Tips on what Taco to buy?

[Dirty Toad]

Hello all! I am a long time Toyota owner and am looking to add a Tacoma to our stable. I have 2 kids, so I am looking at getting my hands on a double cab. So I guess my first question would be: What year did they first offer the dbl cab option? After that I must ask: Is there a specific year that I should avoid?

I used to work for Ford and I could tell you that if you bought a 2003 Explorer you would go thru brakes like crazy, or the same for a 2004 and 2005 Escape. It was just a bad design from the engineers i guess, but those are cars I would avoid from them.

So, what says you in the Tacoma owners world? Any and all recommendations are welcome. Thanks in advance folks!

 

[SHANE07TACOKILLER]

Hello all! I am a long time Toyota owner and am looking to add a Tacoma to our stable. I have 2 kids, so I am looking at getting my hands on a double cab. So I guess my first question would be: What year did they first offer the dbl cab option? After that I must ask: Is there a specific year that I should avoid?

I used to work for Ford and I could tell you that if you bought a 2003 Explorer you would go thru brakes like crazy, or the same for a 2004 and 2005 Escape. It was just a bad design from the engineers i guess, but those are cars I would avoid from them.

So, what says you in the Tacoma owners world? Any and all recommendations are welcome. Thanks in advance folks!

Do we allow saying "Ford Exployer" on here Those things are terrible.
How much are you looking to spend for your double cab? I would wreck-o-mend a 02 and up, depends on your budget.

 

[tehcruiser]

I had a 2004 4x4 TRD double cab. It's the last year of the 3.4L V6, and all the kinks were worked out. It was hard to find a 4X4, and even more so, a 6 speed manual like I wanted, so I settled for an auto, which was no problem.I liked that truck, and I would recommend it.

 

[Dirty Toad]

Do we allow saying "Ford Exployer" on here Those things are terrible.
How much are you looking to spend for your double cab? I would wreck-o-mend a 02 and up, depends on your budget.

The budget for the rig is as little as possible. I need a reliable DD that I can also wheel. The wife and I fight over who is going to drive the 60 so much that I have come to the conclusion that we need another wheeling rig. We have an Expedition that we lease and will be returning to the dealer FOREVER very, very soon. I had an 83 pickup when I was 16 and would love one again, but then there is the fact that I have 2 kids, one of which can sit in a booster seat and the other is still in a full on car seat, so a 2 seater is out of the question. I have not limited myself to the Tacoma, but I do like it a lot. My first thought was to get an older 4Runner, but I was thinking of eventually running a duel fuel (gas/propane) set-up, and i would like a bed to put the 'pane tank in.

Have I rambled long enuff?

As for the Ford thing: a man has got to work, and some poor bastard has to take those suckers money

 

[bowyer2002]

I have an '01 Dbl cab v-6 and got it due to the same KIDsiderations.

I have 2 kids, now 5 & 7, and we have taken my truck, them in the back seats, all over the country from Missouri to Canada to Dallas, etc and all four of us were happy - I'd recommend DVD for extended trips though!

I am the origional owner and at 135K have had NO problems with it.

It is my DD and hunting/camping/offroad rig

Good luck in your search!

 

[5280Hawk]

Toad, mine is an 05 Double Cab. First year of the new body style, and the 4.0 v6 with a 6 speed.

I have an 8 year old and an 18 month old in a car seat as well.

My wife and i take them, our two Dogs and all our Camping Gear (on a Basket over the camper) anywhere we want to go pretty much.

It would probably sell for a little more than the previous years, but I couldn't be happier. 40K and zero problems. It is a little bigger than previous year Tacomas, too.

Factory Rear E-locker is nice too.

 

[Jacket]

For some of your baseline questions:

- Dbl Cab available from 01-04 in the 1st gen Tacoma body style. 3.4 V6 and Auto is the only option for the dbl cab. Solid, reliable platform with no persistent issues. Great aftermarket support. Rear locker with TRD OR package.

- 05+ Dbl Cab available with 6 spd manual or auto. Slightly bigger, which makes it harder to wheel tighter trails, but it also is MUCH more comfortable to travel with the family on camping / wheeling trips. There were a few growing pains in early 2005 Tacos for some, but this has mostly been a solid upgrade as well. Aftermarket support has been slow to develop (too much focus on the FJC), but its getting better and better. Plenty of options for lifts and armor. Rear locker with TRD OR package.

Check craigslist for pricing, and I think you'll find that the 01-04 trucks hold their value very well. Not that much of a price break between that model and a used 2005+.

I love my 2006 - I wheel it, and travel in it, and I take my family camping in it. It's the family favorite

 

[Dirty Toad]

Jacket, thanks for that info. I was starting to think that people were not actually reading my post ;p

I have like no money, so an old one will be what I am looking for, but the more I look at these the more I want one, and the more I want one, the more I think that I can not afford one right now. I think I might just have to wait out my personal recession and hope I get that government bail out like AIG, Fanny, Freddie, etc., etc., etc.

But I would like to thank you all for your information. Someday I WILL get the Tacoma that I want.

Have a nice week folks

 

[grizzlygibbs]

i would go for the 02-04 just my opinion, thats what i was convinced i was getting until my wife informed we were getting a tundra

 

[bowyer2002]

i would go for the 02-04 just my opinion, thats what i was convinced i was getting until my wife informed we were getting a tundra

ha ha ha

BTW we got our LX450 because my wanted it more that the Disco she was driving, so I know where you're coming from!

 

[hoch]

I have a 2001 Double Cab Tacoma that I love. I had a hard time finding them, but I see them popping up more and more. You could pick one up for ~$12k or so. They are so versitile. I had 2 4Runners, but the cargo area always got trashed from muddy clothes, skis, gear, etc. Love that truck bed.

I also switched to Amsoil a while back, and it really smoothed out the engine. Also put it in my diff's and transfer case. (no, I'm not a dealer). Has been very very reliable, solid truck. Except for that dash rattle.