Are first gen Toyotas actually worth the price?

Actual ride

 

I see quite a few step side 1st gens in SoCal, they aren't nearly as common as the regular ones of course but I do see one every so often.

I actually think they look pretty cool, though I know a lot of people don't like them. The step side Tundras on the other hand...awful looking, especially from the back

 

PP semi-hard

 

i think this one was a 2wd but not sure, it looked a tad on the low side, probably isn't driven around here in the winters

nevertheless, they look much better than the Ranger stepsides, which I definitely see more of around here

 

Husker Red?

 

imo thats worth it. nice ad btw. of course im sure you could bargain with the seller

 

Why do they have it listed as a 4runner in the title haha.

It is a nice truck and nicely built, with low mileage for a 1st gen. I could see someone paying that if they are looking for something already built. I prefer building it myself but there are those that have the money but not the interest in doing it from scratch.

 

FB marketplace always does that. It’s like they don’t recognize a Tacoma and list them as 4R.

Found another one for your looking pleasure. This one made my chuckle a little
$39,900
https://www.grautogallery.com/vehicles/7635/2004-toyota-tacoma

 

I mean it's Pomona so I'm not surprised in the slightest.

 

LOL yeah that guy/dealership is dreaming. Way too much for that truck

 

18 months ago I had a manual 2000 SR5 with 250k miles get totaled and rear ended. I got like $6000 from insurance for it. I then found an automatic 2000 SR5 TRD with one owner and 107k miles and spend like $11500 on it. I'm wanting to keep it on the road for another 15 years. I'm replacing all the suspension with OME this week, and trying to decide what else I should put money into to keep it on the road. Ideas?

 

Do you know if the timing belt has been done? Supposed to do it around 100k so now would be a good time if it hasn't yet

Unless you have proof of maintenance records (oil change, trans fluid, front/rear diffs, t-case, etc.) then I'd plan on doing those too just to know they're done and good

Check the lower ball joints for play as they're a weak design and tend to start going bad around 100k miles in most people's experience. My last OEM pair lasted only 55k miles before they developed a lot of play and I had to change them again, but I do a lot of offroading in my truck.

 

worth the price, eh probably not, but then again neither is the new ones of any brand!

best truck I have ever had? Absolutely
My 99 is usual able to be fixed myself witht he help of https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9EMiD9KPy61kJ6hdXcbjxA and everyone here.
I love the manual J sifter, the manual trans, the manual ac wipers headlights and all that simple stuff but with power windows and locks.
I love the smaller size that is easier to park, and easier to maneuver on the trail.
I love that I can get into a trail and not worry about scratching the paint.

I hate the rust, hate the rust, hate the rust, and I hate the rust.
I dislike all the replacement parts needing to be original Toyota.


eon_blue I dont get the 4runner thing, I see them for sale here all the time listed as that.

 

Belts were done not long ago, but something is a little squeeky on some startups. Did transmission recently, diffs are going to be done soon too. AC just went out and am going to troubleshoot that along with a weird issue where one day I took the keys out and the stereo stayed illuminated until I disconnected the battery. Gotta figure that out. What can I do to help with corrosion on the underside in the harsh UT winters?

I'm having the OME stuff installed tomorrow and fully expecting them to want to do lower ball joints too.

 

Fluid film, or some kind of rust preventative spray/coating. Try to get inside the frame too, they make tools for that. These frames rust from the inside out. Also wash the frame well and regularly during the winter months when there's salt on the roads

 

sorry to hear about your loss
do you feel the $6k was appropriate settlement for your individual situation?

don't forgot the coolant for the radiator!
the transfer of thermal energy is quite important and very costly if not maintained properly

 

Worth the price? My shiny red ‘04 garage queen makes me smile every time I go out in the garage. I could give a crap what NADA or KBB says it’s worth. There’s an emotional attachment some will never understand.

 

Here's a 2004 PreRunner near me $7,500 with 240,000.

https://littlerock.craigslist.org/cto/d/mayflower-2004-toyota-tacoma/6915439345.html

2004 TRD 4x4 Manual in the area for $6,900 with 208,000. This truck was listed last month for a few days then disappeared. I wonder if it's being flipped or the buyer experienced difficulty getting financing.

https://littlerock.craigslist.org/cto/d/bryant-2004-toyota-tacoma-trd-4x4/6920071867.html

1995 SR5 4X4 - 5 Speed 4 CYL with 183,000 miles at $7,900

https://littlerock.craigslist.org/ctd/d/cotter-1998-toyota-tacoma-sr5-4x4-5/6915787595.html

2002 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Crew Cab V6 New Timing Belt 227,000 miles at $7450 -- I have many more new parts and service on mine what I see on this one.

https://littlerock.craigslist.org/cto/d/north-little-rock-2002-toyota-tacoma/6905175368.html

2004 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Limited Pickup 4D 5ft bed with 286,000 miles. New tune up and plugs last summer for $8,000.

https://littlerock.craigslist.org/cto/d/sherwood-2004-toyota-tacoma-double-cab/6904497232.html

2002 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab PreRunner 2wd - $8000 with 132,157 miles.

https://jonesboro.craigslist.org/cto/d/newport-2002-toyota-tacoma-double-cab/6905430592.html

These are the going prices in my area for Tacomas in the 132,000 to the 286,000-mile range listed is $7,000 to $8,000

 

Worth is up to someone to decide, but damn, these things are fun. I bought my broken 4x4 04 TRD 5MT and I've been loving it!

 

I found my Taco because I was quite literally looking at the 'for sale' section on the Pittsburgh Craigslist the very same moment the seller posted the truck for sale. I was the very first one to respond and we set a time where I could come and see the truck.
I remember he wrote back and said, "I need to make sure you're good to come see the truck, because my phone is blowing up with texts and emails and I need to take the listing down."

Had I been just a few minutes delayed on inquiring about the truck, it probably would have slipped right through my fingers.