looking for tacoma to buy but have questions

[peiserg]

Guys,

My budget is about 15-17k.... I'm interested in a 4x4, 4 door Taco. I've never really looked into tacos, so am not sure what options, trim levels, problem areas etc to look for.

Can you guys give me an idea as to miles and condition I could expect in the 4wd 4door configuration at that price point? I'm in Arizona fwiw.

Thanks for the help
Gerry

 

[Jacket]

Use autotrader.com as a reference. You can put in all your criteria and see what it spits out.

For your specs it looks like you could get a 1st gen Tacoma (2001-2004) with about 100000 miles in your price range, or a 2nd gen (2005+) with maybe 120-150k miles.

I can't help you with every single difference and trim available, and there are some differences between the 2005+ versus 2004- trucks, but in general you have:

base 4 door 4wd: This will have 4wd, no rear locker, base cloth trim package, 5' bed, street tires

TRD Off Road: 4wd, rear elocker, upgraded cloth, 5' bed, inverter, upgraded bilstein suspension parts, slightly better street tires (BFG Rugged Trails) and 16" rims. For the 2005+ you can also get TRAC (electronic traction control) as an option on some.

TRD Sport (2005+): 4wd, LSD rear diff, upgraded cloth, 5 or 6' bed, inverter, bilstein suspension, street tires and 17" rims.

 

[Mr Chuck Norris]

Like Jacket said, you're between a late first gen and an early second gen. I prefer the first gens as they are smaller and better off road IMO, and $14-15k will get you a nice first gen 4 door V6 TRD 4wd Tacoma.

$15-17k will be scraping the bottom end of second gens with higher miles.

I think you'll get the most truck for your money with a first gen, 4 doors are 2002-2004 only and watch out for frame rot if the truck is from a salt state.

 

[KKell]

I think you'll get the most truck for your money with a first gen, 4 doors are 2002-2004 only and watch out for frame rot if the truck is from a salt state.

Actually 4 doors are 2001-2004 (and mine was made in Early 2000 )
Also frame recall ended for...1999 or 2000 models?
I don't know how much better fuel economy the 05-07 tacos are, but the interiors are a lot nicer, and more versatile (storage) and they have more power. Not to mention there are more available in standard (if thats your kinda thing).
My 3.4l gets 15.8l/100km (14.5-15mpg)consistently, with 31"nittos and a canopy usually loaded with tools(30%highway/70%city miles) best tank of fuel i got 450km but consistently get 350km/tank.
I know a guy who has a 2007 tacoma extra cab 4x4 auto and gets about 17-18mpg mostly city mileage.

I did the math and i got the 2001 Tacoma cause i thought i could only afford 10000 but if id spent 14-17000 on an 05+ i could've saved almost 900 a year on fuel (fuel is REALLY expensive in Canada)

The pre-04 Tacoma is really reliable, i've heard of some problems, but nothing too major, some people have a problem with the cab leaking, but dont get a sunroof and you should be fine. My 01 was given rebuilt status 8 years ago, and its hella fxxxing reliable.

05 was a weird year for the new tacomas so if you want newer go 06+. I also noticed pre-04 has an overall less tall cab, but has about 1 inch more clearance and seats lower to the floor, like a 4runner.

Anyways mine was a rebuilt 01 tacoma double cab trd fully loaded wit Rear Locker- 8500 non rebuilt

if you search a while you should be able to snag an 06 Double cab tacoma Trd Sr5 5ft box for 16-17000 with about 100k somewhere, that's what i would do, more power, more luxury, tougher bed, more aftermarket options, bumpers, sliders etc.

Anyway have fun, do some research peruse craigslist and autotrader, everyday.

 

[Mr Chuck Norris]

Actually 4 doors are 2001-2004 (and mine was made in Early 2000 )
Also frame recall ended for...1999 or 2000 models?
I don't know how much better fuel economy the 05-07 tacos are, but the interiors are a lot nicer, and more versatile (storage) and they have more power. Not to mention there are more available in standard (if thats your kinda thing).
My 3.4l gets 15.8l/100km (14.5-15mpg)consistently, with 31"nittos and a canopy usually loaded with tools(30%highway/70%city miles) best tank of fuel i got 450km but consistently get 350km/tank.
I know a guy who has a 2007 tacoma extra cab 4x4 auto and gets about 17-18mpg mostly city mileage.

I did the math and i got the 2001 Tacoma cause i thought i could only afford 10000 but if id spent 14-17000 on an 05+ i could've saved almost 900 a year on fuel (fuel is REALLY expensive in Canada)

The pre-04 Tacoma is really reliable, i've heard of some problems, but nothing too major, some people have a problem with the cab leaking, but dont get a sunroof and you should be fine. My 01 was given rebuilt status 8 years ago, and its hella fxxxing reliable.

05 was a weird year for the new tacomas so if you want newer go 06+. I also noticed pre-04 has an overall less tall cab, but has about 1 inch more clearance and seats lower to the floor, like a 4runner.

Anyways mine was a rebuilt 01 tacoma double cab trd fully loaded wit Rear Locker- 8500 non rebuilt

if you search a while you should be able to snag an 06 Double cab tacoma Trd Sr5 5ft box for 16-17000 with about 100k somewhere, that's what i would do, more power, more luxury, tougher bed, more aftermarket options, bumpers, sliders etc.

Anyway have fun, do some research peruse craigslist and autotrader, everyday.

You're right about the year, I forgot that 2001 was the first year.

But in the US market, especially in the western states, you won't find much for an 06 4x4 Tacoma for $17k unless it has a ton of miles, salvage title, or other issue. I see 06's go for over $20k all the time.

$12-15k is first gen double cab money down here.

 

[jynx]

I agree that in your price range you should be able to pick up a really nice 01-04 double cab. Around here you see them starting at $11-$12 for an 01 with pretty high miles, so at a high end of $17k finding a nice one should be pretty easy.

 

[peiserg]

thanks guys... that is exactly the info I wanted.. appreciate the help

 

[KKell]

Heres one for ya, out of your area but not impossible, i took a greyhound to sacramento to buy my fj40
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Toyota/T...British+Columbia/19_6971701_/?showcpo=ShowCPO

 

[KKell]

Heres one for ya, out of your area but not impossible, i took a greyhound to sacramento to buy my fj40
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Toyota/T...British+Columbia/19_6971701_/?showcpo=ShowCPO

...maybe too far out of your area, i think i might try and snag this one.

 

[4LLC]

I am very happy with my 04.It's just the right size for all the stuff i need to do or get through. I agree that it lacks the storage the 05 and up have .

 

[ken_79-fj40]

Last fall I sold a 135k mile TRD double cab 2005 4x4 for 12 grand. It had previously been a work truck so it was a little rough around the edges and it needed tires. At the time there were TONS of 05-06 double cabs for sale for under 15 grand. Fast forward 9 months and there aren't any nice cheap ones out there.... I bought another 05 double cab 4x4 last week with 120k for $15,900 from a local Toyota dealer after looking at a few that were absolute toilets for 13-14 grand. I didn't want another roughish truck and it was super clean so I was willing to spend about a grand more than I wanted. But they did give me an amazing trade in on my 96 so I actually got a pretty good deal. Around here nice first gens are almost as much money as similar condition early second gen trucks. If I were building a truck for trail use I would go first gen no question. They are a lot narrower and seem to get along better with lift kits. Second gens are becoming well known for driveline vibrations if you lift them much. But the second gens get better mileage (I averaged 19-20 with my last one) have a LOT more power, ride better, have more storage, and more room overall. In looking for my current truck I found price had a huge impact on condition.

 

[Mr Chuck Norris]

Last fall I sold a 135k mile TRD double cab 2005 4x4 for 12 grand. It had previously been a work truck so it was a little rough around the edges and it needed tires. At the time there were TONS of 05-06 double cabs for sale for under 15 grand. Fast forward 9 months and there aren't any nice cheap ones out there.... I bought another 05 double cab 4x4 last week with 120k for $15,900 from a local Toyota dealer after looking at a few that were absolute toilets for 13-14 grand. I didn't want another roughish truck and it was super clean so I was willing to spend about a grand more than I wanted. But they did give me an amazing trade in on my 96 so I actually got a pretty good deal. Around here nice first gens are almost as much money as similar condition early second gen trucks. If I were building a truck for trail use I would go first gen no question. They are a lot narrower and seem to get along better with lift kits. Second gens are becoming well known for driveline vibrations if you lift them much. But the second gens get better mileage (I averaged 19-20 with my last one) have a LOT more power, ride better, have more storage, and more room overall. In looking for my current truck I found price had a huge impact on condition.

I should add that newer 4x4 Toyotas are VERY market dependent for pricing... NE rigs go for a lot less than NW and SW rigs. Maybe due to rust, maybe due to market demands. Who knows.

OP- where are ya? Willing to travel to buy a truck?