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First Tacoma

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by nicnicman, Jun 2, 2011.

  1. Jun 2, 2011 at 7:15 PM
    #1
    nicnicman

    nicnicman [OP] Active Member

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    Hi everyone!
    I've been thinking about buying an older higher mileage Tacoma.
    One that I'm looking at right now is a 2002 SR5 XtraCab Auto with 182,000 miles on it. It's been through the corrosion resistance program and had a new frame installed with numerous other parts. It seems to be very well taken care of, and I know that Tacomas are hailed for their reliability, but I am concerned that major issues could pop up in the near future when buying a truck with that many miles. What are some things that I should be worried about when buying a Tacoma with high miles. How do their Automatic transmissions hold up?
    Also, I'm buying from a private seller and he is asking $8700 (about $800 over book value). Is the high price justified with the new frame and other parts that Toyota installed? I will try to talk him down a little, but I he seems firm with the asking price.
    I guess overall I would like to know if buying a Tacoma with such high miles would be a wise investment. I have saved for a while for this money and I want to make the most of it.
    Thanks for the help.
     
  2. Jun 2, 2011 at 10:00 PM
    #2
    IDtrucks

    IDtrucks Unhinged and Fluid

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    well the fact that it has had the frame replaced and all that other misc. stuff should do nothing to add to the cost, because that was all done for free under the toyota rust coverage extension. 187,000 is high but not abnormal. There are plenty of people here around 250k. So it will last a while, you will just have to have a good thorough maintence check to make sure everyhting important is A ok, and that the previous owner didnt run the mechanical into the ground. I dont have much experience with high mileage tacomas because mine has next to nothing. So hpefully the 250k guys will chime in.

    You did not indicate weather it is a 4x4 or 2wd. As a 4wd, depending on where you live that sounds about right. These trucks hold their value like crazy, great if your selling, crap if your buying. If its 4x4 i would try to get the 800 off to get to kbb price. But if its a 2wd i would defanitly talk him down ALOT. For a 2wd with that high of miles thats a bit high.
     
  3. Jun 2, 2011 at 10:11 PM
    #3
    nicnicman

    nicnicman [OP] Active Member

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    Thanks for the reply. It does have 4 wheel drive. Tacomas do seem to run high around here, and I have noticed people with new frames use them as leverage to get more than blue book. However, I would at least like to get to blue book value. I'm going to see him tomorrow; maybe cash will get him to come down.
     
  4. Jun 3, 2011 at 4:21 AM
    #4
    bicklebok

    bicklebok Well-Known Member

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    Ronnie
    Montgomery, AL
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    I have been watching Tacomas locally, ebay, and craigslist for several months now and all the ones I followed sold for more than KBB. Just bought mine a couple of weeks ago and paid more than book value, and I had to be quick to get it once it was listed on craigslist.
    From what I have learned, if that truck was well cared for, it should have many more miles left. Mine has 165,000. You may still want to check the frame because some others with frame replacements are having rust problems. If it's a 6 cylinder, find out if the timing belt has been replaced. That will also be a good indicator if maintenance has been done as scheduled.
    Hopefully some others will chime in as well.
     
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  5. Jun 3, 2011 at 4:49 AM
    #5
    JeffsJeep04

    JeffsJeep04 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, you really can't go by KBB on tacomas, they typically go for much more. I think NADA is closer. KBB said my truck was worth about a grand less then I paid for it. The bank said according to NADA it was worth $3400 more then I got it for (but I think they used retail). Use those two and craigslist, and you'll quickly get an idea of what a good price is.
     
  6. Jun 4, 2011 at 6:02 PM
    #6
    nicnicman

    nicnicman [OP] Active Member

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    I went and checked out the Tacoma today and I got him to come down to blue book value. The truck is in great shape, but there are a couple of issues I saw. One, the check engine light is on. He said this may be due to something with the gas tank; I'm not to sure about this. And second, when he had a cap on it came loose and scratched the paint off all along the top of the bed rails where the cap meets the truck. It just happened recently and no rust has started to form.

    What could be causing the check engine light to be on, and how much do you think it would cost to touch up the paint?

    Other than these issues it looks good as far as I can tell.

    Thanks for any suggestions.
     
  7. Jun 4, 2011 at 7:26 PM
    #7
    nicnicman

    nicnicman [OP] Active Member

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    The check engine light worries me. I think I'll ask the seller if I can have a mechanic inspect it.
     
  8. Jun 5, 2011 at 9:42 AM
    #8
    nicnicman

    nicnicman [OP] Active Member

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    I just found a 2001 Nissan Frontier 4x4 Supercharged with 100k for about $500 less. I like the Tacoma a lot better, but the Nissan may be a better value. 183,000 miles is a lot even for a Tacoma.
     
  9. Jun 5, 2011 at 10:44 AM
    #9
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    The check engine light (its throwing codes at you) is an easy free fix usually, go to any AAmco shop (or other place that'll throw the code reader back at it) they can tell you at least where to look for issue. & my own opinion i wouldn't want a Nissan supercharged or not, I had great luck with them when they still had the Datsun trade name (even though its always been Nissan motor corp.) those old Datsuns ran forever just like Toyotas . But its your $$$$ go with what you feel best with, My TRD just turned over to 162,000 & running strong as it did when it had 94,000 (I bought used) No oil leaks, same MPG (3.4's were never real gas sippers)

    good luck with whatever your choice man...
     
  10. Jun 5, 2011 at 3:25 PM
    #10
    JBear

    JBear Spiral Out... Keep Going!

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    2" suspension lift with King Coilovers up front. Standard Bilsteins on rear with a Fabtech 1.5" AAL. Leer 100XL Shell.
    1st, supercharged is just asking for problems... 2nd, if you plan on taking your truck off-road, keep in mind the Nissan has a pumpkin no bigger than your fist... I'm jus sayin' :smack:
     
  11. Jun 5, 2011 at 5:20 PM
    #11
    nicnicman

    nicnicman [OP] Active Member

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    Why do you say the SC is asking for problems? Does Pumkin = Engine???
     
  12. Jun 6, 2011 at 10:19 AM
    #12
    JBear

    JBear Spiral Out... Keep Going!

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    2" suspension lift with King Coilovers up front. Standard Bilsteins on rear with a Fabtech 1.5" AAL. Leer 100XL Shell.
    SC makes everything work over-time, that's all. Just faster wear. And Pumpkins = Differentials. Sorry, maybe that's not a common name outside of my social ring, lol. Nissan diffs just seem so dang small to me. Just my opinion, though. I'm loyal to Yoda. Completely biased opinion.
     
  13. Jun 6, 2011 at 4:28 PM
    #13
    IDtrucks

    IDtrucks Unhinged and Fluid

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    JVC Deck, 10" sub mountd in rear seat cubby, 2 LED off road lights mounted in grille, amber raptor style grille lights, LED rock lights, square led bed light, custom made fuse block tray, 12 blade Blue Sea fuse block, 100a marine circuit breaker, black plasti dipped full grille, tinted tail lights + third, Uniden 520 with 4' firestik, Bilstein 5100s with 620lb Eibach coils, Diff drop, Chevy 63 leaf swap, TG creeper joints, 14" triangulated biletein 5125s, 8" extended steel braided brake line, TG Rock Sliders, CBI Moab 1.0 front bumper, custom fabbed bed rack, full TRD E-Locker axle swap and matching re-gear with custom stand alone wiring circuit, 29 spline pinion flange from an 06 wishbone runner, tubbed for 35x12.5" general grabbers on Ultra type 181 wheels, crush sleeve eliminator, Mini ARB compressor, front ARB locker, garage fab aluminum front skid plate, custom built high clearence rear bumper, removable mothafuckin doors
    I think a supercharged 4x4 nissan would be fun, but yes, it is causing the engine to work harder and hotter. Also having an S/C means more moving/complicated parts, more stuff to break, and unless you drive like there is an egg under your foot, worse mpgs.
     

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