What’s my Tacoma worth?

Too bad that seller doesn’t know that SR5 came with alloy rims
And
I’m not 100% on this but
SR5 not equipped with 2RZ/3RZ nor 5 lugs

guess the Taco Secret is out….beware of scammers/flippers

 

If I had as many service records as my current truck, and it's as up to date on everything $14k. If it's what you've posted so far, $6k (since I'd just assume I have at least 40 hours of labor and a thousand+ in parts to sink into it)

 

I paid top dollar/slightly overpaid for mine $23000, the 2021 market inflation and California did me dirty. 67k miles, manual, 4x4 with locker, clean everything garage kept 1 owner. I wanted it enough I guess. Other trucks not as nice with 100k+ miles were listed 18-21k at the same time period.

 

"Jenny, I got your number..."

 

I've only bought one 1st gen (mine) and I've never sold one, so I'm just a guy with an opinion. But I wouldn't entertain anything less than $10k-11k for this truck, and that's the absolute floor. I'd be asking $15k if I were trying to sell it, but I'm based in SoCal where the market is nuts.

The biggest factors for me are that it's 4x4, clean, double cab, and extremely low-mileage. This configuration (4x4 5VZ-FE Double Cab) was only available from '01-'04, so they're not super abundant like an Xtra or Regular Cab. With the 5VZ engine and redone frame, this is practically a new truck, timing belt and paint aside. Your truck is probably in the bottom 5% of mileage for 1st gens still on the road (pulling numbers out of my ass).

I know an extra $10k+ would go a long way for a downpayment on a 4th gen, but you've got a really clean, capable truck, presumably paid off, and it has a cool 200k miles left in it. If you could manage to put together the money for a 4G some other way, it'd be pretty sweet to have both.

 

Low mile and original condition. If the frame is mint like a west coast or desert truck could easily hit 20k on bringatrailer. That’s where you’ll get the best money.

 

Hearing the options on keeping it, I’m kinda thinking selling might not be the smartest idea. Even if it’s for a 4th gen. I’m kind of leaning towards keeping it and forgetting the 4th gen for now.

 

You'll always be able to buy a 4th gen, but it's only getting harder to find another 1st gen as nice as yours!

 

keep it!!!!
I've had mine since 2010. I don't drive much so it only has 156k miles on it. This is the longest amount of time that I've ever owned a vehicle of any kind. It's been absolutely reliable.

 

Anyone who buys it would be a fan. I just upgraded my '96 (got destroyed) with a gen 3, and am really liking it. A lot. And it feels very similar.

I loved my old truck, but newish one performs much better and is much safer.

 

It's worth what someone is willing to pay for. Take your time with that. Nice truck! Good luck!

 

These are non-interference engines so there is zero chance of a broken timing belt taking out your engine. If it breaks all that happens is the engine stops running. Put a new belt on it and you are good to go.

 

With the low mileage I think you'd do well cleaning it up, replacing the timing belt and putting it on Bring a Trailer. Look at the completed results on 1st gen double cabs. I'd guess $18k, maybe more if the paint cleans up nicely and you take some good pictures.

https://bringatrailer.com/toyota/tacoma-n1x0-1994-2005/?sortby=bd&search=Double+Cab

 

My neighbor's grandson's 4runner had a timing belt snap about 3 months ago. Took out the motor. Had 90 psi of compression on cylinder 3 afterwards, it ran well prior to the belt snapping. There were impact marks on the head of the piston in cylinder 3.

Made a thread about it on here, and several Toyota mechanics chimed in that they had seen several other 5vz's ruined by timing belts snapping. It's not common, but not impossible either

 

Last year of the first gen with low mileage and no rust, I wouldn’t be surprised if you got $20k for it. Might not sell fast at that price though and you’d need to make sure it’s damn near perfect before posting it. Just my opinion of course, take it with a grain of salt.

 

If I were you, I would keep it. You're not going to find another one easily and if you do it's going to be big bucks. Keep what you have..

 

You can always just list it somewhere not so official to see if you get any bites without full intent on selling it. List it for top dollar 18-19k with no rear locker maybe 20-21k with rear locker.

 

I would replace all belts and water pump. Paint the hood and top of the cab and list it with an asking price of 18K.

Does it have a clean carfax?

 

It does have a clear carfax.