1998 Tacoma w 400 000kms

Hey guys

I have been searching and searching for a tacoma, specifically a 2.7 4x4.

Missed one hell of a deal today due to work. I see another tacoma thats been around for a bit, it has 400 000 kms on it, or roughly 250k in miles. Being newish to the toyota pricing, although I have been searching for a month, what do you figure a fair price for something like this would be? Assuming no rust mostly and service records? Consider that this is BC, and Tacoma's sell for a little more. He's asking 4800 Canadian dollars, so roughly 3600 US right now. What would you offer?

I am going nuts trying to find this vehicle, I am hung up on the 2.7 engine. Have a friend who was in the old toyota comercial with a 2.7 that went to 900 000!

Am I crazy to consider a vehicle with this many miles? Any particular things I should look for to be changed mechanically already?

Anyways, looking forward to finding something eventually, for a camping flyfishing/backcountry ski rig. Ill be sure to post some pics here whatever I end up with.

Keep in mind I have been searching the forums as well, just wanted some opinions up front.

 

Mine runs great at 255k, however I'm tempted to buy the new 16 tacoma. If the truck you want has most of its service records I would not be afraid to buy it.

 

No matter how well it was serviced there is going to be neglected areas that need to be caught up.

It comes down to if your doing the work yourself or paying someone.

When your paying labor older trucks get expensive real fast.

 

Thanks guys. Just reread some of the 1st Gen buyers guide and that is a huge help. I have a place I can do most work by myself, and some tacoma owner friends who know their stuff as well.

That said, I think I am going to keep looking, and under the advice of a trusted toyota expert in our area, broaden my search to include the 3.4s. He said its the better motor, and I wont see much difference in the MPGs if its a stock truck(no giant lifts or huge tires). I still really would like the 2.7 though, but I wont pass up a good 3.4 anymore.

The real annoying thing is people dont take down their ads when they are sold. I have phoned 3 already. Maybe they like getting phone calls.

 

Sounds like you have a good idea of what needs to be done. I really like my 2.7, its one of the easiest drivetrains to work on and is about to hit 300k miles, though looking back i probably would have gotten the 3.4 with the TRD option if i did it again. You would only loose 1 or 2 mpg by going with the larger engine.

One thing ive learned, is dont ever go into a deal hungry. If you rush into buying something, the next day youll find the truck of your dreams you wish you bought.

 

Curious why you would have got the 3.4 instead if you did it again?

And good advice on waiting. I have been searching for just over a month. I will continue to be patient.

As far as MPGs goes, I drive kind of like a grandma most of the time due to my poor luck with deer and vehicles..so hopefully whatever I get ill squeeze as much out of a tank as possible.

Hoping to find something before October as I have a steelhead fishing trip up north then. Was hoping to have a little truck with a canopy by then. Fortunately, the other person coming with me has a tacoma anyways

 

Because of what i said, its a lot more power for only 1 mpg less. The way i drive i probably am using more gas with the 2.7L. Also the extra available options.

 

I'm looking at 1995 2.7 4x4 now.

Going to have it inspected at a shop first. I have been reading old posts on the site mentioning thing like cracked exhaust manifold, air flow and 02 sensor. Will be asking if he has put in a new fuel pump yet, clutch.

Being the first year of an engine, any other concerns? Have read occasional report of head gasket.

Truck has 315 000 kms.

 

Thats only 196k miles. Not that much for a 95. Any car thats 20 years old is going to be looking at major maintenance, such as a head gasket. Though there are several Tacomas on here with twice as many miles on the original head.

 

Thanks for your info so far. I was too slow anyways, truck is gone. Looking at a 2.7 4x4 year 2000 now, but he wants too much. Ill try and bargain but it will likely sell anyways. Amazing what people will pay, 3 or 4 k more than the value. I also have to of course pay tax on top of the price(why I have to pay tax on a used vehicle is beyond me, government gets to collect many times if its sold more than once) and I also have to get winter tires where I am in BC so add a grand on top of that. Search continues, one day there will be a happy post here with pics of my new truck ( : The bonus is I sold my car so that gives me a bit more room to breath when it comes to buying..
Thanks again to whoever made the tacoma first generation buyers guide, that has been a big help.

 

Both engines are extremely reliable. I personally prefer the V6 for the extra pep, but either one will take you thousands of miles if maintained properly. Only really big downfall to the 3.4 is the timing belt that needs to be changed every 90k miles but that's it, on the 2.7 you have a timing chain. Very bulletproof engine otherwise. Most mileage I've seen on a 3.4 is 624k that were all put on by the original owner before he traded it in. Many of the older first gens are probably pushing 800k right now if not more. A few lucky Toyota trucks have passed the million mile mark.

 

Still on the hunt. Found a 98 truck locally that rode pretty nice. But upon further inspection my friend noticed that it had a small oil leak at the valve cover, tran fluid leak, broken leaf spring and a bit of a clunk when accelerating hard. That said it was rust free and had a newer engine installed. Made a low offer based on potential repairs but didn't take..

Little more waiting. There has been a few automatics that were nice but I really want manual.

Frustrating market to wade through, there really is a huge range of what people want for their trucks. I think some people just don't really want to sell.