Help me decide on this truck!

Hello everybody... Been lurking for the last year or so while looking at trucks and figured I'd go ahead and ask. I'm looking for a BLACK 01-04 Double Cab 4X4 and have found one that a small Mom & Pop's lot has had for a couple months without moving it yet.

If I can get them down a good bit on the price I'll take it, simply because it's exactly what I'm looking for and is in good shape. CarFax shows good history, if you trust carfax....

Link is here Click on the link below or copy it into your browser to see the 2002 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab!

What is it really worth and what do I need to look for on it? The last Toyota I had was a regular cab '95 4X4, so I know rust is probably an issue if they haven't been kept up with, but outside of that what do I need to worry about? No experience with the Toyota V6, so what's the pros and cons on those too?

Thanks for the help!

 

Well I'm thinking around $12K would be a fair price.... I just haven't had much luck finding a Black DC within 300 miles of me with "low miles". LOL

Standard seems to be anywhere from 75-95K on them... Really won't be an everyday vehicle since I have a company vehicle, a mustang, and 2 accords.... So miles won't run up very quick after getting it.

What do I need to really look for as far as problems with it? If I can get them down around the $12K mark?

 

I payed more than that for my 03... love my truck though. I havent had any problems with it so far and i bought it with around 80k miles.

 

So how about a "pros and cons" list for the '01-'04 DC's?

Anybody care to share what they DON'T like? Or what the common problems are?

 

Mine has no rattles at all.

I love my 02'...I would rather have this truck than an 05+.

 

Thats about the same price for all the Dcabs over here. 2002 Tacomas are Bulletproof! I havent had any problems in my 01. Best motor ever made, best truck ever made!

 

I paid 11k for my 01', and it had over 126,000 on it. May have paid a bit over but I wouldn't trade it for nothing. Sometimes you just gotta go with your gut man. If you don't buy it, guarantee someone else will. When I went to buy it from this guys lot, I asked if I could test drive it and he let me take it home for the night before I signed anything! That alone was good enough for me to trust it wasn't a lemon. Not to mention that truck your looking at looks sweeet!

 

I havent had any of those problems...the frame rust issue is for 95-00 or 01 (cant remember what the last year was).

 

Thanks for the posts guys! I'm a little curious still as to why this one is on the guys lot at this point... I plan on taking a ride out there sometime next week since I'm off, and may trade an '03 Accord thats never driven anymore. I'm sure they could move a 4 dr Accord pretty quick so hopefully he will being willing to deal a little.

I may drive my Mustang out there (90 miles or so) just to keep me from doing anything stupid on impulse. It'll be a good ride getting it out, and that way I can play the game a little and let him know I'm interested if it turns out, but by not letting him talk me into buying right then and there I may be able to get them down a little more. I actually talked to someone on the phone the week they got it, and was told "It's a real perty truck, won't last long I'm sure"... LOL

On a side note, while lurking here (at least I'm pretty sure it was here) I seen some pictures of a DC with a reworked center console to hold a 10" sub.... I have searched but can't find the thread now so was wondering if that's sounds remotely close to being familar with anyone....

 

I got an 03' with 45,000 miles for 13K ,and it had ARB guard,33's and a 6inch Pro-Comp suspension lift. Greatest thing I have ever bought.

 

14K is alittle high for the 92k miles, I would try to talk them down atleast 3k on it. I paid around 16k for mine last christmas, but it only had 60k and was certified pre-owned by toyota. As far as pros and cons, I haven't found anything wrong with it yet. Engine runs great, I have 120k on it now! I have run blue trails at Rausch Creek with no body damage and only had to back off of one trail.

 

You drove 60k in one year?!?!

 

Too much money, considering you're going to do a timing belt replace in 8000 miles. Beat them up on the price, by at least 3000 and maybe 4000, then enter cautiously.

 

If I were shopping that truck I would steer away from the private lots.
They sometimes have that odor
1. He most likely bought it at auction and knows nothing about it.
2. Then the question begs, why was it sent to auction in the first place ?
Maybe too many miles for a dealer to recertify or maybe something else, who knows.


I would look at a private seller or maybe a dealer recertified.
Think about having a pre-sale inspection done. Negotiate the fee with the seller.

JF
Who might be pullin' the trigger on his first Taco today