2006 Tacoma worth it?

I’ve been looking to get a Tacoma for a few years now but they’re just out of my price range. I currently drive an 08 Titan crew cab long bed and if you’ve had one you know they’re sort of a one-off on sized etc. and nobody makes anything aftermarket for them. At least nothing I want and a camper topper is at the top of the list but it has a weird 7.5’ bed that’s too big or small for anything.

plus I want a smaller truck now, this beast is paid for but unwieldy, takes a whole parking lot to turn around in, hard to fit in a parking space etc.

Where I live (TN) the only reasonably priced Tacoma’s are 2006,2007’s. But I’ve heard a lot of bad word on those years which I suppose is why they’re so cheap. Has anyone had one for any amount of time and can speak on if it was worth it, or are they constantly repairing? The 2006 in particular seem to be 1/2 the price of any other year Taco.

I have a feeling Nissan may go under soon, I live near a plant and know some workers who have been there close to 30 years and what thy tell me is bad news for Nissan coming soon long or short term, or at the very least Nissan bankruptcy-to be sold off and made even cheaper than ever soon. I want to get away from Nissan and back to a Toyota truck.

I want a full 4 door (crew cab?) and a long bed if possible. Prerunner if possible but not necessary. So I guess any issues with these versions. I’ve looked at Access cab and single cab, not interested. I’m also 6’4” so I want the extra room. Don’t want a tundra I don’t think. Unless someone can convince me I’d prefer it? All my other vehicles are Toyota’s.
Thanks

 

That would be horrible. I loved my 84 720 and 93 Hardbody. I actually wanted a new Frontier but the salesman was a douche bag so I walked across the street and bought the only new Taco on the lot. Personally and for the money I’d be looking for a nice Frontier. Edit: and guess what? The frames never rotted off them! Edit, again: in fact if you’re not having any trouble with it, I’d keep driving that Titan (just for another 5 or 10 years)

 

Frontiers even with the bigger engine are severely under powered. Any load on them and they are done. Frontiers if they get their drivetrain (engine/trans) better I'd be more willing to spend the $$$ on them. They are a good platform for an offroad capable rig but like the OP said there isn't as much after market support as there is with the tacoma.

 

I purchased an 05 tacoma a little over 3 years ago. I have not had any issues out of it other than my own abuse/mistakes. I've put almost 100k on the odo in that time and I haven't been easy on the truck. PreRunner is the 2wd version of the 4x4 in case you are looking for a 4x4. DCLB trucks are hardish to find Toyota didn't make many of them and they aren't the easiest to park either even compared to your Titan. They are lwb and the turning radius on a tacoma isn't the best to begin with. Lots of questions to answer for should you get a tacoma or tundra.

 

Someone bought some chain hoists from me the other day and he had a tundra that was a little older and it seemed about the same size as a Tacoma is now. I suppose I should have specified that.

one of the main reasons I got a 4 door long bed truck was for the simple fact that unlike many truck owners, mine is actually used as a work truck. I lock my tools inside the crew cab and carry long heavy equipment in the bed. A 5.5 bed would almost always have to have the tailgate down and with those bed extenders the 3” round x 6’ steel shafts I carry wouldn’t stop one from going anywhere.

I recently was directly behind someone who tried to whip around a tractor trailer impatiently and overcorrected themselves right off the road and into a sheer rock wall. While prying them out I couldn’t help but notice all the stuff in their car that had been turned into projectiles. I’d like to get those hundreds of tools out of my cab but also secured where they can’t be stolen and a topper for this truck just really doesn’t exist unless i fabricate my own.

4x4 isn’t that important I’m always on concrete asphalt or steel. And I don’t need the extra cost. I rarely haul anything in my trailer. I hate tonneau covers. And I just like Toyota’s better. The nissans and Toyota’s of old were comparable but after the Renault merger Nissan has gone to pot.

4x4 would be fun but not for my daily driver work truck. A prerunner would just be a lucky find.

 

I bought a 2005 PreRunner in February. Other than replacing the 200,000 mile suspension it's been great.
The issue I hear pop up a lot about the 05-06 is the poorly designed head gasket. Toyota remedied that with a new design, production dates after October 2006 I believe (Somebody fact check me on that date) have the new design.
I have yet to see any signs of that issue on mine, but after I was made aware of it I have been keeping an eye.

 

I haven't heard any negatives on 06 and 07 models. I've had my 07 for 13 years and 206,000 miles. Other than normal parts that are supposed to wear out like tires, brakes, and batteries the only parts I've replaced are the alternator and a U-joint. And both of those happened after 170,000 miles.

Those years may be more spartan than newer models which have more electronic gadgets, but they are pretty reliable.

IMO if you're looking at a crew cab long bed Tacoma just buy a 1/2 ton. The biggest advantage of a Tacoma is the small size. The biggest disadvantage is the small size. The interior is a tight fit even with the crew cabs, especially for taller people. I'm 5'10" and have limited headroom. But the smaller exterior is why I keep the truck. I also have a newer F150 crew cab, my Tacoma is a spare vehicle at this point.

The long bed crew cab Tacoma's are within a couple of inches of the same wheelbase and overall length as an extended cab or crew cab 1/2 ton, but you still have limited interior space. With a 1/2 ton extended cab you get a bigger cab, same size rear seat, a longer wider deeper bed, much higher payload and towing, and about the same fuel mileage. Maybe 1 mpg worse.

 

Ya head gasket problems on 05-06 look for the USA built Tacoma if possible 07+ inless its had the head gasket problem fixed, also check the lower control arm bushings most of them are torn so u might be able to get some cash off if you spot the problem

 

I have an 07’, I haven’t had many issues.
My father is 6’1 and my Uncle is 6’3.
They both don’t care for the seat or position in my Tacoma.
I’m 5’8 I don’t have any issues myself.

If you ever plan to tow much, the Tacoma is not what I’d recommend.

The only thing that concerns me is it being an 06’, some did have issues with the head gaskets.
There has been reports that the later model ‘06 had the better gaskets.
Some where floating around this site, there is a date range.
The date isn’t a definitive or exact date, so take the date as you hear say.

Reported date range here.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/05-06-head-gasket-issue.641226/#post-22156391

You could look at the build date on the door sticker, the later the better.

My opinion is look for a well priced 09+ if possible.

 

If v6 then 07+

 

Thanks for the info, y’all. I just had the opportunity to switch jobs so a big trucks not really needed. Going to work at a tow truck lot, may be able to get one for a mechanics lien.

although from what they say, Toyota’s and Honda’s rarely grace the lot. It’s all GM products and dodge trucks. Toyota’s get flats, flats get fixed and roll out. Dodges work until the engine or tranny blows and nobody comes back for them.

 

06 Here and the only thing I hate is the 6 speed clutch bearing issue - chirping, and there’s a slow leak for the timing cover(?). So far it’s been a great vehicle though.

 

My 2006 has been flawless. A few AC issues and I refuse to fix the thermometer and compass ever again, but nothing fatal. It’s just a happy little truck. It runs so smooth it surprises me sometimes. I drive it all over on hunting and fishing trips. Decent gas mileage with 22 in my road trips. Hard to find unmodded examples in my area, but I lucked out with mine.
Bad side? I can’t justify buying a newer truck for much much longer. It’s just so reliable.