Whats the best 2nd gen year tacoma to buy and why?

Been looking into getting a tacoma but not sure what year to buy for building an offroad rig. Any suggestions?

 

2005-2015


Seriously though, most members will say the year they own.
I just did dealer inspection and bought one that qualified to get a new frame.

 

but is there any specific year that has issues down the road? like my cousin got a FJ crusier and it turned out the year he had, had differential issues and he had to get a new FJ if we wanted to offroad it or he would be spending cash up the wazoo

 

If you plan to supercharge go 05-08
If not then any year is good but I prefer the12-15 front end

 

05s had some issues with engine mount brackets being weak. If you prefer the newer front end, then start with a 13 and up. The 12s have some minor issues with emmisions pump. There are cosmetic changes through the years, like compass and backup cameras, mechanical vs electronic lsd, led tail lights, interior and front end was updated in 2012. Depends on what you want.

 

Lets see, earlier models were so far the first hit with a wave of rust issues...but no year or any vehicle for that matter is 100% resistant to that. And now late models 12+ are having evap pumps shit the bed for some people near the 60k mark.

Honestly every year has its own/continued issues, minor or not. Interiors have changed over the years, and updated a bit.

If I had a choice I'd take my current 2013 V6 without the evap pump crap but we can't always get what we want with epa requirements nowadays. Here's to hoping my truck never goes in limp mode due to a pump failure like some people have had happen

 

Just buy the newest, best maintained, lowest-mileage example you can find. (that meets your preferences, of course). I'm biased toward the 2013, since that's what I have. For what it's worth, for 2014 they removed the compass and temp gauge from the rear-view mirror and half of Tacoma World lost their minds.

 

Appearance is what it is. I think the newer truck front ends maybe look cooler but I don't hate the 05-11, either.

I am partial to my 2008 because it came with a traditional vacuum brake booster instead of the VSC/TRAC gizmo. It generally has minimal hinderances, too. The only thing I wish for was a way to turn off ABS without engaging the locker or pulling a fuse.

There might be an argument for 2009+ because the frame recall doesn't extend beyond 2008. Yet...

Speaking of frames, at some point in the model year 2007 the frames were beefed up around the motor mounts to prevent them from collapsing.

 

2013.

Why.

Has all of the minor revisions to parts in motor and trans (they didnt change after 2012 i believe as far as part design). Last year of the good mirror with auto dimming / real time temp / compass / rear view cam in the mirror. 2nd year of the V6 with the air injection pump which allowed toyota to change the programming to do a shutdown purge of the system so the valves dont get gummed up and fail, and it also has the new style front end, and a nice radio with bluetooth etc.


FYI all trucks that are NOT 09+ TRD OR 4x4's have vacuum boosters for the brakes, only the 09+ TRD OR 4x4's have the electric boosted master cylinder with integrated vsc / abs etc. (its a MUCH better master than the vacuum boosted setups, you get 2x the line pressure vs vacuum booster at the same pedal pressure)

 

2015. Remember in 2015 the dash clock disappeared and the other half of TacomaWorld loss their minds. Actually, I wish I had the dash clock in my 2015.

 

From my experiences === 2004 for 1st gen .... and 2013 for 2nd gen.

Don't know anything about the 2014 & 2015 ..... but my 2016 is doing very good, especially for a first year model (my experiences).

PS ... for a Tundra ... 2006 (last year of gen 1).
.

 

I had a 2013 fj and loved it. As far as the 2nd gens go i would suggest you buy as new as you can afford. Get a 14 or 15 if you can. Only problem i ever had out of the several 2nd gens i owned was frame rust in my 06. But other then that there all good trucks. An not alot of difference between a 05 and 2015. An after market parts can be found for any year as they didnt change much. If it were me i would just buy the newest 2nd gen i could find that had the options i wanted if i was you. Jmo

 

Its not too difficult to add the clock back in, I snagged one out of a wrecked 2014.

 

^This.

I think the backup camera moved to the radio on the 14's and 15's....I don't know about you but when I back up I am looking at my rear view mirror, not the radio. Just seems awkward to me.

The auto-dimming/temp/compass mirror as a whole is pretty nice actually

 

consumer reports said 05 and 08 were the best.

 

2008. Last year Pre-electronic nannies that came out in 09, yet a few years in from the first year so the bugs were worked out by then.

 

Don't you think 05-08s would be too old by now to supercharge? Also, why those years? For URD?

 

I can only from experience comment on Pre-Runners. First, only buy a TRD. I would not buy anything but a 2006-2008 with Sport Package #2 or Off-Road ed. BUT weigh the pros and cons based on what you do. The e-lock rear end is awesome for certain things but is a little weaker than the limited slip in the Sport ed. So if you want to power brake on the street and not blow your rear end, go with Sport ed. if your main goal is trails, for sure go with Off-Road! I mention Sport package #2 specifically because along with the cool color matched grille, mirrors, bumpers, hood scoop, etc, you also get tow package, transmission and oil coolers, better oem shocks, and nicer interior. After 2009 Toyota discontinued the TRUE locker in the rear end on none Off-Road ed. Meaning, no more TRUE limited slip locker, only brake assisted garbage. i know 2005 has the same rear end, but the 2005 also has some factory defects such as the faulty head gaskets. In 2006 they ironed out the defects. ALSO you can get 2006-2008 WITHOUT tire pressure monitors, those are a royal pain in the back end of a donkey

My suggestion, find a 2006-2008 with either Sport Package #2 or Off-Road which ever works for you, that is bone stock, low miles, well maintained. ALSO, look for OEM installed options like TRD skid plate and OEM roof rack, etc, this can save you alot of $$$$ in the future! THE SAME DAY bring it to the dealership and have the recall work for the spiral cable and the rear leaf springs done. THE SPIRAL CABLE IS A MUST FOR YOUR SAFETY! I can not stress that enough. It is free recall fixes. Then it will cost you between $2000-$4000 to replace the front cap of the truck to a 2015 Tacoma front end.

Now, you saved a fortune on the purchase price by buying a 2006-2008 vs a newer Tacoma, you spent a minimal amount turning it into a 2015 body style, and you have a really solid truck for not that much money!

Also, if you plan to lift it, to save you a bunch of time, money and headache, DO NOT buy spacers, 5100's, or pre-mounted coil over lift kits for the front or blocks for the back!

Decide your needs, pick out the coils and shocks you need for the front that will suit your ride comfort, weight capacity (meaning aftermarket bumper, winch, etc that you may mount in the front) and off road needs, and do the same when you choose your Dakar leaf for the rear.

Also, in some of the 2006-2008 trucks they forgot to install an in cabin air filter, it is located behind the glove compartment I'm sure i'll think of more quirks, if I do I will add to post

When test driving, if the exhaust pipe is dripping water pretty good or when you first start it from being cold and you hear a 'sloashing' sound under the dash, good chance head gasket is leaking, but not bad enough to throw an error code.


I know I'll get blasted by folks for choosing those years, lol!


Hope it helps and no matter what you choose you will love these trucks!


--- edit ---
some folks mention creature comforts as a plus....

I view them as non issue. I bought mine brand new and in the first day I owned it I had the entire Polk audio/NAV so say multi-media whatever system ripped out, all the plastic bins under and behind the rear seats ripped out and the back wall grinded smooth to install the chosen stereo, NAV, speakers, tuners, GPS, XM, Sirius, etc. The actual truck is what matters, the rest you can customize It only cost me $200 and a weekend worth of labor to upgrade the seats to brand new TRD Sport fabrics. All of the creature comforts can be changed to fit what you like, concentrate on a solid base

 

2006 to 2008 are perfect for supercharger. 2005, has head gasket issues. But, since warranty is not an issue at this point, a much better investment would be a turbo, not a supercharger. As soon as I can afford it I am going that route.

 

Why are they perfect for a supercharger, though? What's the difference? I have a 2007 but may buy a 2013 after graduation and it will most likely get supercharged. Lastly, why a turbo instead?