Tacoma Shopping

So the boss have given me the go ahead to replace my much troubled 19 Ranger. I've pretty well decided on a 2nd gen long bed based on the good luck we've had with her 11 4runner. 4x4 and long bed are must haves and double cab is a nice to have but what else should I be looking for and looking to avoid? I'm perfectly willing to spend the money on the right relatively low mileage example and not in much of a hurry to find it.

 

I’d be looking at www.autotrader.com and similar and be willing to travel if required. Now is probably not a great time to buy prices still way high.

 

Food for thought: used prices are still overinflated and they are slowly coming back down to earth. Buying used before that value bottoms out means you'll be upside down for a while.

If you are set on a 2nd gen because you like that gen better, go for it. If you are doing it to save costs, your best bang-for-buck value this year is still new.

Good luck in your search.

 

Definitely inspect the frame for rust, especially if the truck came from a place where roads are salted.

If your journey finding a used 2nd gen 4x4 DCLB is anything like mine, you’ll need lots of patience and be willing to drive some distance to check out the rig. Most used double cabs in my area tended to be the short bed version. Perhaps 1 out of 20 was a DCLB.

If you have kids or are planning to have kids I would avoid the access cab. I had a 1st gen XtraCab and that was miserable with car seats. The 2nd gen may be slightly better in that regard, but DC would have been so much nicer.

Definitely look at service records and see how they compare against the Toyota recommendations. Since you’re not in a hurry, you have plenty of time to find the perfect rig for your needs. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

I do have kids that are out of car seats but they are rarely in the truck because I don't work local to the rest of the family. I have had them in a 3rd gen access cab while defiantly not ideal its doable but it would have to be the absolute perfect access cab to chose it over the DCLB. You aren't kidding about the hard to find nature of the DCLB there are 2 local but are higher mileage/rougher condition than I am interested in

 

You probably don't want another Ford, but you can find F-150s below MSRP and some dealers are more than willing to negotiate, some aren't. You could always get a 4dr Ram classic. If you can't live with a fullsize obviously that won't work. but if you need a new truck now those are your best chances at lower prices.

 

^this

I would hold out on purchasing a vehicle rightnow and wait for the market to correct.

 

The mark ups are dropping on the spartan super duties, and some places are selling at MSRP, will there ever be discounts on SDs? That's hard to say, as people buy those because they need them but there may be some minimal discounts in the future. Doubt it though, and the new model can be ordered.

I don't see any deals coming on Toyota trucks, and expect Toyota to raise their MSRP.

Used prices should come down with in reason, dealers aren't paying those high end trade prices no more. Lots of stock and high rates, that aren't coming down.

 

In the last 12 months my Ranger has had a valve body overhaul, new torque converter, EGR temp sending unit, and new valve body in that order along with terrible service from Ford dealers in general so you are correct in assuming I'm not interested in a new Ford. I had a Ram classic as a rental during the torque converter replacement and it wasn't bad but also there wasn't a lot to like about it either and I really just don't need a full size. I haul mountain bikes and camping gear mostly with the odd and end gardening materials. Fortunately I did buy the Ford premium care warranty and have about 25000 miles of that left so I guess thats about how long I have to find what I'm after.

 

I spoke with a Toyota dealer yesterday and they are taking deposits on Access Cab SRs that still don't have a delivery date yet and that's kinda mind blowing. My folks both have TRD Offroad 3rd gens and they aren't bad but not great either.

I test drove a 15 Access cab 4cyl 5 speed and loved it but it wasn't quite the right truck too many miles and no back seat. I mostly wanted to see how it felt. If i was smart I'd get my 1st Gen Trooper project done for my underpowered manual trans fix.

 

As you start your search, start doing some research about the various trim levels/ features and figure out what suits you best.

TRD options like the Sport or Offroad will have more features like the bed inverter. Also the rear diff will change based on your year and trim. Mechanical limited slip, electronic limited slip or rear locker. Suspension will be different from SR5 to TRD OR to TRD Sport but that shouldn't be as big an influence since you're buying something at least 7 years old. You'll likely want to replace it before long anyway.

2012 saw a face-lift so you can decide if you like one look over the other.

Once you narrow your search, as others said, inspect for rust thoroughly.

 

If you do want a manual and a long bed you're stuck with a regular or access cab. No double cab long beds were made in a stick.

 

Putting down a deposit is the equivalent of placing a build order. That order might never get filled the dealer will probably still get the truck, the deposit might expedite delivery, and convince Toyota to build a truck that the dealer has found a customer for. Manufacturers don't want to build vehicles dealers can't easily sell.

2nd gens are good trucks, but are they worth buying with 100,000 miles at used prices?

That's a hard sell in my book, if the right one at the right price comes along sure they are still good trucks.