Looking at my 1'st Tacoma today, what's it worth?

Hey Everyone,

I've been shopping for a Tacoma for longer than I'm willing to admit, and found one I'm really interested in buying. Hoping to get some advice as to what you all think the truck is worth, and maybe some pointers as to any specific things I should look for given it's age and mileage.

So, for the truck:

-2002 Extended Cab SR5 4wd
-3.4, 5sp Manual
-180,000 miles
-TRD Supercharger
-Has an aftermarket rear dif. lock, don't know what make/model yet
-3" lift with adjustable coils in front, don't know any more details yet
-Has aftermarket off road bumpers and rock rails, not sure what brand but they look like high quality stuff
-Has new timing belt, water pump, cam sensor, ignition module,upper and lower ball joints, wheel bearings, spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, front rotors and pads
-Includes topper w/roof rack (not pictured)

My ONLY reservation with the truck is the mileage, but of course part of the appeal with these trucks is their longevity - so maybe I shouldn't be too concerned about that.

Any input is much appreciated!

-00XJCO

 

What does it look like underneath?
Frame rust is a problem on tacomas.

 

I won't know for sure until I go look at it. It's in Colorado which see's a lot of winter time moisture on the roads, but uses mag-chloride instead of salt so I typically don't see vehicles with much rust in this area.

I've been reading that Tacomas from this era are sometimes covered under warranty if there are frame rust issues. Does this apply to secondary owners?

 

I have never really understood the frame recall. Secondary owners are covered I believe. I'm sure someone else will chime in on how it works.

 

Anyone have any ideas as to what a fair price would be for this one? $10,000?

 

You get 150% of the kbb value I beleive. I also think the deadline has passed though...I could be wrong. You can still probably get the frame coated to prevent rust.

For secondary owners you have to have the truck "x" amount of time...I dont know what"x" is though.

 

In terms of what the truck is worth, or is that in reference to the frame recall in some way?

 

If your truck is worth 10k on the kbb value (i think of the excellent condition value?) toyota will give you a check for 15k and take your truck.

Doesnt matter if your truck is average condition or less than average condition. But I do think I read the recall is over. Let me look some stuff up to make sure im not just blabbering..

 

Got it. Thanks a lot for checking on that for me!

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/51878-frame-replacement-2000-2004-tacomas.html

This thread basically sums it up. You can enter your vin at toyotas website and that should tell you about the warranty issue as well I believe.

 

Sorry to bash some of the previous posts, however there is a lot of misinformation being given here. I'd consider myself somewhat of an expert on the Tacoma frame recall as my frame on my 2002 was just replaced a few weeks ago and I made damn sure I knew every bit of information available.

First off the buyback at 1.5x blue book was only for the 95/96 - 2000 Tacomas.

For the 2001 - 2004 Tacomas, registered for a significant amount of time in "cold climate" states (ie northeast, rustbelt) the truck must have been brought to a registered toyota dealer and the frame inspected and coated with Toyota's CRT (Corrosion Resistant Treatment) aka thick black tar crap, prior to 12/31/11 (with the exception of NY 12/31/12). If it was brought in before these dates then the truck's frame is under a 15 year date of manufacture warranty against rust perforation, so in your case until about 2016. If the truck was not brought in before then for inspection or replacement, then you are SOL.

Again this recall only applied to trucks registered in "cold climate" states, so if you're down south or something you're again SOL at least in terms of the recall. However rust probably isn't a problem for you down there anyways.

If you need more info please ask I'll be happy to share

EDIT:

I see you're in CO, which is not included in the Recall sorry. But the MgCl2 they use on the roads shouldn't give you any rust problems. I looked at a '96 2wd Tacoma from CO before i bought my truck and it was the most rust-free undercarriage I've ever seen. I live in northern NY, enough said.

 

Thanks a lot for all that information. I am going to look at the truck in just a few minutes now so I will likely come back with some more detailed information and questions. Like you said, the mag chloride isn't something to worry about in CO - but not knowing the history of the truck yet, it could have come from anywhere. Just to clarify, if the truck was inspected prior to 12/31/11, it will have a warranty for whoever owns it until 2016, including a second, third, etc. owner?

Thanks again for all the responses, and if anybody would like to chime in with their opinion on what the truck is worth, I'd love to hear that too. Based on the asking price and what I've seen comparable trucks sell for on eBay, what they are asking seems almost suspiciously fair!

 

Yes, you could be the 100th owner and the warranty would still be valid on the truck. Provided, again, it spent a significant amount of time in one of those cold climate states and was inspected prior to 12/31/11.

I'd be willing to bet there's hardly any rust on it because of the MgCl2. But still give it a good inspection. If the guys painted or undercoated the frame knock on it with the end of screwdriver/flashlight, whatever you've got on you or just your hand and feel for possible soft spots. It should make a *dong* noise like you'd expect from a hollow metal rail. Rust perforation tends to occur around the shackles for the rear leafs right on the main rails so give that a good look both on the sides and underside of the rails there.

Again though, I don't think rust will be an issue for this truck.

And as for a fair price, that supercharger is a sought after option, and with the v6, all the armor and add-ons, I'd bet the guy is asking around 9k? I don't know the market out there but up in the Northeast where all the 1st gens have rusted away, they're worth their weight in gold apparently. Good luck and let us know how it goes

 

10k sounds high for the miles..

 

Looks like a nice truck, the miles are a tad high. BUT IT'S GOT A SKEWP

 

I got my 2000 with 126k for only $8500 but the guy was very nice and is on TW, this is somewhat like mine but a 02, more miles and a supercharger, so I'd say 10k max talk him down to 9k or even 8500 because of the miles other than that seems like a good truck (from the info you've provided) Good luck!