What would you pay for this 02' Tacoma 4x4?

It sounds to me that you are pretty happy with 11300. It doesnt matter what everyone thinks its worth as long as you are happy with it and think it is worth that.

 

I do think it is a fair price for the configuration and mileage around here. I originally set out my budget for 9k and quickly learned that in that price range, they all had 160k miles on them. I just don't know if it's crazy buying a used truck in this price range. I know I can't compare, but I"ve seen 07' Frontiers and 05' Tundras with lower miles in the same price range.

 

Don't take the dealers word for it on the frame. Like others said, crawl under there and tap around with a ball peen hammer yourself. If the frame is good then go for it.

If the frame is bad let the seller know, and maybe work out a deal where he takes it to get the frame replaced and then you still buy it knowing it's got a brand new frame.

 

Thanks for the tip, I will definitely bring along a hammer to check the frame out. With Toyota's extended 15 year frame warranty, will I be covered until 2017 for a replacement?

 

They aint tacomas...

 

what he said Tacomas hold thier resell value far better then a lot of trucks out there. Plus the fact that it can be vary hard to find a good 1st gen bumps up the price as well cause people are willing to pay more to get what they are looking for

 

Yes, the frame is covered for 15 years from either purchase date or build date I forget which. You want to make sure it's good when you buy it because some people have had trouble getting it fixed within the first year of owning it (I think that was mostly the older ones with buy-backs though). Also I imagine at some point the 01-04s will turn into buy-backs instead of frame replacement as they stop making or run out of the frames. Also another reason to make sure the frame is good now in case you don't want to worry about losing your 1st gen to buy-back down the road.

 

+1. There was a member here who took their truck in and found that the dealership that he bought it from passed it as fine. Come to discover there was a lot of rust under that spray coating and it wasn't up to par.

 

Great info guys, it has been very helpful. I'm going to see the truck in a few hours, wish me luck! Will come back to update how things went.

 

Oh one more thing, outside of the known rusty frame, is there something else I should look out for on a truck with 87,000 miles?

 

Yupp I feel you bud, just don't settle...don't think the link was correct...good luck

 

YES! Open an account here and run the VIN to see the Toyota work history of it!

https://auth2.toyota.com/owners/apps/mytoyota/auth/ssl/OwnersLogin.do

It should show any time that the truck was in the dealership and what work was done. Anything from oil changes to regular service to recalls. I'd be concerned if there is hardly anything on its record.

 

Just my luck, the guy sold the car as I was on my way. I guess the search continues...

 

That sucks. You'll find one you like even better...

 

Thanks, while it does sting right now, I know the right one will come along.

 

Sorry to hear it sold. It sounded like a good deal. I was in the same boat as you this summer. I was looking for months before I found my truck. I thought I found "the one" three different times to have it sold right before I could look at it. Then I found my 02 DC with 47k on it. I paid 15k for it, though But it was right around KBB value and is in great condition, came with 2 sets of brand new tires, cap, and low miles. You will find an even better deal, just gotta put in some more time I guess. And you won't regret spending a little more than your budget in the long run.

 

traded in my 98 for about $6,000 and then wrote a check for $5,000 for my '02

 

For what its worth I paid 8 flat for my taco in June 2010. It had 121k miles at the time.

 

Holy crap, I got my 06 with 75k on it for cheaper than that

 

+1