OPINIONS - What can I get for my son?

One look at a 10k truck will give you a good idea on what to do next.

 

What can you get for your son . . .I got 12 goats and a hat for my daughter. You prob get less for sons . . .

 

FYI on bad head gaskets, make SURE whatever you buy has a manufacturer build date AFTER 12/2005!

but I agree, for $10k it will be hard to find a good 2nd gen. People trade them in for way more than that. I paid $23k and change for mine brand new in 2006 and the book on it (if it was still stock, etc) would be at least $13k with 170k+ miles

 

I opted for the 4 cylinder when buying a truck for my teenager. It was way cheaper and I questioned whether she was ready for the more powerful 6. She’s in college now so it’s now my third car. It was a good trade off at the time.

 

Good idea, I think for 10k he could find a 2007-2008 4cyl SR extended cab or 4 door 4wd

 

This forum rocks. Thank you and keep the replies coming!!

 

I agree with using the 10k as a down payment. I paid 14k for an 07 Prerunner w/ 83,000 miles.

 

They're worth more in China

 

You may find this site useful, if you put in the VIN of the truck your looking at it will give you all the details on what options the truck shipped with.


https://www.toyota.com/owners/my-vehicle/vehicle-specification

 

I should think so.
An early 2nd Gen from the rust belt will likely have a new frame by now.
If not, forget about it, regardless.

Before I bought mine last September, I checked the VIN on the Toyota website.
It spent its entire life in Utica, NY, regularly serviced at a Toyota dealership there.
Traded in July, 2018, new frame August 2018.
Along with the new frame it got new lower control arms, brake lines, and some assorted hardware that probably broke off during the swap.
Surprisingly, the entire exhaust is original and solid with no serious rust.
There are some heavily rusted bolts on the transmission pan though.

Anyway, build date 08/06, so no head gasket worry.
Got it for a bit over $17k.
58k miles, so it must have been a grandpa truck.
Pre-Runner was fine because I don't off road. Very good interior and exterior condition.
Honestly, it drives like new.

I looked at a good many Tacomas before I got this one.
The $17k was at the upper end of what I wanted to pay. Cash transaction.

I dunno what to advise.
$10k isn't much for a 2nd Gen Tacoma.
Add 4x4 to the requirement and you're surely looking at something with a lot of miles on it.
I saw nothing I'd be willing to buy at anywhere near that price.

Good luck.

 

Check on cargurus.com
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...elper.selectedEntity=d311&newUsed=2&newUsed=3

Good Luck

 

1. I would buy my son something that is solid enough to get around but beat up enough so he could learn to wrench on it without fear of destroying a nice vehicle. The most valuable thing a first vehicle can bring is the opportunity to build one`s mechanical confidence changing oil, brakes, spark plugs, replacing suspension, belts,etc. It also takes the sting out of backing it into a post, ending up in a ditch, or rearending a school bus. Good luck. YOU ARE A GOOD DAD.

 

If you live in New England it's worth it to buy the Tacoma from a southern state as the frame will be in much better condition.

 

Sorry to change the subject, but what exactly is the issue with the head gaskets on the 05 models? I’ve heard people say that a lot, but never seen why. As mentioned above, my 05 has 165k on it without a single problem, and I definitely drive it pretty hard half of the time.

 

I’ve read the criteria, and a few of the posts throughout this thread, if someone’s already brought this up disregard.
A first gen (I know you mentioned 2nd only) would be ideal for numerous reasons, being in the NE you will probably be able to locate one with a replaced frame, you will have no problem locating a 4x4 with a 3.4L, with relatively low miles, at an affordable cost, they’re reliable, and would give your son something to make his own through regular maintenance (also affordable).
10k would get your son a killer first gen. Just something to think about.
One last thing, I just spent a month shopping 2nd gens, 4x4 specifically, they are absurdly expensive. I’m not complaining, you get what you pay for, a damn fine, aesthetically pleasing and mechanically marvelous product. Just be prepared to spend some money.

 

Best move I ever made for my boys 25 years ago. Good parenting.

 

This isnt Autotrader lol. Go to a used car website and look for yourself. Theres also a section for gen2 trucks for sale on here.

 

My first thought when I read the post title " What can I get for my son " was:

I'll give you a few bucks for him if he knows how to cut the grass.

 

Lots of great people and good info given here. You're not one of them

 

Not trying to sway you away from a Tacoma. But a younger model year Access Cab 4x4 Nissan frontier which is very reliable also could be gotten for 10k