re: Buying a Used Tacoma--best year?

Yes, gear hunting as they call it. That is def a thing, but more of an annoyance than an issue to me. I've driven my son's truck a few times and it wasn't something I just absolutely couldn't stand. They way I looked at deciding on engine, etc., is that it is for a 16 year old and I just needed something safe and reliable to get him to a from school. He is damn lucky I got him what I got him and could've gotten nothing at all or any POS I could get for super cheap.