CA Tacoma Prices...

Looking to jump into my first Tacoma. I always wanted a Tacoma but life just made it difficult at the time. Not a fan of new trucks as mid-size are creeping to full size truck proportions. After much research, I decided on a Gen1.

Searching the local market in California I noticed trucks command a $1-2k price premium. Reasonably priced Tacoma's are usually beat to hell.

After several sleepless nights searching ads, I found a low mileage DC PreRunner. I looked at the truck armed with a "what to look for" list compiled from advice here at Tacomaworld.

The PreRunner is an 2003, automatic, with 72,500 original miles. The interior is in great condition and the paint is spectacular for a 16 year old truck. The truck sounds strong and rust free. Due to the low mileage, the timing belt was changed at 55k miles. While I was poking around, I noticed a VIN sticker missing from the front passenger quarter panel. I spoke with the owner and he said he was in a minor fender bender that bent the quarter panel. He said the dealer replaced the quarter panel with a new one.

Getting to brass tacks, the owner listed the truck for $15k. After reading my sticker shock face, he begrudgingly said the lowest he would take is $11k.

At $11k, I feel the price is still overpriced. I do love the truck, it is by far one of the best condition Gen1 Tacoma's I have seen for sale in person. What are everyone's thoughts? Would I be better served looking for Gen1's in surround Nevada or Arizona? Thanks in advance.

 

He might get 11k, that's super low miles and if it's in as good condition as you say....

The skeptic in me would want to confirm the miles match the VIN?

I search on cargurus a lot, as I was trying to get a handle on what I could get for mine. Love it to death but been driving it for 14 years and it's time for something new. I have 257,000 miles on mine but it's in excellent shape. I thought I could get upwards of 9k but it's not until I have the listing price down to $5800 that I'm getting any action. but I have a ton of miles on mine.

I've also talked to some people who were looking for good condition 1st gen's and one dude I know, he ended up flying from NH to VA to drive one home, I think he paid over 10K for one w/ 140k miles, but it was mint, had a lift, exhaust, etc.

So, as ridiculous as it sounds, if I were him I would probably hold off and try to get $11k for it, he just might, not as obscene as it first might seem.

 

Thanks for the reply. The mileage matches the truck. The truck is owned by a nice old gentlemen that bought it new and only drove it to the market. Unfortunately on one of his weekly outings, he got into a fender bender.

The thing that concerns me is he has no documentation of the crash. When I had the hood up, I immediately noticed the VIN was missing on the passenger side quarter panel and the three top bolts had been removed at some point. But credit where it's due, who ever repaired it, the job looks good.

 

I found mine on CarGuru this past July, with 96k on the odometer, '03 Extra cab 4x4 with 5-speed. I'm in So Cal, and paid $10k for it. Luckily for me, the paint was toast so I used that to get it down from the original $11k he wanted.

 

are you looking for a 4cyl or 6?

 

6 cylinder.

 

Post some pictures and more info. $11k is high IMO for a Prerunner. Mileage is not as important then how the truck was maintain. Don’t be afraid of a 200k mile truck if they have a good maintenance record.

 

The owner doesn't have maintenance records but said the truck was always dealer serviced. I assume I can call the dealership and confirm. The truck is a PreRunner Limited.

 

I would probably buy it for that and be happy!

 

That thing is cherry. The non 4x4s are pretty sought after in CA. Since you go visit the snow instead of the snow visiting you. $11k isn't gonna be hard for him to get.

 

Buy it for 11k... If you don't, I will.

 

if you have the vin and are registered at Toyota.com you can check about the last 10 -12 years of maintenance history from all dealers that have serviced it (i think)

 

Better jump on that fast, you would regret it

 

Get it. Have it inspected if you can't find service records and are still paranoid.

But this a little old man from Pasadena single owner find. And a Limited. 11k is a deal in that market, don't hesitate.

 

Yea only goes back to 2005 on my truck when it had 209,000 miles from what I looked up on my truck

 

i am missing the major service (90k) i had done in 2oo7 on mine for some reason! so mine only goes to 2oo8
it may stem from the local dealers here all shuffling around to different locations with new state of the art shops and ownerships changes (who knows)
a lot of dealer unknown as the listed provider

 

1st gen Tacoma prices in the middle of the USA are nearly non-existent anymore
because they probably do not exist anymore at least in very nice overall condition

 

That is a good deal for a double cab low mileage prerunner in CA. In that good of shape and at $11K it will be gone FAST. Sure, have it checked out but don't dilly dally.

 

$15k for a low mileage 4x4 in excellent condition is a no brainer, however as a PreRunner, that's over priced, IMO. $11k is much more reasonable, maybe a tad high, but if it's worth it is really only up to you.

If you want a 4x4, you'd be able to convert it to 4x4 for less than a couple grand (easily) if you DIY. There's a lot of info on that conversion on this forum, and others.

Conversions IMO are the way to go if you want a 4x4 these days. To buy a 4x4 "off the shelf" as it were, is pricey, but you can pretty easily buy a prerunner which are not in nearly as high demand, and convert it for much less than buying the comparable 4x4. Converting one of the older trucks is much easier, but it's really just some extra wiring (ifaik) with the later 1st gen models. Go manual hubs and that makes it easier too.

 

Late to the thread but I would buy it!!
That's a great deal IMO. You can argue it but I'd get it.
Like jbrandt said, I would buy that and swap it 4x4 if you want it.

I paid 10.5k for mine.
Had an annoying dent in the door and 121k miles. That was 2-3 years ago, and I searched a while. Came from fresno or reno area, don't recall but we met halfway.
No rust.