Buying a 286,000 Mile 1997 Tacoma 4x4 2.7

Truth. These are pictures of my daughters car. It too , has a clean carfax........

 

My '96 2.7 has 414,000 trouble-free miles on it, so I'd not worry about the 286,000 miles. These trucks are bringing good $$, so as long as there's no rust, I'd jump on it before someone else does.

 

It has no rust. It is a California Tacoma and been there all of its life.

 

Looks like you've found a nice one, congrats! Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

 

Why are 1995-1997 4x4 tacomas highly sought after?

 

Older and looks better than say 98-2000

 

That interior looks clean. It doesn't even have the driver's side tear at the seam.

 

Although the mileage is at 286,000, it only has one other true owner. The second owner is selling it because he is moving to Europe

 

I recently bought a 96 2.7 4x4 Mt has 450000 kilometers took about $2000 to fix some drive terrain and running issues but now I'm looking forward to a million kilometers trouble free now with regular maintenance.

 

They are the best looking of all Tacoma's!

 

Think this really boils down to you....
This is gonna be a money pit.....you'll be replacing stuff all the time...

If your a DIYer this maybe ideal......get a picnic basket and a work blanket....
spend saturday afternoons working on it......


If your paying someone else to fix all to come.....maybe not so much.....
The Rwd models are piece of cake to work on.....the 4X4's little more challenge.

 

I thought the 3rz 2.7 engines are reliable? Also, did you see the carfax of this tacoma? The previous owner took it to the dealership for maintenance and it has been serviced there.

 

#1 problem I've seen with these older tacos....is leaking head gasket....
and aging tranny.....

Unfortunately a head gasket job on these run $1500 plus...
and a good mechanic is maxed right now....
had to wait 8 weeks for em to get to mine.....

So any truck that has not been operating in last year....or recent owner change...
I would be suspicious.....

That is an awful lot of money on a truck that surely will need more love......
what if you have to sink another 3K in it....What could of you bought with all the money....

It has been sitting for sale for 9 weeks now....in this hot market with that 93 toy with the 80 miles on it go for 45K....why has there been no takers so far....
Looks like it was well care for tho....but still shit happens....age, heat stress, cracks....

I bought mine for 2K and stuck a reman block in it....
but that was 5yr ago.....different world now.....

my best advice is to pray about it.....the good Lord always comes thru for me....

 

I've spent relatively nothing on my 96 over 25 years and 415,000 trouble-free miles.
Just regularly stuff you would expect; brakes, (1) clutch, ball joints once, (2) starters, (1) alternator, several muffler/tailpipes, several batteries, oil/filters change every 5,000 miles, tires of course.
Never even had an engine cover off.

 

Check the frame SUPER CLOSE...
get under there and tap on it in places....
look at the leaf bushing mounts and the bed and cab mounts...

Dont think the crappy steel started showing up until the 99ish vehicles...


pull radiator cap and look for stop leak particles....copper bits...

idle engine for 5 min and watch temp gauge....

Scan it for codes......

 

And I imagine you've babied it.

No timing chain or water pump replacement?

 

This is how the engine looks like at the moment

 

This is the frame

 

I do like!