Buying a First Gen Tacoma, is this a good deal?

OP it comes down to you if this works for you .

For a work 2WD truck I would buy a Ford F150 more truck for the $$

If this is going to be a full time work vehicle I would look for something much newer if your having to outsource all the mechanical work.

. What does your accountant have to say on the matter?

Good Luck in your Hunt.

 

Saw the 5 lug, havent read all of thread. However, i bought mine for 8k, 10 k out the door in 2019 with 94k miles. Anymore cost, miles, wear and imo wouldnt be worth. (frame is pristine, everything checked out, no leaks) Otherwise, im happy with my purchase. All on u OP

 

I think the asking price is too much.
Im currently selling a 2003 Tacoma 4x4 V6 with all kinds of upgrades for $15,000. Now i know you probably dont need 4x4 and all the other mods on it but just to give you an idea of what you can get for $12K to $13K.
At the end its all on you man. Good luck

 

2WD, 4banger, 5lug, paint/body issues...$12.5k? No. Hard pass.
I wouldn't pay a cent over $6,500

And I'm sure only the bare minimum maintenance has been done

 

Seems steep for a 5-lug.

lol @ the idea that the chip shortage affects the price of a nearly 20 year old truck.

Many moons ago I bought an 7-8 year old extracab 5-lug ('97) that was in immaculate condition from a dealer for $10k.

Hard pass. For me.

That said, if you have the money, and this particular truck suits your needs, go for it. Don't let a bunch of strangers on the interwebs tell you what it's worth. But I would at least hold off a while and see what else is on the market in your price range. I'm betting there's more fish in that sea.

 

i almost choked on my soda reading this. What a retarded reason for a 20 year old truck to be priced that high because of "chip shortage"

 

Yeah, I don't think anyone who's looking to buy a new truck (hence affected by the shortage) would consider a ~20 year old truck with 100k miles as "the next best alternative".

But we would be talking about turd gen buyers, so who knows...

 

Jesus, just looked back at the pics in the OP.

You'd think for $12k (originally $15k), they'd at LEAST run a vacuum through the thing.

KBB has that truck at ~$6-8k. Even in excellent condition (which this most definitely isn't), that's a $10k truck

That seller is on crack.

 

I say $12k is insane for an 18 year old truck even if it’s 80k miles. The chip shortage is on new vehicles. I still don’t know why they’re jacking up price on used cars. Even considering the current craziness, I would not even consider $12k for this truck. Just insane.

 

I got my 2004 5 lug rwd with only 20k miles for 5k in August. Got a deal because its from Family. I would never pay over 8k for what I have even though its Basically a new truck on a new frame and was driven by a 98 year old grandma. It was an 18k sr5 truck new.

 

12k is crazy. If I wanted a work truck I'd pick up a $1000 ranger from a tow yard and run it till it dies then get another. But the truck you found is clean, and low mileage but I can't see that worth more then 7k.

 

Most likely the higher price is due to the V4 swap.

 

I think it’s a pretty good deal. That truck well kept up can last you well over 300k. I paid 11,500 for my 01 double cab with 140k with leaking valve covers. Ultimately it’s up to you but these trucks are getting harder and harder to find.

 

I think it depends on you and what you want it for....

For me as construction work truck it would be a fair deal ....
300K my ass, I'm thinking 3 times that number......remember its not a 4X$...

super easy to work on.....and parts are plenty.....


and if KBB can get you one for 6K.....I'd call them up first thing in the morning....get it
I'll take one too....

And yeah if you can find lumber at half current prices......I'll take some of that too...

 

And he's right about the F150s.....the older 8 bangers are push rod million mile monsters.....
The newer ones with the cam sequencers,....VVT tech,......yeah not so much....

depends on your needs.....

 

I wouldn't pay that much for that truck. It's 2WD which for me isn't the end of the world but I don't like sitting that low to the ground, if you're okay with being that low to the ground I'd be looking at a Nissan Frontier, you can get something in similar condition for significantly cheaper. Just browsing through CarGurus and I see a 1 owner Frontier with 70k miles listed at $8k @ www.707truckautosales.com they also have a 98 Tacoma single cab...

Obviously, I realize this is a Tacoma forum, but the Frontier is a good truck especially if you're not trying to spend an arm and a leg!

As far as pre-purchase inspections go I highly recommend getting them on any used car especially if you aren't mechanically inclined, but even if you are it's good to have a 3rd party look it over. I've used Lemon Squad a few times and have always been happy with the service.

 

One of the main considerations is the maintenance records involved with the truck. That model requires the valve lash to be adjusted and the is an expensive and time consuming process. Ask me how I know because I did mine and will not consider doing it for less than $850.00. If you elect not to have this service done then you should worry about burning some of the exhaust valves out, damaging and possibly destroying the head. The shim and bucket overhead cam valve train is the Achilles heel of the Tacoma 2.4, 2.7 and 3.4 engines of this era. Forgive me if I excluded any other engine types, makes and years. If the maintenance program is properly followed then you are good to go. However there is an interval that has to be followed during high mileage. The valve lash must be checked and corrected.

 

If you really like it, check back with the seller in a week and offer them $5500. Point out that it hasn’t sold yet….for reasons. They’re trying to capitalize on the batshit crazy market without even a premium platform.

 

Not sure what years were affected but some of the Nissans had a problem with the radiator getting a crack and pumping coolant into the transmission VIA the cooler in the radiator and then having to have a trans rebuild. I found that when I was looking for a truck several years ago so I stopped looking at Nissan all together.

 

Good to know, you must not have heard about the frame rot on the Tacoma prior to purchasing.