Faults:

At 60k miles, the A/C blower motor needed replacement (warranty).

At approx 99k miles, the secondary air pump and valve went bad. This system simply blows hot exhaust on the catalytic converter for a few seconds on cold starts. No essential engine function here. Around $1,000 to fix. I bypassed it for around $100.00.

At approx 99k miles, both U joints were shot.

At approx 99k miles, the throw out bearing squeaked. I went ahead and changed the clutch at that time too.

General Comments:

This is my 2nd Tacoma. My 99 went 100k trouble free miles, until I traded it for the 2005.

For around 99k miles, I did nothing to this truck but drive it (other than oil changes, tires, and a battery). It's been rock solid, no complaints.

After fixing the problems mentioned before, it runs as smooth as the day I got it. I intend to keep the truck.

Faults:

Tailgate is flimsy. Bent it the first year I owned the truck.

General Comments:

Other than the flimsy tailgate and serious lack of ground clearance for a 4x4, I can't say anything bad.

The power of the 4 cylinder is phenomenal. I've towed over 4000 pounds on the country rounds, pulling 4th gear @ 45-50mph easily. Have had the bed stacked to the roof with firewood, towing a 2000 pound wood splitter, pulling 65-70mph on the interstate with ease in overdrive. And get between 20-23 MPG consistently.

I live in the mountains, so lots of hills. It's no V-6, but for what it is and considering the overly steep gearing (3.58), the pull is fantastic. Can hit 90 on the off ramps to the interstate easily. I believe over time this motor will replace Toyota's 22re as Toyota's greatest 4 cylinder ever. Silky smooth, great power, very efficient.

Faults:

Nothing wrong, it was new. Very thin and cheap.

General Comments:

Tacoma 22-24 on the highway. Maybe 18-20 around town. It has a plastic bed. It has a base interior, not much can go wrong.

For me, the negatives were; it was airborne on the highway at normal speed taking on highway strips, which is uncomfortable. The rear quarters both dented from leaning on them. The headlights filled up with moisture. It wasn't capable of towing anything.

I found a (5 years older) 2000 Ford F-250 Supercab Lariat 7.3 4x4 with all the goodies. It gets up to 26 mpg on the highway, depending on how fast I'm going. It also tows my 5 ton boat package with no issues and still gets 15-16 towing.

Choices: for the same money, I have a more useable vehicle. I can see the Toyota as a perfect vehicle for someone, but you can get so much more in a full-sized truck. Certainly, don't make the decision to buy one only for gas mileage, you'll be disappointed.