Looking for a capable DD with support

[Vespap125x]

I own an 06 Wrangler and an 03 4x4 Tacoma xtra cab. I bought the Tacoma brand new. My first and only new car actually. For anyone looking at them, mine has been great. Never a major issue. I have done the regular maintenance (fluid changes, tires, batteries, etc.) and have 108K on it. I've been off road in it too many times to count and never been stuck. I generally rotate between my Tacoma and my Jeep each day. I only work about 6 miles from my house, so neither gets too many miles put on it. It's got a few scrapes and dings from hauling things and shopping carts in parking lots, but there is no way I would ever part with it. I'd give up the Jeep before I let go of that Tacoma.

 

[Chris]

I own an 06 Wrangler and an 03 4x4 Tacoma xtra cab. I bought the Tacoma brand new. My first and only new car actually. For anyone looking at them, mine has been great. Never a major issue. I have done the regular maintenance (fluid changes, tires, batteries, etc.) and have 108K on it. I've been off road in it too many times to count and never been stuck. I generally rotate between my Tacoma and my Jeep each day. I only work about 6 miles from my house, so neither gets too many miles put on it. It's got a few scrapes and dings from hauling things and shopping carts in parking lots, but there is no way I would ever part with it. I'd give up the Jeep before I let go of that Tacoma.

I have to assume that the Tacoma doesn't do as well off road due to the independent front suspension, am I wrong?

 

[Deadeye]

But I will say, your price range is not realistic. A nice 98-04 Tacoma in these parts will go for 14-22k, not even kidding.

They hold their value just as well as Wranglers do!

Is there something special about that generation of Tacoma that makes them more desirable?

I've always said that if I was to stop driving a Jeep it would be because I had switched to a Toyota. So far I've never had a Toyota but I like them a lot and might have one someday.

 

[Chris]

Is there something special about that generation of Tacoma that makes them more desirable?

I've always said that if I was to stop driving a Jeep it would be because I had switched to a Toyota. So far I've never had a Toyota but I like them a lot and might have one someday.

That particular generation looks the best (IMHO), it's much smaller than the current generations (therefore easier to take off-road), and is well known for it's bullet proof reliability. Shit, ISIS uses Tacomas, so that tells you something.

It is arguably one of the most bulletproof vehicles out there in terms of reliability. Seldom will they ever let you down.

 

[UpperMI]

Just to give you an idea for what yo can get (out here in California) in your price range.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ctd/5920755122.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/5918170241.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5918564417.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5873561574.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5907432502.html

 

[Ahoragi]

Just to give you an idea for what yo can get (out here in California) in your price range.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ctd/5920755122.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/5918170241.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5918564417.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5873561574.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5907432502.html

Damn......thanks for the effort in finding those but geez i cannot buy a truck in CA. Everything there is 1/3 or more expensive than here.

 

[GC02903]

Can't say enough great things about Toyota trucks. The only problem is that they don't depreciate much so a decent one cost a lot. A lot. If you find a bargain it's certainly too good to be true.

Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk

 

[UpperMI]

Damn......thanks for the effort in finding those but geez i cannot buy a truck in CA. Everything there is 1/3 or more expensive than here.

Here's a rust free ranger if you like fords. pretty low miles for the year as well.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ctd/5914332325.html

 

[Chris]

A Ranger is a nice choice as well. Get a FX4 Level II for about 8-10k and that's a nice off road truck!

 

[GC02903]

I have to assume that the Tacoma doesn't do as well off road due to the independent front suspension, am I wrong?

I think the independent vs solid axle suspension fight was settled a long time ago. That's probably the last thing you will need to worry about in a late model 4 wheel drive Toyota.

Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk

 

[Chris]

I think the independent vs solid axle suspension fight was settled a long time ago. That's probably the last thing you will need to worry about in a late model 4 wheel drive Toyota.

Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk

I always figured if I had a Tacoma I would put a solid axle in the front. Of course that's a big project!

 

[UpperMI]

Damn......thanks for the effort in finding those but geez i cannot buy a truck in CA. Everything there is 1/3 or more expensive than here.

No modification needed, buts its gonna be hard on gas.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/5907149231.html

 

[UpperMI]

No modification needed, buts its gonna be hard on gas.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/5907149231.html

Staying with the yellow Chevy theme......

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/5912552301.html

 

[UpperMI]

Last one for now (I enjoy truck shopping if you haven't noticed). Good luck

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/5906846977.html

 

[Chris]

I have a daily driver. It's a Honda Odyssey (Touring model). It's awesome... Well, as awesome as a minivan can be!

 

[Ahoragi]

Here's a rust free ranger if you like fords. pretty low miles for the year as well.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ctd/5914332325.html

That's something I'd probably scoop up but being in California kinda makes it impossible to get. I don't have any vacation time left so no way to drive it back here. Thanks for your links.

I been searching the surrounding states and some further south for yotas, rangers, colorados, etc and some ads really make me chuckle. It's funny how many of them state the truck is in mint shape, immaculate condition, rust free, etc but refuse to show pictures of the underside I can get a glimpse of it on tire shots and it's corroded to hell underneath. (sigh) Yeah rust free...

 

[Chris]

Yeah, I wouldn't settle for anything but rust free.

 

[Vespap125x]

I have to assume that the Tacoma doesn't do as well off road due to the independent front suspension, am I wrong?

True. I would say the Jeep definitely performs better off road. But the off roading I do is in the sand since I live near the beach. So I can't really comment on hills and trails.

 

[Chris]

True. I would say the Jeep definitely performs better off road. But the off roading I do is in the sand since I live near the beach. So I can't really comment on hills and trails.

Makes sense. Admittedly, most of the off-roading I do is overland, mud, snow and sand (not really any big rocks or thins like that), so the IFS wouldn't be that big of a deal for me either.

I think the only time it would show it's weakness is if you were trying to really flex out on trails with huge rocks and what not.

 

[glwood]

I have to assume that the Tacoma doesn't do as well off road due to the independent front suspension, am I wrong?

I have had my '13 Tacoma on the same trails as the Jeep, and it does as well in most situations. Of course, it's going to have trouble in tighter turning situations, and the breakover angle is less due to the longer wheelbase. I would not say there is a huge difference off road. The rear locking diff helps in a lot of situations. The newer Tacomas also have traction aids that will get you out of a lot of places you might be stuck otherwise, locking differential or not. The 1st gen TRD Tacomas (1995-2004) have the locking rear diff, but not the more advanced traction aids. Some say that's good, some not so good, ie. electronic nannies that can go haywire. Never had an issue on mine. Some will say the same things about the TJ vs. the JK. I have had two JKs, and they never disappointed off road, and the trips to Colorado to get to Ouray/Silverton were a bit more pleasant in the JKs.

Is there something special about that generation of Tacoma that makes them more desirable?

Having had both, I would say it's all in your perspective. If you would use a Tacoma mostly off road, the smaller size would definitely be an asset in some situations. The 2nd gen Tacomas are just as, if not more capable off road, and a lot more capable and comfortable on road getting to the trails. Just depends on what you like. One of each would be nice.

For the record: all of the Tacomas since 1995 have had independent front suspension. You have to go back to the Toyota trucks prior to around 1987, I believe, before you will find a stock Toyota truck with a solid front axle. Also, the Toyota truck that Top Gear tried to kill on their show was an '80's truck, not a Tacoma. My brother-in-law had a 1986 4x4 Toyota truck that refused to die also. It even survived a fire in the cab.