Looking for a used Tacoma in NJ (need feedback)

Hi everyone, I recently decided to get a small truck and all roads lead to Tacoma for reliability and in general I've always heard nothing but good things about these.
Now, I'm looking for something cheap (under $7k) and realize this won't get me much, so I wanted to find out a few things. I'm looking at 2003-2004.
Ideally, I'd like the extended cab, 4x4 with power doors/windows and auto trans but I'm willing to forego any of these if its' a good deal or a particularly clean car.
Obviously most of these in my price range are pushing 200k miles.
Wanted to know:
1 - what's the average life expectancy of the powertrain. I know these things are supposed to be bulletproof but still, any engine at 200k is gonna need some TLC
2 - is the 2D really not that great in Northeastern weather or is this easily mitigated by winter tires?
3 - given that I'm likely not gonna haul a lot, is the 4Cyl engine really underpowered or is it good enough?
4 - anything I should specifically look for or be cautious about when looking at really old examples?
5 - know anyone selling one?

 

Everything I know of these trucks is based around the 4cyl, somebody more versed in the v6 could comment to that power train. Up around that high mileage you'll be seeing some oil burning most likely. Usually caused by oil control rings being gummed up or by worn valve seals. You may also run into headgasket failure.

The regular cab is a light truck, so it will suffer a bit in the winter, but this can be very much helped with good winter tires, and stacking some extra weight in the bed for snow time. Most people use sand bags and center them over the rear axle.

Personally with my 09 access cab, four cylinder automatic, two wheel drive, and no towing package... I hauled way more than it should've and never had a problem. I also recognized I was beyond the listed capacity and was smart and careful while doing this. I towed cars on car dolleys, snowmobile trailers with snowmobiles and drags on them. Also hauled 30-40 full size truck tires in a utility trailer and the bed at one time. It certainly wasn't winning any races loaded like that, and hills I had to pull in second gear, but it did it just fine. All this being said, if you're looking to have a truck you can romp on the gas and win a race or blow past somebody, don't get the 4cyl. If you're fine with being slow off the line, getting decent gas mileage, and overall just being a good commuter, then the 4cyl is fine.

With really old examples, especially in the northeast- RUST RUST RUST!!!! The frame especially, but also the cab. Brake lines as well.

As far as any for sale- as soon as you put the word Tacoma and 4wd or 4x4 in a search bar, you're already at your max price for pretty much even the worst example out there. Tacoma's have absolutely skyrocketed in value.

 

Good luck finding any Tacoma in NJ for less than 10-15k. Anything less than that you might want to look over the truck with a fine tooth comb

 

Got mine for five and a half from NJ. Flew from Maine down to get it and drove it home. Needed a few small things but nothing major. New frame too, but most people don't want something 2wd or this low.

 

That's exactly why I want to know what to look over. The more info you guys can give me, the better I can make my decisions. Thanks!

 

I paid 8k for my 01 TRD.

 

Now is about the worst time to be looking for a tacoma on a budget. They are out there, but get snatched up real quick. The supply can't meet demand so used value up, new not readily available. Monitor facebook market and craigslist regularly.

You might want to remove most all of your expectations and Just aim for a gen1 1998 and newer. And in my experience rwd with decent tires is okay in the winter, you will get through if you drive properly, don't stop going up hills or expect to get through 12" of snow.

 

Actually talk to Dennis at D&D Auto in Belvidere. He usually has one or two on his lot.

 

I live in nj and have a 96 ranger 2wd. Honestly it spends most of jan-early march, in a year like this last one, on a battery charger as i don't trust it enough to drive it in snow and ice. I just picked up a new Tacoma. I was looking used but got sticker shock on almost everything i looked at even 10yr old trucks with 150k on them. I decided to put the money i wanted to spend used on a new truck and finance the rest. Good luck finding one. Keep in mind that GM has shut down production of canyons & Colorado's because of the chip shortage and i hear Ford is about to do the same with the Ranger . This is driving up the prices of used trucks. If you see something jump on it because even new i lost out on 4 trucks before i was able to secure one sight unseen still in transit.