Advice on 1996 4x4 Please

Hi,

Here's the ad:

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/4034334558.html

I feel it is slightly over priced but frankly in the past month of searching the SW I have not seen much better. Seems well cared for and up-to-date.

This will be my 3rd Taco but 1st 4x4. I am a geologist and I need to get to the back country of the Mojave. Nothing too radical but I need clearance and reliability. I will log plenty of hwy miles and this will be my only vehicle.

I have been pretty baffled as of late and almost paid similar for:

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/4043874437.html

but the Fabtech 6" scared me away.

Locally I find junk or like this:

http://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/cto/4049080611.html

SO I'm looking at spending at least $8k for a <200K miles Taco 4x4...right?

Or am I just shopping at a bad time...

Anyway the first one intrigues me most and seems like the best value.

What should I look out for? Anything stand out?

Thanks alot! I'll be here a lot with which ever when ever I get one or the other.

Warren

 

Yeah that one may be a little steep & probably smart for shying away from the other, what you want is something reasonably stock , a mild lift would be your best ticket .. Bilstein 5100's in front on stock coils with Bilstein 5125's with either AAL or if you have the $$$ get coil overs & new leafs altogether, but you'll be spending over $1000

If you keep looking tho' you'll find something newer with less miles most likely, might want to expand your search area also...good luck in search..

 

I think its way overpriced. I paid 6300 for my 96 with 96k on it. From the DEALER.

Too much money for the miles IMO. I mean..not that the miles are stupid high for these trucks..

Unless you can talk him down to at least 7k id keep looking. Something will come around.

if your dying for it, make sure to also ask about:

-Timing belt
-water pump
-spark plugs/wires
-air filter
-fuel filter
-don't believe a word they say, get under and check the frame for rust/repairs
-CV boots
-U Joints
-Carrier bearing


Also id bet money its a spacer lift so it probably rides really stiff and bad. So probably have to replace the suspension within a year or two as well.


Other then that looks like a clean truck.

 

Thanks guys,

Yea I'm in El Paso and have been looking from San Diego to Alburquerque. I have an AZ license and AZ registration is dirt cheap and no smog out of metropolitan areas so AZ vehicles appeal to me.

Maybe there is something in the water in the SW as all the Tacos or $runners I've seen for less than $5K are in poor shape. The ones I've seen for sale with less than 150K on them are over $10K not matter the age! Look at this $5600 with 300K miles:
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/4051427689.html

Aside from the price and I'll find out more specifically about the work done, any red flags on the '96?

I found a '98:

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/4053129690.html

Tires ar shot and no spare so right off the bat another $500-$700 right? Any tire advice for such a ride? Discount Tire?

El Paso to Tucson this morning to look at them!

Thanks

Warren

 

RE:
http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/4034334558.html

Oh my gosh! How funny can it get. I drive 300 miles to see this "immaculate" '96 Tacoma. Owner assures me it is all up to date and ready to go with zero issues fully aware it's going to be a 600 mile day for me...

Well it takes me about 30 seconds to get past the great paint and body to notice rack and pinion boots rotted off and power steering fluid leaking all over. Well not all over as the owner did not want to leak on his driveway so he never fills it and just lest it leak a little. Of course it howls like crazy when you turn the wheel.... OS I ask him "what's the deal with this? You said "immaculate"" He replies..."This doesn't bother me".............! This discussion is taking place as we come around the top and have a look at the motor. The timing belt sticker says it should have been replaced 40K miles ago! His jaw kind of drops at this.... But says it's not a big deal. The brakes were alos very spongey....

OK Neither a "big deal" fine..BUt now he says in light of this he will not accept one cent less than the $8500 he priced a baselined turn-key and roll for 100K miles Tacoma he claimed on the phone. SO I slam him against the Tacoma and have him in this headlock...just kidding... I was too stunned to say much else and was more amused ant the arrogance of this guy to not even acknowledge his "mistake" basically making me sound picky....He did keep pointing out how great the body was.

Also the tires had a lot of tread but looked old.... there was cracking in between the lugs. Is that natural and ok for over sized off road tires?

Looked at a '98 as well and while not as egregiously false in his statements it had plenty of issues as well that easily could have been explained over the phone; needs a clutch and timing belt and probably brakes.

Any way... I'll be confining my search closer to home from now on. That makes 5 Toyotas looked at and 4 blatant liars and one paid less attention to detail.... sigh....

Any further clues to assist my hunt please feel free to chime in.

Been a long day...

Warren

 

I say wait til you find what you want if you can. not many feelings that are worse than regret.

When I was in ABQ looking I found a private seller for a '98 w/115k miles and 4x4 5 speed 4 cylc single cab with camper for $7500. Truck was in great condition but I only offered $7k and didn't get it.

You have all the big TX cities, the two kind of big NM cities, and the two big southern AZ cities to look in. I'm sure you'll find something sooner than later

Luckily I found my baby not to long afterward and she was 1500 miles closer to home. Had to pay more b/c it was from a new car dealer but I like the '01-'04 body face, SR5 package, and the auto engaging front hubs better. In the end I'm glad I stuck to my offer

 

Warren,

Greetings from Tucson... Well regarding your 1996 4x4 post, well it's funnyI actually saw this truck too and I had no where near your feeling of the truckand seller... not trying to defend the guy or anything, but before bashing aguy I think there are somethings to take into considerations....

- Prices in Tucson are VERY high like you have noticed...

- THIS guy told me he would replace the timing belt at the given price at$8500, Did he offer you this? Which if he get's it done I'll most likely buy it

- The rack and pinion really does not affect drivability other then a squeal...When I drove it, which was Sunday the 8th... It drove perfect, other than the squealat full lock... left or right... not THAT big in my opinion...??? MAYBE ME, butif the guy said he’ll get the timing belt done then it’s a good deal...

My thoughts on the truck-

- Truck has been the cleanest and nicest I have seen within the 8-9k figure,YOU WILL NOT find a 5k one here in Tucson, unless owner has no idea what hehas, and orrrr NEEDS MAJOR WORK...

- He told me over the phone he won't take less then $8500, then thats whathe means??? Sounds like you tried to LOW BALL the guy causing him to have anattitude AND well everyone HATES a tire kicker! what did you offer him to makehim upset?

- I actually like this guy and I FEEL like the bashing you gave him waskinda BS and thats why I am writing you on this... He was a very nice guy to meand my son,... If you have seen what is out in the SW, like you said you have,then this was a nice rig...

P.S

I wrote this because this guy seemed like a nice guy and BASHING was not warrantedfrom the sound of it… Sounds like you want a Cadillac, but not wanting to pay Cadillacprices…

I agree he should have been more upfront... their bad forsure, but not that bashing and calling him a liar... not cool man... guy sounds like he didnt know about the timing belt, when you saw him .. idk tho but thought it was kinda crappy, i dont think he deserved any part of that...

 

Wth? Is this crap. Of you define a car/ truck as immaculate condition. Then there should any spot you picl to slap a rib eye on it and eat it up. Immaculate is not leaking fluids screeching howling or anything not up to snuff. Yeah the op has every right to be pissed. I would be to if I drove 300 miles for crap.

 

Yeah theres alot of somewhat scammer types mis representing the whole "Immaculate" thing on CL, like we're fucking blind as well as stupid...

 

Keep looking!!
Get what YOU want--the wait will be worth the extra time.
Took me 1 year to find my current 2003(5yrs ago).

 

Yea pass on that truck big time. A new steering rack is 325 bucks alone. Probably need a new pump too and TRE too. So like a grand or more to fix that and if you can't do a timing belt yourself, probably 500 for that and since he hasn't done the timing belt ill just go ahead and assume the waterpump is on its way out or pretty much is half dead.

Keep looking.

 

Good advice... wait till you find your gem....might take a year but you can find it...

 

Blackdawg... For me not a bad deal, i dont know about the other guy, but He said he would do the timing belt and water pump at the 8500 price...

 

Nope told me he would ask over $10K....Said he knows what's out there... Told me the timing belt etc was up to date and when he saw the sticker with actual miles on it his jaw dropped as he had nothing to say.

Wait a second...A water pump too??!!!! I did not catch that...he did not reveal this issue.

To say something does not bother is totally fair but to say it has no problems another deal altogether.

He also was specific about the lift but when pressed said he had no clue as he bought it that way.

BTW the guy finally admitted he just bought it and at one point said he had to sell for money but a few minutes later said he was buying a newer one... Yea he seemed like a nice guy but....

Looks like an OEM rack will run $600-$900, add labor if you're not handy. Timing belt I figure over $500...Look close to the tires, they have tread but are cracked in between the lugs...could be normal...could be. I'd roll it in to Toyota and drop $100 for a real check up. My guess is he will not allow it.

Toss on some cover-alls and grab a flashlight roll underneath, have a good look and tell him to shut up about the great body and talk about mechanics

Be careful. I met the nicest guy here in El Paso. Brought his very nice wife and great kids and proceeded to lie through his teeth. Zero conscious....

BTW I was and am not mad...this guy was just another in a long line of Toyota sellers who are drunk with the prices they see and think they have the holy grail. I was as much amused as anything...While I would not have made the trip I had other business in Tucson so it was just a long day as opposed to a genuine hassle.

Good luck!

Warren

 

As I recall I offered him $7500 and was totally prepared to pay his $8500 IF it was in the condition stated.

That's is not low-balling but starting at a base price for an immaculate truck and subtracting what it would cost to get to the condition the owner stated...

Warren

 

wow after reading thru all this i think i got a good deal on my taco:

96 Single Cab 4wd 200,xxx miles $1600