Help! Should I buy?

hey guys this is my first post, I apologize if I'm posting in the wrong area! Anyways I've never owned a tacoma before but always wanted one. My friends father is selling his 1999 2wd automatic single cab tacoma for $5500. It has 68k miles on it and is about the cleanest 99 I've ver seen, runs and drives PERFECT, a mint interior, zero rust and maybe one or 2 dings in the tailgate. It's a basic model but it's pretty close to immaculate. He won't go any lower than the $5500 im thinking about snatching it up tomorrow. Just wanted some of your opinions before I do cuz I'm not by any means a tacoma expert. Sound like a good deal to you guys? I'm not so concerned with off-roading I just want something that I can drive for 300k and maybe throw a ft 3" lift on. Any advice is appreciated! And sorry again if I posted in the wrong place!

 

Welcome to TW!That 99 looks clean!

 

If it fits your needs I would buy it. Looks super clean.

 

I'd get it looks really nice!

 

From the pics it looks well taken care of. I would still check for rust.

 

If it fits your needs I would buy it. Looks super clean.[/QUOTE]
This^^ clean little truck though! Pretty sweet.

 

That particular truck looks like its worth what he's asking, too bad hes not giving more of a friend discount. But its by no means a super once in a 5 year type of deal. I've seen newer 4x4s, Prerunners and V6s with similar low mileage that were WA owned (perfect with no rust) for only slightly more money. Just requires some patience to find them. If you think that this truck is all you will need for a while I would jump on it. Make sure you're comfortable in that thing because some peoples backs get worn out in those regular cabs. Make sure you're comfortable.

 

Thanks for all the quick replies everyone! I think I'm gonna buy the thing. I'm not looking to take it off road or anything, just something to last me a long time. I've heard the 5 lugs don't have nearly as many lifts and such made for them but any of the trucks I've ver owned I never lifted more than 3" so that'll be enough for me and I guess fabtech makes a kit for the 5 lug.

 

also as far as rust goes it's pretty much non existant. I'll let you guys know if I pick it up... Possibly tomorrow. Another reason I was looking for a Tacoma is how well they hold their value, if I keep it in nice shape I figure if I ever did have to sell it I could possibly get my money back. Either way... I'm sure I'll be on here asking all kinds of questions. Again thanks a bunch everyone!

 

one thing about the 4 cylinder is it cant tow or haul anything so keep that in mind, its not much use as a truck so think of it as a 2 seater car with a convertible trunk and that's what you can haul in it, groceries and that's it.

also the engine is weak but great on gas so don't expect to keep up with freeway traffic, as long as you go in knowing its limitations they are great trucks but if you plan to pull a small boat trailer or carry stuff in the back then you should look for the v6 truck.

its also common for any first gen Tacoma you buy to need new leaf springs, shocks, struts, and misc front end parts so expect to pout an average of $1000 into your truck just to catch up on maint and replace the worn out parts when you buy one

 

Thanks for the advice. I live in Los Angeles so there's pretty much zero chance I'll ever have the money to purchase anything to haul lol so that's not really a concern of mine. Basically just need it for transportation and I want something that's gonna last. It's hard to find any cars or trucks in LA with under 100k let alone something reliable. 50% of everything sold here seems to have a salvage title.

 

Strangely enough I lived most of my life in NY and always bought cars from out of state because of rust from the road salt and such. Now I live in CA and I'm buying a Tacoma from From the east coast. (Although the truck spent 13 years prior in South Carolina)

 

I was gonna say, depends on where you live. In LA - it's probably worth every penny the guy is asking. Clean trucks like that priced around the 5k mark don't stay up on craigslist for long. Trucks at that same price that are beaten up are a dime a dozen and will remain unsold for a long time.

One guy wrote "can't tow anything." That overstates it pretty severely. Check owners manual for towing capacity, but I'll bet it's 2500lbs.

 

Be aware though, you can't throw a 3" lift on a five lug.

Best you can do is a "Fat Bobs" spacer lift that'll get you to about the same height as a factory pre-runner and you'll then be able to clear 31" tires. So if you really want a lifted truck on oversize tires, don't start with a five lug and keep looking.

 

Yea I've heard mixed reviews on the towing subject with the 4cyls. But honestly im not at all concerned with it, I don't have anything to tow and probably won't for a long time. And yea, I looked around for a Tacoma closer to home here in LA and it's slim pickins to say the least. If you're lookig between 5-7 grand there's literally nothing other than extreme high mileage and a lot of beat up work trucks with piss stained interiors.

 

I think the biggest Id go with tires is something around 29 inches. 30 MAX. i live in the city and don't want to totally crus my gas mileage and don't want to have to bother with any kind of re gearing or anything. I'm not a mechanic so I don't want to have to bother with that. I was Told fabtech made a 3" kit for the 5 lug.

 

But honestly factory prerunner height would be fine with me anyways.

 

Well goddamn. You're right. Still max 30" tires tho.

http://www.fabtechmotorsports.com/T...-1995-5-04-Toyota-Tacoma-5-Lug-2WD-p1383.html

 

That leads to a very clean look IMO. I've seen a couple "lifted" five lugs at basically pre-runner height. When matched with a nice looking aftermarket wheel, and no factory fender flares, it can look sharp.

 

Haha. I didn't even look it up yet because I didn't want to get ahead of myself but I'm glad to see that I wasn't lied to! I think I'm gonna pull the trigger. I'm about to make the call. I'll keep you guys posted. My brother is a mechanic and he check the truck out for me said all is well but the first time I sit in the truck I'll be driving it about 2500 miles across the country, could be interesting! But hopefully not too interesting.