Am I crazy? 275k for $5650?

If MPG's are a real concern then why does it have to be a Tacoma? You can get a reliable used Civic or something that'll get you 30+mpg's if you just need a commuter with good gas mileage. If it has to be a truck, then I'd look at used 5lug Tacomas...they are much cheaper than the 6 lugs and get better gas mileage.

 

yes

 

Already have the high-mileage commuter...this is for the occasional dump run, mountain bike hauling, etc.

I will have to look into 5 lug vs. 6 lug...not sure what exactly this means other than the obvious number of bolts holding the wheels on.

 

6 lug Tacomas are 4x4's and 2wd "Prerunners" (2wd Tacomas built on the 4x4 frame). If the truck you're looking at has a 2.7l 4cyl then it's a 6 lug Prerunner.

5 lug Tacomas are just basic 2wd trucks built on their own frames that sit lower to the ground. They come with either a smaller 4cyl (2.4l) or the 3.4l v6.

The 5lugs are less desirable because they don't have that 4x4 "look" that the 2wd Prerunners have, being built on a 4x4 frame. Unless you really need the ground clearance I'd go with a 5 lug. They weigh considerably less and will get better mileage. And the used ones are cheaper than 6lugs because they're less in-demand.

 

If everything is in good working order, and it definitely looks clean for the age, I would go for it only if its what you want, if your lookng for a 1st gen 2wd double cab tacoma then their is a premium your willing to pay for that. People want the Ford raptors, thats why they sell used with 80K miles for 40 grand ( you dont see any other ford with that good of re-sale), people pay a premium for what they want. The 2.7 4 banger is reliable, and with proper maintanence you could get another 100k to 200k out of it (or more). If your worried about it, get a 3rd party mechanic that you trust to take a look at it.

 

Oh and I don't think 5lug 1st gens were offered in double cabs, only the 6lugs were. 2nd gen 5lug Tacomas had a double cab configuration though. Going to have to pay more for a 2nd gen however.

 

Don't expect that truck to get great gas mileage. I have a 2.7 auto 4wd. 16mpg if I'm lucky and it's an underpowered turd

 

Thanks for that. I'm a bit amazed that a truck with 275k can sell for $5k+, but maybe that is the premium you are talking about. I'm not mechanic, but it does look very clean and the guy selling it IS a mechanic and has a well-reputed Toyota speciality shop in town.

 

Not sure if its just because its a 2wd, but supposedly people are getting 25 mpg with this thing. Driven conservatively.

 

Well let me put it this way, I'm not really interested in a 2wd double cab tacoma, this is because I already own 2 trucks and 2wd is useless to me in alaska, so with that in mind I wouldn't pay more than 3k, especially given the mileage, however if it was 4wd and I really was looking for a 1st gen double cab tacoma that was in really good condition, I would pay a premium to get it. In cali, 2wd is perfectly fine and if its what you really want, I don't think it is unreasonable to pay a premium for it, others here say the wouldn't go past 3k, maybe you think the extra $2650 is worth it for something you will be happy with.

 

Most of that change was a change in the way they tested, our 99 2.7l PreRunner extended cab with stock tires would get up around 22mpg, our 08 4wd DCOR got 19mpg with stock tires. Personally if you want a DCLB wait and get it, don't settle for the short bed.

 

For that kind of money-
2wd? Nope.
4cyl? Nope.
Plastic bedliner? Nope.
For the mileage? Nope.

 

I personally would not drop 6k on a truck that is that old with that many miles. However being that you're in California that is the premium these trucks get. Also to me the fact that a 'Toyota mechanic" owns it now means nothing. You don't know what the other 2 owners were like/did to the truck.

 

Just for comparison purposes. Here's what you get for $6K (On CL) around my part of the world.

 

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/6071797923.html

This one is a little pricey, and I mean a little price

 

drop $3000 cash in front of the seller,see what happens

 

Saw that one.

This guy wants $12,500 for an '04 DC 4x4 with 210K miles on it.

 

lol, that guy is nuts.

 

I know we pay a premium for being in California, but that is just crazy.

I have 140k, maybe I can get $18k for it.

 

Sounds like that guy typed everything through google translate in his description