Quick Opinions on a 1998 Tacoma 4x4?

I don`t need any more Toyota 4x4`s so I make no comment on the higher prices these trucks seem to bring.

I hate to say this but I have seen people buy way over priced stuff just because they had to have this truck now !!

It never hurts to make a offer lower then what you will really pay hard to drop your offer after it has been made.

 

Alright well here's the verdict, I would really appreciate some advice here. I drove it and took it to a shop to get an inspection. It drives awesome and as clean as it appears in the ad. It needs about $2k worth of work in the next year or so, $500 of that needs immediate attention. I'm not in a position to do the work myself so that's the ballpark price for that.

Ultimately he will come down to $8k, which I feel like is still overpriced, but also reasonable and just the price I would have to pay for a truck like this. It is really clean, to the point that I feel like I may regret not buying it and mightnot find another one as nice.

I know it's only worth what I'm willing to pay. Thoughts?

 

yeah dude. 7500 would be fair. tell him if he fixes all those issues, youll buy it from him for 7500. if not, then tell him to meet you halfway and buy it for 6500

 

It is easy to be anxious and ready to purcahase when you have been looking for ..some time..or ..awhile...

 

Why does the rack need to be replaced?

 

He's already come down on the price from $9,450 so $8k is the lowest he would go he said.

Yeah it's hard I mean I've been looking for a year and this is the cleanest I've found, just getting caught up on the price.

Steering rack question, the shop said it wasn't an immediate need, probably in the next year. I would get quotes from a few shops before I got any work done, I just had to take it somewhere today to get an idea of what's going on.

 

It's a limited, so it's got the sunroof/moon roof. I had a truck just like that before my current one, I regret selling it. I'd say go for it these older trucks are getting harder to come by and seem to be increasing in value

 

That's true, it's pretty sweet. The miles are already pretty high so if I buy it it would be with the intent of holding onto it and driving it into the ground. Thanks Turbofed!

 

"Value" is a strange one sometimes. You just don't know what might happen to a used truck when miles get high. It's an informed-as-you-can-be gamble.

You could wait around a bit longer, find one that's even more perfect for less money, and you could end up with 3500 in unexpected repairs after two weeks. Or the one you paid an extra 2k for might run for 20 years. Ya know?

So ya gotta pay 2k more than you want... For some people, the cleanliness alone might be worth 2k. Especially considering you're gonna be IN it every day for maybe years. That's a big one in my book as far as used vehicles go. Particularly if you end up wanting to sell it again someday.

When I bought my 98, in 2001, I thought it was about $1500 too high. But at the time I never dreamed I'd drive it for 10+years!
That thing ended up costing me less than I thought it did/would initially.

If purchase price is the only thing you're concerned about (and that amount is 1-2k), but otherwise it's everything you want, I'd say go for it. You might have similar reservations on the next one that comes along. And it might not be as clean!

Another way to look at it... Let's say there was one for $7k sitting next to this one but it wasn't as clean/sharp looking. Which would you get?

 

This is kind of an subjective way to look at value. But think about it this way- how much would you pay per month to rent that truck right now? $75/month? $175/month? Now multiply that times the number of months you'd HOPE to drive it. How does that number compare to the asking price?

 

Harpolith- Those are awesome points, thank you for the advice and considerations! I told the guy I would let him know this weekend. I think I am leaning towards buying it.

 

I have yet to buy a used Toyota no matter how well maintained that did not take another $1000.00 plus in parts .

The fact you need to pay labor just makes it worse

Then a good shop is hard to find as well.

When I got my Tacoma (2000) I was told the steering Rack needed to be replaced .

It was fine by my standards a little cleaning and paint they never said a word again.

 

I had a 2000', I miss it. It was a nice little truck.

 

Ok so the price they are quoting for the steering rack is the price for a oem rack. Just so you are aware. Aftermarket racks are around $250. Of course oem is better than aftermarket. Fyi.

 

For $8000 I'd buy that all day long even with the recommended maintenance. Hard to find one that clean and with those options - also hard to find one that still in STOCK form. The owner obviously took some pride in it. Just plan to do the recommended work along the way, any older vehicle is going to need some work, if not, it's priced accordingly.

 

I'm leaning that same direction. Stock, clean, and we have at least SOME idea of vehicle history here. Condition/cleanliness is huge to me, as I think it can at times be reflective of overall vehicle health. And as you said- any vehicle at that age is gonna require some maintenance. Ha even if it's NEVER been driven.

 

I'll tell you though at least with the steering rack, do suck it up and go OEM. I went aftermarket with mine because it was a bit too much for me at the time to buy OEM. I've been through two in around 6 months each. Luckily they've been replacing them under warranty but it's a PITA to keep putting them on. So I'm going to cut my losses and go OEM next time.

 

Good to know, what brand did you buy? @Ice Horse

 

Have you tried looking out of state in surrounding areas? I found my Tacoma 12 hours away.

 

Can't remember exactly but I got it through Advanced Auto.