Absurd values of 1st gens, has it always been this crazy?

That's what I thought, but they're still commanding crazy prices. Maybe they'll start dropping a bit

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-haltech-ecu-discussion.772300/

Often I see people pay a lot more for a low miles early 1st Gen than one with high / higher miles and I don’t agree with that scale 100%. My wife’s 3rd Gen 4runner had 300k when I bought it with no damage, clean interior, no rust, one owner, and it was owned by a dealer tech.

The best thing was that it only had one thing messed up (stripped trans pan plug) even though all the suspension was original. I got it for low enough of a price I could install a completely new OEM+ front suspension, drop in a low miles motor I already had put in my 1st Gen driveway ornament, and redo rear wheel bearings and seals and replace all the rear bushings while adding OEM+ rear shocks and sway bar end links and come out at around the same price for a previously “built” one (which you’ll never know how well it was built).

The rotating gear isn’t the only thing that wears which people will think sometimes and that a low miles truck will need no maintenance and a high miles truck will need all the maintenance - a lot of parts wear with time / weathering and it doesn’t matter how many miles a 25-30 year old truck has.

 

Wow,

I was just thinking about selling mine in the next year or two...

162k, one-family owned, everything works (I think), except the clock. Stock except Bilstien shocks, JVC stereo (bluetooth) and a 2000 (?) tubular exhaust manifold... Rock chips on the hood and peeling clearcoat on the hood and roof, but no rust.

Just getting tired of the manual and climbing into it as I get older... I am considering building an old El Camino with a junkyard LS and overdrive... Of course, I'm too busy to build now, and I need to have the Taco as a second car... Hopefully prices stay high.

Runs great, cruises at 75-80 mph with the A/C blasting...

 

I will always buy a well documented/maintained higher mile car over a questionable low mile same car just about any day. Past good history will carry a car longer than a low mile delayed maintenence or abused vehicle. The reason Toyota holds such a cult following is they seem to keep going with even the most careless ownership.

Thought of the. Day;
When a car is advertised as best resale value, is it a car you want to buy new or used?

Most people think its best to buy it used. IMHO I disagree. You pay top dollay because of "preceivved value" or simpler put you are buying the generalized name or reputation. Some owners do as little as possible and take the value before "passing" the ultimate expense.

Subaru is a great example. They were HOT 10 years ago, bragging about the resale value. The secondary buyer pays more.

Interesting thread though because Toyota is so out of the box.

 

I'd argue new or used depends more on your financial situation, but either way, buying one with great resale value is a good idea.

For example I just bought my wife a 2016 Sequoia with 63k miles. A year prior, I bought myself a 2018 Tundra (w/ 68k miles). Both of those vehicles have tremendous resale value (and I paid the "Toyota Tax"), largely because they're perceived to be ultra-reliable. Hard to argue that I'd have been better of with a new 3rd Gen Sequoia or Tundra.

 

Can someone here message this seller and see if he will give you any actual information on this truck? Probably the worst ad I've ever seen, I can't believe people sell stuff like this:
Check out this item on OfferUp. https://offerup.co/ApCY5pWvvRb

I got banned from OfferUp so I can't message him myself

 

How tf you get banned from OfferUp? There’s like 30% dirtbags on there.

 

Honestly, that's why. That app is absolute dog shit And they do nothing to control the spam. There's a few sellers in LA that literally post thousands of ads a day. I started sending angry messages to the customer service telling them to do something about it, so they did nothing but ban me.

 

When I had my ultra nice 1993 SR5 4x4 extended cab, people made pa$$e$ at it all the time. 3-slow was miserable on the freeway [160,xxx miles] and I got rid of it after a bidding war.

My 2000 Limited has the same response, although not as much. 96,xxx miles now.

The 1993 body was built better by the way. JT VIN I guess.

 

You have a 2000 limite? Is it manual?

 

@drewskie It sure is. 4x4. No sun roof though.

 

how so?

 

Nice. Ar least I know a 2000 manual limited exists somewhere.i always thought that moonroof was standard on the limited.

 

Yep, Toyota Tax and I'd say there is a Honda tax as well. A lot of us can get close to MSRP on our 25 year old trucks. Compare that to any "luxury" or European vehicles. They lose 50% value in 5 years. After 10 years they're at 25% MSRP. This is why the average annual cost "all in" in a modern vehicle is $11k/year. I added my "all in" cost for my 2000 Tacoma...purchase price, insurance, gas, maintenance, and it is $2300 per year over 16 years.

 

What colour was that '93 SR5

 

I’ll say, I just bought a 1st gen last month (2/8/25) here in SoCal, found it on offer up. 2000 SR5 4WD V6 auto with rear E-locker. 266k original miles, clean CA title. Seller was asking 15k, I got him down to 10k and Carfax valued it at $11,140. I’d say I made a “fair” deal considering the current market in my area. Still needs some work but the truck is very clean inside and out, freshly painted with a camper shell and engine runs well. Good luck to those on the hunt, originally I wanted a 84-88 pickup but those have reached true classic status now and the tax on those is just a bit too rich for my blood.

 

6 months ago there was a pile of first gens for sale here, some excellent ones too at that.

Of the nicer ones a premium white 01 TRD OR M/T 4x4 with 53k for 21k. Clean title, bare bones oem, no rust, immaculate.

Over the past 3ish months Covid prices have returned and the value of Toyota trucks in this area have again skyrocketed.

The thing that has always puzzled me was the shitbox pos 300k+ trucks are listed for 10-14k while nicer trucks with 150-200k are 15-18k.

Just makes me wonder who in their right mind is paying 12k for a 350k truck when you can get one with a 160k for 16k.

I bought my 92 from a random old lady who couldn’t drive it anymore being a manual and 4x4. Dealer maintained its entire life. She wanted 1000$. Gave her 1200$. I felt terrible but she refused to accept anything more. Had 180k at the time. That was in 2010. Truck has 220 now and I get offers to sell every time I take it out.

Toyota truck prices have always demanded a premium but today’s premium is on a whole different level of ridiculous.

 

@YotaBro Everything was tight and fit perfect.

@Black97v6MT It was Dark Grey Metallic.

 

Wow, great negotiations. Do you think the seller was making a crisis sell he came down a 3rd off the price. Good score

 

I think the first gens are built better imo. Now if your talking about the "hilux" models built in other parts of the world (south america, europe, africa, australia, etc...) than that is a different question. Those were hands down built tougher, from the frame up.

But it's 91-95 < 95.5-2004 any day if were talking north american models.

Hilux ln106: