Question regarding 1997 Tacoma V6 4x4

Hello everybody!

I am looking to buy an old first gen Tacoma. I love the way they look and how they're known for their reliability. I know that Tacomas retain their value more than any other vehicle but should I still pay more than KBB or other used vehicle values? I'm currently looking at 1997 V6 4x4 with 185k miles it's going to need a new paint job but the frame is solid. Should I pay $600 over KBB? How much is too much to overpay on Tacomas?

Thanks!

 

Welcome aboard. Way too many variables to form an opinion on a truck only you saw. If you like the truck and are comfortable with the condition $600 over KBB isn't too much to ASK.
Offer less than asking price is not out of line. BRING CASH

 

It's really up to you. If I had been searching for a while and having a hard time finding something and I HAD to have a first gen taco(I wouldn't ever allow myself to be in that position anyway, buuuuuut) and the taco of my dreams was 500 over true kbb value, I don't think you can be faulted for it. And really, who cares what you spend on it? Just don't look for everyone's seal of approval on purchase price lmao

Generally most of the first gens sell quickly if they're 4x4 and listed for kbb price. The 4x2 little 5 luggers should be bought for kbb. Not more than kbb. Don't let the seller take a regular old plain Jane 5 lugger and try to piggyback off all the demand for the inflated priced 4x4s and Prerunners.

 

First and foremost, welcome to the forum.

Book values are meant to serve as a "guideline" for people that want to see values that could possibly mean shit in the real world.

KBB is good at giving people a pretty false value on a vehicle, since most of the time that number is inflated; if you could rely on a site that said good things about your vehicle's worth, you'd probably visit it more often with other vehicles you own, right?

With that being said, you need to focus more on market value in your area.

Good example is a Subaru WRX; where I live, a car like that wouldn't bring as much as someplace where AWD is necessary. Hence, the market where I live dictates that AWD isn't valued and/or needed by most vs a location that sees need and value in AWD where it snows or something.

A '97 V6 4x4 can vary from $1,500 up to $5,000 from northern to southern CA.

All depends on the overall condition, as well as documented maintenance.

 

really?
can you back that up with some concrete proof
show me the tacos!

 

Plenty of times have they come up on TW for that.

There's one for $4500 on CL with a good bit more mileage.

Are you questioning my post because I'm too high? Too low? I did vary a good $4000 as well as state "depends on overall condition" which applies to all vehicles.

 

i cannot find anything locally so idk
always thought CA was a pricey area!?

i usually use autotrader or cargurus when i feel the search is on
nationwide search is usually nil

 

It is generally pricey, but that's true of +99 models where they can jump up to $9000 easy

 

Thanks for all the responses