HELP!!! do's and dont's when buying a tacoma

Hi I am currently in the market for a 1st gen 2door 4x4 Tacoma and was hoping to get input on what to look for when shopping around. Good price point? Maintenance? Engine problems? Millage? ect... any input will help thanks!!!

 

Welcome to TW. The biggest problems with Toyota trucks and Tacomas is the frame. Always check for frame rust.

 

^^^yip thats pretty much it. Other than that its no different than any other rig as far as what to look out for...

 

OP there is buyers guide as sticky or do a quick search.

 

Just like buying a horse start at the ground and work up.

Take it for a test ride making sure every thing works.

Find out if the frame has been replaced or has been checked within the time period

Mileage some people will dump a vehicle on the mechanics advice when it needs a timing belt after getting a very high quote to have it changed

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-tacoma-buyers-guide.156943/

 

Awesome thanks for all of the advice!! I live in AZ so hopefully I won't have to worry about rust as much. When should the timing belt be re placed

 

Should be every 90k-100k. Some last longer.

 

I had timing belt, pump, and some belts replaced on my sons 2001, was around $1200, and the milage was around 210K, that was the second one, first one was replaced around 80K miles. This last one was replaced on our own, it didn't go, just thought it was time. The truck runs awesome, from the first day I bought it and it's still running awesome!! Best car/truck I ever owned!!!

 

Do buy a first gen

Don't buy a third gen


@CaptAmerica

 

Have to disagree, I owned a 2001, my sons now, and I now own a 2016, and they both rock!!!!

 

But the 2001 will rock a lot harder for a lot longer.

 

We shall see

 

I'm thinking first gen just due to my budget and it will be my second vehicle. thinking about doing a camping rig/ expedition self sustaining rig.

 

+2, a lot of them seem to rust from the inside out. It's what happened to mine and now I have massive holes in my frame that showed up in a month. Just look it over good and you'll be golden!

 

When checking out vehicles it is really good to check via the VIN if the truck has been inspected so your not holding the bag on frame repairs.

Being it is not a question of if but when .

Unless the truck lived in a climate without winter as we know it in the north

As unless your a real Toyota person so easy to never have heard of the frame problems as the letters sometimes never found original owners