Looking to buy a used Tacoma and have questions

[pmh203]

Hi All

I'm new here and I'm looking to buy a used a Tacoma in the next few weeks and have a couple of questions. I'm primarily interested in a 2003 ( maybe a 2002 ) Prerunner Xtra cab with the 3.4 and an automatic. The truck will be a daily driver and I'll use it to haul materials for the occasional fence I build. It seems like I see alot of them with the 4 cylinder. Are people generally happy with the power output of the 4cylinder and would it be a dog with an automatic ? I don't really anticpate offroading but the thought of having 4wheel drive would be nice in the winter. Is the 4wheel drive option really worth it for just a few months a year and does the added weight - gearing ? increase gas usage noticably over a 2wheel drive ? Last but not least I'm looking so far at either (A) buying from a carmax ( seems a lil more cheaper than the dealer and seems to have more selection ) or (B) going with a dealer and paying for a " certified " one that would carry a better warrenty. from what I hear they are pretty realiable if taken care of. What route did you guys take to buy yours ?

Thanks

[AK98Taco]

Welcome!

I have a 2.7L and a 5-spd in my pile. It has enough power for most of my needs. It's somewhat gutless on hills at freeway speeds, however.

The auto won't be as quick and you won't be able to control the engine as well, but it shouldn't be too much of a difference.

When you talk about four wheel drive as an option, I assume you're referring to getting a 4x4 truck, and not opting for "4x4" a package on the PreRunner?

Four wheel drive will be good for winter driving, but you are right, it may not be worth the cost for only a couple of months a year, when you could just use chains and throw some sand in the bed of your truck.

As for the 4x4 vs 4x2 economy, the new Tacos only have 1 MPG separating a 4x4 from 4x2, for the same engine and transmission. Where the biggest difference comes is in the engine, being that the 2.7L gets 2 MPG more in the city and 5 MPG more on the highway.

In terms of buying the vehicle, make sure you either look over it thoroughly or have mechanic look over it. Where you buy it from is your choice based on salesmen, price, and service. A warranty would be very nice.

I bought my truck from a Chevy dealer in my home town of Anchorage, Alaska. It was traded in by a woman. It was extremely clean and had only 56,000 miles on it. They wanted $14,900 for it, but because my dad and his business were loyal customers, we stole it for $12,750. Didn't get a service warranty, but that's not a problem, as I'm going to be employed by Toyota for hopefully the next 10 years or so.

Good luck with your purchase, and once again, welcome to the board!

[pmh203]

ak98

Thanks for taking time to reply. I'll probably just pay a lil more and go for the v-6 as we get some pretty bad traffic around here in virginia. lil extra passing power is always nice. Going to stink gas wise going from a 5-speed civic to a truck but I only average about 10,000 miles a year so hopefully it won't be too bad. Sounds like your a toyota tech , anything I should pay extra attention to ? and yes I'll probably try and have a seperate mechanic look at it.

[AK98Taco]

Don't mention it. Always glad to help.

Go for the V-6. I wish I had one a lot of the time.

I'm not a Toyota tech yet, but I'm getting a 4-year degree for it. I'll work for them this summer as a tech.

As far as common problems, check technical service bulletins on the 2003s. If you really want to go all out on technical information, you can get a subscription to the Toyota TIS, which will have more information about your truck, and any other Toyota/Lexus/Scion product, than you can imagine.

http://techinfo.toyota.com/

[Eztrog88]

I've got the 2.7L with a 5-speed. it all depends on the type of driving you do. Up hills on the freeway, it definately feels like a 4-cylinder, forget about passing up hill over 55mph; and if you have a load in back, just plan on losin about 5-10mph by the time you reach the top. I'm extremly happy with the 4-cylinder, but I'de NEVER buy one with an automatic, just not enough control, you need to be able to push the engine.

[AK98Taco]

Very good explanation, good post!

[pmh203]

Guys thanks again for helping out a new guy

[AK98Taco]

You are very welcome!

[x0ffr0adtac0x]

i have a 4cyl 2.7 prerunner auto, and i wish i had a 5spd, but its enough power. i work in drywall and carry drywall sheets every so often it. its enough. if you go with 4cyl i would recommend you to get a manual

[pmh203]

Thats my problem , I enjoy driving a stick. But here in northern virginia its some of the worst traffic in the whole country 24-7 . I mean driving a stick in traffic thats going 5 - 10 miles an hour stop and go 2 hours a day isn't feasible. So in switching from my civic I'm looking to upgrade to an automatic.

[tnranger]

I'm also interested in a used 4cyl doublecab tacoma. Anybody have any comments on gas milage on a 4 or 6 cyl prerunner doublecab?

[Eztrog88]

pmh...
if ur doin mainly city driving with light loads (i.e. drywall), the 4 cyl auto should be more than adiquite (pardon the spelling)... if you want the extra power and can afford the extra gas $ go for the 6 cyl... but the 4 should work for you (i would think).

[AK98Taco]

The automatic should be fine for you.

[grillmasterp]

You're out of luck on a 4-cylinder Double Cab. You would have to swap out the V-6 to get a 4-cylinder in.


Doublecabs were available with the 4 banger

[AK98Taco]

I had to search for an actual example of one, but I found it. Only the Double Cab PreRunner is available with a 4-cyl. I didn't realize that, as most of what you see is 4x4s.

With the new Tacos, no Double Cab can be had with a 4-cylinder, and the V-6 is not available on Access Cab PreRunners or 4x2s, oddly enough.

[Paul H.]

I recently bought a v6 extra cab prerunner and am very happy with it. Paid 16,400 for it. It was certified too. Watch out for certified though. The warrenty is from the date it was originally purchased, not from when you bought it. I get 20 mpg mix with an auto. The 2k premium for a 4x4 just wasn't worth it for me.

[RENEGADE76254]

i have a 99 perunner with a v6 auto and i love it. i can drive normal and behave and get purddy good mpg. if i wanna get into the throttle more i just pop over drive off and and down shift to L and shift when i get the the rpm i want, it takes about 1.5 secs 2 shift after u move shift the stick, i just shift right before the desired rpm. the ETC makes the shifts a lil quicker so u dont loose so much. I have run 70 or so and dont thats about the only time i have had 2 shift outa overdrive 2 pass sumbody. i have never gotten stuck on my prerunner, u just gotta keep ur head on straight when u off road, ur truck is not invincible just know ur limitations. i live in a very rural area alot fields that i drive in for deer huntin and no troubles yet. my only complaint is not haveing the e-locker (trd package) but i would suggest it for anyone who buys a prerunner. just my 2 cents, hope it will help u

[NC's BeefTaco]

I have the 2.7 auto, and I love my truck, but I would definitely opt for the v6. You will want the power whether you need it or not. I don't get stuck and I have plenty of power for my driving style, but extra power never hurts. If you go with the prerunner, definitely get one with the locker like renegade said, it is well worth it as you might find out in certain "sticky" situations. Other than that, enjoy your taco.

[bsbretly]

I have the 2.7 L auto as well, although mine is equipped with a TRD supercharger. I get about the same horsepower as a v6, but I'm not sure which would be the better choice($$ wise). I would of also rather of gotten a manual, but I had a hard time finding one with the specs i wanted, so I just went auto. The power is fine for me. Hope this can help.

[pmh203]

All

Thanks for the informative responses. Hopefullly I'll be able to make a decision that won't leave me disapointed in 2 months . I''ll probably try and stick with a prerunner as I don't see myself offroading it anytime soon if ever.

Am I correct to assume that when I see one that is advertised as having the TRD package that it comes with a locking rearend ?

[bsbretly]

Yes, the TRD package includes a rear locker, TRD off-road suspension, and white back drop gauges.

[LakesPre-Runner]

I have the 2.7 & auto average between 22-23 mpg on my commute which includes 23 miles of canyon roads each way. Just got to push the peddal a little harder to keep up speed and take it out of overdrive if it starts hunting(shifting up and down).

[tnranger]

Thanks for the info, LakesPre-Runner. When you say canyon roads, I assume you mean 2 lane with lots of curves and hills? Any mileage figures on interstate driving? How does it perform with passengers onboard? Does any body have mpg figures for a V6 d-cab prerunner?

[SanDiegoDblCab]

My mix of city and highway (70mph) in my 2002 3.4L Double Cab yields about 18 MPG. I'm sure if I did more highway driving and kept the speed at 65 or slower, I could reach 20 MPG. The good news is that it doesn't go much lower than 16 MPG even if I do all city on a tank...

Then again, I have a 340HP Audi S4 that I get my need for speed from :)

[KSdblcab]

I'm also interested in a used 4cyl doublecab tacoma. Anybody have any comments on gas milage on a 4 or 6 cyl prerunner doublecab?

I don't have the prerunner, but mine is an '01 3.4 dbl cab 4x4 with 265/75R16s and lift, and I still average 17-18mpg (great for a truck). I also pull trailers every once in while and manage to load the bed at least once a week. If you go with the prerunner, try to find a trd... just incase you ever find yourself in a sticky situation. Good luck.

[pmh203]

thanks again for the input guys. I'm gonna start hitting some of the dealers in another week or so. I'm curious, none of the ads online specify if the perruuner in question is a TRD or not. They all just seem to list the basics ( enging, cab style , trans) are most perrunners a TRD version or are these more rare ?

[SanDiegoDblCab]

I'd estimate 60% of the PreRunners are TRD models...

[pmh203]

Thanks , hopefully it shouldn't be hard to find one. Be nice if dealers would indicate this like the other stuff.

[LakesPre-Runner]

Thanks for the info, LakesPre-Runner. When you say canyon roads, I assume you mean 2 lane with lots of curves and hills? Any mileage figures on interstate driving? How does it perform with passengers onboard? Does any body have mpg figures for a V6 d-cab prerunner?
I've only had the truck for a month now and most of my driving is commuting the only trip on straight interstate was to Las Vegas to see our daughter and got around 24 mpg cruising 75-80 with A/C on dodging buterflys and bucking winds so I am happy with my choice. The only thing that I would like to have is at least a limmited slip rear end but I guess you have to get the TRD package for that and I don't know if that's available with a 4 banger.

[varunner]

I just decided to sell my 2003 Tacoma PreRunner 4 Door. I have too many vehicles.
I am the original owner and it has only 5,500 miles !!
It has the 2.7 liter 4 cylinder and the 4 speed Automatic with OD....gets great fuel economy.
Showroom New Condition... Garaged since new. No problems ever...never offroaded or wrecked.
Just after I purchased it, I was promoted and received a Company Car.
If you are looking for a like new PreRunner that is loaded with options, let me know.
I'm located in Richmond, VA.

[tnranger]

What color? What kind of fuel economy? How much are you asking?

[pmh203]

va runner , to bad its not an extended cab - v6 . I'm up here just outside of DC.