Considering buying 07

[JFD140]

Hey guys, im new here and had a few questions.

I'm 18 and currently drive a 01 eclipse gt from Mitsubishi and through that i decided i definitely want a truck.

Being that i am 18, im not bathing in money etc etc. I will be getting my career job in a few weeks and assuming that works out i will be financing (unless leasing is more worth it) a new truck of some kind.

I figured i want a v6 with a decently long bed. I had my heart set on the tundra originally, but it just isn't realistic in price for an 18 year old to pay for.

Basically i have been looking at the tacoma trying to do my research and it seems like the double cab long bed is a nice truck.

What i am looking for in a truck is simply

-stylish interior with good space
-decently long bed
-seats 4 people
-decent gas mileage for a truck
-stylish exterior
-decent payload capacity
-all wheel drive with good handling
-decent price
-overall nice truck

some other questions i had were

What is the difference between option a and option b when pricing out a tacoma on the website, is it just the dimming mirror that cost an extra 1000 dollars?

Is the TRD exhaust a decent exhaust for the price or i can do better for 600 dollars?


By the way i will be working for the carpenters union out here and on the weekends i hope to build a small side job business if that helps deciding if it is a good truck for me.


Thanks a bunch in advance.

[xsacta]

I'm a contractor. You can use a Tacoma for work. You just can't use lumber racks on it, not traditonal stake pocket racks anyway. You'd have to get a very custom rack fabricated that mounts to the frame somehow. That would kill bed space. The tailgate is junk. On occasions where I need to pick up a load of 8 or 10 foot studs, with a normal tailgate, I just keep it in the up postion and put the studs in on an angle to the bed floor. What I felt I needed to do with this truck was to build a 2X4 stand that's just a bit taller than the tailgate. It sits against the tailgate and supports the lumber. I didn't have to think twice about loading up 40 2X8s in my lowly '86 Hilux. Not with this truck though, not without the support I built. The tailgate would buckle.
I have a cap on mine. It's basically a tool hauler and good for towing a trailer.
If you were to get roof racks on the cab and cap, you could carry light loads. The roof is weak though. You could easily dent it by leaning on it with a palm when washing it. If you want a good dual purpose truck it's good. Just good though. If you want a midsize truck that more traditionally tough and good for work I'd suggest a Frontier personally. If they'd offered a double cab long bed on '05 I would've bought that instead knowing what I know now. Now that it's available, it's got me really thinking about making a move, especially with the $2000 rebate that's currently offered.

[JFD140]

I am not planning to go so far into this side work thing that i would need a roof rack. Just some jobs here or there on the weekends. Nothing id need 40 2x4s for. But if i wanted to say build a shed and needed an extra 4 -10 sheets of plywood, could it support that or will it literally buckle

[xsacta]

10 sheets of plywood should be fine.

[viet2100]

Originally Posted by JFD140

I am not planning to go so far into this side work thing that i would need a roof rack. Just some jobs here or there on the weekends. Nothing id need 40 2x4s for. But if i wanted to say build a shed and needed an extra 4 -10 sheets of plywood, could it support that or will it literally buckle

Most of the weight is on the bed itself. And if you're afraid of the tailgate bending, bring it in for the TSB. But if you buy an '07 model now and it was built after Feb, you wouldn't need to being it in. The new ones have the reinforced tailgates.

The DC LB is a very nice truck, but is a bitch and a half to park. They also look goofy if they're not lifted.

Believe it or not, you can do at least 20 mpg city if you can adjust your driving habits. I've heard of 450 miles to a tank (mostly highway of course). But having good mpg usually takes away the power, but the Tacoma kept its power and is the fastest in its class.

The Tacoma is the best lookin midsized truck IMO. I'm sure everyone else here would agree.

There is no AWD available, only an LSD, locker or 4WD are available.

You can get a well-equipped Tacoma for about $27k out the door

I love my truck

[Corban_White]

Originally Posted by JFD140

But if i wanted to say build a shed and needed an extra 4 -10 sheets of plywood, could it support that or will it literally buckle

just FYI, 4x8 plywood wont fit between the wheel wells in the tacoma.

[brucec039]

I like my 07 Tacoma. But it's not much in the handling department. I thought the offroad pkg would make it stiffer, but it's still pretty softly sprung. Lots of body motion when you cut the wheel at high speed on the highway, and some body lean in turns. On the plus side, the smaller size is easier to get in and out of tight spots and negotiate narrow city streets.

The bed size on the Tacoma won't handle much cargo. It will tow a decent load, however. But the bed on a full sizer is much bigger. (mostly width and depth) and things I did with my full size trucks (moving furniture, hauling appliances, moving lots of mulch, etc) I have to use the trailer to do with the Tacoma.

The '03 Ram I had was a sports car in comparison. But sucked gas and nowhere near as smooth a ride. I prefer the narrower truck and fuel economy advantage (18mpg around town vs 13) but I do miss my Ram sometimes. The difference isn't that noticeable at typical 45-50mph surface street speeds, but at 80mph on expressway trips the Ram was more confidence inspiring. If they could just put an efficient engine in the Ram I'd consider another one. It's a cruder vehicle, but I am into handling more than comfort.

[Corban_White]

Originally Posted by brucec039

I like my 07 Tacoma. But it's not much in the handling department. I thought the offroad pkg would make it stiffer, but it's still pretty softly sprung. Lots of body motion when you cut the wheel at high speed on the highway, and some body lean in turns. On the plus side, the smaller size is easier to get in and out of tight spots and negotiate narrow city streets.

The bed size on the Tacoma won't handle much cargo. It will tow a decent load, however. But the bed on a full sizer is much bigger. (mostly width and depth) and things I did with my full size trucks (moving furniture, hauling appliances, moving lots of mulch, etc) I have to use the trailer to do with the Tacoma.

The '03 Ram I had was a sports car in comparison. But sucked gas and nowhere near as smooth a ride. I prefer the narrower truck and fuel economy advantage (18mpg around town vs 13) but I do miss my Ram sometimes. The difference isn't that noticeable at typical 45-50mph surface street speeds, but at 80mph on expressway trips the Ram was more confidence inspiring. If they could just put an efficient engine in the Ram I'd consider another one. It's a cruder vehicle, but I am into handling more than comfort.

the 3 inch leveling kit i put on my 07 tacoma really helped the body roll you describe. it is not as "cush" as stock but i am of the persuasion that a truck should ride like a truck, not a car.

[troystoy]

If you hurry and take advantage of the huge rebate/interest promo's toyota has on it's Tundras right now, you can buy a new Tundra for about the same price as a Tacoma! I just traded my Taco for a Tundra, and even with loosing a big chunk of my Taco's down payment in the trade, my Tundra is still only $50/month more than my Tacoma was! And, it seems mpg will be very similar also. If i would've got the Tundra right away with these finance deals, it would actually be cheaper to own the Tundra than the Tacoma.

[Stormin]

My opinion considering your age and all, I would recommend buying a good used Tacoma and save yourself 5-7 grand... Look around for internet sales and do the Carfax thing... www.carfax.com I highly recommend Carfax as it saved me alot of could of been pain and anguish... As your side work develops as time goes by, you can save that money and get yourself a new one... Resale value on a Tacoma is superb and if you take care of it, you'll do well.... Just my opinion....