Are first gen Toyotas actually worth the price?

I can totally relate. I've had a few Nissan and Toyota trucks slip through my fingers before I could even make a 40-mile drive to go look at them.

 

I was in the market 4 years ago and a clean ass all-California one-owner 2004 TRD Access Cab 4x4 with camper shell and manual transmission went up for sale for $12,000 and it only had 90k miles. I waited until I got off work and called and it was gone. Still kicking myself over that. I've seen lesser 1st gens for $19k sitting on dealer lots.

 

Yeah I missed out on a couple waiting till the weekend or even after work. Twice the sellers sold their trucks while I was on the road to go see them. Eventually, I found mine on FB marketplace. Been searching several times per day for over a year with the same search criteria 1995-2004 extracab Tacoma within 100 miles of Tampa. This one time I screwed something up in the search filters and boom, there she was, garage kept 2004 one owner XTRACAB with 90,000 miles. Messaged the seller immediately and set up a meet. When I went back and searched again, I couldn’t find the add. I could only find it via the conversation in FB messenger. Still not sure what I messed up but it worked out well.

 

That's like saying "I never brush my teeth and my teeth are fine"

*10 years later*

"I need dentures"

 

When searching for something on CL I really want, I set up a automatic saved search. I get an email as soon as someone posts something I'm searching for. I've scored numerous things, probably before others. Most recently I picked up a free Boston Whaler 5.2 sailboat with trailer. The PO said the same things as the seller above.

 

it will be interesting in the next decade to compare values of the 1st gens vs similarly equipped 2nd gens

 

Of Course

 

I love my 1st gen, but I would likely consider letting mine go for $19,000 . I bought my 2001 with 2.7L and 5 speed new and it now has about 98,000 miles on it. The only thing I have done is change the oil and spark plugs. It is a really sweat ride. My kids Love it. It is their favorite vehicle we have. If I am leaving with just one of my kids and ask what they want to take, it is always the truck. After all these years, I am finally going to get some new floor matts (Husky), put Bilstein's/coil overs on, and Tundra brakes.

 

Those wheels look pretty damn kick ass on your taco man. Don't see those exact wheels on our first gens much but those look very good

 

You're right. I bought my 2004 2.7 RC 4X4 from my dad with 119,000 garage kept miles on it in California and perfect 3000 mile maintenance records for $5000. I'll never sell it. At least not for a very long time until I am forced to and I'd bet in another 20 years I may very well be able to sell it with 400,000 on it for what I paid. A very well maintained 1st gen may very well be a collectors item by then. They almost seem to be now. There are still people out there that cherish the lack of "electronic everything" and most probably, still will in 20 more years.

I just bought a new Super Duty. I love it for the out of control power and it's capability and because I'll need that capability in the future. What I hate about it is all the "Disney Channel" noises I have to listen to every time I open a door with the key in the ignition. Or turn it on. Windows that roll down or a tailgate that falls open because I pressed a button on the key fob I didn't realize I pressed and I didn't even buy a Lariat or any of the other fancy models. I got the most basic I could for my future needs and there is STILL more electronic, computer control garbage on it that I want. Then there is the complexity under the hood. It makes my head throb just opening the hood and looking under there. No way to do anything yourself unless you have you're own shop and know how to do it. Except change the oil and other filters.

The 1st gen Taco's will hold their value for one reason. They are simple and get the job done and there will always be those who appreciate that. Just as I do. I wouldn't sell mine at any price at this point in time. In the distant future a well maintained 1st gen just might bring money no one ever thought it would just because of it's simplicity. Provided it's not rusted out.

 

Great trucks, 100% worth the price. I purposely choose an old tacoma over a newer truck.

 

I paid 17,000 for my truck new in 1997,
615,000 miles later it was the Best car, truck Buy I could have made.
No payment since 2000 and doesn’t matter how many miles I rack up.

Was it worth it??
Of course,
Best vehicle I have ever had

 

Wow, beautiful! 2.7 I assume? Any issues? I have about 190k on mine.

 

I've been thinking about this topic more lately. Tacomas demand a lot of money and new trucks are all over priced. Tundra and the rare sequoia seems like better deals. My issue.. . Keep current and upgrade, or buy a looker with the specs I really want and have a car payment for a couple years?

I've put almost $1,000 in maintenance(just parts) into the 07' I just got with 140K on it. I only paid $1,800. It has rough paint and the entire suspension needs replaced still. no rust though. brother in law owned it and basically the only things he did to it was oil changes, brakes, plugs, radiator fluid, AC service, maybe rear diff fluid.

My issue with dumping more money into is that it's a base model that's gear with car tires.. . dumping more money into to make a 1st or 2gen prerunner with LSD that can rock 31s is nearly a $2,300 upgrade. $600 lift/shocks + $800 tires + $1,000 rear diff + $500 in cosmetics, min. So nearly $3,000 on top of the about $3,000 I have into it if I don't include $900 wheel I can resale.

but.. . I'll know it's up to date on maintenance instead of buying something from a dealer or lying SOB selling me something else.

If I only did some paint work and sold it right now for 5K, I'd make 2G on it. I dunno. There's something about keeping a truck in the fam though as the brother in-law purchased it new in 07. Would be pretty cool if it was still around 10 years down the road and I give it to his son for his first vehicle.

 

Although I absolutely love my truck, I'd never pay the asking prices decent condition 1st gens seem to be going for these days.

 

for sure. new trucks cost way too much though. most all trucks seem about 10K over priced which is actually helping used truck sales a lot.

 

If you find a deal sure. I hate to say it but anybody selling their 1st gen now at prices like this will be having a hard time. You gotta find a hardcore 1st gen lover to pay that price. Most WILL debate the prices.

 

No it’s a 3.4 v6 engine,

Head gasket popped at 480,000 so just put in a used motor that had 90,000 for 1500 plus 1500 for installation.

 

+1 +2 ... you must've paid yours off early, i took until early 2oo1 on mine

and mine has seen a thing or two that yours probably has not!

 

most likely, i am just waiting until values exceed a similarly equipped 2nd gen, its getting very very close as those might be currently depreciating