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My "Heartbreaking" First Gen Buying Story.

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Agent 21, Mar 21, 2013.

  1. Apr 22, 2013 at 8:47 PM
    #81
    banditstpk

    banditstpk Pabst knows best

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    patrick
    buckeye arizona
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    00 3.4L PreRunner TRD SR5 Xtracab
    deck plate, led lights interior, center hubs painted black,
    i got super lucky and picked up my buddies truck for $2000. he was getting deployed and didnt want to have to have it sit around or pay for storage
     
  2. Apr 23, 2013 at 3:45 AM
    #82
    bldegle2

    bldegle2 OldPhart

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    San Francisco, Ca.
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    2009 Prerunner TRD AccessCab
    New Navigation DVD/CD/TV/AV/Bluetooth Stereo and seat mod spacers, 1" hubcentric spacers, seat heaters....
    OP MIA?
     
  3. Apr 23, 2013 at 5:01 PM
    #83
    BarbaricYawp

    BarbaricYawp Active Member

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    First Name:
    Sara
    Camas Prairie, Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2010 TRD OR (Lucy) & 2001 SR5 (Zoe), both white
    MagnaFlow off-road exhaust, OME 885 lift w/ rear full Dakar leaf pack, anytime foglight mod and Contura V switch, aFe Pro-Dry S filter, color-matched grill, Yakima rack, ARE Z-Series shell, and probably more. Also have a 1996 regular cab DLX Tacoma and a 2014 DCLB Tacoma.
    Totally bummed by your story--I lost my '01 in a wreck and have been having the shittiest time getting over it, even after I got the opportunity for a significant upgrade (bought a 2010 even though the price was a punch in the gut, it was a possibility, so in the interest of safety features, I got it). I mean, what beats a 1st gen Tacoma? Nothing.

    But let me tell you, after you get broadsided on the highway through the middle of town and you flip and spin on your roof, that stabilizer bar and stability control starts sounding real nice. Broader wheelbase, too. Towing capacity ain't bad. I get the same kind of mileage in my new one as my old. I keep trying to find reasons the 2nd gen is really a good fit for me. (Still miss it, though.)

    Nonetheless, hope ya'll find one. I saw lots while I was looking for a replacement in the Eastern side of the country--it's really tough finding one in the Rockies, like pyroskier said (howdy from just up the road!). I gave up when, all things like rust and super high miles considered, plus the anti-roll stuff in the 2nd gen, the price for a near-new but still a few years old truck was not much more than for a "classic" 1st gen in any kind of good condition.

    Sigh.
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2013
  4. Apr 24, 2013 at 1:14 AM
    #84
    ExOkie

    ExOkie Well-Known Member

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    Gary
    Denver Metro
    Vehicle:
    02 Red TRD
    Deckplate Mod, Airaid Intake Hose and Filter Kit, Leer 100R Camper Shell, WeatherTech floor mats, WeatherTech bug deflector, WeatherTech window deflectors
    Like you I wanted a 1st Gen and knew what I wanted on it. 2001-2004, access cab, TRD, SR5, 4WD, 5 speed (OK you wanted auto but you get the idea), low miles. The difference was I had the cash in hand so I could check CraigsList and buy from a private owner. I started with a $10K limit and soon realized I was limiting myself to high mileage and older trucks. Man I looked at some "beaters". $15K got me into a nicer class of truck limited my choices. This was going to be my daily driver and I drive a lot so I had to be picky. Finally the day before Christmas last year (when everyone was tapped out due to Christmas AND it was a holiday weekend) I saw THE ad on Craigslist.

    Everything I had wanted to a T and ended with 5 magic numbers. 25000 miles! Even had a fabric tonneau cover! The little picture on CL showed a bright red Tacoma! I immediately sent an email expressing my strong interest and that afternoon I got an email back. Original owner. Female airline executive. Her 3rd vehicle that she used for gardening and home work. Always garaged. All scheduled maintenance done and with records. Even changed the timing belt when she had a water pump leak at 17K miles. She gave an address to look at it. I emailed back that I was interested in a test drive as soon as possible.

    The next day was Christmas and I went by the address. It was beautiful in her driveway. Looked even better up close. One little ding in the whole body. Beautifully maintained. Factory bed liner, plastic liner on the front of the hood, towing package, immaculate interior. I immediately went home and sent an email asking for a test drive. What I haven't mentioned is that she wanted $16K for it. My plan was to haggle her down to my $15K or lower. Blue book was $16.5K for a showroom quality so I was sure I could get her down. Later that night I got an email saying to meet her at the intersection down from her house at 11AM for a test drive.

    So the day after Christmas I drove back and now the truck is parked on the street into her subdivision. We introduced ourselves and she started showing me the truck and all of the service records. I was very impressed. As we were talking two other cars drove up and two guys also started looking over the truck! She said Hi to both of them then we took a test drive. It drove like a dream! Does that 3 beat starter rhythm and started immediately. As we got on the expressway she admonished me that she'd always shifted at 3K rpm in every gear. Man I was smiling ear to ear. I wanted that truck!

    So with the 2 guys waiting to drive it back at her house and as sweet as this truck was out the window went my haggling strategy. I told her that I would meet her in 2 days (when the banks opened) at her bank and we'd complete the deal. It was more than I wanted to spend at the time but I've never regretted it. Yes the seats suck but I'll be doing a TW mod soon to remedy that. In the first year I drove it over 30K miles and I'm looking forward to 300K more.
     
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2013
  5. Apr 24, 2013 at 1:23 AM
    #85
    mlittle

    mlittle T O Y O T A

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    Michael
    Fort Sill, OK
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    2014 Toyota Tundra Crew Max 4x4
    ExOkie,

    What mod are you doing for the seats?

     
  6. Apr 24, 2013 at 1:29 AM
    #86
    ExOkie

    ExOkie Well-Known Member

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    Gary
    Denver Metro
    Vehicle:
    02 Red TRD
    Deckplate Mod, Airaid Intake Hose and Filter Kit, Leer 100R Camper Shell, WeatherTech floor mats, WeatherTech bug deflector, WeatherTech window deflectors
    Something along the line of Madjik Man's Subaru Forester seats or some 4Runner seats.
     
  7. May 1, 2013 at 6:29 PM
    #87
    FramerKat

    FramerKat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    First Name:
    kAt
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2004 PreRunner TRD Limited DC
    Wheeler's five pack leaf springs, Bilstein 5100s (rear), front tint, windshield top tint, Century Camper Shell/Cap/Topper, Wade window visors, Wade bug shield, cassette adaptor (so I can play Slacker Radio via my phone!), Sunday Blues with Dar sticker, Wounded Warrior Project sticker, no NRA sticker 'cause I don't wanna advertise ;-)
    I had even tougher time finding a double cab first gen here in South Florida. It took me six months of searching in earnest and one popped up at a dealer not too far away. I went the next day to see it and it hadn't even been cleaned up yet, they had listed it on Auto Trader without having cleaned it first because it had been raining a lot then. Then after a test drive and inspection (it was in ridiculously good condition for being 8 years old with nearly 100k on the odometer), I went through the back and forth of negotiations for my trade in and final price. Got through that and then into financing...thus the heartbreak, they hit a stumbling block because I don't have a regular job...then when I involved the hubby's finances, he's got the mortgage on his and we're currently in a "strategic default" on our condo because of being upside down. I had to run an errand for a freelance job and the sales guy kept disappearing, so I just left (he had the keys to my trade in Mazda 3 on his desk). He called me while I was out really excitedly trying to get me to come back (guess he REALLY wanted this sale)...and that they had "worked something out" with one of the finance companies. So the hubby and I went back later, signed the papers, and it was mine...phew! And now I've had several people offer to buy it off of me...dealers, mechanics, individuals...I've never had such an in-demand vehicle before!

    And this is me with the truck that day :)

    [​IMG]
    Me and my new (used) Toyota Tacoma Prerunner TRD Limited ;-) by Kathy / Analog Soul Photography, on Flickr
     
  8. May 1, 2013 at 6:37 PM
    #88
    Hoyal

    Hoyal Whiskey bent and hell bound.

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    Devin
    N 39.2249 W -106.16974
    Vehicle:
    2013 Tundra
    Big tires, big lift, Lots of stuff's.
    Go to your bank and get pre approved for the loan so your ready when you find one.
     
  9. May 10, 2013 at 10:18 PM
    #89
    Agent 21

    Agent 21 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    OK everyone, I'm back, with an update on the whole situation. I see there are like 2 pages of new posts since my absence and I will go back and read them all over the course of the weekend, but right now it's 1am and I just want to give an update. Here goes:

    I've been traveling a lot for work so haven't had much time to come check the site, and then I get back and my totally awesome roomate decides to tell me that he's moving back home with his parents (he's 27 by the way!) because apparently smoking weed and buying videogames is more important to him than, you know, BEING AN ADULT and having your own place, and he "can't afford both".....so that basically torpedoes my Tacoma buying as now I DEFINITELY can't afford one since my rent/utilities/cable/Internet bills all just doubled. In retrospect, it's a pretty good thing I DID miss out on the Taco that was the subject of this thread, cause I'd be financially screwed right now!

    However, anyone who's been following the thread probabaly remembers that red one I posted from CraigsList. It was $9,700 I think, and in a town just off my island, like 15mins away. It had the rusty back bumper and some other minor cosmetic stuff, ad someone said I should make sure it really is a TRD cause they mistook it for a 4cyl (but it's a 6, and really TRD lol)? Someone else said I should offer $8,500 and start negotiations there. Well, I never got to go see it because I ended up leaving for Florida for work, and it was gone when I got back (before I knew roommate was gonna screw me over). I assumed it sold so that was end of it.

    Well, I haven't searched CL since my roomate dropped the bomb, because I didn't want to tease myself. But I'm sitting here bored and decided to do it just to see if it's the same old results or if anything new has come along in my absence, and what do I find?
    http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/3796967965.html

    It's back, and dropped to $8,500! Now, it's not "the one", and I think that was a conversation point last time I was active here, about it not "jumping off the page" at me, however, I'm gonna go look (I already emailed him to setup a time to come look ASAP right before coming to type this post). For one, $8,500 DOES fit in the current budget, because loan-wise I only need $7,000, as I've had money continually set aside for a future downpayment, so that's like $175-ish/mo, which is easy, even with the current bill increase situation. I've come to accept (with much dissappointment lol), that given my new situation of doubled bills, A 2nd gen is absolutely out of the question, and a "mint" first gen is as well since they are no less than $12,000 from what I've seen (for low miles and no blemishes/dents/rust etc). However, this one is still in good shape, has decent mileage, and has every feature I want, at a price I can afford. I even changed my search over to Ford Rangers after my roomate told me that, because I REALLY want a pickup, preferably by summer, and figured Tacos were absolutely out of range now. I don't want a big truck, so that pretty much just left Rangers (and I loved my 87 Ranger til I drove into a super deep puddle in a flash flood and killed the tranny haha). But the more I looked at em the more I realized I just don't care for the newer ones. Plus, the options I wanted made them only a couple thousand cheaper than a Taco, so it seemed pointless. So while this one may not be "the one", in terms of absolutely head over heels at first sight, I do really like it, and have since it was originally listed. This would still give me a really good tacoma, id get my pickup truck, it won't stress my finances, and then I'd still have something to hold its value for a good future sale when I AM ready to invest in a nice 2nd gen one day.

    So now that I just returned from my leave of absence with another novel post, any thoughts lol? For $8,500 that seems like a REAL good deal to me. Maybe I could even negotiate him a little lower. The only Tacos I've seen that low are either 170,000+ miles, REALLY beat up, non power, non TRD, 4Cyls, or some combo of all that. For this one to be only 130-something thousand, TRD, power everything, and in pretty good shape, seems like a "steal". Hell, I was excited about it a couple months ago when the thing was almost $10,000 lol.

    Thanks for following my thread everyone, and thanks for all the PMs I got offering advice/truck listings, and just checking up in general. Much appreciated.
     
  10. May 10, 2013 at 11:41 PM
    #90
    Loppy

    Loppy Active Member

    Joined:
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    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    02 4d TRD 4x4
    I started looking on Monday and had this in my driveway on Wednesday. Sorry. Had to rub it in. :D.

    Seriously though, I've had my eye out for months. Just happens I sold some stuff last weekend and had the cash. I tried getting a per approved loan but it was a pain in the ass for an older first gen. I got so lucky. Happened to have the cash and it popped up out of nowhere. Trd 4x4 4 door and even in super white. Crazy good timing. It's THE truck I wanted. :D. Best of luck man.

    image.jpg
     
  11. May 11, 2013 at 7:32 AM
    #91
    SpeedoJosh

    SpeedoJosh Well-Known Member

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    2010 Access cab, Base, 4x4
    Offer him $8000, and see if he bites
     
  12. May 11, 2013 at 8:50 AM
    #92
    Agent 21

    Agent 21 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That was my plan lol. Just waiting to get a reply to go check it out. I replied to the ad last night right before making my post, so probabaly around 12:30-ish (technically this AM I guess).

    Also, how does everyone feel about eBay, and possible shipping? I've found a BUNCH of first gens that I like on eBay, and te shipping estimates are $300-600 for the locations they are, which isn't too bad. The only thing that concerns me is not being able to see it in person/drive it before the purchase. I can look at vehicle history reports and scrutinize pics all day, and it could look great that way, but there's still that little nag in the back of my mind about not physically seeing it and driving it first. But man, there are like 5 on eBay right now, most are even BuyNow for $8,500-9,500, that have most, if not all, the features I've been searching for. Does ANYONE have experience with eBayMotors vehicle buying, or just buying a vehicle and having it shipped to you without physically checking it out yet? If so, how was the experience/process?
     
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    #92
  13. May 11, 2013 at 9:23 AM
    #93
    somethinboutayota

    somethinboutayota Dorthy left Kansas for a reason

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    Dodge City, Kansas
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    Go to get alignment- replace whole front end
    Debadged and painted, plasti-dip bumper , Sock monkey decals, tool box, K&N cold air intake, flag holder/fishing pole holder, Satoshi, magnaflow 40 series, spidertrax wheel spacers, map lights, led reverse lights, led dash assembly lights, roof top LED bar
    I had my heart broken by a tacoma too :( I drove 800 miles, total of 9 hours to go and pick up my truck that I finally found after 2 YEARS OF SEARCHING! I was so excited I couldn't sleep the night before we went to look at it, I ended up buying it and driving it 800 miles back to dodge shitty kansas with one successful week of drivimg it before my transmission blew :mad: I. Would have never expected this happen to me and paying for that transmission really took away that new truck feel and my budget for mods that I had planned. I have never felt this bad before, after 2 years of searching, found my almost dream truck ( wanted an 01to 04) drove it 1600 miles home only for the tranny to blow. Sorry for the long story
     
  14. May 11, 2013 at 9:48 AM
    #94
    Blindsider

    Blindsider Well-Known Member

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    Upstate NY
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    I was real lucky with mine last week. Sold my 2nd gen and found mine a week later. It was on craigslist and saw it Friday night at 1am. All it said was 02 TRD 75k miles, runs great and text for pics, $6500. Texted Saturday morning for pics expecting to see half a truck or something crazy like that but figured what the hell. Only thing wrong was the passenger door was hit, but he had a replacement door that just needed paint. Everything else was ok. Asked if I could see it monday but he said it might not be there as his phone was blowing up. I said screw it and hopped on my motorcycle to ride the 1 1/2 hours to see it. Everything was good except the frame had a small hole and its never been to the dealership. He had the frame checked and welded and resprayed as he didn't know it was there. (It was his ex wifes!) I offered $6k cash and he said fine!! Sure I'll probably pop the bed off to really attack any rust and respray the frame but for that price I don't mind any extra work. Got really lucky and I'm very thankful! Good luck to the OP! Keep hope alive.
     
  15. May 11, 2013 at 9:54 AM
    #95
    Agent 21

    Agent 21 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Oh man! I'm sorry dude, that sucks! How is it now though? Have you been able to start the mods yet?

    And this is off-topic, but your black badges in your pic reminded me of it. Has anyone ever heard of/seen a "blackout edition" Tacoma? One drove by me last week. It was a new one, IDK about 2013 model new as I didn't get to see the front bumper to see if it had that more squared, aggressive look around the fog lights, but it was definitely only a few yrs old 2nd gen, and every single thing was black. Wheels, badges, just EVERYTHING, it looks like a phantom. At first glance I thought it was a really clean blackout project but then it stopped at the light and I saw the decal on the back (where the TRD decal usually is). It wasn't immediately noticeable as the decal was all black as well, but matte black instead of shiny like the paint, and it said "Toyota blackout edition", or maybe it was "limited blackout edition". So that made me think it was a factory edition, like the Rawlings Tundra (that my friends uncle has, and is SOOOO nice). However, I googled it and only come up with blackout projects that people have done, nothing about a factory blackout edition. Does anyone know about this? The decal is what makes me think it came that way instead of it being a project. Either way, it was one of the coolest Tacos I've ever seen.
     
  16. May 11, 2013 at 9:57 AM
    #96
    Blindsider

    Blindsider Well-Known Member

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    Upstate NY
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    18 DCLB TRD OR
  17. May 11, 2013 at 9:59 AM
    #97
    bldegle2

    bldegle2 OldPhart

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    2009 Prerunner TRD AccessCab
    New Navigation DVD/CD/TV/AV/Bluetooth Stereo and seat mod spacers, 1" hubcentric spacers, seat heaters....
    Yes, it is important to drive first, however, during my quest after my first gen got totaled on the freeway when a Pelican landed on the bridge approach, I spotted a Craigs list Taco and immediately went down and paid for it, I did see it, but didn't even drive it till the next day when I got a friend to drive me back to bring her home...

    remember, you get a Taco from the South, Southwest or the West and your frame worries can pretty much take a backseat..

    Good luck...

    righteous dealio and have been fixing this and that ever since, she rides like a new truck now even though she is a little rough on the outside...some day maybe a new paint job, but dang, $3000/$4000 is lot for superior paint job and ding fixing is an awful lot to spend on 'looks', I can think of so many things I could do with the cash...
     
  18. May 11, 2013 at 10:00 AM
    #98
    Agent 21

    Agent 21 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That's awesome! Congrats on the score. I STILL haven't gotten a reply on the CL one. I'm wondering if it's cause he might think I "blew him off" last time. We were emailing to setup a time to come see it last time it was on there, but then I had to go out on the emergency job trip and never got to look. I explained all that in my email, and that it was gone from CL when I got back so I assumed it sold, but still, I wonder if that has anything to do with it lol. Problem is, he never gave me his number in those exchanges, just his address and told me to swing by. But that was like a month and a half or so ago, so I'm not just gonna show up now haha. Maybe he hasn't gotten the email yet, but I can't help but wonder if he isn't replying because he thinks I blew it off, or am not serious/just a "tire kicker" given last time. I'd hate to lose out on it because of a misunderstanding :/
     
  19. May 11, 2013 at 10:15 AM
    #99
    Blindsider

    Blindsider Well-Known Member

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    124
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    First Name:
    Craig
    Upstate NY
    Vehicle:
    18 DCLB TRD OR
    If its not far from you just drive by and see if its there. Maybe it has a for sale sign in the window and just stop in. Don't have to tell him you've already contacted him earlier.
     
  20. May 11, 2013 at 10:15 AM
    #100
    somethinboutayota

    somethinboutayota Dorthy left Kansas for a reason

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2013
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    #101146
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    First Name:
    Parker
    Dodge City, Kansas
    Vehicle:
    Go to get alignment- replace whole front end
    Debadged and painted, plasti-dip bumper , Sock monkey decals, tool box, K&N cold air intake, flag holder/fishing pole holder, Satoshi, magnaflow 40 series, spidertrax wheel spacers, map lights, led reverse lights, led dash assembly lights, roof top LED bar
    No i havnt really got to start the mods yet :( i spent about $1500 bucks on the tranny and another $1000 for new stuff on the engine and a run through like spark plugs every drop of oil changed and stuff like that, i usually do that stuff myself to save me some money but i was so disgusted i didnt even want to look at my truck. Ive been on craigslist and stuff looking for those great deals everyone always talks about where they pay close to nothing for some lifts or rims but have had no luck. Might be a little before i do something. By next summer im am definitely going to strive to make a plate or tube bumper and some rims. That blackout sounds awesome. I love blacked out tacomas! Thats the origional color i wanted so i could black it out but i am equally happy with my white truck.
     

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