First Taco Purchase: What's a reasonable price?

Looking to purchase a 1st gen to play around with a little off road and camp in on the weekends. Truck will not be my DD. Looking for something clean but on a budget. I've found this truck with the following description:

2002 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 ext cab. 3.4 V6 automatic Truck has a 6in Fabtech Suspension lift w/ 285/75/16 on Bullet hole rims. 188K miles.

I have attached a pic of the truck. What do you guys think is a reasonable ballpark figure and what should I be on the lookout for besides rust?

 

When was the timing belt / water pump serviced?

 

8k

 

What's the interior like?

 

Where part of the country?

 

Timing belt was a good question to ask.
Price depends on your area some I would think but I'd pay $6k probably.

 

Me personally I would not buy a "modified or altered" vehicle. But that's my opinion.

 

I already asked about the timing belt and the owner says he believes the previous owner changed it at 145k. I'm located in SC and he is asking $10k. In my opinion that's high.

Interior is in pretty good shape.

 

10k for sure sounds high. I'd browse around the 1st gen for sale section and see what others have sold for.

 

Check out Davis AutoSports. They always have clean Tacomas.

 

Thanks, but there's absolutely zero chance that I'm paying what they're asking for a truck like this.

 

Me personally I would pay a little extra than buy someone else's nightmare.

 

bought my 2k for 7500.

 

Location being the biggest: basic rule of thump is the farther west you go the higher the price in most cases

California/Hawaii prices being the highest

Mileage: 100-200k is reasonable for a 1st gen but still expect a high price compared to other trucks (Tacoma tax)

Records: maintance records are key,look for the maintainance on timming belt/water pump etc. (timing belt replacement stickers are located on the air box)

Frame rust: keep your eye out, these truck are great but rust on the frame is a death sentence if not taken care off

You need to compare trucks in your area:
Go on Craigslist and search veichles around you. Compare price/mileage/#of owners and all other info you can get

Lastly and most important, if you don't know much about the Tacoma or cars or trucks in general I HIGHLY ADVISE you to ask for a 3rd party mechanic to take a look at any truck before you buy used. You know more of what your buying, and can find legit reasons as to why to lower the price.

Beware of carfaxes they do not show everything

1st gens maintained well with 1 owner are out there, just gotta find them and have your cash ready.

 

I would look for a truck with a 3" or less lift... Tacomas are extremely capable with 3" or less and you keep more fun factor than if you had a larger lift. I don't care for the larger lifts on gen 1 Tacomas, but that's just me. And I love the name OP!