1998 Toyota Recall Frame Rust Buy Back Offer! 2012

I have been leaning that way....but it would be hard. I have everything. Window sticker, dealer brochures, every service record. One owner. If you are interested, send me a PM....

 

Messyt.....any updates on your search for a new Tacoma?

 

Ah man, not really. My computer's HD took a dive on me so i'm working on that 1st then i can do more research. I think i will take the money, and patiently await a replacement Taco. What is the lowest you would go for yours? I'm starting to look for one in the $8,000 range and use the extra money to straighten other finances out.

I'm driving a loner f150. It's a gas guzzling hog, way to big and everything is awkwardly set up. Hate i. I need another Taco. I'm starting to think Toyota paid KBB to artificially lower the value of these Tacoma's to pay the owners way less than they are actually worth. I still think my truck is worth $20,000, it sure as hell still runs like it! Damn Frame!

anyway, nothing i can do now, i signed the letter.

 

This was hands down the single best truck Toyota ever made. I agree The Factory TRD Supercharged ones are the Tits but this one is WAY better on gas without the supercharger so factor that in!!!

Why "was" this the best truck?
Here's why...

1998 Toyota Tacoma Limited Edition 4X4 Limited Edition TRD E-Locker Clutch Start Cancel MANUAL TRANS LOADED w/ EVERY BEST OPTION ( ALL ORIGINAL!)

It was like if someone walked into a Toyota dealership in 1998 and said, " make me your best Toyota Tacoma with all of the best features included!!!!!!!!" Then BABOOOM!! Toyota Created THIS truck!

Manual 5 speed ( shut up it's the best!)you have way better control slowing down with the manual so it saves you $$ on brake pads. i had 137,000miles on my original break pads, never had to change them. Plus you will get way better gas mileage w/ manual trans... When an automatic downshifts to climb a steady incline on the highway it revs the RPMs much higher than if you were controlling the RPMs manually where you can maintain 2500 RPMS continuously ultimately resulting in better gas milage $$
Plus you have more control in general.


It "had" Push button 4WD( shut up it's the best!) Toyota offered it as an add on for extra $$, that makes it have more value than the J shift and i'll tell you what, I always used it.( shut up it's the best! F-the J shift !)

It HAD THE PRIZED MANUAL SUNROOF!!!

This truck will be really missed!
It's going to be impossible to get one of these again. I think this configuration is completely sold out or crushed by the recall!

She was put to rest by a 3" hole in the frame...
Was the strongest indestructible truck with every Luxury option they offered.
Wish i could still go for a drive in this exact truck...

 

Ah man! I'm so glad i'm back in the saddle again!

 

You want to keep your 99. They are getting hard to come by and everyone one who had theirs recalled is instantly buying the next up for sale. The market is supply and demand. The 96-2000's supply is very low and the demand remains a record high especially if it's loaded with features!

If you find one that doesn't have holes in the frame, buy it and care for it. You will hold a collectible sports truck from a time when Legendary vehicles were born from Toyota!

 

If anyone needs info on the Tacoma Frame Rust Recall Process or to discuss options to fix, repair and strengthen your frame if you didn't qualify for the recall, feel free to ask those questions.

It's not as bad as it seems. If you have any rust, it can be arrested and hardened stronger than the steel with cheap sticky goo. If you have holes, Find a super cheap mig and keenly focus on how to clean and weld small patches to steel. Do it with precision. I wish i fix'd my truck for i can't find anything close to how nice mine was for less than $13,995! Even at that price the trucks are still not as FAT as my 98 Limited! Sorry, i can't live without the SUNROOF! I USED IT EVERY DAY!

 

shoulda let me borrow that for a few days

i have a perfect frame and would love to swap frame with that truck

 

So does toyota just crush the whole truck when they buy it back?

 

Thats a tough one buddy... Great offer from toyota. But I understand your attachment to your truck.

I have a 98 4x4. Just did the math based on 150% of KBB resale value and I would only get an offer of 5300.... not worth it in my case but at the same time I dont want to be driving around an unsafe vehicle... hmmm

 

Its crazy to thing they just crush a perfectly good body motor and tranny. But great on toyotas part to buy back the truck for more than its worth.

 

Yeah I know they don't buy the 01 to 04s back. I was just sayin about the previous years

 

Messyt,
Those last three photos make me sick in the stomach..... DId you say you got a new taco? Any photos?

 

That's what they have been telling us but I doubt they just crush it. Would suck if they completely crushed all those nice spare parts they could sell. We need those parts Toyota! Don't crush perfect spare parts!

 

Sell stuff on eBay before you get rid of your classic! They're hard to find now and prices are inflating. If u eventually want it back it's going to cost way more in the future

 

I bet they pull some stuff 1st. They definitely pull off the cat converter and scrap it.

Yes it is cool they give u $$$ but like I said, I think they manipulate the KBB and these trucks were actually worth more than what they are paying out. $ 12,321 for mine sounds fair but trust me, the truck was worth way more than that ( if the frame was ok). They low balled me! I know it's just a long shot # but there's some guy who's selling his 98 limited for $26,000 on line... The listing says 46,000 miles and no rust for $26,000!!!! He may not sell it for that but it sets the bar pretty high for how much these trucks are worth.... So if he's trying to get 26 G's, and he might, my truck( with Toyota saying it was in EXcellent condition with unlimited mileage) should have had an opportunity to pull in 26 G's for me. Christ, the sticker price was 27,000 and I don't feel like these trucks lost value since 98, sorry they were just made better than anything after 2000 andyhe 2nd gens are just not too desirable. Anyway, there is and is going to be a huge market for frame repair, maintenance and rust proofing. Someone with a body shop will be able to take advantage of this frame issue and cash in!

 

98 4x4's are scarce. A lot of people don't realize how few are out there. Hold onto It. I get a few different answers from different Toyota reps about the recall. One dude said they are not doing the buy back offer anymore. Then you read they extended it to March 2012.
Here's my gripe.... Toyota covered their tracks before they started this frame recall. They say they will extend the frame warranty for 15 yrs. doesn't 15yrs later take the 98's to the end of 2012? I know they will go by actual manufacturing date but still, they should honor 15 yrs if they said said it. However, everything is at toyota's option. So technically they don't have todo anything.

 

Yes! It's a surprise though. I am getting it next Tuesday and driving it across the country. I can post pix when I have it in my possession. Oh and it's a 98 limited with some surface rust on the frame. Toyota looked at it and said the frame is fine and it's normal surface rust. Am I crazy?

 

I'm not sure what is so rare about that year and bein 4wd. Wouldn't they have made the same amount as every other year? Unless almost all the 98's in the U.S. Are gone due to frame rust. I'm sure you loved your truck and I'm sure it was an awesome truck, because it was a toyota. but honestly that guy that wants 26k for his truck that is kinda ridiculous. Those 98s might be worth that price to you but I'm sure most people don't feel that way

 

By and large agreed.

A) That is call an "outlier" and B) He can ask $100K, does not mean he'll get it...