Ok Oppo, Tell Me About The Taco.

"Tripper" (tripe46) 05/04/2017 at 11:05 • Filed to: None

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I assumed this search for a small pickup would be a cinch. Most of my car searches are for at least somewhat limited production German cars, and I always have a super specific set of boxes to check. On top of that, the smallest thing will have me turn my nose up at cars in this segment. Cheap wheels, cheap exhaust, weathered interior...later.

There are about a bazillion pickup trucks. I just want a small one, that’s fun to drive, has 3 pedals, a 6ft+ bed, and is deemed at least somewhat good lucking my me. Contrary to internet beliefs, a lot of pickup trucks have actually been used for work and thus are beat to shit! Which is making this search difficult.

I drove a 2008 Ranger, 4.0L V6, 4x4 with 51k on the clock last weekend. I didn’t like it...it was nothing like my 1987 (obviously), in that it was rigid with terrible clutch feel. There may have been something weird going on, as it felt terrible in reverse when in 4x4. The air conditioning was barely even cool on max there were nics and scratches all over and a big dent in the drivers door with the paint flaking off. They wanted $13,500. I got the guy down to $12k which I was initially comfortable with, but then backed out saying I wasn’t even sure at $11k. He’s emailed me a few times, but I’ve never gone back if I couldn’t make a deal the first time. So I decided I would look for an older, cheaper truck that was a little more fun to drive.

Now I’m deciding between a 99 Ranger 4cyl, xcab, stepside, with 177k on the clock for 3k...and a 2002 Taco V6 4x4 xcab with 166k on the clock for 7k. It seems as if comparable Tacos are about twice the price of a comparable Ranger. Are they twice as good?

The Ranger looks like this

The Taco looks like this

Some more variables. The Ranger is close, the Taco is 2 hours away. I’m leaning hard toward the Taco at this point. but 4 grand is 4 grand... The price of the Taco seems good according to my research and the truck looks to be in really nice shape.

I’ve kicked around the Frontier, S10, and Dakota. I don’t like the look of the Dakota or S10, and manual Frontiers are tough to find.

So Oppo whats good about/bad about the Taco, and which truck would you ring up out of the two mentioned?

TheHondaBro > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:08

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Burrito > Taco

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:09

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Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:10

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Taco if it’s not rusty.

Tripper > TheHondaBro 05/04/2017 at 11:11

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Burrito = big Taco

Taco = small Burrito

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:13

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If the frame rails are good the taco will never die. Also, the taco drives much nicer then a ranger imo. The interior materials are nicer and it’s a more comfortable truck.

Tripper > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 05/04/2017 at 11:14

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I’ve yet to drive one, but I was assuming as much. I may put money down today.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:16

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You need to thouroughly inspect the frame of any Tacoma you look at. They had some serious rustproofing issues that lead to a massive multi-billion dollar recall for Toyota.

Tripper > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/04/2017 at 11:18

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Oh I’ll be getting all up under there for sure. I did not know that they were particularly bad with rust though, so thanks for that. I will ask when I call about rust. If they’re hesitant at all I wont even make the trip.

Tripper > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 05/04/2017 at 11:20

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I haven’t seen too many manual Colorado’s in my wheelhouse (x cab manual, under 10k)

Nothing > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:20

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Tacoma. Inspect frame...I’m not sure if Toyota is still replacing them or not if they’re rusty. If it has been replaced....bonus!

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:21

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Just absolutely make are the frame rails are not dust. The taco is just much better. I also think it looks better and some might say I’m biased but I’ll admit when something doesn’t look good(except the Lexus grill. I really like it even though no one else seems to)

Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:23

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Taco’s are pretty reliable, damned easy to work on, service parts are relatively cheap, and they hardly diminish at all (as evidenced by the sale price). They did have the frame rust issues, so bring a flashlight and a creeper/old blanket to crawl up under it.

The Rangers aren’t bad, you lose a bit of bed space with the stepside (but pick up style points IMO). The stepsides were less common than the fleetsides. Unfortunately, the only memory of a stepside that I have is of a repair from a few years ago that was rotting apart in the back end, both frame and bed structure. The stepsides have fiberglass bedsides attached to a steel structure, which tends to hide corrosion. The bumper brackets, bed mounts, and rear leaf spring shackles were all shot on this truck (western Virginia truck, no saltwater exposure, minimal snow/road treatments in this area). I don’t know if this is unique to the stepsides, or common across all models of this Ranger platform.

If it were my purchase, I’d probably bite the bullet and spring the extra money for the Taco (provided it’s corrosion clean underneath).

Tripper > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 05/04/2017 at 11:26

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They’re not the truck with the highest resale value for no reason! I’ll be sure to poke around for rust. I’ve google a bunch of pics of frame rust to take with for reference.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:28

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Taco is superior and really fucking expensive. But don’t buy one from the rust belt.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:33

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That’s true, apart from rarity they hold their value shockingly well. At least around me.

functionoverfashion > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:34

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Every Tacoma I’ve driven, including this gen you’re looking at, I liked. The frame rust is a real thing, but a lot of them had a complete frame replacement.

The other day I was looking at a local used car ad that comes in the mail, and there was a 2001 Tacoma, 130k, manual, 4wd, ext. cab for $11,500. Right next to it was a 2008 GMC 1/2 ton, 4wd 8' bed for $5k.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:36

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i would avoid any pick up, no matter how small with a 4cyl, my grandfather has a 4 cyl in his frontier and its downright scary trying to merge on the highway or pass people

Tripper > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/04/2017 at 11:41

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“But don’t buy one from the rust belt.

Going to be tough unless I want to fly or have the truck shipped as I’m near Philadelphia.

Tripper > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 05/04/2017 at 11:44

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Yea that is a real concern because I’ve become very comfortable driving a car that is faster than most of the other cars for the past decade or so.

Arrivederci > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:47

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Buy a new Taco - the depreciation curve isn’t much of a curve on those bad boys.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:52

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yeah and its not just slow, its dangerous. get yourself a V6, its still slow cause its a truck but itll actually move when you ask it to

Tripper > Arrivederci 05/04/2017 at 11:52

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That’s out, as this is car #3. So I’m not looking to spend too much over 10k. I’d be looking at at least 30k for a new one speced the way I want, probably more.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:54

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http://oppositelock.kinja.com/i-drove-the-same-truck-for-eighteen-years-1575868655

Yeah, I jumped on the thread to say the Taco tax isn’t worth it.

The V6 Rangers (Mazda B-Series) make plenty of power and run forever. There is more interior space in the extended cab Ranger than the Taco. You can get more upgrades, gadgets and gizmos for your money with the Ranger.

I nearly bought a double-cab Taco to replace my B-3000. I changed my mind when I went for a test drive. The Taco was like driving a small cave. My truck had a lot more head room and visibility was much better. I also had a hell of a time finding a five-speed to test. It seems that the vast majority of the tacos are made with an auto.

Do yourself a favor and find one closer to take for a test drive. That may help you make the decision.

Tripper > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 05/04/2017 at 11:54

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So a free vin check reveals (or at least I think it does) that there has been some sort of coating added to the truck to prevent rust???

I can’t tell if these TSB’s were completed or are just being listed.

Justino6969 > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:55

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I know Oppo has a hard-on for Tacomas, but I don’t know if I could justify the price. Looking at a brand new truck, $4k extra for a Taco over a Ranger, sure. But when you’re looking at older used trucks, and the Taco is more than double the price of the Ranger, it’s hard for me to pay that much extra. If you’re keeping it until the day it bites the dust, then the resale of the Taco doesn’t matter much. Can you find a Ranger with the 3.0 instead? Or an S-10? I loved my S-10.

Is the Taco better? Probably. Twice as good? No.

This Ranger in Ohio has half the miles for $3k: https://columbus.craigslist.org/ctd/6110613239.html

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 11:58

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That’s a good sign. Someone was aware enough to get it done. That was a thing Toyota did as part of the recall. If the frame is good you are set.

Tripper > TheRealBicycleBuck 05/04/2017 at 12:13

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Good points and I’m in no rush to buy one, other than I want one now.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 12:13

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Hmm... buy a 1st gen Tundra.

adamftw > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/04/2017 at 12:14

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LOL just as bad.

Tripper > Justino6969 05/04/2017 at 12:14

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Yea there are a few other rangers around. That one in Ohio is nice, unfortunately some of the best deals are 300 miles or more away. I would travel that far only for a green truck haha.

Tripper > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/04/2017 at 12:15

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Too big

adamftw > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 12:17

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I see you’re in Philly.

Do NOT.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I searched for six months. Six. I bought a cheap T100. It had rust, I thought, “it’s only 2 grand.” I can weld the frame. It was 100% not worth it. I patched the frame, I sold it. I kept looking. I went domestic. No lie, every single Toyota under $20k had an uncomfortable amount of rust where they all rust... at the forward leaf spring mounts.

Buy a Chevy or a OBS Ford. They’re cheaper, there’s more of them. The frames aren’t made of tin foil. I missed out on an OBS 302 5 speed 4wd regular cab F150... that’s your truck.

adamftw > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 12:19

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Don’t even bother with Toyota, honestly. Not in your budget to find one without a swiss cheese frame.

Tripper > adamftw 05/04/2017 at 12:20

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well fuckfuckityfuckfuckfuck. I just bought the carfax on that taco. I’m probably just going to ring up that ranger then. 3k, no rust. If something terrible happens I wont cry. at 7k I would have a conniption.

adamftw > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 12:20

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The rust preventatives don’t do anything around here. Check the INSIDE AND OUTSIDE of the framerails, front to back. Bring a hammer, or do what I did, and pulled off my wedding band and tapped on the frame and listen for dead spots. The metal should “ping” and echo. If it sounds dull, run.

adamftw > functionoverfashion 05/04/2017 at 12:21

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And the full-size has twice the power, can move twice as much shit, and get the same fuel mileage.

adamftw > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 12:22

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Rangers can get bad too. Not Tacoma bad, but still bad. Check the framerails, inside and out, front to back. Honestly you can’t beat a 302 OBS Ford or a 350 Chevy.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 12:23

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.

Tripper > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/04/2017 at 12:24

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“0 recalls associated with this VIN”...lol ok fuck this noise

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 12:26

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Whoops, looks like they changed the tool. It used to show any completed recall work.

Tripper > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/04/2017 at 12:27

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“0 open recalls”

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 12:43

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That tool used to show completed recall work. They must have stopped doing that since last I used it.

functionoverfashion > adamftw 05/04/2017 at 13:00

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And it’s hard to argue about longevity, because you could buy TWO.

adamftw > functionoverfashion 05/04/2017 at 13:04

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Correct. The LSx platform is pretty damn stout too, all 4L60E abuse issues aside. Anyway, a built trans with a warranty is $3000. Still under the Tacoma price.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 13:06

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S10 crew cab

1994 Toyota xtra cab

Uhh...

1996 Ranger 4.0

Roundbadge > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 13:16

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I have a Taco, 2005 2wd 4cyl 5spd. I love it. I paid a little over $7k when I bought it 3 years ago with 97k miles. It now has 115k, and has hauled dirt, mulch, brick, gravel and sand. To me, it feels livelier than any of the other small trucks I’ve had in the past (‘92 S10, ‘99 Dakota) even though it’s got a smaller engine than both.

+1 on the frame rust issue though. I only drive mine for 3 seasons of the year because of that. The red one you have pictured is 1st gen, which here in Ohio are hard to find anymore because they were all recalled for frame rust.

Racin'Jason001 > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 13:16

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Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > adamftw 05/04/2017 at 13:27

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I’m glad I’m over here on da left coast

adamftw > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/04/2017 at 13:46

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:cry emoji:

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > adamftw 05/04/2017 at 14:01

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#grassisgreener #nosnow

arl > Tripper 05/04/2017 at 14:32

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Yea the 4 banger rangers are slow. Not Mercedes diesel slow, but still kind of slow. I miss mine, but it rusted away underneath me and to be junked. It was perfect for going to Lowes’s, the dump, IKEA, etc. As long as you don’t mind being in the slow lane, they’re great little trucks.