Two trucks-One decision

Manual is better, the 4wd components in the front end will free wheel when not in 4wd. That means they should last longer, the ADD in the 04 doesn't do that so so some parts are spinning all the time even though they are not engaged. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is the case. I wish my 98 had manual hubs...

 

I personally wouldn't pay over 7k for either them but that's just my opinion.

Are you set on getting that exact style of truck? You can find decent extended cabs for those price too (V6 TRD's even). Might be able to find a four door as well but they're usually pretty ugly/high mileage for around 10k.

 

I would also rather have the bucket seats and sliding rear glass in the 98. I think you get an extra cup holder with the bucket seats iirc and probably a better center console

Idk if it matters to you but I'm glad I got an extra cab, the space is still limited but I couldn't imagine a single cab. No room for tools, gear, etc. Just my opinion though you may not need it.

 

It's all I need. The wife has a crv and that has all the room we need for what we use it for. The Tacoma is gonna be my commuter (DC area) and weekend boatin (whitewater), rock climbing, two or three night over nighter camping truck within a couple hours of home. We use her crv for longer trips since it has the sun roof and power windows, cruise control, more room, etc.

I had an 08 v6. Loved the acceleration and power over the 4 bangers. I've just grown to realize I don't need it, I really don't. My first car was a 4cyl 5 speed. Loved it. I want another one.

I hear you on the price, I'm gonna keep beating him up on it (the 98'). NADA is $6,500. I'm paying in cash. However you know in reality a bank won't do much more than 25% more in financing, at least my bank won't. So that's $8,125. I'm going to explain that to him, and I'm sure he's already aware. He just knows what he's got. There is a guy with a 2000, exactly like these trucks but 106k miles and power locks and windows. It's a single cab with bucket seats, 4cyl manual 4wd. He's asking $11,900, NADA is $7,725. NADA is always higher than kbb and normally what dealers go off of because that's what most banks do. I called him up and asked him his best cash price and he comes back with $11,400 "no fees". Yeah, thanks a lot.

It really is crazy what folks ask for these things.

 

Had an AC in an 08'. I just don't need it for my purposes. I will throw a tool box in the bed for extra hoses and what not for those over night trips. I've just come to realize that I don't need the room. I definitely want a 4banger, and to me the idea of a xtracab 4cyl, I just don't like it for some reason. Couldn't tell you why. I know one reason is weight to power ratio. I don't claim to know the number. But when I look at an AC, if I know it's a 4 banger, deep down it doesn't feel right. Haha. Know what I mean?

 

That is crazy. It's a deathmatch around here buying Tacomas too. It's mainly the mileage of the ones you're looking at that's making them so crazy lol. I had been in the market for another Tacoma for about a year and a half and I just managed to find one (and manage to get it) about a few weeks ago. They pop up on craigslist and were usually sold by the time I called even if they were just posted.

With mine, I emailed them as soon as it was posted (gotta love the craigslist search notifications lol) and asked them if I could come look at it Saturday (it was Thursday at the time). Response was that they had someone coming to look at it that night. I was like WTF who looks at a car in the dark? I was pretty bummed because I knew they'd buy it. I told them to let me know if it's still available and if it is I'll come look at it Friday instead.

Woke up to an email saying they still had it WHAAAAAAT. Then by some God saving grace they actually offered to hold it for me until I got off work to look at it WHAAAAAAT again. 1998 TRD Extended Cab V6 240k a bit ugly but has good bones...got it for 4k. Was worth almost 8k even in that condition. Exactly what I needed and amazed he held it because I know he was getting blown up with calls and emails. I'm just so glad I don't have to worry about searching anymore.

 

Yes sir I know exactly what you mean. There's just something about a single cab 4 banger, I want one someday too...

 

Ya I know what you mean Lauren, I live in so cal and you would think people had them wrapped in gold for the prices they ask. They really have a high re-sale value around here. There was one in my local town that was a 97' v6 4x4 manual sr5 with 185 xxx and the guy wanted $4500!!! And I almost had to buy just for the fact at how low the price was! It was a really clean 1st Gen too. It was posted on a local FB page and the locals who obviously knew nothing about yotas where giving the guy crap because they thought he was asking way too much for a 20 year old "truck".

For the most part 96-00 go for around 6-11$ grand, give or take and 01-04 especially low mileage double cabs go for at least 12-18$ grand around The L.A area and southern California market.

 

I hate that lol. Then you see them all giving the guy crap for "asking too much" then people like us are over here like "OMG GET IT QUICK!" lol

 

Heck, I tried to buy a 2002 four door a couple months back from a dealer that had 260k, trans leak, oil leak, radiator leak, bald tires, broken drivers door and a bad battery for 7k. They were heckling with me over $200 so I walked.

 

The desicion is easy. Put the money down on a 3rd gen.

 

I like my locking hubs, they are really easy to rebuild if necessary. But I opened mine for the first time since they were sealed 21 years ago last summer and they were still clean and operating perfect. I just had to change CVs as mine were toast.

 

He probably doesn't have the time to go back to the dealer for all the recalls and tsbs that are being generated.

 

I know. Just stirring the pot

 

I know it's far, but it would probably be cheaper to fly out here and buy this one. It would still probably be cheaper even if you swapped the engine and tranny. https://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5530383369.html

What in sayin is.... Those are all way too expensive for base models.

 

I think even for tacomas their both overpriced for single cab 4 banger base models.

 

So on the 98', I looked up the company on the BBB website. About a year ago, 2 back to back complaints about rust covered up with an undercoating. One customer even sent a 500 dollar deposit that the dealer never reimbursed. Which that was dumb on the customers part. Either way though.

 

Not good. Sounds like you have more looking to do.

 

Have you looked into a higher mileage second gen?

 

I have. I'm not against the idea, just need to find one that is high mileage but properly maintained as well.