What do you think? 96 Tacoma FS

In my area anything in that price range would have to be void of any damage.

 

I'm thinking of offering 8K since I'll have to get some work done

 

Yeah dude, tacomas are expensive here, i got my 04 for 8k last year with 200k miles

 

The truck is in really good condition and with only 128K miles I think the seller is being fair

 

Then you answered your own questions, markets for these things vary greatly apparently

 

That is pretty low mileage for that old of a rig. What does it run like?

 

Smooth. It's a fun drive.

I don't know what I'm talking about, I never purchased one of these

 

Tacomas are expensive here in North Carolina. If I see something on craigslist that looks like a deal I'll let you know. That red one is pretty nice and probably worth 8k but you're always taking a risk on 20+ year old vehicles. I don't see it selling soon for what he is asking, keep looking.

 

I think 8K is a fair counter offer although $7,500 seems more reasonable since I'm going to need to get it repainted

 

Yeah I just think it's overpriced. Painting isn't cheap either.

 

Nope. Probably talking $1500 to repaint it

 

There is one off 421 in Wilkesboro, I'll stop and look at it. It's been there for a couple weeks

 

Oh yea lemme know

 

I got it checked out:

- needs new clutch
- new valve covers
- has frame rust but my body guy can fix it (estimate $450)
- also going to need new paint


All in all, it runs well and I think would be a good purchase for $6K. That's what I'm going to offer him.

 

what frame rust? If they salt the roads in the winter, I'd be very cautious. There's a frame recall going on from Toyota related to the frame rust, so I'd do some research on that.

 

This is a 96, the recall only goes back 15 years.

It can be fixed but I think I should take the cost off

 

not sure how a frame with rust can be fixed for 450 unless some corners are cut. I blasted my frame, welded the holes and reinforced it then sprayed it with POR-15. I cannot imagine you could get that work done for less than 1k , the por-15 alone is almost 200 bucks.

 

The guy who I go to for body work said it was just an estimate. Basically he could weld steel where the rust is. It's under the back passenger side, easily accessible.

 

Id personally steer clear of it...rust is a sneaky bitch

 

New clutch is going to be a couple hundred if you get a slave and master cylinder too
I guess you mean valve cover gaskets, they aren't expensive but take a while to put on
I would not buy the truck if it has frame rust. My truck missed the recall but it hasn't shown any rust yet. My cousin works at Toyota and he told me to make sure not to buy a pre-2001 tacoma with ANY frame rust.
After a decent paint job you're looking at 11k+ in a truck worth about 6-7k if you get him to take 8k for it.
Personally, I would keep looking unless money isn't an issue and you just have to have the truck.