2002 Toyota Tacoma

Pros: 18 mpg combined, powerful (w/ the 6), kids are pretty safe in the back.
Cons: Inside tire spins while gunning into traffic

I bought a used 2002 Pre-runner last month for about $14,000. It's a double cab with a V-6 and lots of roof rack, gate extender, and other goodies. A smokin' deal--well, it has 107K miles put on it by a Texas auto parts store.

Look at the torque and hp specs. sometime and you will notice that the V-6 maxes out at 220Hp at 2200 rpm (or so). Blah, blah, blah--what that means is that this truck really has some guts in the lower end. Feels like an 8 until you get it revved too high when its 6 nature becomes apparent.

One thing. Even if you aren't thinking of going off road, please consider the TRD off road package. You really want a limited slip differential with this tourquey bugger.

Pros: Very reliable, fun to drive
Cons: clock placement

I acquired a 2002 Tacoma Prerunner 4 door about 4 months ago and I love it. It is only a 2.7L 4cyl., but it still has a lot of power. I own a twenty three foot Yamaha boat, and I pull it to the lake every weekend with my Tacoma. It has no problem pulling such a heavy load and easily pulls the boat out of the water. I've been there when Silverados have been pulled back into the water but my Tacoma always prevails. Overall the Tacoma is very very reliable truck with lots of power, even in the tiny 4 cyl.

Pros: Great Power, handles well, tight TRD suspension, great ground clearance, Toyota dependability
Cons: That darn clock placement!

Plan to get a lot of great use out of one of these trucks. I bought the 2003 V6 doublecab with the TRD package. I have to say that although the TRD option is pretty expensive, its well worth it if you plan on using the truck off road. I do alot of fly fishing in the mountains and mountain biking, so it really evens out the rough roads and helps with the ride quality. When your on the pavement, the TRD package will make the roads seem rougher though. It's all in what your going to use the truck for.
The interior is typical Toyota. No frills, simple, makes sense when you look at it. What is the clock doing behind the steering wheel!? Other than that, the seats are comfortable, and the rear seats have plenty of room. You will have no problem fitting four adults into this truck.
I had a camper shell put on mine to throw all my gear into and believe me, those shells have gotten less ugly over time. Mine actually looks pretty darn good.

Pros: Looks. Gas mileage reasonable.
Cons: Bed size/depth, handling, comfort, cabin noise.

I just traded in my 2002 Tacoma TRD V6 4x4 Limited. I don't regret it. The Tacoma's ride is rough.I know it's a truck and it should feel like a truck...but to me the Tacoma handles the road awkwardly. Hit a bump or uneven pavement and who knows where the tires/body will take you. The bed/rear of truck tends to sway, and it's an uncomfortable feeling. Truck sits up high, and step tubes make getting in the truck even more awkward. Cabin feels small/tight. 30,000 miles and a sensor went out to the tune of a few hundred dollars. Tires droned when cold. Dash rattle common in this truck is annoying. Bed is small, and shallow. Gas mileage averaged 17 city, 19 highway if driven responsibly. Overall a good looking truck, but lacks comfort and bolder look/size that the Nissan Frontier offers.

Pros: Everything!
Cons: Gas mileage.

My dad has a 2002 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab PreRunner V6 (Auto). It has really good accelleration. He loves it!! There are only a few complaints. One, a few months ago, the power steering hoses started leaking, so we took it in and the dealership notice that the water pump was about to go out. So they put a brand new one in at no extra cost. Everything was under warranty anyway. Then there was a safety recall. No big deal. And the last one is the poor gas mileage. We get about 16MPG. With these high gas prices, it was about $30 for a half a tank. He wasn't too happy about that. Over all he is enjoying it very much. He drives it to work every day. It is a 2002 and only has about 12,000 miles on it.

Pros: Quick, quiet, quality little tank.
Cons: Too bad it can't fly, too.

The best truck on the road. My F-150 has been parked down by the barn for the past 3 years. Last week, this little red tank showed me a side that the engineers say is "in- there" -- but you don't want to find out. My Tacoma hit a slick curve, climbed the bank, rolled over on its side and suddenly became a total loss. My and my passenger? We climbed out and walked away from it. I wasn't even stiff or sore the next morning. Even though the outside of the truck is completely mangled, the passenger's compartment came through things completely unscathed. Now...the best part... The tow truck driver got in and started it up after they got it back on its wheels. The right front was pretty much in the ditch and he couldn't get it out of the hole. I told him, "It's got 4 wheel drive." He put it into 4x4 and backed out of the hole...and pulled it up onto the rollback. THIS is what a TOYOTA is all about!

and YES...I'm looking for another one...

Pros: TRD package has great power and handling. Auto locking rear diff!!!
Cons: Interior is good but could be better, kinda simple.

Awsome front end styling, great curves for a truck much better looking that most in the same class. If you look at other import trucks the styling features cant even get close to this Tacoma. I have had mine now for a year and a half and still impresses me everytime I wash it.

Pros: Toyota Reliability and value.
Cons: Cab noise is louder than most cars -- but then it is a truck.

Pros: quality
Cons: valve ajustment at 60000 miles

I bought it new and now I have 40000 miles on it. I checked the brakes 2 days ago and happy the rear drums have two threaded removal holes, just put two metric bolts in and tighten equally. The rear drum pops off for inspection. My inspection revealed 6.5mm rear shoe lining and 8mm front pad lining I will check the brakes at 65000mi. I have added a full skid plate to it and taken it on rubicon 4wd trail also towed my jeep and hauled fire wood with it. It is QUALITY. I hope the new tundra is 3/4 ton, my 4 year old is little hard to lift into her backseat car seat without hitting her head.

Pros: Engine is super reliable.  Decent fuel economy for truck. Good looks.
Cons: Major rust issues for those in cold climates.  Notchy manual transmission.  Stupid clock location,].

This is a great small truck IF you live in a warm, dry climate. If you live anywhere there is snow and roads are salted, avoid this truck.  It is well publicized that 1995-2000 Tacomas have rust problems, but Toyota is FINALLY admitting the problems extend to 2001-2004 models too.  The frames on these trucks are literally rusting away and are becoming unsafe to drive.  As long as you do not live in an area that uses road salt, this is an excellent truck, but if you do, look elsewhere.