accessories. IIRC some of that prewire was eliminated in '14-'15.

Or buy a higher end model and it likely won't matter.

 

Don't forget the 5 lug models in 2WD. Frame wise, completely different truck. Body wise, nearly identical.

5 more MPG.

 

I like mine. Does everything *I* need it to. At a much lower cost than a 6 lug. Both to buy and operate.

 

I like having the rear view camera in the mirror along with temperature and compass heading. kind of natural when you are backing up checking mirrors instead of looking down at your radio.

 

I agree.

While the image is smaller, it's fine for 'detailed' work like lining up a hitch.

Plus you don't get a sun interference like the screen on the dash can have.

To me backing is a skill that the camera can augment, not something to depend on.

 

Welcome @AstralUp .

Whatever you find, punch the VIN number into this site:

https://www.toyota.com/owners/my-vehicle/vehicle-specification

This will tell you how the Tacoma was built originally and where it was first put into service and when.

Beware of models advertised as TRD OR or Sport that are in fact SR or SR5.

You can also check out dealer services done to the truck here:

https://www.toyota.com/owners/

 

In researching Tacoma's, after years of borrowing a buddy's '02 for camping trips and dump runs, I also settled on the '12-15 second generation trucks when it was time to retire the old Volvo (with the back seat folded flat for months at a time)

The low mileage, '12-'15 Tacomas were moving so fast at the beginning of this year, about a dozen were listed and sold before I could even arrange to drive one of them, though I did drive a few 3rd gens at dealers to compare.

Ended up with a 2015 Access Cab.
Saw it on Auto Trader on Monday, drove it Tuesday and brought it home Friday. A Utility Package is a stripped down model meant for use as a work truck, plastic bumpers, solid rear window, no backup camera or intermittent wipers and no jumps seats in the back. I did build a small platform behind the seats for the dogs. The rest of the family have Toyota sedans, 3 people can go in one of their cars.
3 months and 2K miles later I love it! Everything works, the technology level is perfect, blue tooths my phone but doesn't have pedestrian sensors and such. Even the most basic Tacoma is comfortable (within reason) and functional and you won't go wrong with the 2nd generation.

Speaking of value, retired neighbor down the street has an '01 Tacoma with 150K on it, and every time he takes it in for service, at least one person asks if he wants to sell it. "I might, if something would ever break on it."

Good luck on your search, have fun!

 

Good stuff, thanks!

 

I was shopping for a 1st/2nd gen Tacoma OR/AC/MT and found one last April - it took me 6 months.
You cannot get a 3rd gen OR/AC/MT so that was out based on desired config . . .
2013 Spruce Mica with right around 50K miles in great shape


1. Figure out what you want/need - I wanted a MT and the AC and needed the locker
This is a unicorn and I was prepared to wait for it

2. Use the toyota VIN decoder to validate listings b/c dealer inaccuracies can be a WIN for you!
https://www.toyota.com/owners/my-vehicle/vehicle-specification

Mine was listed as not an OR but when I ran the VIN, I saw this - called and was the 1st one on it + they said they were going to add 2K to the price if I didn't take it.. I also had them verify that it had a locker just to be safe. I saw some fake locker switches when I was shopping.

3. ABSOLUTELY HAVE A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT PRIOR TO PURCHASE [and be willing to walk if it SUX]
The one I found was a 3hr drive away - so I called a local shop that was well reviewed [searched reviews for Tacomas] and took it to them, checked the fluids/rust or lack of given mine lived in New Mexico prior . . tires [which i would need to replace so account for like 1200$ right there on top of the truck]

I was so excited I was sure I wouldn't be as careful as I would want to be and having a second set of experienced eyes check it over was worth the 40$

I did this to one I checked out months prior and once it was on the lift, it was a total rust bucket; I told them to just drop it ASAP and took the keys back and walked out. Not trying to give myself a headache for the foreseeable future.

4. Have your $$ situation in order - I was asked, when I called, how I was paying for it b/c had the financing issue taken any time, they would have sold it to someone else


I set searches on AutoTrader app and watched them like a f***ing neurotic hawk -

In the end I called, drove down the next morning [if I wasn't there by noon, it was back on the market] - took it to be inspected/drove it, went to the bank and then the dealer had it loaded on a roll/up and delivered to my house that evening - for free - 3 hr away.
They just sent me a letter offering to buy it back at 2K? over market value or some such.

Patience pays off when buying used cars - I have been thru 5-6 BMWs and now this truck and not had a bad one yet -
I am not a patient person but I am very particular about my automobiles. .