New guy pricing a 1st gen

Hello, I'm new to this forum and could use a bit of advice. I'm selling a 2012 Tacoma with 20k miles and it is bringing close to NADA or Kelley price. What is strange to me is the price of 1st gens. I'm looking at a very clean 96, 4x4, v6, extended cab, 5 spd with 119k miles and it is priced at almost $9000 which is double blue book value (which is around $4k). Now $4k seems low for a nice, low mile 1st gen, but are nice used ones bringing double book value. Appreciate any thoughts from people who closely follow 1st prices.

thanks, Scott

 

Any clean, low mileage, rust free, and non accident 1st Gen Tacoma is going to bring a lot of money. Double KBB Book Value? Probably not. To answer your question, yes the Tacomas will bring over book value. Another large factor is what Region you're in. To help you out, it took me 3 months to find my 2002 Tacoma EX cab 4x4 TRD with 160k miles and I paid 8k. My previous truck was a 1996 Tacoma Ex Cab 4x4 Manual with 183k and I paid 4,300.00. Both trucks were exceptionally clean. Just depends on if it is the right truck and how bad you want it.

 

I just pd 5800 for my 2000 v6 trd 4x4 and it needs a fair bit of love. 9000 is not really that surprising, especially with those low miles. You might be able to negotiate some, but if it's in good shape and low miles it might not be much. I know it's hard to believe given that it's 20 years old but we'll maintained tacomas often pull a premium.

 

No-one makes those small trucks anymore. Look at the new Taco's, they are as big as my old 81 Ford F-100. You want the small truck, you have to pay, and again it all depends on where you live and where it's been. in Texas you can pick up one for about 6K with 200K on the odometer.

 

Mine is a 2001, 150k miles, TRD, SR5, 3.7 v6,automatic trans, 4x4, Xtd cab, clean inside & out, straight body, good paint, good tires, looked for 6 months ..$10,500, best I could do. Okla/ Arkansa area. Looked at a lot of others, (1st gen) all higher than mine.

 

a 1st gen 4x4 with the 3.4 and under 100K miles will still bring $15k+.

 

if you plan to spend $9k on a first gen then get a refined 01-04, those are much easier to find with lower miles and have had all the bugs worked out and added extras like better interior, better engine components, double cab options ect..

 

Scott, anything in exceptionally fine condition could be placed above book value. The problem with the book valuations is there are so few older vehicles with low miles / *nothing* wrong with them that they can't be accurately compared.

The risk with owning one is that your insurance company won't value it that high, either, and one accident is all it takes to lose it. 4WD will always cost more to insure however.

In my recent shopping experience, the nice $4K Tacomas are mainly older std cab 2WD models (if available).

 

I appreciate the comments.