Searching for a Tacoma

I have been looking for a '12-'15 V6 Double Cab 4x4 with TRD Off Road or TRD Sport package. I started doing research around 3 months ago and have concluded that the 2015 with the Off Road and tow package would be best for me. Reading many reviews and horror stories about the 2016 and up reliability has kept me away from the 3rd Gen. In my opinion, Toyota really dropped the ball when they changed a bullet proof engine/transmission to what they have today. One of the main reasons the Tacoma holds its value so well is reliability, this has been lost and prices reflect such. The majority of 2017 models are priced the same as 2015 models, there's a reason why.
I've rebuilt, modified and have owned too many cars and trucks over the years to keep track. I had owned and sold 26 vehicles by the age of 21. I owned a car dealership for 10 years, and that was when I really learned about the superior build quality and reliability of Toyota vehicles. Proof was in black and white when I was selling Service Contracts, the cost of such contracts was structured, for obvious reasons, by reliability history. "A" contracts were the cheapest to buy and "F" the most expensive. Almost every Toyota is in the "A" category, while Dodge/Chrysler are either "D" or "F".
I look forward to being a member on this site and learning more about the Tacoma.

 

Welcome to TW! You're looking for one of the more desirable trucks in the taco lineup but they do come up for sale regularly, although at high prices usually

Goodluck man, hope you find a good deal!

 

Welcome to TW. Check for local auctions in your area for used fleet vehicles.

 

Welcome!

 

If you are a person who prefers to leave many things stock-ish, then how you use the truck would matter in your selection.

The OR and Sport suspensions are just what you'd think by the name. Certainly either can be used in either conditions, but frisky street drivers are put off by the more compliant OR suspension.

Just something to noodle on.

 

Welcome aboard. I like my 15. Good luck with the search

 

Love my 15' good luck with your search, and whatever you do make sure you bring it to a reputable place to get it looked at. Do not rely on a Carfax report, as many accidents go unreported if they pay out of pocket. And most dealers don't report anything if something happened in their possession.

 

In doing research I have read that many times. I've owned a lot of trucks with aftermarket suspension lifts that probably would make the Tacoma OR feel like a luxury car ride. I'm still not sure about the seats, I've read that the Sport has different seats than the base SR5. Is this true, and what seats are in the OR?

 

Welcome to TW! Good luck on your search

 

Couldn’t agree more with your evaluation of the Turd Gen sir

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

That I cannot answer, as I personally own neither. The suspension info is published data, the seats, if published, are more obscure.

Maybe a Sport aficionado like @St.Germain can help clarify for you

 

Cant say for sure on a 2015 but my old 2011 OR had seats that were not like all the others. The fabric was better, they had more side bolster and it felt like the seat was more supportive in general. Somebody with a sport may jump in but I think the OR and the sport both have the better seats and everything else gets the regular seats

 

I bought a Tacoma TRD Sport a couple days ago. It's Toyota Certified so it comes with extended factory warranty. It's 100% stock and in great condition, 40,000 miles, I paid $28,000. This was a good deal here in Utah, the market is strong for Tacoma's.
First thing I need is some sort of bed cover, preferably a hard cover. I'm not sure if i want a shell. My Tundra had a soft cover, which didn't offer much security. I've read the numerous posts on this site but can't decide which would be best.
I would much rather start with new wheels/tires and suspension lift (these highway type tires are very weak looking), but I need to have the ability to haul things securely and out of the weather.