Buying a 286,000 Mile 1997 Tacoma 4x4 2.7

Those 2.7's are really solid. I've owned a couple. As long as the oil is changed regularly and it hasn't overheated. I did notice they replaced the radiator. Hopefully they caught it early. Not sure how long that catalytic converter will last if it's original. Nice thing with the automatics is it keeps the revs low. I always worry about some joker wringing out the ones with a manual.

 

That's an insane price... I bought my 2000 4x4 2.7L manual 5 years ago with 275000miles for $3800...

Was the head gasket done? If not it will go soon. Mine let go around 281k miles.

The auto will be painfully slow...

 

This is the carfax: https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHisto...tE8hRZIqnoUbja5g-70DnQrzt68TzBoqdV4JWYUk7p5tA

Did you see the picture of the engine?

 

It has two owners. The first owner was driven by a woman around Sonoma County and was serviced at the dealership.

 

Beautiful truck...love the interior color scheme from the early 1st gens.

 

I wouldn't say that I've babied it, but you can tell from my photos, I haven't abused it either.
No, timing chain and water pump are original. I may change the water pump, but I have a 2018 TRD Sport that I daily drive so put very little mileage on the '96 these days.

 

The head gasket was replaced.

 

Maintain the valves or they will burn. Keep the oil clean and the MAF. Enjoy it for hopefully at least another 100k miles.

 

What you really need is a taco head....someone thats been wrenching on their gen1 4x4 taco for a while....
Go take it for a 20min test drive....get everything nice and warmed up....
They'd know every sound and tick.....

By your self....you make stupid mistakes....


Nice looking truck tho....looks well cared for.....
I think what our problem is its about $1000 more in what were used to...
and they'll all high mileage anymore.....

If they're less than 150K people now a days want an even more ridiculous price....

It would be nice to pop out the pcv valve, drop in a scope and look at the valves...
Dont think they let you do that, and may not be safe if that grommet has fallen to pieces...may have a top, but no bottom....thats 1st thing I'd check....

 

The head gasket was replaced recently and the radiator was replaced in 2013. It is rust free, as it has been in Northern California all of its life.

 

If you were in central US, I'd walk in with cash and offer maybe 7700 or 7800.

In Cali they may laugh you if you did that.....Westeners......

What that would buy me is little bit of cushion for the unforeseen...
and thats what I'd explain to the seller.......

If they've had it that long, they may let that cash talk...

 

That is true. I may get the Tacoma for $6000 instead of the full $9000 because I plan to trade in a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe for it and hopefully get $3000 trade in value.

 

Make sure it's had the valves adjusted every 50k or so, it's needed on the 2.7l otherwise you might have an expensive repair coming your way with it

 

So u can have 3 of the Hyundai's instead of the one toyota.....

that really says alot for hyundai.....poor hyundai.....

That's funny

 

The head gasket was recently replaced and the radiator was replaced in 2013.

 

I mean its better than nothing. My family have four cars, three Toyota's and one Hyundai Santa Fe.

 

We use to be all toyota family....til my mom jumped ship and traded her 4yr old rav4 pretty much even for a 2021 Ridgeline...
Like I said, the toyota prices have gone nuts...

 

Thank you!

 

The Red 1997 Tacoma I am interested in had its head gasket replaced recently and the radiator was replaced in 2013.

 

2 less things you have to worry about.