Help me choose 1st Taco (LF Feedback)!

Hey all. I'm looking to buy my first Tacoma.
Ideally: Late first Gen/4WD/Manual/2.7L 4-Cyl/Extended or Double Cab/Long Bed/Camper Shell/Low Miles (sub 150k).

Price range: $10-15,000.

Here's 2 local options I'm considering:
1)https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/d/2004-toyota-tacoma-sr5-4x4/6256851859.html


2)https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/d/2002-toyota-tacoma-sr5-trd/6234498390.html


Thoughts? Too expensive? Too many miles? Bide my time for perfection? Any feedback you can give is much appreciated!

UPDATED: Option 1) ended up selling before I made up my mind. *sigh*

Soooo, round 2:

3)https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/d/95-toyota-tacoma-4x4-extra-cab/6263314312.html


OR
4)https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/d/2004-toyota-tacoma-trd/6227498408.html

 

I like the first one better. It's a manual transmission which is really good with a 4 cyl - auto's can get to be sluggish with the 2.7. I also like the high canopy and the fact that it looks completely unmodified including the wheels. I'd see if you can get them down to $9 or so, but for a clean truck, it's a decent price if that's the going rate in your area.

 

Ditto on the first one. Looks like a nice truck. Check the frame.

 

For rust you mean? If it is rusted, will Toyota replace it under the factory recall I've been reading about?

 

Step 1: Inspect
Step 2: If rusted post pics on here and call your local dealership with the model year or the vin. I doubt the frame is rusted beyond surface rust, but you have to check. The most common area for rust is the spot where the leaf springs in the rear suspension mount to the frame in front of the rear wheels.

 

I'd keep looking

The first one while clean is a weak and weedy 2.7. So weak that is won't have enough power to pull a tampon out of sick whores pussy.

The second one at that price should be nice and bone stock with less miles

 

this may help

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

 

I think both trucks are pretty clean. As long as they have been maintained it should be a good truck.

 

You are not in a cold weather state which uses sodium chloride to de-ice roads, according to the extended frame warranty specifications, so you will have to talk to Toyota about any potential 15 year frame warranty on the '04. There was no requirement for undercoating in WA. The '02 is most likely out of the warranty period anyway.

Whether a 2.7l will work for you depends on your plans for the truck. Are you going to tow, haul heavy loads, etc. You may want the extra HP of the 3.4l. I'm on my fourth 2.7l/auto, I haul heavy loads, don't tow, and it suits me just fine. I do like the TRD/3.4l though, and gas milage between the two will be similar - with the edge to the 2.7l.

 

Both really good trucks but 175k on a 4 cyl for 10k is a bit steep. My 3.4 was $7800 with 130k on it and its a 4x4 as well. I may have gotten a really good deal, but I wouldn't rush into anything

 

Pricing really depends on your area, but IMO ~$10K for a 2.7 with over 100k miles seems like a lot. I bought my current truck 2.5 years ago with a 2.7 and 170K miles and paid $6300. Plus it had aftermarket wheels/tires, spacer lift, some other non sense I sold for about $1k. I think even for a really clean 2.7L truck you shouldn't pay much more than $8k.
Just my $.02

 

Thank you all for all the information, I'm new to this so it's helping a ton.

I'm thinking that my area is on the more expensive end then. I can't seem to find any better deals. Once the miles start coming down close to 100k the price seems to skyrocket, and dealerships are even worse than the private sellers I'm finding.

 

Dealerships always charge more. I found mine in Los Angeles and CA prices are usually pretty close to Washington prices if not more. The deals are out there. Patience is key. I found my truck on CL 30 mins after it was posted and drove 7 hours to buy it. In that time 6 different people tried to buy it for more than he was asking, but he held it for me. It's all luck

 

Speaking from experience with bed toppers, if you're going to be spending any time back there (camping, etc) the extra head room is invaluable.

Aside from that, I like the first tacoma better. It's super clean, manual, and looks like it hasn't been modded at all which should minimize any uncommon problems.

Make sure to check for any frame rust, but that thing looks like it's been kept very clean and garaged so it should be at a minimum. IIRC, the way they checked the frame rust problem for a recall is they literally hit it with a hammer and if the hammer went through, you got a new truck/frame.

10k seems steep though. I bought my 02 TRD 3.4L v6 for $7k with 170k on it. Just my 2 cents.

 

The 2004 looks like it has already been sold. Did you buy it?
The 2002 has a Kelly Blue Book trade-in value of only $8000.
Thats what your seller would get from a dealer trade-in unless he can find someone who really wants it.

 

Is it harder if they're healthy? Bet we could get a government grant to find out.

 

Yeah, back in the day I test drove a 2002 single cab pre-runner with an auto trans. That's arguable as light as you can get with a 6 lug. It was sluggish at best, so if you want to stick with a 4cyl, the 5 speed is almost mandatory. I understand the 4cyls get better gas mileage, but if you load it down with a cap, and gear in the back, you've pretty much negated all that economy, and you're pushing it harder, too. Find a 6cyl, IMO. I had a 97 5 lug 4 cyl 5 speed, and it was a great little truck, but I traded that thing in the minute I found my 4x4 6cyl.

As others said, the price they're asking seems steep for what you're getting. KBB doesn't really take into account what people are paying for them (supply/demand), at least, that I know ofm, and with only mild consideration of your region...

You can't really go by what people are asking for their trucks, you need to find out what people are PAYING for these trucks. I know that if my wife told me I had to sell my truck, in between filing for divorce and hiding the body, I'd pop it up on CL for $25,000 just to show her I'm "trying to sell it."

 

Yep, Opt. 1 ended up selling. UPDATED OP with what I'm currently looking at!

 

I say go for the radiant red one but I'm biased

 

It is pretty isn't it? I'm just struggling cause it's almost double the price of the blue one. T.T