Am I crazy? 275k for $5650?

I'm seriously considering purchasing a 2002 (though the Carfax says its 2001) 2wd, 2.7L double cab. It's easy on the budget, both in terms of initial and operating costs. I'm a total fuel-miser and I am totally ok with a low-powered truck (though to me, it felt like it had plenty of power--think its the lighter weight drivetrain?).

My question is: Am I crazy for buying a Taco with this many miles?? The drivetrain is amazingly clean. No rust whatsoever. Engine starts right up and runs quietly. Drivetrain felt smooth. Its being sold by a Toyota technician who supposedly was going to use it for a daily driver but needed money to buy a house.

I know this is a tough one to answer but I just thought I'd throw it out to this newly discovered community and see what you all had to say. It sounds like this is a very reliable vintage and that it potentially has a lot more life left in it.

 

Trying to embed some pictures here....I've uploaded them into an 'album', not sure if anyone is able to see them?

 

Pics typically work best with some type of outside client such as Photobucket.

 

Click on the camera icon to embed images from your media.

 

Any maintenance history on the vehicle?

 

Hit upload a file, then from gallery or camera and upload. Not hard.

 

I guess it comes down to opinion. My opinion is that you are crazy for even considering it. For almost $6000 you can get something newer with a lot less miles. I don't see how you figure that initial operating costs will be low. With that mileage I could only assume there's going to be money going into the truck immediately. But then, 400 people will chime in and say I'm wrong.

 

Thanks -- needed to drag the pics up onto the thread.

No maintenance records, though I did run a carfax. 3 owners, all in California. First owner leased it, then it was repossessed and sold at auction. Next owners had it for about 6 years each. No accidents, clean title.

Part of my optimism is because it is sort of a "grandma truck"....small motor, 2wd, 4 doors. Not the kind of truck you'd buy to hotrod around. At least thats what I want to believe.

 

$2000 tops

 

I wish that were true...I have been shocked at the lack of options at this price point!

 

So KBB puts the truck at ~6k, and NADA says around 9k for "clean retail" (its probably not quite 'clean'). Are these sources just way off the mark?

Trying to peel myself back from the idea....it is a lot of miles...

 

Just went on Autotrader and ran a query to prove you wrong. Only proved myself wrong.

 

I know, its incredibly dissapointing.

 

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...hRadius=75&makeCode1=TOYOTA&modelCode1=TACOMA

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...rchRadius=75&makeCode1=LEXUS&modelCode1=LX470

 

truck looks nice, but 6k nice, not with 275k miles.

 

DCSB are in a price class all by them selves. Especially with no rust,

 

Interesting. The truth is that I'd actually rather have the long bed, but they don't make the 4-door 1st gen with a long bed. The bigger question is whether I should pass this one up, spend some more money and get a 2nd gen double cab long bed.

 

I would pass and spend more if that's an option

 

I just can't stand the reduced MPG of the 2nd gen taco's. I don't mind sinking a bit more cash in up front, but dropping from 25 mpg to 20 mpg...argh...