Looking to buy first gen, 98 or 99

itd be legit if it all matched...hes gettin there. haha

 

Check to see if the timing belt/water pump was replaced if a V6. My old Tacoma has 182k miles on it with an auto and no problems. My current truck has 96k miles and no problems. You can't expect much performance from 190 hp.

 

Im looking at this other tacoma, here are the specs,

1999 Tacoma SR5 - 3.4L V6 - K&N High Flow Air Intake - 5 Speed Manual - HID Headlamps - Wrap Around Bush Bar - Side Step Bars - Color Matched Canopy w/ Yakima Roof Racks - Box Outfitted W/ 1/2in Spary-on Rhinoliner with Checkerplate Tool Lockbox - Pioneer Deck w/ Ipod Hookup - Aircared - ODO 112000mi / 180000km


What do you guys think? Hes asking 11500, I know I could get him down to 10500, but I dont even wanna pay that much for a non TRD with no power options.. What would be fair price for a truck like this?

 

Hi

Two points for you (just my two cents):

Be aware of the frame rust in these trucks. The 95-00 model years have a 15 year extension on the frame and if it is inspected by Toyota and fails, then Toyota will buy it back at 1.5 times KBB Retail Value (which is a hell of a deal). However, if this will make you angry that you bought a truck and then the frame fails inspection a year later and you lose the truck (Toyota will not replace the frame in these model years), then keep that in mind. Also, the warranty will run out in 2014 for a 1999 model (15 years) which means if it fails after that point then Toyota will not do anything for you. However, on the bright side, you can do what I did and take the money you get from your truck and buy another newer Tacoma! Just a heads up because I bought a 2000 that spent 8 years in Colorado and California (read no salt on roads) and two or three years in the brutal salt roads of New York and the frame failed this year. The frame looked great but rusts from the inside out (they hit it with a hammer to test the frame). Like I said though, take the money and get another truck (I bought a 2004).
Having said that, the trucks are extremely reliable and I would highly recommend them. Toyota made a good product and is standing behind them or else I would not have bought another one with the money I got.

Second, that seems high for that truck. I got a 2000 4x4 Xtra Cab 3.4L manual (not TRD) with cap, a Thule rack on the cap, tow hitch, and some other goodies with 145,000 miles for $6400 so the deals are out there but you might have to drive or fly to get them. Of course, I put in a clutch and new brakes, rotors, calipers after I bought it. To give you another example, I paid 13K for a 2004 Xtra Cab 4x4 TRD 3.4L manual with 84K that was in great shape and needed nothing so far. Others might have a different opinion.

Good luck searching.

 

Great points! I knew the frame rust was a common problem, black book retail value on this truck is $9600, this truck is orginally from Oregon, and been here (Vancouver, BC) about 5 years, does Toyota inspect the frame for free? You get it inspected every year?

 

Toyota inspects the frame for free. I was told by the dealer that you are eligible for a free frame inspection every year (one year from date of last inspection). However, having said that when I took my truck in to the dealer to get it looked at for an unrelated problem they put it on the lift and said "we are going to inspect your frame". My response was it was just inspected less then a year ago. There response was, we are Toyota, its on the lift, and we are going to do it. I say this not because I was upset but because it shows what may happen.

Second, you should also know that if you are looking for a 2001-04 they have the same problem and also have a 15 year extended warranty on the frame. Toyota is currently replacing the frames on those model years only. Toyota will replace the frame on these years until they decide not to (meaning they no longer have the frames or it is cost prohibitive to them) and then will honor the buy back at 1.5 times KBB retail value. In some areas of the country (the Northeast in particular), Toyota is requiring a rust prevention on the frame (spray on coating), so justs a head up for you.

So he was a little high. It really depends on what you are looking for. By the way, if you are going to tow I recommend the 5 speed manual, but that is also just my two cents.

 

Having said everything I just did I want to ad one more cent of information because it sounds like I am bashing on Toyota trucks (and I now have owned two)!

I love these trucks and believe they are worth the investment as long as you go in knowing what may happen with the frame on the first gen (buy back). They are pretty much bullet proof other then that and I never question their reliability or toughness. I towed a 18 ft boat over 400 some miles with my 2000 with 155,000 miles on the odometer and never thought twice about it (it performed like a champ). I would not say that about other pickups.

Good luck.

 

I am from Nelson BC near the washington border and we have alot of rusty Tacoma's in our town. There's about a 3-1 ratio of Tacoma 4x4's in our small ski town and it seems they come here to die.

But luckily mine is originally from the states and was brought up to the coast where there isnt as much rusting issues. My advice is to be patient and it will come to you. I waited 6 months before i found mine. And it turned out to be owned by a Toyota mechanic in town. I paid 8k for my babied 1996 with high mileage but lots of extras came with and im happy

Good luck!