Buying advice on 98 Taco with low miles

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum and could use some advice on an opportunity that just came up to buy a 98. It is a co-worker's elderly uncle's vehicle that he bought new and has kept maintained garaged. He has priced it at $14,500 and here are the particulars:

98 Access Cab 4x4 6 cyl auto with 53k miles.
SR5 pkg, Toyota bedliner and hitch
New BFG Long terrains
All records, no accidents, clean paint and interior (no cracks, splits or burns)

I am going to test drive it and look it over tonight. I know to check the frame and ask if he took it in for an inspection...but wow the price is steep. What range do you think I should be offering? He is buying a new full sized truck and says he was offered $11k on trade....

I currently own an 02 4runner sport edition with the 3.4 and AT so are we talking essentially the same running gear or were there significant differences in the 98? Looks like similar power....

My current truck is a 94 Toyota 4x4 std cab and it's just too small for me and my two sons but a great truck. Much more crude in terms of daily livability than the 4runner so just trying to draw some thoughts on the 98. At $14K I'm nearly tempted to bite the bullet and get a new one...

 

Wow nice mileage on that truck. Have the frame gone over real good

 

ok I will. Anything that I can ask about the recall in particular? I have read some about it but I remember it only applied to vehicles within 15 years of new ...or is that 15 years from date of inspection? Since this one is now 17 years old I want to clarify. We live in a fairly temperate region here in East TN but the roads do occasionally get salted...

 

If it was garage kept with that low of miles chances are the frame is fine. I bought my tacoma in a similar situation. One owner, older guy, garage kept. I bought it with 180k miles and the frame was immaculate. Mine was a 98 as well. The frame was recalled but since it was in such good condition they just applied some undercoating to it. Sounds like a sweet truck!

 

Thanks 98. your experience is encouraging. I'll let you know once I look at it tomorrow evening. I do expect its spotless but we will see. Thanks for your reply

 

I bought my 98' with 47k miles on it for 6k a few months ago. Mine was not kept in a garage though and has some clear coat issues on the hood and driver side fender and a dent in the driver side door but overall it is very clean and drives great. I've put about a grand into it so I have about 7k into it right now. The money I put into it was stuff that needed to be done anyway though. Tires, plugs & wires, replaced all fluids in the truck & stuff like that. I've already had people offer me 10k for mine so if it's as clean as you say it is it might be worth 14k but only to the right person. It would have to be somebody like me that actually likes the 1st gen Tacomas more than the 2nd gens lol. I had a 2012 and I just never really warmed up to it so I sold it. This is my second 1st gen and it feels good to be back in one.

 

Ok I checked it out. Body is spotless and frame is fine. Interior 9.5 out of 10. New tires (but they are 235's so they look too small for my taste). He has all records and just spent $700 on a "60,000" mile service that included all fluids, filters, belts and brake pads. This thing is mint. He indicated he will take $13k for it. Wish I could figure out how to post pictures. It has 59200 miles on it.

 

Usually 2001 double cabs go for that much.

 

You need to seriously consider a newer model for that price. DAMN. I sold a '99 4x4 access cab in July for half that much in similar condition, but with 125k miles. Autotrader is your friend. Do some research, that is a lot of cash.

 

His 11K offer on a trade in means they want to own the truck for 8-9K. Price is high for the truck but the truck sounds nice. Try going on a few national car web sites like autotrader.com to get some comparison prices so you have some proof of why you are offering less than he is asking and stress how much you are looking forward to really taking good care of the truck.

According to nada.com the clean trade-in is $6800 and the clean retail is $9150.

Well, I checked on auto trader.com and you may not want to reference them as the posted examples of the truck with that year and the mileage are as much or higher then this guy is charging.

 

Yeah that's what I was finding too. Can't believe how fricken much these gen 1's are bringing. For example my local chevy dealer has a super clean gen2 (05) DSL cab trd offroad with new tires and records for $15k. But it has 165k on the clock. Drives and runs well and has the space I need. I think I will pass on his gen 1 and look for a double cab

 

Thanks for checking for me Ace. Ok he hasn't listed it yet but just told me he'd sell it for 13k. Maybe if I wait a day he will come down to 11 . Seriously I think my trusty 94 std cab will do until I find a double. ok am I screwing up?

 

I don't think you are. You can get into an '05 4x4 double cab for that price. Took me 4 months to find exactly what I was looking for, and had to drive 200 miles to pick it up, but the wait was definitely worth it.

 

He's trying to blow smoke up your ass. He can get a guaranteed trade-in of 11K...but I'll hose someone else for $3,500 more if I can?

Tell him to put down his crack pipe. I'd pass - you can do better.

Ed

 

Thanks Ed and Jeppa. I'm moving on then. Hey Jeppa, tell me about your 05. I mentioned one above that I looked at but high miles. Really clean ride and the drive convinced me I want to hold out for a 4 door. Space was perfect for my brood.

 

Yep. Unless a 98 taco is your dream vehicle and his is the last one I'd pass without a blink. You can buy it right now for 14k, drive it across the street, and with patience get someone to buy it from you for 5k. That's a bad investment.

I got my 2k with 100k on the clock for $3600.

 

Good point.
If you can't drive it across the street and sell it for the same amount, you are paying the 'must have' premium.

There's nothing wrong with that. Just don't hesitate to shop around more if price is your top priority.