Most reliable 2nd gen year

My '05 has been very reliable. I like that it's simple. No TPMS, no traction control, a real limited slip diff, not electronic like the newer ones. Although, if I were buying, I'd look for a '13-'15. I like the revised body style, and the updated radio.

Just make sure the truck has been well maintained and cared for. I think that matters more than the year when buying a used vehicle.

 

ive got a 2007 prerunner and ive no problems what so ever!

 

12-13’s had the screen as a option
14-15 had a newer Entune and nav was optional. Jbl was another option. 12-13’s had the backup cam in the mirror and also had Homelink mirror instead of the basic one the 14-15’s had. 14’s has the clock apart from the stereo and in 15’s they took it away and just left a plaque that says Tacoma

 

2009?

That's what mine is; drove it off the lot with 14 miles on the clock. Now close to 175k. 1 wheel bearing, 1 set of pads up front, suspension all around. Those are all wear parts so that happens with any vehicle.

Have never seen the check engine light. Best vehicle I've ever owned. I'm taking it to 300k.

 

Clearly the 2008 is the best. You got the initial bugs worked out, and it was the last year Tacomas had a honest to goodness real (clutch type) limited slip differential. The year after was when Toyota put that goofy subwoofer in the back.

 

I have a v6 4runner, but the engine is the same (as far as I know). The 1GR-FE head gasket was redesigned in 12/05, so any build date after that should not have to worry about head gasket problems. For what its worth, I have 210k on the original head gasket of my 2005 build date 6/05. Mu last oil analysis showed 50ppm potassium and 28ppm sodium, indicators that small amounts of coolant are making their way into the oil. Oddly enough, the K and Na levels have been decreasing in the samples I've taken. They were decreasing enough that Blackstone Labs thought I fixed the HG lol. It's not really a problem right now, and if it ever does, I'll just fix it and keep in going.

Unfortunately I can't comment on the best Tacoma year since I have a 4runner, just wanted to provide my 2 cents on head gaskets. Issue gets blow out of proportion by v8 owners on 4runner pages, so I imagine its similarly overhyped among 06+ Tacoma owners.

 

Don't let certain year models scare you. All will have their issues but it mainly depends on the maintenance history. Buying an older vehicle will pocket you more cash that you can store away as an emergency fund for unexpected repairs that may never happen. My 05 had the color, model, bed size, and 4WD that I was seeking that I jumped on 2 hrs after it posted. If this so called alleged head gasket issue ever arises, I'll simply fix it and continue driving it. Zero issues in the 9 yrs of ownership.

 

The head gasket story gets hauled out all the time sorta like razor blades in apples around Halloween. I’ve owned four 06 Tacoma’s and never experienced a problem, all had well over 100k miles with one near 200k

 

I would go towards the end of the Generation Life-Cycle as bugs tend to be worked out as the gen progresses. Case in point...look at the 3rd Gen issues starting in 2016 and now finally being worked out in 2019-20. And yes...TLC maintenance is a huge factor!

 

A while ago there was a kid on here with an 06, he was talking about tearing the engine down to replace the headgaskets "before they started leaking"

 

'14

AC could'a been better

Mine has 87K on it

but lives a pampered life

bought it with 70K 2.5 yrs ago

Gilbert shares his bedroom with Nasty Nancy......

My wife's DD an '11 GX 460

 

I have an 08 prerunner 4.0 and a stick shift. Base model no fancy stuff. I just rolled over 255,000 miles. It doesn’t use any oil and still feels strong.

 

Got a used 2013 trd sport double cab long bed this January. Radio and back up camera are simple and perfect for my use. I've had it long enough now to say that it's pretty damn durable. I have a cab on the bed and a platform with enough weight to level the stock suspension out. I've been on a couple off road trails I had no business on and the truck held up very well. The engine is reliable altough I'm not a fan of the ticking noise that it makes. The secondary air intake sounds like a turbo when turning the engine off and hasn't given any issues. Truck does well driving through mountains and I've even done some sand driving without airing down and made it up a hill that unloaded v8s couldn't get up. Had a pretty decent winter this year in Michigan and had a lot of fun driving through deep snow. I'm living in Arizona for an internship and it's withstood 120°F without the temp gauge breaking the halfway point. Overall I'm very satisfied.