Looking at getting a 96 Tacoma

Hi all,

I'm looking into getting a 96 Tacoma for sale near me. It's a 4x4, 5 speed, with 180,xxx miles. Owner says he recently replaced both cv axles, put in a new sway bar, end links, and warn hubs, as well as a new clutch. He also says he just recently changed the timing belt and water pump, and has receipts to prove it. He says it runs and drives great, and the only issue with it is some chipping clear coat on the front fenders. He's asking $5,500 for it. I have just a few questions that I was hoping someone here might be able to help me with.

1. Do Tacomas tend to hold their value much beyond the Bluebook value? I've been searching for a couple weeks now, in my state, as well as all the bordering states within a 3-4 hour drive, and it seems that if they're in good mechanical and cosmetic condition, they go for at least $5,500+, well above the $4,100 Bluebook value for Excellent condition.

2. Are there any glaring issues I should look out for on the 1st Gen. Tacomas? Anything specific I should check when going to look at and test drive one?

3. Are the engines on the 1st Gens interference or non interference? Just wondering how big of a priority a timing belt change should be if I can't determine when the belt was changed in any that I look at.

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate it!

 

1) pretty much. Varies by market, but they are high

2) frame rust. Beat on it with a hammer, probe it with pry bars

3)www.gates.com will confirm for any vehicle if someone doesn't answer.

 

What size motor?? V6 3.4?? Reg cab?, my first clutch went out at 250,000 miles

 

A major issue tacomas are known for is frame rust

The frames on these trucks are known to rust and rot quite fast and pretty bad if not rustproofed properly, especially in cold climate areas. So, where did the truck spend its life? If the truck is from an area where salt and chemicals are used during winter for de-icing roads, you should be extra wary about any frame rust issues

The only way to tell if the frame is good, is to hit it with a hammer.
The place to check first would be where the leaf springs attach to the frame right behind the cab, as this is usually the first place where these frames start to rot. Also, I heard that the inner frame rail by the gas tank is commonly rotten on good looking but rotten frames.

Since these frames rot from the inside out, they can look good from the outside, when in fact they are rotten. Try to poke a finger through the square holes that run along the sides of the frame rails to see how much rust flakes and chunks there is in there. If full, probably not a good sign, but hitting it with a hammer is really going to tell you if it's rotten or not

Also, for the timing belt/chain, this could help you
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/whats-the-longest-youve-gone-on-a-timing-belt.483110/
by the way, I4 2.4L and I4 2.7L have a chain, while the V6 3.4L have a belt