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Buying A Used Toyota Tacoma In Ontario

Buying A Used Toyota Tacoma In Ontario

May 13 2022

The Toyota Tacoma is a mid-size pickup that offers an enticing blend of power and comfort, capable of handling daily work and weekend adventuring alike. And while the latest new Tacoma models are available at a highly affordable price, if you buy used you can get even more truck for your money. There's also a wide range of Tacoma models available, thanks to the long production life which started way back in 1995. To help you choose between the many Tacoma versions available in Ontario today, here's a brief summary of the truck's key features and highlights.

Benefits of Toyota Tacoma

There's no shortage of used pickup trucks on the market, but there are several key benefits that make the Toyota Tacoma a particularly attractive buy.

Whether you buy new or used, you get a great range of features for not a lot of money.
The standard engines are powerful, with V6 models widely available.
Fuel economy is at the better end of the pickup range.
Performance is slick, responsive, and versatile over a wide range of conditions.
The Toyota Tacoma is noted as a highly reliable choice for most model years.
The safety features are advanced enough to rival any family SUV.
The Tacoma blends its power and performance with great exterior looks that stand a class above the typical truck profile.

The Most Reliable Tacoma Model Years

The Tacoma was first released in 1995, and since then has developed a reputation for high reliability. However, several model years show a few common faults which make Tacoma trucks of those vintage ones to avoid when buying used. In particular, 2012 models often had powertrain problems, while Tacoma trucks from 2016 and 2017 suffered from relatively unreliable transmissions. Because of this, if you're looking for a more recent truck, choose a model from 2018 onward. For an older model, 2013-2015 models usually make reliable choices, as well as anything from 2005 and earlier.

Common Toyota Tacoma Problems

The most severe historical Tacoma problems lie in the transmission, which can be particularly unreliable in the 2016 and 2017 models. However, if a model from these years is for sale used today, any problems will probably have been ironed out over the years. Other common potential problems include excessive vibration when driving, or with interior components such as faulty air conditioning. In these cases, a test drive should show up any issues long before you part with your money, so be especially thorough with your inspections if you're looking at a Tacoma from one of the 'problem' years mentioned above.

Engine and Performance

A key benefit of the Tacoma's powertrain is the 4x4 option that's offered as standard for many model years, making this pickup a genuine off-road contender as well as a powerful pavement performer. Depending on the model year, you can expect to see engines similar to 2020's 3.5L V6 which delivers a beefy 278 horsepower and 265lb-ft of torque. This output is ample for a mid-size pickup, and the Tacoma shows a pleasingly responsive amount of acceleration along with smooth confidence at higher speeds.

In most cases, the power will be passed to the 4x4 via a silky six-speed automatic transmission, but if you prefer a more hands-on feel, it's worth looking for a model with the six-speed manual gearbox that's available as an option in many model years.

Towing Capacity and Payload

Capability is a vital part of any used pickup, and the Tacoma delivers a solid workhorse performance for your daily tasks. The maximum payload capacity of 450kg is about what you'd expect from a mid-size truck, but the towing capacity of up to 2,860kg is an impressive figure for this market, helped along by the factory-installed hitch supplied as standard.

Fuel Consumption

There's little point enjoying the Tacoma's impressive performance and towing capabilities if it costs a fortune to fill up at the gas station. Thankfully, recent models of the Tacoma offer some very appealing fuel economy ratings. For example, the 2020 model boasts a frugal highway figure of just 10.6L / 100km, and while the city performance is a little thirstier at 12.7L, it's still a highly efficient and affordable pickup to drive.

Active Safety

Lastly, the Toyota Tacoma is equipped with an extensive suite of active safety systems, particularly on later models. Key highlights include lane departure warnings with corrective steering assistance, blind spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera system, and much more.

Explore Our Used Toyota Tacoma Inventory for Sale in Ontario

Whether you're looking for a high-powered, recent Tacoma that's as good as new, or an older model offering exceptional value for money, you'll find it in our Ontario inventory of used Tacoma trucks for sale. Visit us now to explore our range, and we'll get you behind the wheel with an unbeatable used Tacoma deal.

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