New Truck Suggestions

I'm looking to buy a truck in the next 6 months or so. Hoping for a 2005 or newer Taco, stock is fine. Needs to be 4X4 as i'd like to slowly set it up for 4wheelin where 2X4 just doesnt cut it as y'all know. Color is not a concern as long at it's in decent shape. A/C and power everything are a must, yes I know they add weight but the '98 corolla iv'e been driving for the last 6 years doesn't have either and I'm tired of not having it.

I'd prefer the V6 engine but am not sure if it will really make a big difference (other than in towing which isn't a big deal here), if those of y'all out there are doin just fine in the little engine I guess I'll consider it.

Any suggestions on where to look/what to look for?

 

edit: I'm hoping to not have to spend more than $15-18,000 as I'm a college student struglin to make it as it is.
- also must be at least access cab... college student needs room for haulin stuff/friends

 

welcome to TW, i think with that budget you'd easily be able to find a 2005-newer 4x4 access cab, you'll still be able to find a couple double cabs but they might have higher mileage, or if you get a good deal on one. most of your tacos will come with A/C and power everything except for the locks and windows on very base tacomas, so i wouldn't worry about that if you are getting a 4x4. just check craigslist, cars.com, autotrader, i'm sure you'll find something soon

 

been lookin around on craigslist (in VA, WV, MD, N/SC, etc.) and have only been able to find high mileage ones (90,000 +). I know that's not necessarily a lot for a yota but sense my coroalla has 120+ i'd like something that feels like it really has less.

And the comment about A/C and power all was more because of the few I have found in the lower end price range either found them w/out A/C or were always the base models with no power window/doors.

 

If it were me and I were still in school, I'd look at it this way: even with 90-100K miles on it, a Tacoma in good shape should still last you 4 or 5 more years (and then some!). By then, you'll be out of school and (hopefully) working, and if you need to trade in for a new one, you'll have the means to do so.

I'm not saying not to look for lower mileage vehicles, but if you're trying to stick with a budget, I also wouldn't eliminate an otherwise great deal just because the mileage is a little higher.

Just remember, when you buy used, you never really know what that vehicle has been through. Sometimes a car with 50,000 miles has been beat to shit a lot more than a well-cared for vehicle with 100,000 miles. Although obviously the odds are more in your favor for longevity the fewer miles it has on it.

Hell, my brother-in-law's 2003 Tacoma (the red one pictured below) has ~120K on it and it is in superb shape...would not be surprised if he gets another 100K out of it at least.

 

120k on a corolla is nothing, that'll easily last through college, but it's still nice to have cool stuff

 

Just to give you some perspective I paid 21,600 on a new 2011 sr5, access cab, 4x4. It does have the 2.7 wich doesn't bother me, but I recamend driving both the 6cyl and 4cyl to see wich one best suits your needs. On a stock 4cyl you should get a minimum of 400+ miles a tank wich IMO was a plus. The key to getting the best deal is to be patient and don't settle. Good luck

 

I think this went off in the wrong direction, was looking more for suggestions on one truck over the other and people's preferences. I'm a knowledgable mechanic (or at least more so than the typical person, rebuilt the engine in the corolla after it suddenly got a leak in the number 4 piston) and so I know that a 100K on a yota aint bad, would jsut prefer less if i can get it.

David: are ou just using the 2.7 as a daily driver or as a toy in the woods/sand/mud/whatever your preference as well?

 

the 4 cyl is a great motor. out where i am, your price range mandates a base model access (4 or 6) with 50k plus miles. i love my base model, my first truck was brand new power everything and the driver window cost me 600 bucks in 70k miles. (ok it was a chevy) second truck was a 92 toyota pickup, manual everything and never spent a dime on anything interior-wise.

i highly suggest the 4 cyl. people complain less about the manual, (if thats even what your after), longer maintenance intervals, and better fuel mileage. and it gets around FINE. i test drove a 4 cyl access cab 4x4 5sp and it was great. yea it makes me happy to be able to tow the boat up the hill to the lake without having to go more than a gear lower and hold a steady 60mph, but i honestly would have and still would take a 4 over my 6

 

great, exactly what i was looking for

still plenty capable for off 4wheelin just doesn't have the towing capacity (I got all that from toyota but what a manufacturer says and how the vehicle performs is alwasy different).

I did and still do consider the manual (that's what I drive now) but considering i may use this to get down and dirty in the woods I feel like the auto will make life much easier

 

the 2.7 is a great motor! i love mine mine is for sale but a bit out of your price range unless i part it out. then it would be ready to upgrade clearanced for 34's thaen it would be right up your ally.

mine is a regular cab though so a 3 seater at most.

 

Its my daily driver but I wheel it as well. Totally solid truck I might add. Im very pleased with the 2.7 I'm lifted and have 32.4" tires (will be puting 33's on next) and just got 386 miles out of this last tank. If you do get the 4cyl I would recamend getting the 5spd.

 

an auto would make life infinetely easier in really ruff stuff. but for most scenarios, the manual in 4 lo 1st gear is low enough that the 3rd pedal rarely comes into play.

and if you do point your nose toward the rocks, i find it emmensly satisfying to creap through em all while getting creative with 2 feet on 3 pedals and my right hand on the e-brake.

not to mention that on the way to the trail, you dont have to worry about trans temp, you dont have to worry about electronics, or all the wearable friction materials. a manual has 2 common fail-points, the clutch (or anything that activates it) and the synchronizers. you can operate with both shot to shit

 

In May I bought an 09 TRD Sport 4x4 access cab with power everything, the 4.0L V-6, six speed manual, Barcelona red, and I love almost everything about this truck. I would like to see the steering wheel adjust up a little more than it does so you can get in and out easier without conciously having to remember to slide in and out squeezing underneath the steering wheel. I would also like to see the gas pedal and the brake pedal a little further apart. I haven't seen any mods to fix this two little gripes. Other than that and the unlighted 4x4 controls (existing mod for this one!) I can't find anything concrete to be upset about. So, three minor gripes with one being fixable is pretty small and completely able to live with.

 

I know people do wheel in stick shifts and knowing that the 4 lo and 1 set-up works is great. I'd normally agree that feeling of having power over the clutch is great, but knowing the trails around here I wont be creeping that slow for the most part (they're mostly muddin trails or very easy ride jeep trails). So even tho the stick shift is second nature for me at this point it still seems like the manual would be better

 

you must be really tall? I'm 6' 3" and have drivin that truck (or at least the double cab version that still has the same dash/steering column set-up) numerous occasions without getting anywhere near the steering wheel?

 

the short wheel base of a regular cab is going to make life much easier off road as well just saying

if you go with the 4cyl you will be buying a great truck. imo toyota cut its teeth in this country making 4cyls the 22r then the awesome 22re those motors are legendary at this point. i consider this to be the next evolution of those motors.

its a proven design that makes enough power and torque to get the job done all while being easy on your wallet at the pump.

now it doesn't have the dual timing chains the 22r had but it is a timing chain instead of a belt so the service intervals are substantially longer than the v6's as well. when i think of toyota trucks i think of 4cyl's its that simple but, i'm partial to the older engines so i went with the 4 banger myself and have not been let down.

 

just think if it this way, you are a college kid, gas prices WILL go up...... 4 cyl FTW!! Seriously though, I've owned the 4.0 In a DCLB and now the 2.7L in the Regcab. The 4 cyl is a great motor, its not fast off the line, but it's got plenty of torque and gets the job done well.

 

all i needed to hear guys, thanks!

not that i'm even more assured of the small engines capabilities i'll look into 'em more. and good point about the timing chain instead of belt hans, hadn't even thought about it/

 

i thought the v6's have a chain as well? I know it has a serpentine belt for all the other stuff, but I just wanted to double check