Help on decided on if this is a good buy

Hi Everyone, this is my first actual post here on TW as I am planning on purchasing a 1st Gen Tacoma here in the near future and am seeking some help on purchasing. I have done some research on here about buying tacomas and what not but figured I would get some actual feedback on a truck that I am considering buying. Any feedback will be appreciated!
Here is the craigs ad for the truck:

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/2847960056.html

Let me know what you think about the price and so on

Thanks in advance for alll feedback!!!

 

That's not too bad. If I were looking for a 1st gen I would seriously consider that. Have you driven it?

I grew up about 90 min away (in Southern Illinois).

 

well for what its worth, I think its about one thousand too high with the work that needs to be done and it needs tires.
Its not a 4wd and it is the 4wd that holds its value and is in demand.
And that baby is a big truck, I am old school, I remember the new 1982 sr5 my grandfather bought and loved. If I wanted the truck and had the cash I would lay down 8500.00 and start from there. don't be in a big hurry, there are plenty of trucks for sale, and if gas hits 5.50 this summer like they are saying on the news, there will be alot more

 

I did go and test drive the truck today and it drives great. As far as the price he said that he would be willing to go down to 10.5k because of the repair work needed but that is as low as he would go since it has so low of miles. Thanks for the advice so far guys keep it coming!

 

Bump. Need some more thoughts on the truck before I pull the trigger or wait for another. Any advice is appreciated!

 

prices must be different here in az...... but that seems extremely high to me.

 

What are you looking for? Do you need that big camper? Selling some of his stuff could bring the price down for you. But I think 10.5 is about 1500-2000 to high for the dents(unsure of how bad), and holes in the seats. Only bonus is its a 2002 with only 70k miles. I'd say you can get him 8000 and see if he budges. Other than that its not worth 10500. Save up and wait for a 2005+. Be patient like the other member said.

 

Didnt see this but same to me as said

 

^Really?

In Florida, these trucks, Prerunner or 4x4, are practically worth they're weight in gold. You'll find Tacomas with over 100K on dealer lots sitting right at 20K.

Considering the work it needs, I'd offer him 9K. It would be a great deal for you.

 

I wouldn't go a dime over $6,500. If it were Supercharged that would be a different story.

 

Dealers are way different then the private sales of vehicles. For many reasons. I have seen a Tacoma with 80k miles at 21K but thats because it wasnt 10 years old (like this truck) and all the miles were accumulated mostly on the high way.

 

Thanks for all of the responses everyone as they are greatly appreciated. As far as this specific truck I think i'm going to try and wait it out in hopes for a better deal. While i got some interest on this page even though i know this is the wrong section to post this but I am still tryin to decide on a 1st gen DC 4x4 vs a 1st gen DC prerunner w/off road package and rear locker. I drive about 95% on roads and 5% off road. Any advice on this subject?

 

It appears the guy is honest with his add however a teenage driver who burned cig holes in the seat on top of the repairs and tire replacemt I would pass or offer a firm 9k. 20-30k of those miles could be very hard miles.

My guess is the damage was caused by the teenage son.

 

Ya the dad said that the truck was in perfect shape until he let his son start driving it 2 years ago. Infact the reason he is selling it is because he wants to get rid of it before his son does any more damage to it!

 

Then dfrugia has a good point. 20-30k of those miles are probably hard miles getting dogged out by a teenager.

Because of the Snugtop I'd probably offer $7000 and maybe settle around $8000. No way on $10500 because of miles. Edmunds says the miles add about $1000 to the value, but the condition takes away more than $2000. That's not even counting the brake problem.

 

I sold my 2002 taco for $11k extended cab 4x4 5 sp manual in CA. 60K miles and desperately needed a new paint job due to the previous owner. I think his price is fair at least compared to the northern CA market.

 

I'd offer Him 4,000 because it'll need everything. Buy a $600 truck and rebuild it, instead if you can.

 

aloha

 

I paid almost that for my, used to be, bone stock '01 prerunner in SC. If I were you I'd start haggling around 9700 and see how far he will drop the price imo about 10,000 is a fair price for both parties.

 

$10,500 is not bad for a 2002 with 71K miles, but it also appears that the truck was somewhat thrashed with all of the dents and cigarette burn damage. The truck still has value because it is a Toyota, but I would have it checked out by a mechanic first and I'd pay no more than $9K because it was thrashed on for at least a couple of years. I'll be selling my girlfriends mom's 2001 DC w/shell later this year. It has 150K miles from a lot of San Francisco to San Diego trips, but it's in really good condition because a mature adult has been driving it it's entire life.