The Best 2nd Gen for Me

I'm considering purchasing a 2nd Gen and would like opinions on the best year model for my application. What I am thinking:

• 2012-2015
• Access cab + full length bed
• 4x4
• V6

What I'll use it for:

• Daily driver in the short term (I work from home). I'll get an MPG car in a year or so
• Occasional backcountry exploration (New England / NY)
• Some kid of camper shell or 4 Wheel Camper set up
• Perhaps some off-road related mods
• Very occasional Home Depot runs

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

looks like you've already got it narrowed down to the time period. Now just find the one that is the color of your choice, with mileage that you can live with, and that you can afford.

 

Look into the SAIS system. It came out in 2012… caused a lot of trucks to go into limp mode. 2012 is the only one that has a recall currently and it’s just a repair… 2013 through 15 had a new addition to the system that causes it to run it shut down some moisture doesn’t form… Just something worth looking into from somebody that has a 2012. Everything before that doesn’t have one… That said you can bypass it with a tune etc. but have to be careful in states with smog laws etc.

 

This. 07-11 and 2013-2015 would be the years of 2nd gen id ever consider buying. 05-06 had potential headgasket issues and 12 had shitty SAIS coding.

 

Extra cylinder pressure helped seal things better, that's how it works right? Hahah

 

I found out after I purchased it but did the recall and live in a desert where it is crazy dry… Hoped that that would buy me some time until I could delete it with a tune… Thankfully no omissions laws out here ha ha

The plus for the 2012 right now is that you can get the whole system replaced if you’ve thrown codes or it picks up the codes when they do the recall… 2013 through 15 aren’t exempt from throwing the codes it’ll put you into limp mode and it’s on your dime to replace the system… At least it was around eight months or so ago when the recall was only for us 2012ers.

 

My 08 has been good to me. Access cab TRD offroad with a 6 speed is a sweet combo. Also been toying with the idea of selling it but its a fun truck to drive

 

.....................................................^^^^^^^^^

 

Best Tacoma you can buy is a 2005 TRD Off Road Tundra.

 

Thank you everyone for your wisdom. I should have been clearer in my original post that I was mostly interested in years with the least major known issue/defects. I'm very excited about my soon-to-be next Taco (probably 2013-15)!

 

I have a 2015 by prerunner sr5 zero issues 196,000 something miles love it.It's the last year with that body style and engine.check out The Car Care Nut on YouTube he's a Certified Toyota master technician.And has a few videos comparing different problems over the years.And a few other videos on Tacoma and other Toyotas.