2003 Toyota Tacoma

Love this truck - the 2.7L is the only one I wanted - does not get any better millage than the V6 - BUT - it has a timing CHAIN that is designed to break and not jam up the valves (destroy the motor. This truck will do 80% of anything you ask of it. No it won't handle massive payloads / No it won't pull (or stop) a trailer with 6 ATVs etc...but if you want to smile every time you drive a vehicle, know it will ALWAYS be reliable, know you can get BIG resale value (if you ever sell it) - THIS IS THE TRUCK. It is one of the 1 top vehicles that last and have customer satisfaction. By the way - IF you find one - expect to PAY - people want blood and a firstborn for these trucks...however...if you have the means - BUY IT !!! Took me forever to find this particular model (2.7L-4x4-manual windows-extracab)but I will never get rid of it. I've heard Latinos buy up here and take these to Mexico for re-sale for HUGE money...anyway, can't say enough good about it. Everyone comments "ever want ta get rid of it - call me". Toyota has a great combination with these trucks - they know it - so does everyone that does research. The day Toyota comes out with a diesel will be the the day we witness the death of all American made trucks. There is a reason African safari company's use Toyota - no repair shops in the bush. The power is good - ride is what is is - comfortable but firm - the fun factor is high - and the confidence that it will start and perform each and every time it worth it's weight in gold. I've had over 12 trucks over the years (can't get enough of 'um)- even had a 2000 Toyota Tacoma I bought for $4000 and sold for $7500 - same as the one a just bought only older by three years...I missed it so much that I sold my F-350 and looked for three months to find another Toy similar to the one I had - these trucks are that good. Just to recap - if you find one buy it.

Toyota's are one of the best vehicles on the planet. Just keep routine maintenance and their engines last 250,000 miles or more. I had a Tacoma prior to this one and I was so impressed with reliability and durability that I wouldn't buy anything else. Snow, on and off road driving is no problem for this truck. Gas mileage is another plus. You can't go wrong with a Toyota!

I bought a 2003 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner V-6, auto new in October 2002. The power steering pump is the only thing that needed replacing at about 50K. I have run synthetic oil in it since 10K, the truck now has 75K on it and runs as good as it did the day I got it. It has the TRD off road suspension and has proven itself to be rock solid. It still gets compliments on how good it looks. I replaced the front brakes at 65K and put Michelin XLT-MS tires on it at 30K which greatly improved drivabilty and ride. Best vehicle I have ever purchased. I'm going to keep it another 6 years, maybe more.

I decided to buy the truck because it was way below book value. I liked the color, make and model. I was on the search for that exact truck. There are some small dings that were not disclosed in the listing. I am very pleased with the transaction. It was a very positive experience. Neal

Great gas mileage, high quality, low maintainence, extremely reliable.

If your looking for something that will pull more than 3500 lbs. this isn't the vehicle.

I've owned three Toyota trucks including this one. I bought my first Toyota truck new in 1987 for just $8400, tax title and license included. All Toyota trucks were made in Japan then. It was an awesome vehicle. I drove it for seven years and put just over 100,000 miles on the vehicle. It ran as new as the day I bought it when I sold it. The air conditioning was awesome and blew super cold. The truck was in a few body panel accidents but the mechanical condition of the vehicle was as new as the day I got it.

American car and truck owners hate Toyota trucks because of their legendary quality, value and reliability. I stopped buying American vehicles years ago because the American car manufacturers started building their vehicles with the concept of "planned obsolescence". The American car manufacturers inadvertently gave the Japanes car manufacturers the break they needed to build a loyal customer base here in the U.S. The more quality the Japanese put into their vehicles, the less the Americans did.

The same is still true today 20 years later. The japanese still engineer and build a superior quality product.

Make no mistake, Toyota still makes the best quality and toughest trucks on the American highway.

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.