I purchased a 2003 Tacoma to replace my poor, aging Chevy S10 Blazer.

The configuration I purchased is extended cab, 2wd, 4cyl, manual trans. SR5 package, power windows, locks, cruise, A/C, CD player.

The truck really is nice to look at. The SR5 package adds chrome bumpers, which I really love on a truck. Toyota's done a great job with the styling on this thing.

The interior is very nice. The fit and finish of everything is typical Toyota: superb.

There are 3 fun-to-play-with cupholders that are actually functional. They're all in the center console, around the shift lever.

The cruise functions are located on a little stalk on the right side of the steering wheel. Vey easy to locate and adjust by touch without removing your hand from the wheel.

There are 2 power outlets located on the dash, down low by the shift lever. They're in an awkward spot, and the shift boot gets in the way.

The clock is located on the dash, but in a place that's impossible to see from a normal sitting position; the steering wheel blocks it entirely. Drives me crazy.

The seats are comfortable. They're listed as a split bench, but they're basically pseudo-buckets. I got the cloth interior. The rear has seats that fold down from the back wall. With the seats up, there's a surprising amount of usable space back there. With the seats down, there's enough room for 2 adults. It's comfortable for short trips, but that's about it. The extra cab is best for storing groceries and whatnot so they don't roll around and get wet in the back.

The pickup bed is great. It's wide enough to accept a 4' piece of plywood (between the rails, over the wheelwells). It's only about 6' long, but a 4x8' sheet of ply can be accomodated by laying it on the tailgate.

Performance is surprisingly peppy with the 4 cylinder and the manual. It's not a rocket, but it's not a Geo Metro, either. If you're going to get 4wd, go with the 6 cyl.

The gearing is a little odd. It's taller than I'd expect for a 4 cylinder. The engine seems to need to shift between 2500 and 3000 rpm. My Mazda Protege5 likes shifting up in the 4's. However, it does get the truck around just fine once you get used to it. You may need to downshift out of fifth to get up large hills without losing speed.

The ride is much nicer than I'm used to in a truck. You won't mistake it for a luxury car, but it's nicer than I expected in a pickup. The 2wd helps out in this department, too. It sits lower than a 4wd, and has less weight and softer suspension.

Fuel mileage is good, too, in this configuration. With mixed city/highway driving, I'm seeing 24-26 mpg.
Amount Paid (US$): 16200
Condition: New
Model Year: 2003
Model and Options: SR5, 2wd, MT, AC, CD, PL, PS, cruise