Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Our first gen Toyota Tacoma will be used as a trade in on a newer one at a local dealer. I have a few questions as we haven’t done this for 18 years.
Our truck has lots of stickers. Should we remove them? Should we clean it inside and out and get seat covers or just leave as is?
Secondly, which year is better as far as reliability? I know they have become increasing longer and wider like before and after 2015. We are looking at access cab (rare), 6’ bed, 4x4, V6, auto, any color probably 2015 and newer. We don’t really need the fancier editions and would be content with SR5, or maybe even the TRD.
We have the trade in, some cash and an approved loan. We would wait but the truck is beginning to have issues that are piddly and we want a safer, more comfortable truck. We have a small farm and home business so use a truck for what is made for. Also, 4x4 helps getting off this mountain when we get snow.
I'd sell it on Craigslist or FB Marketplace. You'll get a helluva lot more out of it that way. 1st generation Tacomas are valuable trucks, provided they're not beat to hell or suffer from a rusty frame. In Hawaii, for instance, you will see guys asking ridiculous amounts, like 10-15K for 90's Tacoma's with 200+K miles and they sell!
Don't get seat covers. Cleaning would be a good idea, IMO, along with removing stickers.
I don't know about reliability, would think they're all outstanding.
Early 2008s had head gasket issues.
2012 was the refresh year for the 2nd Gen brought new headlights, grill and a secondary air pump that sucks. It is the same pump that always fails on Tundras. There is a warranty extension. 2012 is the worst year. 2013s have a shut down run cycle for the pump the dries it out. 2012s go thru valves every 50k. 13-15 do it 80-100k. I have a 12 with 170k on it. Here are also delete kits out there for the pump.
Beyond that, look for rust. The most common place is the passenger rail up front by the cat
An 18yr old truck that needs some work?……. You’ll be lucky to get a grand for it on trade in as the Toyota dealer will more than likely just send it off to auction. Sell it privately and you’ll get double if not, more.
An 18yr old truck that needs some work?……. You’ll be lucky to get a grand for it on trade in as the Toyota dealer will more than likely just send it off to auction. Sell it privately and you’ll get double if not, more.
How many irksome/bothersome/annoying/irritating/irking/vexing/vexatious/maddening & NOW COVID-infected cougher or sneezer (with less than 6 feet of separation) should one be willing to "entertain" for an extra $1-1.5K?
IF I were willing to meet just one, I'd put it on ebay & let the pre-paid winner show up to collect the truck; as I've done with 2 1988 FJ62 Land Cruisers/1986 Toyota Odyssey 4WD 21' RV.
What made good advice, pre-pandemic, has to be viewed cautiously these days. Where I live, KS, is bordered by 2 of the most COVID-infected states (OK & MO), with AR a stone's throw further.
Early 2008s had head gasket issues.
2012 was the refresh year for the 2nd Gen brought new headlights, grill and a secondary air pump that sucks. It is the same pump that always fails on Tundras. There is a warranty extension. 2012 is the worst year. 2013s have a shut down run cycle for the pump the dries it out. 2012s go thru valves every 50k. 13-15 do it 80-100k. I have a 12 with 170k on it. Here are also delete kits out there for the pump.
Beyond that, look for rust. The most common place is the passenger rail up front by the cat
Thanks for all your input, especially about selling to a private party vs a trade in.
Our Tacoma is a 1999 model, 4x4, auto, extended cab, 6’ box, 4 cylinder. I know they are in demand as people have offered to buy it.
We stopped by our local Toyota dealer this morning to check out a 2018 access cab, 4x4, V6, TRD model but it was being detailed. It will be available for viewing on Monday. The salesperson said they could give us a trade in value then. On the way out, I saw a detailer working on a 2021 double cab. Sharp looking truck but not what we want. He said he has been looking for a first gen Tacoma so would like a chance to buy it.
The 2018 is $36,000 with 32,000. It was a one owner lease trade in. The dealership has a 2021 allotted to them and the build date is mid-August. It would be available in 4 weeks. They could make a few changes before the build but the salesperson said Toyota doesn’t do a lot of changes.
There is a big difference between first gen and third gen Tacomas: size, electronics, safety features. We just need to decide if we want a new one vs used. Extended cabs are rare but they are useless to us. The new vs used price point isn’t huge when you look at ones just a few years older. Also, you have a chance to choose some options and better warranty.
We are going to go slow on this as that is a good chunk of cash. We would like a pre-2015 model because they are smaller but mileage is a higher number.
2016 was the big change. The 4.0 and the 5 speed automatic was replaced by a 3.5 V6 and a 6 speed automatic.
Model year 2016 is the beginning of the third generation. Fourth generation will not be until model year 2024.
Competing thought process is that you should always buy the current generation (i.e. 2016 or later : Toyota updated the truck's frame by adding more high-strength steel in order to increase the truck's rigidity and to drop weight. The body is also constructed using ultra-high-strength steel that was integrated using a new hot stamping process that reduces weight. Toyota also updated the suspensions, rear differentials, and rear axle to improve the truck's road manners while still keeping it off-road capable.) Getting the latest generation will help in resale.
Or conversely you should buy the last year of the previous generation to get the best price (i.e. 2nd generation 2005-2015).
Personally, If you are going to get the bigger engine, I would go with 3rd generation. The smaller engine was unchanged so you may find a good deal on a 2015 if you can find one with low mileage.
2nd generationPowertrain (2005-2015)
2.7 L 2TR-FE I4 159 hp
4.0 L 1GR-FE V6 236 hp
3rd generationPowertrain (2016-present)
2.7 L 2TR-FE I4 159 hp
3.5 L 2GR-FKS V6 278 hp
We would wait but the truck is beginning to have issues that are piddly and we want a safer, more comfortable truck.
If you only have piddly issues and have the option to wait two years, the 4th generation is supposed to be introduced in late 2023 for the 2024 model year.
It is almost certain that Tacoma will be offered with the hybrid engine that is currently in the Highlander
2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
MPG: Up to 36 city / 35 highway
Towing capacity: 3,500 lbs
Horsepower: 243 hp
Engine: 2.5 L 4-cylinder
2021 Toyota Tacoma
MPG: Up to 20 city / 23 highway
Towing capacity: 3,500 lbs
Horsepower: 159 hp
Engine: 2.7 L 4-cylinder
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
