Almost 20k for 2001 taco, am I crazy?

This is my first post! Been reading for years but never joined. Very sorry if someone covered this but I can't find it anywhere, on this forum or elsewhere, so I thought I'd try it... here's my story:

I've had 2 in the past, and adored them. First was hit, second ended up going to my girlfriend at the time who owned half of it. Like an idiot I bought a Jeep thinking we'd stay together. We didn't, and now I'm selling the Jeep and I need a Tacoma.

I think I want one from between 2000 and 2004. I do overlanding stuff and I'll probably live out of it for a while again, like this: http://www.blog.smalladventures.net/2013/10/review-tacoma-as-camper.html. I plan to lift it 255/85 tires, winch+bumper, and rebuild the platform setup I had on my last truck.

Anyway, onwards to the question. I'm in Virginia and I'm currently looking at a nearly mint silver 2001 Toyota tacoma, extended cab, 4x4, TRD, V6, manual, all stock. 54k miles. It has has not a spot of rust anywhere on the frame, I couldn't believe how perfect it was. Tcase looks like it's never been driven on a salted road. Only rust I could find on the vehicle is on the link between the trans and tcase. No bed liner, bed has like 2 scratches on the whole thing.

Problems:
* Clutch pedal bushings need to be replaced
* It's got a check engine light (P0172, e.g. a bit rich), guy says he'll fix before he sells it (probably MAF)... which means the cat's probably going to go in a little while. Pulled the code myself.
* It has slightly "warped" rotors, meaning uneven brake pad layup, that'll probably pass with use (did on my last truck).
* Trans stick feels a tiny bit looser than I expect, old springs I guess.

Asking price is $19,800.00, doesn't sounds like he'll haggle much (maybe get him to $18?)... no fees.

Am I crazy for considering this? KBB means shit on these trucks, especially ones in good condition. How much should I expect to pay for a mint truck of the model described above? Thoughts?

Any help appreciated!

 

I'd pay that if it's as nice as it sounds....and is a 4x4 and not a prerunner.

Might also keep your eyes peeled on this forum for a used 1st gen that's set up with the some of the stuff you'll upgrade anyway. That's real low miles though.

Edit: I see you have a tcase.....whoops!

Get it!

 

Yeah, it's 4x4... thanks for reminding me!

 

Don't do it can get a 2nd gen 4x4 for less or same price

 

I wouldn't call that mint....

 

Makes no financial sense to me, but that isn't the reason you want it.

If it's the truck of your dreams and you'll drive it until it's dust then go for it and don't look back.

If it isn't, don't do it.

I'd have no problem spending $25k on a grail car from the 50s (my grail).

 

That price is crazy. Maybe 14-15k because of the very low miles. I did a quick search in my area and they go from 9500 for one w 200k miles to 13.5k for one w about 100k miles.

 

Thats stupidly overpriced. Sad thing is, i bet if he waits long enough, someone from out of town will buy it.

 

Thanks for the advice so far! Nice to get a reality check, that's what I was looking for.

Heh... "mint" might not have been the right term to use... the frame, body, diffs, axles, etc. are mint, the mechanicals are just in good shape.

I've seen the prices folks are quoting as well. I've gone to look at a few so far, and they all have rust. Actually, the truck I went to look at at this dealer was 16.5k, had been undercoated by toyota, and recorded to have no rust when it was undercoated. The frame is okay, still solid, but it's peeling, and the rear crossmember while not gone definitely looks a little sad. I'm worried about sinking money into building it and losing out by trying to "save" money when I have to give it up due to rust problems.

I got my last taco, a 2002 4 banger, back in 2011 for $12k and it was also perfect rust-wise (it had a worn clutch and blown suspension from a mail route... good excuse to lift it), of course... I lived in CA at the time, so that helps.

Out of curiosity, has anyone recently (last few years) seen or purchased a similar taco for a lower price that they new specifically had no (or little/surface only) rust on the frame?

 

For 20K fly out to AZ/CA and buy a rust free lower mile one for way less that's insane money

 

For a comparsion, I bought a 2003 extra cab in april of 2014 with 103,000 miles, trd with elocker, new hankok tires, nice matching topper (which I sold for $900), never been off road,no rust and lived it's life in the Denver area basically in excellent shape for $15000. Some might say it's a couple grand higher than it should be but if it's want you want does it make a diff. I had been looking for over a year and a half. Plus I plan to keep this at least 10 or more years. I still have my '92 with 200,000 miles on it and it's just fine.

 

Can you pay cash? No bank or CU is going to loan that kind of coin on a 15 yo vehicle.

Ask your insurance carrier what the pay out would be if you bought it today and got totaled tomorrow. That will give you a feel for value.

You might try this.......... once you figure out what the truck is really worth to you, show up with cash in hand. No 'if I get a loan' or 'I need to talk to my xyz' stuff high sellers often get.

If he turns down your offer, just be polite. Leave him your name and number, tell him to call if he changes his mind. And leave.

I've bought 2-3 nice rides that way over the years.

 

Oh, this'd definitely be cash. I was wondering about the insurance as well... bit nervous that if I totaled it I'd probably be out 9k or so.

Poking around the for-sale list on this forum (not something I'd ever tried before), is helpful. Some nice trucks there.

 

I'd sell you my 09 for $20k

 

09's aren't as cool ;-).

They come with silly things like ABS, comfortable seating, traction control, sound systems that don't suck, quiet cabins... who would want that?

More seriously, the newer ones are larger, and I've been down too many trails where the extra width would've been a liability.

 

I think you folks convinced me not to get it... thank you!

I'll keep looking... This dealership had multiple good ones, so I'm sure I can go back there and overpay if I can't find a cheaper one in the next few months.

 

If its worth it to you, then its worth it. Someone will pay it, you know they will. Money is common, comes and goes everyday....but you have to ask yourself the question "is this truck rare enough for that price"? You are really gonna take a hit on the resale value after 50k miles....but that only matters if you plan to sell it. I'd personally have to look it over with a fine tooth comb, and if the owner agreed to fix anything and everything I asked him to, then yes I would consider it as well. My problem is that if I won a brand new truck of my choice....I would be infuriated. They don't make the truck I want anymore....my truck!!!

 

Lots of 1st gens here in hawaii for a lot less than that. My sister just paid $7500 for a 1st gen prerunner. Shipping may be a deal breaker though.

There are some nice trd's for 8-12k that I've seen here recently.

 

Ouch that hurts

 

Wait, what?

This is a lot job, not a private owner?

Likely they pillaged someone to get it in their inventory. Or it's a salvage title they got at auction (have you checked/seen the title?) and they are trying to fleece a buyer with a nutty excess Taco tax.

And they are always marked high so they can 'give' you more for your lousy trade than you think you could ever sell it yourself for.

Here's the semi good news. Most lots want/need inventory moving, not sitting. Because they generally don't own the units outright, but have an inventory financing plan. They need turnover and cash flow. Not always true on a small well run lot, but more often than not.

If it doesn't move in x days, they start dropping the price, and it gets queued up to roll off to auction. Gotta go.

So like I suggested, make an offer you can live with, leave your name and number and walk. They'd rather sell it to you than roll the auction dice is my guess. I also bought a vehicle this way. Was slated for auction the next day, so I wound up with a decent price. It was a well kept vehicle, but 'basic' and a smidge older that was popular at the time, so folks weren't interested. But it was exactly what I wanted. Rolled that baby 100k over the next 7 years, did a few cosmetic mods and had a line of buyers when it was time to go.