Picking a year

I'm coming from a Jeep wrangler and looking at buying a used tacoma. Knowing very little about the differences between years as far as engine and durability goes, is there going to be much difference in 2010, 2011, and 2012 models. All will be a dd with weekend off roading.

 

No, there are no differences that I'm aware of except the facelift for the 2012 model year.

 

The 2012 model has an update interior and some emissions equipment other than that and a facelift it's the same underneath.

 

The drivetrains have remained the same since 2005. In 2012 the Tacomas got a "facelift" (slightly different grill, headlights, hood, and front bumper. The interiors also looked a little different.) It all comes down to which you prefer looks better. 05-11 or 12-15. I wouldn't go older than 2008 if I were to do it again because of minor nuisances that Toyota later fixed (ex: saggy tailgate, crappy leaf springs, ticking fan motor, squeeky throw out bearing, and some other stuff that I can't think of)
Hope this helps oh and by the way Welcome to TW

 

2011 has the honeycomb grille

 

One thing is for sure, whatever you go with it will be a hell of a lot more reliable than your jeep wrangler

 

2005 (possibly 06-08 also) had weaker motor mounts.

 

thanks guys, I used to have a 2000 tacoma and loved it. Drove it to 200,000 miles. but I thought the jeep was going to be my dream vehicle and while its fun to go topless it really sucks for a family car and trying to do side work out of it is impossible.

 

Ah yes. That was fixed in 2008

 

There are other differences,

2005-08 had a mechanical limited slip differential.

2009+ TRD OR models have ATrac

Late 2013+ come with the 3+1 leafs

There are also cosmetic and exterior/interior differences troughout the 2nd gens.

 

I had 2 gen 1 tacomas and then I went into sports cars and now back to gen 2 tacoma and I narrowed it down to rust issues in the past and all the little safety add on regulations and just grown to like the 2012+ models.

A little off topic, but I was hunting for trucks back east even just because I couldn't find regular cab manuals in the color I wanted. It tooks 4 months plus and I got lucky by searching daily the last 2 months and found one in SoCal local to me and got 2014. The cost difference was $1K to $2K more...worth it to me. Dealers here wanted more for 2012 used trucks than I got for 2014. That's how I approached to what I wanted. The crappy part I am learning now is that regular cabs don't have door panels with power windows...I have to ask my neighbor if his access door panels are same or not. If so then good... if not then I need to make ghetto mod for power windows.

Oh yeah...regarding back east. I got some under carriage pictures from truck back east and it was only 1.5 to 2 years old and rust has already set in. I wouldn't buy cars from back because of this....wondering why they were so much cheaper.

 

Howdy,
I went from a Wrangler to a 2012 double cab 4X4 and consider it to be the best change ever. The Taco will do anything that the Jeep could do with more comfort. Good luck with your change. Have a goodun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

That's a good one...

My 2000 Jeep doesn't have any issues with driveline vibes, frame rust, abs, etc...

 

I recently sold my 2004 Wrangler, having owned it since new. I purchased a 2015 Sport, 4.0L,Auto, 4X4. Decided to go with the 2015 because of the proven reliability of Gen 2 Tacoma's and not wanting to buy someone else's potential problems. I'm very happy with the Tacoma (the first time in my adult life I haven't had a Jeep in my garage). It does everything I need it to do, and more comfortably, so far no regrets.

 

We stand corrected. Chrysler products are just as reliable as Toyota.

 

I have AAA. I have never used it for myself, but i have used it to tow my grams liberty 3 times now. I keep telling her to get rid of that thing. My mom also used to have one, and her liberty was the only vehicle to ever leave me stranded and walking. OP, I have a 2010, happy with it. Only problems so far have been the ticking fan motor, and a faulty seatbelt retractor. Dealer fixed both. I like the added traction features of the 09+. Also, i have heard from many people on here that they switched frame manufacturers in 2009 due to rust issues 2005-2008. May want to consider that.

 

They always will, anything to bash Jeep/Chrysler. Oh well.

 

Howdy,
well, I live on a ranch in Texas and the Jeep was used daily in all manner of terrains. I had it for two years and never had a problem with it. I am saying that the Taco gets better mileage, is more comfortable, and can take the off road conditions as good as the Jeep. Have a goodun!!!!!!!!!

 

09+ had TRAC and whatnot standard, the sport loses the mechanical LSD, all models get LED taillights, side curtain airbags are standard (hence the RSCA off switch), different headrests, and the interior gets some tweaks (area under the HVAC controls mostly).

2011 got a honeycomb grill (one year only) and the late 2011s got new gauges and slightly different rear leafs (not in recall) but is otherwise the same as a 2009-2010.

2012 is a slight redesign, (cosmetic changes inside and out, different steering wheel, different factory stereos).

 

ok. So the liberty was just a turd in jeeps punchbowl.