99 Ext Cab 4x4 $1500

Locally advertised just now on CL.
5 speed V6 SR5 w/209K miles. Recent timing belt. Working A/C.
Needs O2 sensors and headliner is droopy.
A few dents but no rust. Will need tires for extended trips.
$1500 asking price!

My 06 Reg Cab A/T has 52K and is paid for. Only oil changes and gas so far. Best vehicle ever!

Are these 1st gens as reliable as the 2nds tend to be?

 

I think you should be asking if 2nd gens are as reliable as 1st gens.

That's a great deal, check for frame rust and leaky ball joints. 1st gen thing.

Oh and the plastic on the driver seat.
Damn that plastic on the driver seat.

 

since this 1st gen is at 206k. You'll need to pay for some replacement parts im sure.

New water pump, timing belt, all new fluids, tires by the sound of it, probably suspention, the 02 sensor i guess..

Things to check at also the Ball joints, tie rods, steering rack.

But other then that. For 1500, be a perfect project/trail truck.

1st gens are VERY reliable.

 

Luckily, I was the first to see his CL ad. Turns out to be a Marine deploying on short notice next week and just needed to move it. Originally a NC truck and he is 2nd owner. No mud or salt. Just honest hiway miles and light off-road hunting. A few dents here and there. The headliner is toast around the moonroof but the rest of the interior and cloth split bench seat is clean. Not missing any plastic! New tires w/less than 2K miles. Natural white. 3.4L 5 speed w/recent timing belt. Even has a Kobalt tool box!

I'm a devoted Tacoma owner and have enjoyed my 06 Reg cab (bought new off the lot). Only has 51K miles since I'm retired and stay pretty local. Just need to pull my Whaler to and from the boat ramp 2 miles away!

The tough decision will be which Taco to keep! Love the look of the little cab on my 06 and my 80 y/o mother can drive it (AT) but wish I could recline a bit on those rare trips out of town. Plus, having a 4x4 is just badass and will come in handy if the sh*t hits the fan! (hurricanes, mudslides, zombie apocalypse, etc.)

I'll be going through the forum gathering info and getting ready to inspect/repair the new truck. Thanks for all the pointers so far!

I'll post some photos after we seal the deal tomorrow.

 

Wow..great find man.

Keep em both man. Turn the 1st gen into a weekend warrior camper truck.

 

Sounds like a scam to me. In my experience trying to find my truck on CL, 60% of postings were scams.

 

You got it backwards dude....

 

Totally agree! I think Tacomas are the number one vehicles used in our area CL "fake" ads.

I was excited to see a local phone number, as well as, a familiar apartment complex in the background in this ad to let me know it wasn't BS.

Why would anyone respond to an ad w/contact info xxxxxx@gmail.com listing a 02 Double cab for $3245??

 

So, stumbled on the infamous "frame rust recall/ buy back" that Toyota issued for all 95-2000 Tacomas. I'm stuck here at work and won't be meeting the owner to buy the truck till tomorrow. I can't imagine that this one will have any frame rust (NC/SC)?

And since it is a 1999 model, it may very well still be within the 15 yr. in-service window. Crazy! Should I be hoping for frame rust??! Naaaaaa!

http://pressroom.toyota.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1406

 

it could have frame rust yes. always look.

toyota will either buy it back or replace but only if the rust is so bad if you hit it with a hammer it goes through the frame.

 

Is there a restriction on length of ownership in order to qualify for the buy back (if the frame fails inspection)? For instance, buy the truck tomorrow and have the inspection done the next day. (assuming the title has been transferred)

Depending on date of service, a 1999 model may be getting to the end of the 15 year grace period.

 

It sounds like a scam. If the guy can't meet you in person and wants you to ''transfer funds'' or something along those lines, back out immediately. It's all bullshit.

EDIT: Nvm, sounds like you found one hell of a deal.

Also if the frame does fail rust inspection doesn't Toyota buy it back for 150% of retail value? I'd be hoping for rust if i were you...

 

There's something very wrong about praying for rust! But yeah...that would be ONE HELL OF A DEAL!

Either way, I win!

Why does it feel like Christmas Eve?!

 

I don't think so

 

is it a reconstructed title or something? theres gotta be a catch somewhere...

 

Not that he mentioned.

Not everybody is online and on vehicle-specific forums like this.

I've been a member of TW a long time, and until this post, never saw the frame rust/buy back threads. Otherwise, I bet I would have been looking for rusty first gens to buy!

Chances are good, this one is intact. I'll post back the findings!

 

I guess i'm just trying to figure out why he'd price it at roughly 1/4 of its values though.. even if he was in a hurry to sell it he could be asking way more.

good luck though!

 

1.Busy US Marine in a pinch to PCS. A vehicle can be a big hassle to store and/or ship. He's headed to Japan.

2. Although the body looks rust-free from the 8 lowres cellphone pix he posted on CL, there is a dented front left bumper and another dent low on the bed driver's side. Plus the moonroof/headliner is fubar.

3. Prolly need some front end work as the 'new' front tires have some outer edge wear.

4. And to a non-Taco loving driver, 200K+ miles is a lot.

He knows he priced it 'to move'. And move it did! Luckily, my job affords me the opportunity to monitor our local CL. This is one of those, run, don't walk deals! Luckily, he posted a phone number that I was able to call and leave a voice msg, as well as, send a text.

I'm just glad he called me back. He pulled the ad off CL right away after we spoke. We'll meet at our mutual bank this morning. Should be a smooth transaction!

 

Lucky find

 

Wow! Great find, be sure to keep us updated!