Help finding a 1st gen tacoma

Been looking for months for a 1st gen Tacoma, access cab, 4wd with under 150,000 miles... but in my area they want want a new one is almost plus has over 200,000 miles.... it’s crazy. So thought you guys are the experts and can help me in my hunt.. and I am open to maybe 2nd gen... just don’t want to spend over 10,000... i am being reasonable I think... just a used Tacoma that was taken care of and can go another 150,000 with my ownership... and my area is mount airy North Carolina

 

Most under 150k are gonna be around 10k and up. Being NC you could get a rust free truck, or a crusty time bomb that was transplanted here so make sure you inspect the undercarriage very well.

Edit: I read your user name and honset to God thought you were my old boss (former produce guy), as my boss was looking for a Taco too. Then I saw Mt. Airy, huge sigh of relief lol.

 

You can fly to cali and buy my extended cab

 

Yea I noticed trucks out west are best taken care of ones... here it’s just rust... n rust on rust

 

they got one going on the Toyota lot here in the middle of the USA
its about $8k i think, 4dr 2oo2, forgot the mileage offhand
looks to have had a new frame
in need of some extensive body work in numerous spots
not sure about the mechanics of it
but being on a Toyota dealer lot is might not be too bad but i dunno

 

this is from Arizona

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...=true&modelChanged=false&filtersModified=true


my buddy tells me that there is a dealer out there that specializes in ONLY 1st gen tacomas.

 

Honestly, I wouldn't be over concerned if the mileage is over 150K. However, I would want records of maintenance by carfax, Toyota .com by running a Vin check. I will give you an example. I have an 03 double-cab 4x4 I bought new in Pa. I have 154k on it now. I have replaced faded head lights, new cat back exhaust, plugs,wires, shocks/struts. Everything else is pretty much from 2003. I did a compression test on it last summer and all 6 cylinders were 190-195 psi. It doesn't burn oil it loses some around valve covers which need replaced Transmission was drained 2 years ago. Just a simple drain, no filter replacement. Tranny shifts smooth and works like it did at 5 miles. I have kept the oil changed every 3-5k and last 10 years have used full synthetic. The frame shows areas of rust but always passes a legit Pa inspection plus I have checked areas of rust with hammer and punch. It passes that test.

What I am saying is, if you can get info on the trucks history if it was maintained....and all looks good. I would go over that 150k mark without concern. Just look it over well.

Oh, if 3.4L? Make sure timing belt has been done. If that is something you don't want to take on yourself? I did mine and it wasn't a bad job. I just took my time and did it right. I also replaced the center bearing on driveshaft & I did replace front & rear gear oil with mobil 1 synthetic. Heck, I got almost 9 years out of the original Toyota battery. I am on my 3rd battery since 2011.

If I were to sell mine? I think could get around 6 to 7 k. If you find a rust free frame? $10K or under and lets say 170k miles...your search is likely over.