07-11 Toyota Tacoma owners - Chime in

[Lurker66]

I dont have a Tacoma but I do own a 2001 Tundra with 300,000+ miles. Other than tires and a $800 starter ive had zero real problems. Id drive it anywhere with no worries.

Oh and replaced the radiator.

 

[Uncivil]

I have an 05 that i bought brand new....its a TRD and there were features i had to have....the hood scoop wasnt available with 4wd in 05 so i went fashion over function...i havent had to do anything to it in 76k miles but oil, tires, battery and brakes. I did find however it may be a half year thing when changing battery the recommended per a couple of places didnt quite fit with the stock brackets. But got er workin just fine now with some uhhh ingenuity. Love that truck....the serpentine belt squeaks after a rain and it has for a while...the temp thing overhead gets flakey when its hot. Something about a solder joint i have touched with an iron and fixed. But its the 1st year of the new body style. I changed the grill to a billet one and it hums around 40 mph. But turn the radio up and it fixes that.

 

[OKWalker]

I looked for a while for a used Tacoma, but couldn't find what I wanted for a reasonable price. Wound up with a new '11 TRD Off Road 4 door 4x4.

The 4-wheel drive actuator didn't work off the lot and had to be replaced. Other than that, no issues. I love the truck.

 

[Devon]

My son is getting ready to sell a black 2005 Tacoma. 2-wheel drive, TRD, 2-door extended cab. If anybody is interested, send me a message & I will find out what he is going to ask for it. Claremore area.

 

[harley128]

I have the 2003 double cab TRD, 4wd..........bought it brand new. I can't seem to wear it out. Has had zero problems and continues to run like new.

 

[dennishoddy]

I have a 95 tacoma, extended cab, v6, auto, with 290,000 miles on it and still have people wanting to buy it from me.
Is it a street queen? Hell no. I've pulled a 2 bottom plow, and an 8 ft disk with it, putting in food plots for deer for years with pics on this forum.
Its been in every major snow storm pushing snow, and pulling out F250's.

You won't get a better truck.

BTW, if anybody wants to sell their Tacoma well above the advertized price, just put it on Creigs list.

 

[ez bake]

Man, I went and looked at new Tacomas - holy crap they're in the $32-$36k range (when I add the basic options I want).

Even with Toyota-thon (which isn't all that great for Tacomas since they don't seem to be hurting for sales), I can't justify the extra expense what with Obamacare on the horizon and Bush-era tax cuts possibly going away.

I'm going to continue sticking with my budget of trying to find a used one with less than 70k miles and everything I want for under $25k (not an easy task, but I'm on vacation next week and can travel around - looks like I might have to).

I think I'm convinced that I want a 2009-2011 now, but I found a 2007 up in Kansas City that looks pretty nice too (I know absolutely nobody up that way, but we've been thinking about taking a trip back to St. Louis for a while now - my son was born there when I was a govt contractor and we've always wanted to go back for a visit).

 

[Lone Wolf '49]

ezbake just a thought, I bought my 2011 there Jan. of '11 and good friend is buying new one from them: http://northcutttoyota.com/Enid-Oklahoma/For-Sale/Used/Toyota/Tacoma/?FilterNewMakes=0

 

[Joeh]

Man, I went and looked at new Tacomas - holy crap they're in the $32-$36k range (when I add the basic options I want).

Even with Toyota-thon (which isn't all that great for Tacomas since they don't seem to be hurting for sales), I can't justify the extra expense what with Obamacare on the horizon and Bush-era tax cuts possibly going away.

I'm going to continue sticking with my budget of trying to find a used one with less than 70k miles and everything I want for under $25k (not an easy task, but I'm on vacation next week and can travel around - looks like I might have to).

I think I'm convinced that I want a 2009-2011 now, but I found a 2007 up in Kansas City that looks pretty nice too (I know absolutely nobody up that way, but we've been thinking about taking a trip back to St. Louis for a while now - my son was born there when I was a govt contractor and we've always wanted to go back for a visit).

I'm actually going to sign on my second Tacoma tomorrow. It's a 2012 Access Cab.

FWIW, I had an 08' double cab, and a member of my immediate family has been in just about every facet of toyota sales (at a lexus dealership) for almost 20 years.

First, I'd recommend going over here to Tacoma World. If you have a question, they'll answer it. There's also TONS of information on modifications and lots of stories that tell tales of adequacy both on the street and offroad.

Second, if you're going to look at new Tacoma's, or Yota' in general, shop out of state. Particularly, shop in Kansas/Missouri/Colorado as the closest states. Toyota in the South has a deal with a third party company called Gulf States Auto. They buy direct from Toyota, throw on things like window tint, steps, pin stripes, wheels, and then sell them off to the dealers at marked up prices. If you think you're having a hard time negotiating those things off, or can't find a truck without those markups, it's because it's VERY hard to do in the south. Kansas is exempt from this, making it easier to get a better price as long as you don't mind driving a few miles to get it.

As far as Tacomas go, I can't complain. As stated, the rear leaf springs suck, but Yota will replace them under TSB (service bulletin) if you complain about them. Other than that the 1GR-FE is a very capable engine. Towing power is adequate, passing power is good, comfort is good. The auto transmission is fair, but the lack of stick 4wd select makes some hardcore offroad people upset. The paint can be a little thin, so take note if you buy a dark color and care about stuff like that. The stock tires, the rugged terrain, are HORRIBLE. If they don't bother you on the test drive, great, but know that once you replace them you're opinion of the ride/sound will skyrocket.

They did an interior refresh at the 2011 date, so if you like the updated dash you might keep that in mind. They also redid the front bumper in 2012.

The TRD packages are up for debate. The sport package is basically strictly cosmetic. You get color matched grill/fenders/mirrors/rear bumper, upgraded bucket seats, and a power inverter in the bed. That's pretty much it. The OR package is similar, but you get a rear E-Locker. The MSRP on these packages is outrageous and the functions (locker specifically) can be added aftermarket, function better, and do it for cheaper. Mainly, you're deciding if you want the better seats or not. There's also an update to the shocks with the TRD packages, but if you're dying over that you can usually pick up a set of 4 from the classifieds on tacomaworld for <$75.

If you plan on lifting it, don't go cheap because they are known for bad vibes and axle wrap if you do it with blocks or spacers.

Stock skid plate is also basically useless other than cosmetics.

That being said, I drove the hell out of my 08'. It was a great truck, and it's been one of the only cars I've owned that I've wanted another of. I have absolutely NO problem paying what I'm going to on a brand new 2012 leftover from Kansas on wednesday.

If you have any questions or would like to know anything else shoot me a PM!

 

[DPI]

I agree with everything Josh stated except you can get a stick(except with a long bed and that may be what he meant). I flew to co springs and saved about 10% with the flight over local pricing. 2012 double cab 4x4 TRD Offroad with a 6-speed manual.