Buying a first Gen, random questions before I take the plunge!

Hey all! new to TW, but I am intent on getting my first official truck and am set on a first Gen taco. just had a couple of random-esq questions, as I'm hunting right now but second guessing on everything.

right now I'm on a budget and looking in the 8-10k range for a 4x4. I don't know what the markets like everywhere else, but up here in the Northwest (seattle area), Tacoma's are like gold and being held onto like such. so far the only trucks i'm seeing are in that high mileage range (180-230k) which is about what I expected. I've heard raves about how good the 2.7 and 3.4's are, but is there anything drasticly wrong with buying high mileage on these?

as far as the 2.7 and 3.4, I'm not entirley set on one or the other. the 2.7 would be nice for that extra couple MPG's, but the 3.4 sounds better in the long run as I haul dirtbikes (and in the near future maybe a small pop up trailer) on decent size roadtrips. as of now, it's more of me waiting on one clean and having most of what I want as far as options (CC, AC, Power). any imput on preferances of motor size? concerns?

and as far as the TRD package goes, is that just an E-locker in the rear and different gearing? do the non TRD equipped first gens come with anything of that nature from the factory? (such as manual locking hubs) Sorry if all these questions seem silly, just my first vehicle that I intend to make last for atleast 10 years, want to make sure I do it right and get all my research done beforehand!

-Ron

 

Hopefully that helps out and answers most your questions

 

Sorry but the above poster is wrong. I too initially had a budget of about $10K.


It took $14K and change to get there, and I'm far from being alone. The fact that Yahoo news decided in Dec 2011 to name 1st gen tacos on their "vehicles that do not depreciate" list sure hasn't helped, nor the fact that a lot of this trucks have been bought back and remove from circulation.


Here is a link that you need to read:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/199866-1st-gen-ongoing-prices.html


Good luck!

 

It's not that he's wrong, you just have to get lucky and jump on one when the opportunity arises. I had a budget of 11k and was able to get an 01 DC 4x4 with 80k miles for 10.5k.

 

1st gen ftw. i have a 97 2.7 4x4 with lock outs in the front. i love it. its manuel so i have enough torque to haul my honda atv on a trailer. I'd love to have a v6 but my 2.7 is great with gas prices so high. i've seen 1st gens with 300k miles on them, just keep up with maintance. best of luck in w/e you choose.

 

I said it was do-able if he went out of state possibly, i paid 3k for mine so i know they can be found for good prices... I find them all over for 8k or so it will just take time and be worth it in the end to wait for the right one but jump on it asap when you do find it!

 

Didnt know that till now!

 

Yea an early tacomas you can find cheaper too. Bought my 96 V6 4x4 5spd with 96k on it for 6k. However, no locker as toyota didn't offer it as an option really till 97.

Biggest thing id go for if i buying another is the locker, the tranny type, then motor type. The rest to me anyways is irrelevant as it'll be pretty much the same. Oh and get a 4x4

 

^ Oh i knew mine had it as well as my moms prerunner just didnt realize the metal skid was a TRD thing

 

My 96 has a metal gas tank skid, and it's a non-TRD?

 

just saw this on CL:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2841715251.html

 

X2

 

Probably just another example of the 96-97 truck superiority

 

not to fond of the color but thats a pretty good deal for the mileage...all it takes is some looking around

 

^So true

 

I got mine from Colorado Springs, after having two sold from under me, back home in FL. One in Panama City and the other right back home in Tampa.


I scanned the ALL the parts of this country that do not use salt during the winter. Searching for my Taco almost became an obsession as these thing are harder to find than Duck's teeth.


One dude in this forum scored a BEAUTIFUL white TRD SR5 extra cab for about $11K and his had only like 25K miles, but he's the only one in a LONG list of posters that came out clean like that. Not trying to be argumentative, but this things are freacking red hot, and are marketed accordingly...

 

paid $4,500 for my 97 4x4 with 100,000 miles. Idk about every1 elses market but thats a steal here. dealer was going to list it for $7,999.