1998 Tacoma TRD SR5 Buyer Help

Hello,

I am currently shopping around for an affordable, older model truck or SUV to get back into off-roading with. I came across a 1998 Tacoma TRD SR5 on Craigslist and I had a few concerns I was hoping to get a little help addressing. First of all, the kbb for this truck in "good" condition is around $4200, and this one is listed for $1500 ($1509 to be exact, which struck me as strange, but oh well). From the 3 exterior pictures the truck looks to be in superb condition, and there is no mention of mechanical damage, so I am assuming it is in running condition. This leads me to believe this is some kind of scam, it is stolen, or that the person just needs quick cash and/or has no idea of the value of the truck, which strikes me as unlikely.

Another thing that caught my eye was that he has it listed as having a AWD drivetrain and also an automatic. On Edmunds I could not find that combination in any of the models for this truck. Is that correct or am I missing something.

I can't seem to get ahold of the guy, so I was hoping to get some advice from this forum and see if this is bogus and I should stop wasting my time.

Thanks for your help,
speeg

 

SCAM

 

Scam for sure.

 

No tacoma has ever been AWD, they are RWD of 4WD. Too low of a price.

 

My mistake, it is listed as 4WD.

 

Post a link to the ad. There was a recent scam ad posted on here with three pictures of a truck in immaculate condition.

I bet it's the same images.

 

If you'll google search the image, you may well find it pictured on another forum or another for sale venue. By the actual owner.

I've never quite figured out the value of these 'scams', unless buyers are actually dumb enough to send a down payment to the 'seller' to 'hold' until they can get to see the vehicle. Which you'll never find either of.

 

Okay, post a link to the ad, I bet its still a scam.

 

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/5233793368.html

Ran a search on the images and didn't find any matches, for what that's worth.

 

My wife had a few of these type of requests with a wedding dress, example:

I'll mail you a check and have my friend come pick it up after you cash it.

 

Actually, came across this, not sure what to make of it:
https://www.uship.com/cost-to-ship/vehicles/cars-and-light-trucks/toyota/tacoma/

 

Uship is a bid site for delivering vehicles. The price is for the transport of the vehicle not for the actual vehicle itself.

 

Hi, Back in 2008 I owned a 1998 Tacoma TRD which I bought brand new in 1998. And it was auto. With 4 WD. And that was when Toyota had the recall on the frames. I know for sure that year was one. My local Toyota dealer found the size of a half dollar hole in my Frame. And the deal I got on the recall was awesome. My truck had 173000 miles and nothing mech. Wrong with the engine or Trans.