Looking to purchase a Tacoma. Hoping for some advice.

New on this forum and I'm hoping I can get some advice. I'm looking to buy a first gen Tacoma and I really don't know the first thing about them. Any recommendations on what year I should be looking at? Price range? Mileage, etc. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. I'm looking for a TRD, 5 speed, Ext. Cab. Thanks in advance!

 

Before some of the long timers pile on you about searching & all that shit, you want TRD prerunner or 4WD ? What kind of driving do you do ? Any offroading in your future ? How much willing to spend ? ( 1st gens hold very high resale value) Questions like this will help you nail it down as for what you should be looking at...

 

Oh, welcome to TW from SoCaL.....

 

I probably should have done some searching prior to creating this thread so my apologies for that but it will be my daily driver, to school and back, mostly short commutes with the occasional surf trip down through Baja or up to NorCal. I do plan on doing some off roading so I'm looking for a TRD 4WD and I'd put my budget somewhere around $8,500. I appreciate the help

 

I wanted a TRD, but found a regular cab/standard that I love with 4wd. $8500 might be a bit low for something 2001 and newer, but you could probably find a 97-00 in that price range. I have 4 banger, and I really like it too. Good luck

 

My advice is be prepared for an immediate purchase if you find the one you want. Desirable 1st gens seem to sell fast. I searched craigslist and the forums for months and finally found mine at a Jeep dealer of all places.

Welcome to TW, put your location instead of your email in your block. Someone near you might be able to help.

 

For a 2001-04 or later V6 4x4 xcab 5 speed SR5 TRD in excellent shape, maint. records, and about 100k miles, expect to see prices at 10k-12k. So, yes, 4-banger non-SR5 non-TRD would be closer to your budget. Mileage and condition will be the big price factors. The only real difference with the TRD is the rear diff lock and fancy stickers and "HD" shocks, which will be worn out or replaced by now anyway, so if you can live without that, you can save more.

But you could always get lucky. If you see the right truck for you, do not hestitate. Frame rust should not be an issue for any trucks from CA, but be sure to check anyway.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for all the advice. I could definately do without the locking differential, and other TRD components but 4WD is a bit of a must. I was actually looking between '96 and '98 models those seem to fit my budget a little better. What sort of mileage should I be aiming for?

 

Thanks for all the help, much appreciated. I found a potential option....any thoughts?

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...=50&feedSegId=28705&dlId=5265894&aff=national

 

yeaa i thought the 4 speed was a little odd as well but im glad to hear you think it looks good. I'd love to find one right off the bat like this

 

Jump on that, looks like a good deal. Also its a 5spd, not 4.

 

1st gen.s can be found BUT you pay $$$$

Todays paper;
2001 SR5 X-tra cab V-6, 4wd ,auto ,a/c, p/w, pdl ,alloy wheels, bedliner and tow pkg....$ 10950 NH Toyota dealer


Good luck with your search and REMEMBER if you find one ,put that offer in NOW...

 

damn you guys could not have been more correct about putting in an offer immediately. That truck hit Craigslist yesterday and it's already sold..All help is appreciated hopefully I'll be able to find one before June when I typically start making surf trips down through Mexico.