Buying a 1st gen. Taco???

I am looking at a tacoma to buy for my first vehichle. I want to drive this truck for years to come so tell me what you think. I found a 1995 tacoma lx extended cab. It does have some problems shifting. Transmission tech said the yolk needs replacing. It has only 110,000 miles which is super low for a 15 year old truck. They are asking 4400 and it is at a dealer. It is dirty inside but i dont think i will find a better deal anywhere even though it had tranny problems. Here are some pics. tell me what you think.. and i wont tell you where i found it because i know it it a good deal... ive been looking for about one year so if you think you got a truck for me let me know.

 

Here is a much better deal. Not sure your price range.

Some one should get on this though.

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2345954469.html

 

That is a very good deal all things considered... but that is out of my price range for my first vehicle... but if you got any other suggestions hit me up...

 

I would keep looking IMO...

 

That seems like it could be a pretty good deal. Did you get a quote from the transmission guy on how much it would cost to fix the tranny?

Its hard to tell from the pics, but the body looks very straight, is it? Paint looks good. Did you check the frame for rust?

Looks like the inside would clean up real nice. 110k miles is nothing, and its VERY hard to find an x-cab 4x4 Tacoma for that price.

Everyone will tell you to buy one that's newer.... I disagree. Price out the tranny, check everything on the truck very closely, and if it checks out, get it

 

If I lived close, id probably buy this truck today. Its a good deal considering xtra cab and 4wd. Tranny aint no big thing to fix. Great first truck too. I'm assuming youre gonna give it hell, and this truck is something that can take it.

 

cvd2312
I did check the frame for rust and it was really clean underneath. I may be young but im not stupid on what to look for. Trucks are my passion and i know a good deal when i see one. This is a good deal but my dad isnt too keen on this truck. The body is straight and there is only one dent. It just needs a good wax and buffing... interior cleaning and you got one of the finest trucks on the road... im going to try to convince my dad to help me purchase this truck... These trucks will go forever and thats exactly what i want.
Thanks for your input.

 

webb323
"If I lived close, id probably buy this truck today. Its a good deal considering xtra cab and 4wd. Tranny aint no big thing to fix. Great first truck too. I'm assuming youre gonna give it hell, and this truck is something that can take it."

Thats exactly what i plan on doing to my first truck. haha i cant wait for my license. Im gonna tear up the road in whatever i will be driving... hopefully its this truck...

 

Just my opinion but I would be concerned about the frame. The 15 year extended warranty has expired on the 1995 so if the frame has a problem, Toyota will not do anything for you.

I had a 2000 that spent the first 8 years in Colorado and California (no salt on the roads) before spending two winters in the Northeast (lots of salt), and Toyota put a hammer through the a part of the frame that looked perfect (no surface rust at all where they hit it). The frame often rots from the inside out and therefore you cannot see that it looks bad.

I would make sure you buy a truck still under the 15 year extended warranty and take it to Toyota before the warranty runs out. If it fails the inspection, you get 1.5 times kelly blue book retail value for the 95-2000 model years or a frame replacement for the 2001-04 model years.

Just my two cents but I would hate to have you buy a truck and then find out the frame is not what you expected. Look for a little newer...

 

110k is low!

 

Its possible that the frame has already been inspected, too. You can take the VIN and call your local dealer and they will let you know if it has been into any Toyota dealerships for an inspection

 

Yeah just check the frame. But in my first truck was a 4x4 mazda. From back when mazda wasnt owned by ford, and i rose absolute hell in it. It still ran. Then i got a Taco and im still giving it hell lol

 

Looks good to me. Like the others said, I'd just have the frame checked and get a price on the tranny fix. My uncle has a 95.5 Tacoma LX out in Conifer, CO with 200k miles and it looks almost as new as the day he bought it.

 

x2.
i have the same year also though mine is a auto. i purchase it.

 

I live about 30 minutes away from conifer. hahaha Well the dealer found a buyer that put a deposit down.. He emailed me and they are taking in a 1997 tacoma auto... depending on the price we might look at it... i have to see what it lists for and if it is in my price range i am going to jump on it... But i do want an manual tranny for my first vehicle over auto