ShifterKart

Hey all,
A while ago I posted about purchasing a truck and my budget changed and I am looking at a used Tacoma. Anybody have experience or ideas about these? I need to tow about 3500 lbs normally (maybe 5000 lbs once a year), don't want to spend much over 15,000 and want something reliable. Here is the one I am looking at:

Tacoma for sale

Notice the gauge on the A-pillar, if this has a TRD supercharger, would that change your opinion? Thanks!


<Edit>
I am looking at this tonight so that is why I do not know about the gauge yet.

aklucsarits

It sounds like you'll be just within the v6 Tacoma's rated towing capacity. But I would be somewhat concerned if this one has a supercharger added on. Towing alone can cause higher than normal engine temps, especially on any tows with stop and go driving and/or elevation changes. Add in the higher temps inherant to the supercharger, and cooling the engine could be an issue.

Andrew

03exlcoupe

if buying a 05 make sure to get the brake recall fixed

Ooalloems2koO

my friend's dad has this car 2001 as a beater.... he drives to work everyday and it has close 200000 miles no problem at all...

this will be my beater car when i get a job!

Lice Locket

That's only for the automatics, and the failure comes from when the driver doesn't put the car on "park" and forgot to pull the e-brake (strange that some ppl do not park in "park" in an auto).

I got the 6 speed 4x4, 4 door Tacoma V6 w/ TRD sport package! If you can shell the money, the new Tacomas have a much powerful engine than the previous models, and has a bigger interior than the older ones. A factory supercharger can boost the torque by 70 ft-lb i think, but aftermarket turbos can boost it a lot higher.

ShifterKart

Appreciate all the responses, unfortunately I only want to spend $15,000 so a new Tacoma is out. As to cooling, the beauty (or ugliness) of the Midwest is that there are no elevation changes and most towing is simply expressway so that should not be too big a problem. I would also think that by losing the heatsoak from an automatic transmission cooler, the radiator has an easier time performing its job. Anyway, I was looking for some experience from people who drove and towed with a Tacoma or had the supercharger on it.

Do you know the rated towing capacity? I thought I saw 5000lbs on a website. If so, you are right, 5000lbs is right at the max. The 3500 which I tow the most should not be a problem.

aklucsarits

For the 2000 Tacoma, 5000lbs is the tow rating for the v6 model. But keep in mind that any stuff in the truck - passengers, gear, tires, etc also counts towards that tow limit as well...

You might want to check with the road race/auto X forum here. Some of those guys do a lot of towing.

I know there is a guy on Honda-tech.com who used to tow his Intergra type R race car with a Tacoma. It used to do OK and never really gave much trouble, but he did recently upgrade to a bigger truck IIRC.

Andrew

ShifterKart

Just to update, I ended up getting a Tacoma. A used 2003 and in great shape. Will post pictures when I get a chance. Thanks for all help!

ksdaoski

how much?

ShifterKart

I paid 18500 to a private party. The truck had 12,300 miles on it and with the exception of one small scratch the exterior and interior where perfect. I feel like it was a fair deal.