New truck for my gram. Advice

My grandmother currently has a 2003 jeep liberty with 96,000 miles. I wont get into details, lets just say its a P.O.S. i want her to have something more reliable, and she likes tacomas. She doesn't have a large budget, so she'll be looking at first gens. I found a 2003 access cab 4x4 4 cylinder today with 136,000 miles for $8900. my questions 1) is it insane to trade her 96,000 liberty for a 136,000 mi tacoma? 2) how is the price for the tacoma? If her credit app is accepted, i will bring the tacoma to a mechanic to look it over before she commits. On my test drive, i noticed the front right wheel was making a clunking noise when turning right. I looked at the frame today, and it was coated with a thick tar like substance. Let me know your thoughts

 

not worth 8900 if it's got problems and doesn't have a properly cleaned undercarriage. i say keep searching.

other than that, a 2001+ 2nd gen 4dr auto would be perfect for a granny. just get her some running boards if it doesn't already have any. white with a camper shell.

i don't know why i gave that much detail, just sounds very "awwww".

 

Shes not the typical granny She doesn't want a corolla or some crap. Dont think she needs running boards. Getting into the tacoma isn't any harder than the jeep. She would love a tacoma

 

You don't have to buy a 4x4. She's not going rock crawling....right?

Anyways, 2wd will bring the price down a lot lower for first gens. Also, don't buy your grandma a trouble truck. If you're already asking questions on how it should be fixed, and you haven't even bought it, then I say move on.

 

you need 4x4 where we live. 4x2 is only half a step above useless here in the winter. If its snowy, she needs to be able to go out if she needs to, and get home.

 

Might I ask how old 'granny' is? Mostly curious. But some folks (like me) don't fit the image conjured up by the 'grand' term. Suspect she's one too.

1) Absolutely not, if it's the right one

2) Like anything, price is determined by condition of vehicle and demand for the model at hand in a specific region. As a side note, it seems it would be pretty unusual to score good financing on a vehicle that old. It would make your shopping easier if she were prequalified so you had budget and age guidelines to work with. Pre purchase inspection by a knowledgeable mechanic, especially one who has some knowledge of the marquee you are interested in, is always a good investment.

 

shes 70. Shes very independent and goes out a lot. Drives people around a lot etc. My father has a good friend who owns his own garage, he'd look it over for no charge.

 

Is a Tacoma really the best vehicle for her to buy with her budget and needs?

I know this is a Tacoma forum, but it also isn't the greatest vehicle on earth. Are you looking at Tacoma's because "cuz Tacoma" or is it really that practical to get her into a high mileage first gen? Seems like there would be more options than a Tacoma for her that maybe you're neglecting.

 

she likes them. She has mentioned her old friends tacoma several times. She saw/test drove the one today and liked it. I just want her to have a reliable, and capable (snow) vehicle. The final decision is hers of course.

 

I like and like to drive 60s Bronco's, but I know they're not the right vehicle for me even if I can afford one.

Food for thought. I wish her well.

My grandmas haven't been around for a long time, unfortunately. Enjoy her.

 

thanks. Yeah i need to spend more time with her. she also said "with this truck, i can finally get rid of my living room chair"

 

I certainly hope so. 70 is the new 50 for those of us who have put effort into taking care of ourselves and been blessed with reasonable health.

Sounds like she's on the ball.

 

Move grandma's living room chair with your truck and show her some AWD crossovers.

 

well, she got it. I asked her if she was absolutely sure she wanted it. She said shes fine with the step up to get into it, shes fine with the lack of space for multiple people, or shopping excursions. She said I didn't push her into getting it at all. I will go over how to use the 4x4 etc. I wish her great luck with it and I am confident this tacoma with 83,000 miles will be good to her. One thing i noticed is that the truck does not have a tachometer. Just a big spedo, gas gauge, and temp. If I could find a junk tacoma to swap gauge clusters with, is it plug and play?

 

Does she need a tach? I've only owned one manual, and it also had no tachometer - but the engine told me when to shift, not the missing gauge.

 

no she doesn't need it. She wont even notice, lol

 

I'd just leave it then.

 

Nice.

I have the same tire. Love it.

 

The damn thing has zero dents, a light scratch on the tailgate, and a light scratch on the passenger side. Fingernail does not catch them and im going to take them out with megs scratch x.