Tacoma for a daily driver

[nyk438]

I'm looking into a used Tacoma, not sure which year I can't afford probaly any more than 10-12k. It needs 4WD would prefer a extended cab but it's not a neccesity. Would a Tacoma with the six cylinder make a good daily driver? It'll be a commuter veheicle that'll get at least 250 miles per week on it, it's a toyota so it'll hold up as well as my cruiser (I hope) .



What years can I find that is within my price range and 4WD?

My 91' is getting to that stage where it's going to require a lot of mechanical work to it and I don't have the time right now and can't afford to be fixing things on it as I"m still a college student.

Thanks
Nick

 

[mattlock]

I am not sure what the market is like in your area but here in wisconsin 10-12k would get you a 95'-02' with over 100k if you want the six, 4wd, and extended cab. I bought a 98' in 01' with 65k, 4 cylinder, standard cab 4wd for $8900 which was the best deal in the country that I could find at the time. As far as reliability, you shouldn't have any problems as long as the PO did maintenance. I almost bought my buddies 00' Taco with 4wd,a six, extended cab and fiberglass shell for 11k last fall. It would have been the deal of the century since it only had 35k on it, the deal fell through when he couldn't find the title and had trouble getting another one from wyoming. As it turned out he traded it in for a brand new Subaru, and got 16.5K on his trade in value. I know it sounds hard to believe but the sales guy was a rookie and my buddy worked him over pretty good. Any way good luck they are awesome trucks!

 

[CHWTOY]

I use a 95 x-cab, V-6, 5 speed Tacoma as my daily driver, not quite as many miles a week but pretty close. I would say they make a great comuter rig, aside from not the best gas mileage in the world (17-19mpg half highway and half city driving).

As for $10-12k it's really going to depend on the area you are in but I would think a 98-99 x-cab V-6 with less than a 100K could be had if you were patient. A couple of good websites to check out are: www.ttora.com and www.customtacos.com they both have forums and a lot of members that could probably get you more area specific pricing.

 

[bkg]

04 Dcab here. Great DD, average about 18mpg... Prices on used ones are all over the board up in MN...

What's the scoop on your '91? What does it need? I can't imagine you'd need to throw $10K at it to resolve all of it's mechanical needs. Because really, that's what you are going to do - throw 10-12K at a different truck to get out of throwing $XXX.XX at your truck. I've done that in the past, and regretted it.

For that 10K, you could do a 3.4 swap and SAS and have a whole new truck.

 

[nyk438]

Good point. I want the cruiser as a car I can wheel and if it breaks I don't have to worry about getting from work and other places. The paint and stuff is faded on the hood, it needs a new rear driveshaft, tie rod and wheel alignment, the cam might be wearing (doubtful), little stuff like that is starting to add up and I won't have money laying around to throw into the truck. It'd be easier fo rme to have a steady payment which I can make easily and not have to worry about if I'm going to have to put 500 dollars into the cruiser once something breaks. I'm in the stage of debating right now on wether I should try for a newer commuter truck.

 

[mattlock]

Why do you need 4wd for commuting? Seems like a strictly commuting vehicle could be almost as versatile, yet way more effecient. Why not get a wagon or a 2wd drive truck? I have a 62 that I use as a fun vehicle and for bombing around on week ends and 2wd Toyota Pickup as a daily driver. I have found that the money I save in gas and insurance premiums, not to metion the lack of expensive payment has left plenty of cash to fix the 62 as I go along. Just my 2 cents, and I know those 4wd Taco's are nice, but the 2wd ones are still nicer on the road and are cheaper to operate.

 

[nyk438]

Why do you need 4wd for commuting? Seems like a strictly commuting vehicle could be almost as versatile, yet way more effecient. Why not get a wagon or a 2wd drive truck? I have a 62 that I use as a fun vehicle and for bombing around on week ends and 2wd Toyota Pickup as a daily driver. I have found that the money I save in gas and insurance premiums, not to metion the lack of expensive payment has left plenty of cash to fix the 62 as I go along. Just my 2 cents, and I know those 4wd Taco's are nice, but the 2wd ones are still nicer on the road and are cheaper to operate.

I don't like trucks without 4WD, I like being able to pop it into 4WD if needed, 2WD I've driven before and don't like not having the option. How much of a difference in price does it make overall?

 

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

04 extended cab here, it is a great daily driver. I bought mine new with TRD off road package, rear diff locked, 4WD, V6 and automatic. Bought a new one, I can not find a low mileage Tacoma that is below 15,000 dollars so I decided to buy a new one. I got it for about 22,500 dollars that's including linex, under body rust proofing, and 25,000 miles free oil changes/state inspections.

I'm about to do the " gray wire mod" or known as the pin 8 mod.

 

[ken_79-fj40]

Tacomas make a great daily driver. I have an 05 now, and I drive about 100 miles a day. I bought a brand new v-6 5spd in 98 and it was great, but I decided to buy land and build a house so it had to go. It was a great truck, and 98-99's can be had in the price range you are looking at. But they'll probably have 100k on them. The only downsides to the v-6 are mileage and they are a belt motor. Although the timing belt interval is like 90k miles. I've got 110k on my 4 runner and still have to change it on that.

 

[expeditionswest]

Although my 04 D-cab is not a daily driver, I can make some suggestions.

I think a 99-2000 4cyl, xtra cab would make a great commuter. If you change out the poorly tuned stock suspension and install better seats it would be a nice ride for the mileage you are driving. Keep the tire size stock and you will get better than 20mpg too. And even though the Toyota with 4wd will cost more than similar solutions, you will earn that investment back with reliability and resale. Toyota's are always long term investments

 

[bkg]

Good point. I want the cruiser as a car I can wheel and if it breaks I don't have to worry about getting from work and other places. The paint and stuff is faded on the hood, it needs a new rear driveshaft, tie rod and wheel alignment, the cam might be wearing (doubtful), little stuff like that is starting to add up and I won't have money laying around to throw into the truck. It'd be easier fo rme to have a steady payment which I can make easily and not have to worry about if I'm going to have to put 500 dollars into the cruiser once something breaks. I'm in the stage of debating right now on wether I should try for a newer commuter truck.

Just doing some math here, so don't take this personally. But why would you spend $12K to solve a $500 problem??? Especially when you still have the $500 problem in the end? *AND* there is no gaurantee that your new vehicle won't have a $500 problem...

I've done this same thing in the past, as I've mentioned. Spent 10's of 000's to solve $200 problems. Was it worth it? Nope.

 

[bkg]

A
I think a 99-2000 4cyl, xtra cab would make a great commuter. If you change out the poorly tuned stock suspension and install better seats it would be a nice ride for the mileage you are driving. Keep the tire size stock and you will get better than 20mpg too. And even though the Toyota with 4wd will cost more than similar solutions, you will earn that investment back with reliability and resale. Toyota's are always long term investments

I have friends with this exact type of truck - their mileage is only on par with my 3.4.

 

[expeditionswest]

I have friends with this exact type of truck - their mileage is only on par with my 3.4.

Could be. I was just going by factory numbers of 21 (4cyl) and 19 (6cyl). Driving style, tire size, etc are all factors too.

I never got 19mpg in my v6, automatic D-cab, even in the few months it was stock. But then again, I am not easy on the right pedal either

 

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

Originally posted by expeditionwest
I never got 19mpg in my v6, automatic D-cab, even in the few months it was stock. But then again, I am not easy on the right pedal either

That tells me you got a lead foot

 

[bkg]

Could be. I was just going by factory numbers of 21 (4cyl) and 19 (6cyl). Driving style, tire size, etc are all factors too.

I never got 19mpg in my v6, automatic D-cab, even in the few months it was stock. But then again, I am not easy on the right pedal either

Those the auto or the 5-speed numbers? A friend who has the 2.7/auto gets worse mileage than my d-cab. I just recorded my worste tank ever yesterday - 15.9. Usually average 18+.

 

[expeditionswest]

That tells me you got a lead foot

Mmmmmmaybe .

I think how I use the truck is factor too, always with a lot of gear, driving in the mountains and 4wd. I actually did pretty good in Mexico as the speeds are much lower and the truck is not working as hard. I got 17.5 in one tank fully loaded to GVW with the 255/85 tires.

I need to regear to 4.88's or 5.29's soon...

I have heard that the 4cyl automatics can give poor numbers too.

 

[nyk438]

I'm trying to decide, I never really thought about comparing the math portion, I thought more of having a newer truck that'd be better for what I'm using. I sometimes tend to underrate the reliability of the cruiser....I still have problems now with it randomly dying though when left idle for awhile or drive city and get stopped at long lights.....Little stuff like that is kind of getting on my nerves and I might end up going for a mazda b2300 truck with 4wd, (yes it's not a toyota I know ) they're cheap my dad drives one now gets good gas mileage, isn't the nicest truck inside but it should suit my needs... But I still want a Taco

 

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

Originally posted by nyk438
Little stuff like that is kind of getting on my nerves and I might end up going for a mazda b2300 truck with 4wd, (yes it's not a toyota I know ) they're cheap my dad drives one now gets good gas mileage, isn't the nicest truck inside but it should suit my needs... But I still want a Taco

Buy a TACOMA if that is what you really want! Don't be fooled by buying a mazda truck because they are cheaper. Those mazda trucks are made by Ford. You will REGRET it and you will kick yourself in the ass, bang your head in a brick wall once you bought that mazda truck. Trust me, I have been there and done that.

If your heart wants a TACO, then save some money and go for it. GET A TACOMA!

 

[bkg]

I'm trying to decide, I never really thought about comparing the math portion, I thought more of having a newer truck that'd be better for what I'm using.

Believe me, I mean it when I say I've been where you are...

sold my old 85 4Runner and bought a 99 taco because I didn't want to mess with replacing the exhaust. Hmmm... 19K solution to a $200 problem. Dumb... very dumb.

Not the first time I've done that... hopefully I won't do it again. I miss that 4Runner.