Looking at a 97 Tacoma - your thoughts?

Hi, All, first post here.

I'm looking at the following Tacoma later tonight. This would be a 3d vehicle for my girlfriend and myself. It would act as a utility vehicle for Home Depot runs, trips to the dump, dog transportation, snow, etc. So I'm not looking for a treasure. My goal was best bang for $6-$7k.

97 Toyota Tacoma LX, V6, 4X4, extra cab, automatic, sunroof, CD player, 160K miles.
Cloth interior, Michelin LTX radial tires with 10K miles.

Owned the truck since 2003 and have kept it garaged, very clean.

All maintenance records available.

(http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/2339931020.html)

The owner sounds like a nice guy over the phone and seems emotionally attached to the truck. It sounds like he's tacked excellent care of it.

What do you all think?

How does it sound?

 

Looks like the owner took care of it....how much is he asking for it

 

Thats very similar to my truck, which I bought back in November for $7,500.

Mine had 140k and was a manual, and it was in awesome shape.

Looks like yours is a good deal, I'd go for it!

 

i got mine a year ago, 1997. same color and everything with a camper shell. but its a 4 cylinder. it also had 160k miles. but the interor was dirty. have you jewed him down at all?

 

Asking $6500. I haven't negotiated price yet. I don't think I'll go after a lower price too aggressively. It seems like a good deal whe. Compared to comparable tacomas in the area.

 

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You haven't got it yet ??

WTF !! are you waiting for ??

seriously , if it is as souinds I'd jump on it...

 

We settled on $6k.

It was in very good mechanical shape. He had immaculate service history records with hand written notes. Paint had lost its luster. Typical body dings and chips for a 14 year old truck. Interior was in good shape. Strange buzzing sound from dash at freeway speeds -- sounded like it was coming from the speedometer.

I gave him a deposit while the remaining funds transfer to my acct for the balance. Should have it in the garage by the weekend or beginning of next week.

 

Welcome to TW

 

Nice! Pics when she's home!

 

Things to keep in mind and watch over while you own this truck:
How is the frame? These rust from the inside out. It may look great like mine did but it wasn't. Hit small rust spots with a hammer to test. If the timing belt was changed out at 90K miles, it will need it again at 180K miles. The axle seals started leaking on my 95 Tacoma at 140k, on my 98 4Runner they started leaking at 192K. Good luck and have fun with your new truck.