Is this a good deal? Nervous about buying

Hey everyone, in a first time buyer and in college so I want to make sure I'm getting a good deal on a Tacoma I found. It's a 2002 taco with a 1.5 lift and the TRD package as well as the SR5. The guy who's selling it is only selling it because he got a new 2014 taco. It's got 143k on it, is that high? How long should I expect this to last if it has gotten all routine maintenance done? Also, it has not had the timing belt replaced yet. Is that a huge issue? He wants $6500 for it. What's everyone think? Good buy or no?

 

Miles are normal for the year, if the condition is good, so is the price...but by the time my 94 Toy five lug, standard cab hit the 12 year mark, it had double those miles and was ready for a new owner with a good set of tools...

 

Definitely get it checked out by a professional (or someone who is knowledgeable about 1st gen Tacomas) for overall condition and specifically for known issues such as frame rust. Is it a 4x4? If so, and the condition is good, that is an excellent price (at least in my area). If timing belt, etc have not been changed (100k service), be prepared to drop $500 minimum to update all services (t-belt, waterpump, belts, hoses, coolant flush, tranny flush, etc.)

Still a pretty good deal IMO.

 

Thanks everyone. I thought the timing belt alone would be 700-800 bucks?

 

Depends on the shop for the price with the timing belt. Frame rust should be your number 1 check. Biggest thing on gen 1s is the rust factor.

 

4x4? I think thats not a bad deal but you should do the timing belt soon. My guy did the timing belt job for 400 but he gave me a deal

 

I assume you aren't an English major? Just busting your balls.

I would strongly suggest that you have the vehicle checked out by a mechanic.

 

just don't buy with student loans..

 

Hahaha no student loans involved. My grandma is purchasing me a vehicle and I want a Tacoma pretty bad. However, I need something that is going to last a little while. And it's actually not a 4x4. Just has the TRD package! How many miles do you think it would hold up for?

 

Another 200k as long as you maintain it.

 

Depends on what you're wanting to do with it and what he did with it.

 

I'm just going to be using it as a daily driver. I'm going to take it to a mechanic and have it checked out but if it clears the rust and other inspections I think I will buy it. I would love to get even 150k more out of it! I will more than likely only out 15k a year on it. I'm pretty stoked on it, but want to make sure that I'm not making a stupid purchase on impulse. It has a 1.5" "Ready Lift" on it. Anyone had experience with that particular lift?

 

You haven't mentioned the motor. If it is a 4-cylinder, then it does NOT have a timing belt (instead, it would have a chain).

 

What part of Texas are you in, and what part has the truck been in? Certain areas could be rust indicators, especially by the gulf. Having it checked out by a tacoma knowledgable person would be a good idea. Is it a double cab? If so $6500'is a great price! If it's an ext cab then still a decent price but since it still needs the timing belt you should try to get it for at least $500 less but try for $5500 or $5000 and see what the seller says. If he sees your motivated to buy then maybe he will drop the price a decent amount just to get it off his hands.

As for the lift, it's probably making the ride quality suffer a little. Spacer lifts are known to be a little jarring, but if you didn't notice anything then maybe it's not so bad. Ready lift is popular with those who want the taller stance but don't mind a stiffer ride.

 

It is the 3.6 V6 liter engine. And it has been in lake jackson which I believe is far enough away from the water.

 

So y'all definitely think it would last to 200k with one routine maintenance?

 

Not one routine maintenance. Routine maintenance is a constant cycle of caring for something to make it last. Changing fluids, lubing components, replacing wear items before they fail.

 

I meant to put *only.

 

It could last a great deal longer or it could blow a rod a week after you buy it. Generally the 1gens are 300k mile trucks as long as they're taken care of.

There will be problems that come up, thats normal.