Newbie looking for advice on which Tacoma to get.

Hey guys so I am new here. I have been looking at tacomas and I have came across 2 very different ones.

One is a 95 4 cylinder 4x4 manual pickup dx short bed. They seem to be very rare. This one is in amazing shape. But had not been driven in 4 years and has been in an accident but was repaired. The inside is peferct the chairs are all in one peace it is a California car with only 108,000 miles selling for 7,200. The owner has passed away and his kid is now trying to sell it but we need to go to the dmv to get the pink slip.

The other one is a 2004 Trd pro with access cab it is a v6 4x4 manual. It has alot done to It and looks like show room quality from the pics.
2004 TOYOTA TACOMA SR5 V6, 3.4 LITER 4X4 5SPD AC, PWR S/W/D/M, CC, TRD OFF-ROAD PKG, 4 4-WHEEL ABS, TOW PKG...SPECS:
--KENWOOD KDC-448U IN-DASH CD RECEIVER LCD WITH USB & AUX WITH DETACHABLE FACEPLATE & REMOTE CONTROL
--AVIONIXX AXA 740 CLASS A/B 370 WATT AMPLIFIER INSTALLED 12/4/17 1 YEAR WARRANTY
--MEMPHIS MCR8S4 BASS SUBWOOFER 8 INCH 300 WATTS INSTALLED 12/4/17
--FRONT & REAR (4) ALPINE SPR-68 TYPE R 300 WATT SPEAKERS INSTALLED 12/4/17
--SIRIUS/XM SATELLITE RADIO READY
--CLIFFORD 5102X SECURITY SYSTEM KEYLESS ENTRY & REMOTE START
--WEATHERTECH DRIVER & PASSENGER FLOOR MATS BLACK
--TINTED WINDOWS 100% REAR, 70% SIDES
--UPGRADED LED INTERIOR DOME & READING LIGHTS
--NEW BLACK ALL-AROUND EXTERIOR PAINT & CLEAR COAT COMPLETED 2/9/18 WITH 4 YEAR WARRANTY
--FABTECH 6 INCH SUSPENSION LIFT KIT
--TOW PACKAGE WITH RECEIVER HITCH & ADJUSTABLE DROP DOWN STEEL HITCH DUAL BALL MOUNT 2" & 2 5/16"
--2 FRONT BUMPER INSTALLED 5 INCH SQUARE LED FOG LIGHTS POWERED FROM INTERIOR SWITCH
--IONIC 3 INCH NERF STEP BARS
--GO RHINO ROLL BAR WITH 4 MOUNTED LED OFF-ROAD LIGHTS (2 SQUARE LIGHTS IN CENTER POWERED FROM INTERIOR SWITCH & 2 ROUND LIGHTS ON OUTER SIDES POWERED FROM INTERIOR ON SEPARATE SWITCH)
--UPGRADED OEM LED HEADLIGHTS, BLINKER LIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS & THIRD BRAKE LIGHT
--4 NEW FEDERAL COURAGIA M/T OFF ROAD TIRES 35x12.5R18 LT 123Q 10PR MOUNTED 4/23/18 ALONG WITH 4 WHEEL BALANCE & ALIGNMENT ALSO PERFORMED 4/23/18
--WHEEL ALIGNMENT WITH NEW BALL JOINTS & NEW TIE ROD PERFORMED 5/8/18 AT 146,291 MILES
--18 INCH HD SERIES ROCKSTAR RIMS BLACK MACHINED 6 LUG
--NEW BOSCH PREMIIUM POWER BATTERY 24F700B INSTALLED 2/5/18 3 YEAR REPLACEMENT WARRANTY & 96 MONTH PRORATED WARRANTY
--AEM BRUTE FORCE AIR INTAKE/INDUCTION SYSTEM - 21-8402DP
--REAR SHOCKS REPLACED 4/13/17
--FRONT & REAR DRIVESHAFTS REBUILT 11/1/17
--NEW CLUTCH INSTALLED recently

It has been in Colorado but has spent a good portion of its life in California. It has had 3 owners and the guy is asking 14,000 for it. This one has a clean title and is being well maintained.

So what do you guys think any opinions would help.

 

Buy neither is my honest opinion. The single cab is overpriced, and that tacoma is also overpriced for what it is.

 

Judging by the looks also of the tacoma, its owner focused on aesthetics over performance.

 

Where I live in the la region the single cab is right around the going rate for 95-04 pickups. All the other ones may have a double cab or but no 4x4 or are an automatic with 300,000. I know what the kbb say but I havent seen anything at that price in good condition. The black one is 2,000 over the kbb for excellent. But it is very well maintained. I have never seen one in this good of condition. I am not really looking for performance I am looking for a daily driver with the black on I would probably pull of the tires and rims and put on different ones. But idk. I am having a hard time find a good one in my price range in my area. I am looking for a 4x4 manual preferably 4 cylinder to help with fuel economy and reliability.

Also the 95 has a 22re engine in it which one of the most reliable engine I have ever owned.

 

If thats the best example you can find, you are not looking hard enough. General rule of thumb, don't buy a pre modified vehicle.

the single cab isn't a tacoma by the way.

 

I have been looking for about a month. In souther California this is the price alot of the time I am sure great deals come up but I have not seen any. The red one is rare based on the 22re 4 cylinder 4x4 manual there are very few even for sale nation wide. It has been California owned so there should not be to much rust if any. I am super worried about the pink slip my dad said he will help me but it made me nervous to the point where I canceled our first met up.

 

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d/carpinteria-x4-toyota-tacoma/6905008649.html

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/d/long-beach-2001-toyota-tacoma-4x4/6900368089.html

 

Don't buy that single cab.

Its overpriced.

Title issues.

accident.

thats three red flags.

 

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/loma-linda-2001-toyota-tacoma-4-4/6904103134.html

 

I know it's not it's a pickup dx. It is basically semantics and falls under the same generation as tacoma they couldn't keep t1000 because ford threatened to sue I believe. I this saying I am not searching hard enough is disingenuous. If it is easy I would like you to show me some examples I Los Angles of better trucks. We both have access to the same tools online. I have used auto trader car gurus car tempest craigslist carfax and car to do research.

 

I just posted 3.

 

If the roof has surface rust I would be nervous to see underneath the car. Plus it has a lot of body issues. Which as you said is a red flag. It has been in some accidents.

The 2003 is taken in the snow the frame is probably going to start rusting right after the 15 year complimentary frame repair service by toyota runs out.

The long beach on is very far from my location. So I have not seen that one. It looks good but it has modification done to it and has almost 300,000 miles.

 

My only advice is don't spend more money on one that has already been modded because you never know if it was done right or half assed and it will cost twice as much to fix right

 

There are more options to look, the 2003 has a brand new frame and looks very clean.

These bumpers do rot out but I'd be more worried about the frame and what not.

Surface rust on the other one, I did not see. But again would be still advantageous to look at if frame is solid.

the long beach one is probably my favorite in the boat.

These engines are bulletproof. I would not make miles your primary concern.

 

Also for the long beach one,

These are common well supported mods in this trucks community.

Its the Fabtech and other drop bracket lifts to worry about.

 

Also there was only one that was cheaper and it was the one siting in the snow. The other two were more expensive when compared to the 95. They also were 6L so would cost more in gas and are less reliable the the 22re. Gas were I like is over 4 dollars a gallon. Now if you are comparing those to the black tacoma I posted I can see what you mean but the black Tacoma has been take very good care of and has under 150,000 miles.

 

Ok I'll stay away from the modded one thank you for the advice. Out of the three you posted what do you consider the best option. I liked the long beach one the most. But I would like your opinion.

 

I was comparing to the black tacoma in my postings yes.

6L? What?

The 5vze is one of toyotas most bulletproof and proven engines, as well as the 22r/re. The only engine id have concern for is that 3.0 that they used for a little while.

Miles truly don't matter for these trucks. It shouldn't be too big in your decision making.

 

Thank you. I think I have excluded the black 2004.

 

The long beach one would be worth going to see.

Id would be wise to read through the tacoma buyers guide

it would be also wise to do a PPI with a toyota mechanic, there are forum members here who can help point you into a mechanic local to the long beach area.

If I was in your shoes, it would be my number one prospect.