2002 Toyota Tacoma

This truck was obviously taken very well care of by the previous owner. Also, the dealership I purchased it from took loving care of it as well - the detailing they did inside/out (incl engine bay) was amazing. The paint was terrific and this, mind you, was a 7 year old vehicle. Probably the best buy I've ever made of a used vehicle.

Vehicle has 152k miles and runs like new. The cost and condition was represented accurately on ebay motors.

I bought my Reg cab 5 speed 4x4 model a year ago from the original owner. I talked to him about the truck
prior to buying it. He laughed at me and said all he did was regular maintance oil changes etc. This rig has 230k miles on it! I use it every day and runs and drives like new. Goes straight and shifts fine. I added a CD am/fm stock toyota radio and a toyota digital clock. Nothing bad to say about this thing...goes great in New Hampshire snow. Looking to buy a newer one with less miles soon.

I've always wanted a Toyota truck. They are a quality vehicle and I think it will serve me well. On the other hand, I didn't realize how rusty it was when I purchased it. That is somewhat concerning.

I bought it thinking the whining noise was the throw out bearing. But I changed the clutch, throw out bearing and pilot bearing and it still whines. It's the transmission. The dealer says "Live with the noise. They do that sometimes. It's a gear or bearing". They've seen it before. Comfort: It's a small pickup and the seats don't recline (and they have limited padding) and it isn't comfortable on highway trips. I have back trouble and this truck won't do as a travel vehicle. My camry is great for highway. Regards, Paul pdruby@yahoo.com

Very reliable vehicle. Our older tacoma has 215,000 miles and has never let us down. It has been driven in the northeast winters for 12 years and still gets us to work 65 miles one way. The drive is nice as well as the reliability. I would buy this truck just for the reliability. Our original brakes lasted 115,000 miles!

I purchased a 2002 toyota tacoma double cab sr5 two years ago and still am very impressed with it to this day. The 3400 v6 engine provides well enough power for both the highway and city driving conditions. The four speed automatic transmisson shifts through all four gears easily and provides easy performance. My only gripe concerning is the lack of space but, this is to be had because it is A. a toyota and B.a small truck. I still get compliments about the outside and most always the result is the questioneer replying that "they gotta get one of 'em". The truck is adaptable to as to the market and acceptibility of aftermarket upgrades and parts. We plan on buyin another one but, probably a standard transmissson this time.

I drove 750 miles one way to discover this truck had been wrecked. Ray the seller kept telling me that the truck had a clean carfax. He also said the truck did have any rust on it. This was also a lie. He got upset with me when I tried to ask questions about the truck. All he could say was that it was a nice truck. It appeared to me more as a work truck which had been wrecked. This turned out to be a horrible experience in which I lost my whole $500 and Ray also cursed me out for leaving him a negative feedback. I learned a valuable lesson with ebay and do not intend to do it again.

1995 - 2004 Toyota Tacoma Highlights
Toyota's sixth-generation pickup finally got a proper name of its own--Tacoma. The all-new model has a driver-side airbag, and featured aggressive new styling, both inside and out. Propelling the new Tacoma were three engines two 4-cylinders and a V6. The new engines included a 142-horsepower dual overhead cam 2.4-liter, a 150-horsepower dual-overhead-cam 2.7-liter, and a 190-horsepower dual-overhead cam 3.4-liter V6. The Tacoma also rode on a redesigned chassis and suspension and came with rack-and-pinion steering in place of the previous recirculating ball system. Also, 4-wheel ABS was now optional on all Tacoma models. The 4WD models were visually differentiated from 2WD models by a distinct grille treatment and an elevated chassis.
Year to Year Changes
1996 Toyota Tacoma: For '96, Toyota's Tacoma pickup is provided with a new off-road package that includes a locking rear differential. The new unit is available only on regular-cab 4WD models with a manual transmission. On 2WD models it includes a rear differential locking system, 31-inch tires on alloy wheels, and a tachometer. On 4WD models, Toyota charges a little more, but adds bucket seats, a center console, and 4WDemand, the more sophisticated of Toyota's two 4-wheel-drive systems.
1997 Toyota Tacoma: For 1997, 2WD models get a new grille and flush headlights. Also, the base 2.4-liter engine gains a new ignition system and a more sophisticated sequential multipoint fuel-injection system.
1998 Toyota Tacoma: Tacoma finally gets a passenger-side airbag, and the SR5 models get a new name--Limited.
1999 Toyota Tacoma: Seatbelt pretensioners topped the short list of changes for '99.
2000 Toyota Tacoma: Intermittent windshield wipers became standard, and models with ABS now had daytime running lights. Four-wheel-drive trucks got numerically higher axle ratios for quicker takeoffs.
2001 Toyota Tacoma: New for 2001 were 4-door Double Cabs with four front-opening doors and a 60/40 folding rear bench seat. All models got a restyled front end with a raised hood and prominent grille. Also added for 2001 was a new S-Runner model--a manual-transmission V6 PreRunner Xtracab with stiffer springs, premium shock absorbers, color-keyed exterior, and special interior appointments.
2002 Toyota Tacoma: There were no significant changes for 2002.
2003 Toyota Tacoma: Antilock brakes were made standard on all models for 2003.
2004 Toyota Tacoma: The Tacoma loses its optional flare-fender StepSide cargo box in 2004.

Pros: Acceleration (V6) / Reliability
Cons: Price / Engine noise / Ride / Step-in height (4WD)

Estimated Repair Costs: A/C Compressor $1,315 Alternator $360 Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $1,457 Brakes $190 Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing $915 Exhaust System $242 Radiator $520 Shocks and/or Struts $210 Timing Chain or Belt $200

Powertrain Options:
Standard powerplants included 2.4-liter 2.7-liter 4-cylinders 3.4-liter V6. The smaller 4-cylinder is standard on 2WD models, while the 4WD dels offer the 2.7-liter unit. The new V6 is available for both configurations. The 2.4-liter dual-overhead-cam 4-cylinder offers 142 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 160 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. The larger 4-cylinder boosts output to 150 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 177 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. Finally, the Tacoma's V6 delivers a lusty 190 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 220 pound-feet of torque at 3600 rpm.