Buying advice please - Just Got It!

this model year was not eligible for that replacement

 

6,000 to 9,000 range is what would be between reasonable and Tacoma Tax.

Hopefully he’s down for somewhere in the middle.

If it’s minty go ahead and pay whether you want as if you don’t someone will. But if it needs a ton of work don’t bother.

 

i was going to say that it could still be debatable because its a 4x4 stick whereas the new trucks have 4x4 button/switch thing and no stick

but i see its confirmed as MT

 

what in tarnation is wrong in Texas!!!

 

did you check under that bedliner for any perforations?

 

I see your point to a degree, however probability would lean toward him not being redundant in stating that it’s 4x4 and the way to shift the 4x4 is with a stick, nor does it seem likely, though not impossible, that he’d say it so poorly haha.

Seemed fair/common to assume 4x4 stick means 4x4 manual transmission.

OP, hope you can get a good price on it. I love my 3rd Gen 4Runner (same engine/etc.) and I wish my Pickup (93) was a 1st Gen Tacoma instead.

I also wish my 4Runner was a stick (also known as a manual transmission).

If you don’t buy it send it to me!

 

For your reference, I bought this '03 in July with 95k miles in SoCal for $10k. It has 95k miles, manual, 4x4, V6.

 

um... that looks like a TRX250 R, not an X.

 

$6500-7500 is fair. If I remember correctly I seen one just like that in a red color with around 150k asking $7000-$7500, San Diego. Looks to be a limited and still has the square recess headlights which I actually like. It really depends what you want from it. Is it going to be mainly a city truck or an off road crawler etc. If it’s going to be a city truck I could see someone paying a little more for it to keep it original and clean as possible.

If the truck as been sitting for years then you would want to do a full service on it.

 

To all first generation Tacoma buyers, (I wrote this a long time ago, but since this guy is new to first generation Tacomas, I am going to post it again)

Here are the problems with first generation Tacomas. Some of this information I am going to discuss will be redundant for many of you. First generation Tacomas suffer from frame rust. The ones that do not reside on the west coast and the southwest of the United States with the exception of Florida and Texas most likely have frame rust if they are still running at this point in their life. As a result of this dilemma, there are not a hell of a lot of them left. Please note many of these frame rust ridden first generation Tacomas were purchased back by Toyota when frame rust was first detected during the initial Toyota buy back program. Some of them received frame replacements, but that was not very many of them. The one you are looking at is from Southern California so frame rust won't be an issue.

First generation Tacomas have a cult like following behind them, which is part of the reason why sites like this exist. To clarify this point, this is the same kind of attention and admiration first generation Toyota FJ 40 and first generation Camaros receive. Followers and admirers seem to be very emotionally attached to the body style of these first generation Tacomas, which is why the prices of these old Tacomas are so damn expensive.

Many of you looking for a long term useful pick-up truck for yourself or your family will have to put in an incredible amount of time and energy in locating a first generation that fits the bill. Unless you are completely emotionally attached to the body style of first generations, your effort will be much better spent seeking out a second generation. You will have many more to choose from, and they are built just as well as the first generations. They have a ton of more options. Their stock seats are also quite a bit more comfortable, and they are a much better balanced truck. First generations are just small trucks that have a relatively big engine for their size when equipped with the 3.4, and they ride hard.

(Original Poster) In order for people not to have a clue on how desirable these first generation Tacomas have become is highly unlikely. There is always the chance that they are oblivious, but that is not very likely. You are most likely going to have to offer this guy at least $11,000.00 for a Tacoma like this one.

Now here is the other problem with first generation Tacomas compared to Jeeps. Yes, Tacomas are very capable off road rigs. There is no question about this. They are also a lot more versatile than Jeeps. Jeeps, however, will go more places, and turn much easier off the trail than a Tacoma. Just look at the wheelbase on a Jeep.

Good Luck
Paul

 

Thanks for the comments - I'll make an offer

 

prices are all over the place for this early trim it seems
earlier this year there was one in Hawaii but also included a shell
it started at $15k and believe it sold for a bit less than $13k with about the same mileage!

 

True and what something is worth will vary from person to person. I wouldn't pay these high prices for a truck that I'm going to modified and take off road where it's very possible to be damage in one form or another, 1st gen Tacomas can be over price. On the bright side it keeps the value of my truck up there. However the money I've put into my truck I'd be lucky if I got half of it back.

btw...wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Check the passenger floor board for signs of a water leak like a mildew smell with the passenger side carpet.

 

It took a long time but I got it.....

 

Fvckin eh brother! That's some serious stalking for an awesome outcome... I been sub'd since your first post.

Sometimes it's the thriĺl of the chase that makes it all worthwhile as well...nice job.

My 99 t4r took me a year to finally lasso

 

did you pay MSRP for it
j/k
green is nice, i may have chosen that color had i the chance
was a sort of an 'impulse buy' iirc

 

The chase was worth it. Changed all fluids, new battery, washed off all the dust, engine cleaning, replaced original spark wires. Next is brakes/tires and shocks.
After that the plan is to get it dirty again.

 

Those center caps are just begging for a coat of some body-matching green... or high-temp matte black. Nice truck!

 

If you don’t mind me asking, how much?
She looks pristine, I’m jealous.
I think the 95.5-97 grille is definitely the best looking tacoma. Whatever you paid, looks like got a solid truck, especially that you said it’s rust free.