I have driven my CJ7 to work for the past two years and I'm done. This Jeep is in mint condition and the salt is just not that tender on it. When I bought the Jeep it had never even been driven on a wet road let alone during the winter since it's rebuild. The Tacoma will serve as a daily/winter driver and a spare car. You did hit it on the head, my daughter will be driving in about 3 years and plan this truck as a "dad, can I run to the store" truck.
Tacoma Dudes...
- Thread starter Shawn
- Start date
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
Any of them are great in fact the simplicity of some of the earlier models would be a winner for some assuming you can find a clean truck. My 96' had manual windows and doors, no ABS, fully manual t-case. It was (and still is) a solid truck and despite living its entire life in Utah the frame is still fine... surface rusty but fine. The refinements of the newer trucks are welcome to some and I must say I like the power doors in a 4 door but the ABS, fender flares and throttle by wire are hit/miss. The older trucks are simply more 'trucks', sealed beam head lights, lots less under the hood, etc.
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
Its really been a non-issue for the majority of Tacomas in fact out of all the Tacoma customers I know, none have had any issues beyond surface rust typical of any vintage vehicle driven here in Utah. Trucks in the rust belt states of the East did get warrantied, in fact Toyota bought them back at 1.5 times Blue Book value and let you pull all your accessories off first... so those that were affected came out like kings. If/when that same recall takes place on thew newer platforms and affected a truck you own, I would gladly let them pay me 1.5 times the book value after I yank my parts
I'd like to think of Utah being rustier than most in the Western states given our harsh desert environs and the salt they cake on the roads but again I don't know of a Tacoma owner that had theirs bought back. Most were inspected and found problem free and of the few that qualified were cleaned & treated free of cost by the dealer (some combination of cleaning and painting with a rust preventive paint?). I'll have to ask my buddies at the dealerships if they bought back any complete trucks, I'm sure it happened but not in large scales and not to any of the many Tacoma owners I know.
While I applaud and commend Toyota for the amount of products they assemble and buy from US manufactures, the Tacoma frame is not one of them. Dana Corporation (manufactured that vintage of Tacoma frames) really dropped the ball and paid millions in settling with Toyota however even if the frames had never been an issue there is still a big notable difference in a US built Toyota and a Japanese built Toyota, part quality, paint finish (wondering if the EPA has much to do with the sub-standard paints used in the US) as well as general rattles, etc. Obviously I'm comparing apples and oranges comparing a US made Tacoma and the flagship Japanese built Land Cruiser of the same vintage but the little 'quirks' that pop up in the Tacomas don't plague the Land Cruiser or 4Runner (also Japanese built).
Last edited:
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
The tacoma started in '96, and not a whole lot changed 'till 2001. In 2001 most of the changes were cosmetic (interior, exterior, airbags, etc). I'll bet you could find a decent '96-00 if you wanted to save some cash.
o313
New Member
Tacoma's
I am on my third Tacoma (1999, 2001 ExCab V6 Auto) and now a 2010 DC V6 Auto, I love them.
The Taco's have been the most reliable vehicles I have owned. My 1999 had the interior blower replaced under warranty. My 2001 had the water pump replaced at 120K. My 2010 had the known issue of the squeaky blower motor but so far so good.
I would never buy a Tacoma expecting it to be a rocket ship speed wise but as far as being utility (with basic comforts) they can't be beat.
PS The Bilstein shocks on the TRD's are total shite and should be replaced every 10,000 miles.
I am on my third Tacoma (1999, 2001 ExCab V6 Auto) and now a 2010 DC V6 Auto, I love them.
The Taco's have been the most reliable vehicles I have owned. My 1999 had the interior blower replaced under warranty. My 2001 had the water pump replaced at 120K. My 2010 had the known issue of the squeaky blower motor but so far so good.
I would never buy a Tacoma expecting it to be a rocket ship speed wise but as far as being utility (with basic comforts) they can't be beat.
PS The Bilstein shocks on the TRD's are total shite and should be replaced every 10,000 miles.
Holy mother of......... Or replace them with something better.. Did someone say, Old Man Emu?! Part Number OMETAC 05LK5 :greg:
Shawn, have you had a chance to drive one around and see if you 'd be ok with the size; or rather your size, adapting to the cabin space?
Last edited:
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
XTR-Cab aka Extra Cab?
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
that'd be my guess, or it could refer to the Snugtop XTR shell.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
keep looking. The good news is that so many tacos sold that it shouldn't be tough to find one that isn't rusty and meets the rest of your criteria.
It is surprising how many are posted each day.... Good for the buyer.
Devel
Just an Outlaw....
- Location
- North Salt Lake
makes you wonder why they are being sold......