Why so much???

Just have to stay vigilant and search around. There are good "deals" out there. If you notice, a lot of these over priced ones don't sell. A simple trip through the for sale ads will show that.

Also, Ca seems to have the highest resale value, so try looking in other states, and make a trip out of it.

I picked up my 2010 for less then what some of these guys with 02-04s are asking for their trucks.

 

It's because they hold their value really well, all Toyotas do but Tacomas especially. They will go well over the 300k mile mark if taken care of. A guy here has an 03 double cab with 425k on it, bought new, original engine and trans still going strong. There is another guy with a second gen double cab about to hit the 400k mile mark as well.

 

Kendal -
I've just finished my search for a good shape tacoma without a ton of miles on it - at a "reasonable" price. I hope some of what I can share helps you out.

1. My needs were a dependable pick up, to haul stuff when I needed it. Preferably a Toyota.
2. I didn't want to put a bunch of after-the-purchase money into it either.
3. My budget was $7K (but I expanded it when I found the truck I bought)
4. KBB, Edmunds, and NASD did nothing for me, they were all under realistic purchase prices.
5. Like you, everything in my area was either more than my budget, or beat.
6. You can get a Ranger, B3000, S10, or Frontier for less than a Toyota. My familiarity with Toyota's had me leaning in that direction. My lower cost option was a Frontier.
7. Plan to expand your search to 300 miles from your location if need be. You'll find better prices by expanding your search.
8. For a Tacoma - Don't ignore the miles on the truck, but more importantly, look at how it was cared for. The inside of a vehicle usually is a good starting indicator of how well it's cared for.
9. See as many trucks as you can so you know a good deal when you see one.
10. Be ready to buy - NOW - when the right deal comes along.
11. I was looking at / negotiating on eight different trucks when I bought mine. Within a WEEK they were all no longer listed for sale. (And some were beat to sh$t)
12. Don't expect much negotiation on price. The sellers know a Tacoma in very good condition is going to go for top dollar.
13. Sellers can ask stupid money, because if they wait long enough, someone will likely pay it.
14. Be prepared to expand your budget if the right truck comes along. If your budget is $7 firm, your search for a good shape Tacoma will be much harder but possible.
15. Know the options of every year in the 1st Gen models, know which options are a "must have" and what's nice to have. Don't over pay for a truck that's in good shape but is missing your gotta have options. The less "gotta-have" thing you want will improve your chances of finding a good one at a good price.
16. It took me the better part of nine months - off and on - to find one that was in the condition I wanted, with the options I wanted, at a price I was willing to pay.
17. Check every source for what you're looking for. Be sure to check the trucks listed on this site for sale

I hope some of this helps - it can be done, you just need persistence, and some luck.

Good luck in your search.

 

Thank you guys for some of the helpful feedback. I never meant to offend any of you by implying that these trucks are not worth it, believe me, I wouldn't be so insistent on buying one if my heart wasn't set on it.

I understand each of your arguments. Because there is such high demand for these trucks, they sell for top dollar, which I am willing to pay, but only for the right one. The reason I posted this thread to begin with is because in my experience looking for one, I see a lot of beat to heck high mileage ones which just don't seem worth the top dollar they are demanding.

I was bought out by another buyer just earlier this week on an 02 extra cab 4x4 with 133k miles. The seller wanted $9000, which was very reasonable and why I had decided it was the one to buy. Unfortunately on my way down to see it, he had someone else looking who gave him cash first :/

Going to check out a 98 extra cab 4x4 with 125k on it tomorrow, seller is asking $9000 as well, it looks pretty clean: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/4839627780.html

Anyways, my original post was in part me venting my truck search frustrations and also just wondering if any of you have had similar frustrations, concerns when looking to buy your trucks. Thanks for your responses!

 

Looks clean - low miles for a 98. Price seems about right if it's been taken care of.

Good luck!

 

LocknLoad has provided some great advice. I especially agree with the need to be willing to travel some for the right one. I just did that and I bought a new one.

The reason newer trucks tend to be a better buy is that the price is capped by the price of a new one. If they are not asking at least somewhat less than the new price no one will buy it.

 

That is one of the great things about owning the first gen trucks. They are the most sought after years. Around here you can pretty much ask whatever you like for a clean 1st gen without frame problems. Most of the trucks in my area rotted away so the trucks that are left command a premium.

my truck's an 03 with about 150K on it and I have turned down $15K offers. Last spring one of the dealers had my same basic truck in black with 140K miles and was asking $22K for it and it was gone in a week. The 2nd gen guys are gonna hate me for saying this but if you want a reasonable priced tacoma your better off looking at the 2nd gen as they are in many cases cheaper than a nice 1st gen.

 

I just bought a 4x4 RC 95.5 for 2k with 133,000. Interior is clean, motor and drivetrain is very good but the body was a little dinged up. I think it was a pretty good deall