What should I offer for this 04 Tacoma?

2004 Tacoma Extended Cab
Stock
74k miles
2 owners
Clean looking truck.

He wants $17,900, came down to $16,900.

The truck is 12 years old, I just can't see paying that much, but I want it!!

 

For what it's worth, I paid $17k for my '04 last month at a Toyota dealership, it had only 24,000 miles on it. Dealer wanted $20k but I talked them down based on KBB value, they were way over

Private party sales are usually a bit higher, but I do think he's overpriced. Those are low miles though for the year, and it is a highly sought after truck...where are you located? Out here in southern California they can go for crazy high prices privately.

I'd say somewhere in the $14k range sounds more reasonable, for my area at least.

 

Oh and is it a 4x4? TRD?

Mine was fully loaded, TRD 4x4 with a supercharger to boot. If we're talking about a 2wd Prerunner with no TRD package, then he is wayyyyyyyy over priced.

 

Thanks! I'm in Virginia. It is actually at a car lot, but it's a small dealer who sells used vehicles. NADA value is only $12,750

 

It's 4WD. It doesn't have TRD

 

Yeah, don't give him anywhere near what he's asking unless you want it that badly. There are a lot of first gens out there, maybe not so many with that low mileage.

No TRD package and based on NADA pricing I wouldn't pay anywhere near what he's asking. He knows they are popular and is hoping someone is blinded by how clean it is and the low mileage and will actually pay it. And there's probably someone out there that will.

I wouldn't pay over what NADA or KBB lists it at, maybe a little more (like $13.5 if it was super clean, no rust at all) but what he is asking for is nuts and he knows it. Offer him more in line with what it's truly worth and see what he says?

 

Also, be sure to look at the frame underneath for rust. The truck can look pristine on the outside, but these trucks are notorious for frame rust esp. in the colder climate states. If it's rusted bad underneath then it's not worth anything other than parts, if it's got some surface rust then I'd definitely use that as a big bargaining chip.

If it's clean as a whistle then it would be worth paying (realistic) top dollar for.

 

Well I looked up underneath of it, and it's painted black, so I hope that isn't for the purpose of covering up the rust. I'm gonna look it over again

 

Well the frame is black from the factory, if it's in great shape and the truck was cleaned/detailed then it might look that clean for real...in which case, that's a great sign. Mine has a pristine frame as well, but that's not hard to accomplish out here in the warm and dry climate. Out there, that's more impressive.

 

It doesn't look like a factory paining, but yeah they usually most often times do that when detailing them. I just feel like he's gonna tell me I'm crazy when I offer him like 14k. Haha. He prob thinks I'm gonna pay what he wants since I'm a girl!

 

When you see him, show him a printout of the NADA pricing, along with KBB and even Edmunds.com, Truecar, etc. They might all be a little different but I guarantee none of them are close to how much he's asking for, and if you can prove it to him he can't really look at you like you're crazy. He'll just have to be honest at that point and say that he's hoping someone else will come in and pay it, or he'll work with you.

 

I'll see what I can do. Thanks for the input!!!

 

Just make sure they didn't paint over the rust. If it looks bubbly it may be rust underneath.

 

That's what I was thinking. Thanks!

 

I would want to pay around $13k but realistically I would expect about $14.5k I would also check on the history of the truck before making an offer.

 

Clean Carfax report. But that doesn't mean anything really if something happened and it wasn't turned into insurance. And it has had 2 owners.

 

Just for your reference, before i bought the 99 i have, I almost bought a 2004 2wd, automatic,56,000 miles, Leer XR campershell (carpeted), original owner, TRD/SR5 package, clean as a whistle, he wanted $13,900 (nevada).

There was a 2004 extended cab, TRD, 2wd, auto, no shell, 36,000 miles, original owner, small ding to back bumper, he wanted $13,000 firm. (california).

I got my 99 136k miles, clean, TRD/SR5 with supercharger, no shell for $8 cash.

The guy is asking too much in my opinion. Granted, I believe I am a deal hunter and work at it to find them, but those are out there if you are diligent. My best advice I can give is to BE PATIENT (and refresh craigslist constantly). My truck was posted and I called within 11 minutes. He had 33 calls by the time I had met him 4 hours later

 

This is about the worst I found

 

I'm not familiar with what's considered 'bad' as far as rust goes since I live in the southwest, but that just looks like typical surface rust to me and not alarming.

 

I would pass on that truck. IMO, the price is too high and the frame is too rusty.