Newbie - My first post. Questions.

Not an owner yet. Got some questions. Been reading a bit here. Please excuse me with these newbie questions.

1. Tacoma has a "plastic" box. It's lighter than steel (like the Nissan Frontier). That's great. I'm guessing it's like 400lb lighter. Do you feel the difference in weight distribution? Is that an issue? Does the Tacoma feel "nose heavy" compare to other trucks? Fishtail easy? 99.8% of my use will be without load and not tow. And no plans to tow in the future.

2. It looks like 2015 will be the last year of the 2nd gen. The new one will be release at the Detroit show Jan. Does anyone know when the 2nd gen will stop production? I'm not ready to buy yet. No, I'm not waiting for the 2016 because I really like the 2nd gen.

3. Relating to #2 above. If I'm not ready, I may have to get it used later on. The easy answer is...2015 should be the "best" 2nd gen because all the issues have been worked out....correct? From this forum, I think some issues or owners are still waiting for the improvements. But out of all the 2nd gens, have one model year seem to rise above the rest - if I was to find an used Tacoma?

4. 4X4 or 4X2 (Prerunner). Can someone explain this to me? In the old trucks, you have to shift the transfer case from 4H, 4L, or 2WD. Current trucks are electronic, correct? The 4X4 is not an electronic AWD type of system where the computer decides. Meaning I can leave it in 4X2 99.8% of the time. And for the 0.02% that I need 4WD, I flip the switch.

5. I live in the high desert. Loose sand and 2-3 inches of snow at most. I don't go off-roading. Do you think 4X4 is necessary? Meaning, do you think 4X2, and being RWD and light on the rear, will run into trouble for a truck?

6. The Tacoma will be the 3rd vehicle in the household. It does not need to be a do-it-all type of vehicle. I'm interested in the Tacoma because I always wanted a truck. I don't need one for work, don't go hunting, or drive in rural remote areas. In other words, the truck will "not see dirt."

Your advice to me...is?

TIA

 

1. No, no, no and no.

2. No

3. Yes and 2015

4. PreRunner is a 2 wheel drive truck with the same suspension as the 4x4, thus it sits higher, like a 4x4.

5. No experience with that, as I currently live in central Texas. But, having grown up in Oklahoma, where is does snow, and owning a 2 wheel drive truck there, 4 wheel drive sure comes in handy. But, after reading question 6, since it's not going to be your daily driver, 4WD might not be necessary.

6. Buy used

 

Do you guys imagine the 2nd gen to be "cheaper" now? Or let me ask the question this way. Are a lot of 2nd gen owners looking to trade-in for a 2016+? Or are most 2nd gen owners are still hanging on to their trucks (because they are not too hot for the 3rd gen)?

 

Only a handful on here traded into a third gen.

And the 2015 model year was the best selling year so far, so the demand is high, prices are also.

 

Honestly if you are looking to get a 2nd gen you should pull the trigger now (or months ago). It will be slim pickings at this point trying to get a new 2nd gen. Me personally I like the 2nd gen more, and am glad I have one.

Next post in January 2017?

 

The 2016 (3rd Gen) isn't faring too well against its competition. This is only going to drive up demand for 2nd Gen (2005-2015).

If you're looking to buy, there's probably still a few new 2015's left, but you're going to have to travel to find one. If you want to wait, just know that a Tacoma holds about 73% after 36 months, so that means you're not going to save much money by buying one a few years old. You'll save some, but it could be argued that it's wiser to just buy new for a few grand more.

Let us know what you end up doing. If you're looking at one (or a few), post it up and we can let you know what we think.