2010 Toyota Tacoma questions...

[soulcougher73]

First time poster here in the Garage section. Go easy on me

I was thinking about buying a new Tacoma through USAA and i was wondering if there were certain things i needed to look out for with the Tacoma. Any major known issues with these trucks? Has anyone used USAA before on their vehicle buying service? If so how was it?

I have never owned a truck before so im not really up to par on what trucks are considered great etc.

Thanks for any help.

 

[ShawnD1]

Same process as everything else you buy. Google for <item> sucks.

Tacoma sucks
Tacoma problems

Just reading through these descriptions, it sounds like the Tacoma has the same annoying problem as my Corolla where the automatic transmission tries to pick the highest gear possible and it cripples the performance. I drive in "3" instead of "D" just to stop it from trying to run in top gear at 30mph.

 

[MovingTarget]

Any particular reason you are considering a Tacoma instead of a Colorado/Ranger/Dakota/etc? What will you be using it for on a regular basis?

 

[desy]

A Tacoma is an excellent truck
As always, used buy NA, new buy Japanese

 

[Proprioceptive]

USAA's car buying service is excellent. I've used it and the no haggle pricing is great. Sometimes you get a better deal than others, but that's just because the incentives and markets change so frequently. As long as you find a participating dealership near you, you're gold. Oh, and if there's an even closer dealership, show them the price with the service and see if they'll match it. They usually will.

Oh, and don't forget http://www.carbuyingtips.com

 

[soulcougher73]

Any particular reason you are considering a Tacoma instead of a Colorado/Ranger/Dakota/etc? What will you be using it for on a regular basis?

I just personally like the look of the Tacoma vs. the rest of the trucks in that size. I will be using it just to drive. I dont need it for work or anything. But it would be nice when i buy something from a store to just take it home with him without having to go the delivery route.

 

[soulcougher73]

USAA's car buying service is excellent. I've used it and the no haggle pricing is great. Sometimes you get a better deal than others, but that's just because the incentives and markets change so frequently. As long as you find a participating dealership near you, you're gold. Oh, and if there's an even closer dealership, show them the price with the service and see if they'll match it. They usually will.

Oh, and don't forget http://www.carbuyingtips.com

Thanks for the tip about local dealers maybe price matching. I will browse that site later tonight when i get home.

 

[kornphlake]

Tacomas are a good investment if you plan on selling it in 3-5 years you'll have a higher resale than other comparable vehicles. If you plan on driving the vehicle 200k miles it's a crap shoot, in my experience Japanese vehicles need fewer repairs but when they do need repairs it's expensive and difficult to fix, many Toyota problems aren't repeat offenders, the mechanic will spend more time troubleshooting and there's a possibility he'll replace parts as a guess. Domestics usually have more common problems so the mechanic doesn't have to spend as much time troubleshooting and problems are often fixed the first time to the shop.

 

[soulcougher73]

Tacomas are a good investment if you plan on selling it in 3-5 years you'll have a higher resale than other comparable vehicles. If you plan on driving the vehicle 200k miles it's a crap shoot, in my experience Japanese vehicles need fewer repairs but when they do need repairs it's expensive and difficult to fix, many Toyota problems aren't repeat offenders, the mechanic will spend more time troubleshooting and there's a possibility he'll replace parts as a guess. Domestics usually have more common problems so the mechanic doesn't have to spend as much time troubleshooting and problems are often fixed the first time to the shop.

I do plan on driving it till it pretty much gives out on me. So hopefully at least 15 years.

 

[OFFascist]

Are the 2010 models built in San Antonio, or are those going to be the 2011 ones?

 

[Vette73]

I know they had some trans issues and also rust issues.

Not a hugh fan myself as you get a lot more truck from Ford, Chevy, or GMC for the buck.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Tacoma?

Look out for rusted frames in a few years

 

[DVad3r]

I heard they had serious rust issues but I think that has been fixed now with the new ones? Anyone confirm?

I think it's a great truck personally and I'd definitely consider it when buying a new car. Good fuel economy, looks nice, etc. The V6 is a beast, I test drove a Rav 4 with the V6 a few weeks ago and the thing was quick, so I'm pretty sure the Tacoma will be too.

On a side note, my dad's 1992 Toyota Camry station wagon with the I-4 engine has 475,000 km with no major problems other than regular maintainence. Given the car is built solid, I think you will easily get your 15 years + out of the car.

 

[PricklyPete]

I've got a 2005 (current model) and have had no problems except for a couple of rust spots where chips occurred from highway driving. Been a great truck otherwise...only maintenance and tires so far after 58K. Expecting it to last a very, very long time. Brakes are still ~50&#37; up front and more in the rear if you can believe that...but has a lot to do with my downshifting.

For reference, I have a TRD Off Road, V6, Access Cab, 6MT.

 

[soulcougher73]

I've got a 2005 (current model) and have had no problems except for a couple of rust spots where chips occurred from highway driving. Been a great truck otherwise...only maintenance and tires so far after 58K. Expecting it to last a very, very long time. Brakes are still ~50% up front and more in the rear if you can believe that...but has a lot to do with my downshifting.

For reference, I have a TRD Off Road, V6, Access Cab, 6MT.

Good to know. I was looking at the TRD Off Road, V6, Double Cab Long bed, 5AT myself.

 

[highland145]

On the tranny-'06 that I had. Update at the end.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2035170&highlight=highland145