Are first gen Toyotas actually worth the price?

I have been watching local listings for used trucks for about 3 months now. I am looking for something that will be reliable, and last a long time. I am looking for a good solid daily driver, as well as a hunting and trapping rig. my budget is $9500 currently, but if I wait to purchase for a month or two, I should be able to have about $11k+ saved to buy a truck with. In my experience, watching the local listings, a late first gen Taco in good condition with + or - 200k miles on it seems to be running about $9k, which seems to be pretty steep in my opinion. I looked at an 04 for sale locally with 220k on it, and the ask price was $7900, and it was very rough, and needed quite a bit of work done to it, which makes me wonder if my budget is high enough, or if I should look for a different model of truck. I can buy a newer truck for less money. I know that a truck with 200,000 miles on it is going to need a lot of work done to it, and it will not last as long as a newer truck with fewer miles on it. So why pay that much for a truck that has had a lot of its lifetime already spent, when I can buy something like a GMC, or Dodge for fairly close to the same price with less than 150,000 miles on it. I know that Tacoma's are well known for their reliability, but does that come at a price that is worth it?


Here are some examples of what I am talking about:


https://cookeville.craigslist.org/cto/d/tacoma/6238465007.html

https://gadsden.craigslist.org/cto/d/toyota/6238484052.html

https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/cto/d/toyota-tacoma/6218178855.html


https://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/d/toyota-tacoma/6219275968.html

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...lectedEntity=d311&zip=37327#listing=177266029

Other trucks in the same price range.
https://nwga.craigslist.org/ctd/d/gmc-sierra-extended-cab-sle-x/6202423041.html

https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/cto/d/gmc-sierra/6228247524.html

https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/cto/d/ram/6212189710.html

https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/cto/d/dodge-ram/6192440139.html

https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/cto/d/chevrolet-silverado/6205025922.html

https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/ctd/d/chevrolet-silverado-extended/6206948460.html

 

I wouldn't pay that for a first gen personally. I sold my 99 2wd for $5k when I bought my second gen. I would look for a earlier model second gen around your price range

 

I simply have been able to find none at that price range. The older gen 2 trucks run about 10-11k, and still have around 200k miles on them.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...=true&modelChanged=false&filtersModified=true

https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/... tacoma&max_auto_year=2010&min_auto_year=2005

 

A lot of people buy those trucks up. I sold mine in a day, just by mentioning it to coworkers. I probably could've asked for more now that I think of it. But that's why I suggest looking for a second gen. My friend bought a used one with around ~80k miles for around $15k and it seemed a pretty good deal

 

Worth it. Prices can vary in different regions based on demand and supply (duh) that's why they might seem more expensive by you. Mine was 10k with 127,000 miles 3 years ago

 

Yes, it does sound like he got a good deal. Looking at trucks in that price range in my area, they seem to run over 100k, but not too much. I don't have 15k to spend at the moment, but I am now considering waiting several months, and spending about that much...

 

Worth it, yes. Obviously, they are selling at that price, but are they competitive with other trucks at that price range?

 

If you choose a first gen the 4cylinders are more or less bullet proof. 4wd is nice too, especially in the north east.

 

Demand and perceived value will set the price. What that means is that these trucks are worth what people will pay for them! The reason that they go for so much is because the buying public has made them very desirable by actually PAYING the higher prices. I buy and sell antiques, and that market is the same way.

I paid $13K for my 2001 XtraCab 4X4 with 76,864 miles in 2016 after looking and waiting for one. Got it from the original owner, and I have no regrets whatsoever. It has burned -0- oil in 9,000 miles (2 oil changes). I think if you are patient, you will find a good one. I only like the 1st gens, so I didn't consider anything else. Keep looking on Craigslist, and find a Craigslist app that will send you alerts from whatever state you will travel to when someone lists one with what you are looking for (I have "CPlus for Craigslist" on my iPad & iPhone and I love it!).

I did that, and I was the 1st one to call the guy, so I got first-in-line for it. Probably not a problem in AL, but make sure to check the frame & drivetrain over really good, and ask for maintenance records. If the previous owner took good care of it, they will have surely saved all of the receipts!

Good Luck!

Ray

 

4x4 is a must, and I really think I would regret not getting a v6. I live in the mountains, and haul light/medium loads, as well.

 

Not sure what your saying. I looked at jeeps, rangers, and other small trucks when I was buying and found that the tacomas seemed to always be in better shape than the others. I think it's the better option relative to its counterparts, and I believe that is what demands the higher price.

 

That is basically what I was asking. Do you think a Tacoma in that price range is worth the extra cost compared to a competitors truck? (Not necessarily talking about compact trucks. I have considered getting a Silverado, or a Dodge as well)

 

I thought the exact same thing but couldn't find one in a manual 4wd and single or xtra cab and eventually settled for the 2.7L. I have hauled countless loads of mulch and logs, only issue was my springs got a little tired


Two wet walnut logs.

 

Patience and diligence, you can find a good first gen at a decent price. If you're looking for a cheap older model truck though you should be looking at Rangers, S-10s and Frontiers. The word has been out for a few decades that Tacomas are well-made beasts that with regular upkeep will last forever. You're not going to find an uneducated seller that goes Kelly Blue Book value on a Tacoma, even if it's 20 years old.

 

8k is a little high for 220,000 miles. Be patient and keep looking. Look at the classifieds here and see what people are asking just to get an idea.

 

A quick scan of the classifieds here revealed not much different than my local Craigslist ads.

 

What he said ^. I paid 10K with 108,000 3 years ago.

 

Prices are high, up to you whether it's justified or not

 

I have found that everyone thinks they have a 10k truck. The really nice trucks are worth that, many are not.

As an avid Craigslist follower I see them start high and gradually come down.

Double cabs however are a completely different animal'

 

You can find them for 6-8K in Texas and the SW. You will have to travel, tho avoid those by the coast.