Dreaming of a Tacoma Since I was 16...

Hey all! I've been dreaming about one of these trucks for about 17 years and I think the time is finally coming. I go back and forth on which gen I want, all I know is that I want something that was well cared for. I found a '99 manual SR5 with 259,000 miles on facebook marketplace tonight. It fits the bill for what I'd consider and seems meticulously cared for, my only concern is the milage. My first car was a camry that I drove to about the same milage before parting ways with her. She drove great and had a lot of life left. I know Toyotas can drive forever with the right care. Anyone have thoughts on engine replacement for a first gen? Or, thoughts on first gens at all? Looking forward to being a part of this community.

 

It might be good.

I sold my 1997 Taco in 2021. 5 speed manual. It had 225,000 miles and ran like new. I wish I had it today. I would not hesitate to take in the desert alone. Steering rack and bushings still like new. Nothing ever broke.

Although it never happened to me, little things can go wrong at this age, but the bones seem to last.

Never thought of engine replacement.

Have it checked out by a pro. See how clean it burns, compression etc.

Does it require timing belt replacement? 97 required it every 60,000 miles.

Pay attention to the power train. Feel for slack in the system.

Is it 4WD? Check out that system too.

 

The 6 cylinder 5vz engine can go 350k-400k mile if it was maintained correctly.
Timing belts, water, by or before 100k. And the coolant changed every 50k.
Transmission fluid in the manual at by or before 60k.
You’d ideal want a truck that had the oil changed every 3-3.5k miles.
But they can still go along time at 5k changes.

Take the oil cap off and see if the inside of the engine looks dirty or gritty.
Pull the oil dip stick too. If it looks heavily “stained”, then the oil wasn’t changed too frequently.

If it’s the 3rz engine, 4 cylinder. They can go just as long.

To be honest, it’s well worth the money to have a pre purchase inspection done.

 

Oh yah, I forgot about frame rust.

First gen had rust issues. Toyota even replaced a lot of first gen frames because of it.

Never affected me in California, but the snow trucks rusted right through. My frame had no rust, not even light surface rust.

Not sure if the 99 has the rust issue.

Get under there with a screwdriver and stab the frame at any rust spots.

 

Welcome to TW! If you know a respected mechanic, have him look it over. I’ve had 4 Tacoma’s, if I was looking for a good used one I’d be looking for a 2012-2015 with 100k-150k miles however I don’t know what your budget is.

 

I can attest to that. My 99 SR5 3.4L V6 5 speed MT 4x4 just passed 367,810 miles and it runs great

 

I bought my SR5 in 2004 and to date I've never had any rust issues. That said, I'm in central NC and besides the mountains we almost never get snow. The few times salt and brine have been put on the roadways it's not enough to accumulate and do extensive damage.