Crazy first generation prices in my area

Everytime I read about first gen prices and what they normally go for here, it always gets me cracked up as these trucks seem to go for so much more in my area it's nuts! It's always been that way too. Basically it seems these trucks go for a good $5k more than what they *should* go for from what I've been reading on here.

I pulled up a search on AutoTrader to show you guys what I mean. The search is for the 2001-2004 style. Most of these trucks that have a 100k on them as you will see are around $15k or more. It's not uncommin at all to see a fairly low mileage first gen for over $20k my area!! Crazy. In fact just recently I saw an '04 double cab with a little under 50k on it for $27k!! The high prices are not just on AutoTrader and from dealers, they are everywhere like CS and all the other online auto stores and private parties. Like I said, it's always been this way. Before I purchased my '02 and was shopping around for one of these trucks, I was very seriously considering a clean '03 TRD SR5 (same options and everything as mine has only in white) that had close to 90k miles on it. The private owner would not budge at all on his asking price of $15.5 as he claimed he had four other people interested in it and the truck was gone the same day after I left. Didn't end up buying that one (obviously) as I wanted to find one with a little less mileage and not pay that much anyway.

Have a look. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?lastStartYear=1981&num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=both&distance=200&address=98034&marketZipError=false&style_flag=1&make=TOYOTA&model=TACOMA&make2=&start_year=2001&end_year=2004&min_price=&max_price=&seller_type=b&transmission=&engine=&drive=4+wheel+drive&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=&keywordsrep=052120052&keywordsfyc=__NHg0__&keywords_display=4x4&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=y&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=y&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&systime=&sownerid=599690&rdm=1279318059814

 

damn thats pricey

 

Same in my area. Got sick of 1st gen price hype and bought 2nd gen

 

That's what the good ones go for. I just bought an '04 Access (wanted DC, but jumped on this one due to it's condition), auto, 4x4, off-road package, auto, 43K miles on it. It's been babied, driven by an older gentleman who was the original owner, with all the recordes, synthetic oil changes, etc. I've been shopping for them for some time now.

 

and then you'll just pay that much more. no real difference. it's not price 'hype', it's the market price. take it or leave it. all that means is you paid a higher price for your 2nd gen (which is fine). i bought a 1st gen primarily because i'm waiting for the third gen and wanted a truck for the next few years that i'd be happy with, but didn't want to pay 2nd gen prices.

 

WoW those are high prices. KBB prices in my area are only slightly less. Of course there is a big diff between retail and trade. My 2001 with 150,000 miles has a trade in value of only $4900

 

I didn't want to pay 2nd gen prices either...that's why I went to Phoenix just to get my 2nd gen for the same as what a 1st gen would have cost me up here in Seattle.

 

or you could've gotten a first gen down here for less...

i think people want it both ways. they brag about how good the trucks are, and how well they hold their value. and then complain about how much a used one is...

 

Finally found the right tacoma in the price range and payed 11 for an 01 access cab manual 4x4 with 65000 miles... and that was by far the cheapest I could find in months of searching with that low of miles....

Dealer here had an 04 trd double cab with 60k miles for 22 grand

 

and therein lies the key to finding a used one.

patience.

 

ya theres one out in my area for 17 grand and its only a 2000. nice truck but too much

 

WRONG. I paid $19,500 for a BRAND NEW 09 left over 2nd gen. V6 SR5 6 speed. I could have paid $15k for a 6-7 year old 1st gen instead.

1st gen's are overpriced in the second hand market. Tell me it's demand and supply and I will understand. Don't tell me they are worth that much when you can have a brand new car for not much more.

 

They cost that much because there Built Like a Brick Shithouse

 

x2

Yep, theres a reason for the high resale, tacomas from at least 98' up to 04' are damned near bullet proof very few TSB's .

I've had 4 Toyotas over the years & every one of them had well over 200K before I sold them (my 76' corolla had 312K) all with little cost of operation , no big repairs just usual maintenance.

You can find trucks with roomier interiors, more bells & whistles but I am convinced you CANNOT find a vehicle that will put up with more shit that drivers put their rides thru & not fail than Toyota (1st gens. in particular)........