Priorities

Hello,
I have been shopping for a Double Cab 1st gen, and have quickly discovered that these things maintain their value. I started with a $10K budget, but I think I may have to reconsider, as the only ones I'm finding at that price are over 150K-200K miles.



There are a couple of low mileage stock units around, within my budget.
example: http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4308256361.html

Then there are some that have higher mileage, but already have some of the mods I would want, Bumper/Lift/
example: http://www.horsepowerauto.com/2002_Toyota_Tacoma_FORT COLLINS_CO_224404112.veh

I'm trying to determine what I should keep the focus on, stock and pampered, or modified and cooler?

Also, does anyone see any real reason to run from either of the vehicles linked above?

This will be a weekend truck for play.

And why avoid the push button 4wd? As there are a couple of those in my price range as well.

Thanks

 

Stock and pampered is nice to find.... Less beat up, less items to have someone install wrong, less chance of someone THINKING they will recoup their losses on upgrades.

 

One of the trucks I've found (Linked above) has had the frame replaced. Am I correct in considering that a major bonus? I've looked at others that have had the undercoating, and they don't look so healthy.

Did they fix the original problem with the new frames, or are the replacement frames as susceptible to rust as the original?

And again, what's the downside to the push button 4wd?

Thanks,

 

Go talk to Ben at Horsepower, he might come down in price. Ben doesn't buy junk to put on his lot.
I bought my van through him and he treated me well.
He's also an avid off roader.

Edit: looks like the truck he's offering has some nice things added (bumpers and winch) that the other craigslist add doesn't. I'd go take a look if you haven't already.

If it's a native Colorado truck, it probably has minimal rust if any.

 

x2. Besides, it always nice to pick your own upgrades and do it yourself. Helps you appreciate your truck more.

 

true true, and u know where u stand and if u installed it, u know how to fix/uninstall/troubleshoot usually.

 

I know its a pain but you might look outside of the mountains for one. Look in western kansas. I got mine from a kansas dealer called briggs auto that has dealers all over the state. They cut 30% off in negotiations. ( although mine isnt the more valued style) it might be worth the trip.

 

oh wow. What people will pay for a 12 year old truck with almost 200k blows my mind away. whew!!!
The double cab obsession also boggles my mind. Seems like the DCs are a good $5k more expensive than any other Tacomas..and personally, I think they are the ugliest and least capable. Usually PreRunners and always autos

I'm in the Washington D.C. area, which usually drives prices way up. People around here have money and are usually willing to overpay for things, but here are some really nice DCs I've seen on CL.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/4303959241.html 101k miles, Prerunner, asking $13.6k. Probably get it for $11.5

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ctd/4281463728.html another 2003 DC Prerunner V6. 85k miles...asking $12k

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ctd/4278597911.html another 2003 DC Prerunner V6. 108k asking $13k

http://annapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4276367786.html 2002 DC 4x4 156k, but asking $10k.

That's about all the DCs for sale in my area I think.
Here are some other very temping options.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ctd/4280199897.html 98 xtra v6 4x4 5 speed SR5. Not the cleanest, but $8k. doesn't mention mileage, probably high miles
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/4300861896.html 2001 xtra Prerunner v6 147k, $6.8k, or about half your budget

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/cto/4301619619.html 2002 xtra 4x4 v6 auto 180k only $6500 likely doesn't speak english, so be careful

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/cto/4305309329.html 2000 xtra 4x4 v6 auto 181k and it's got that bull bar you're so fond of! $8400, but been trying to get rid of it for like 2 months now

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/4305333552.html 2003 xtra v6 4x4 5 speed 113k with a SUPERCHARGER!! whoo yeah!! only $10k

and here's the nicest one you'll probably ever find http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/4309763693.html 2002 xtra v6 4x4 auto 65k miles, $13k. with bling pre-installed


I'm not doing this to show off or anything, but almost every one I've listed is much lower mileage and below what you're willing to spend.
With the prices you're running into, you could buy one in this area, and drive (or even ship!) it across country and still be thousands ahead.
Seems like there aren't many for sale in your area anyway.

another point: I admit, I've never been to any part of Colorado, but I've always had a mental image of Colorado being up to its neck in snow like...24/7. Despite Denver being on almost exactly the longitude, CO has about 4x the average snowfall as DC. So I would expect much higher amounts of rusty vehicles

 

Thanks for the replies.
The taco at Horsepower is obviously cool, with upgrades I want. and has the advantage of being ten minutes from home. It is also a mini version of my Dodge diesel that I drive everyday. It's the mileage on it that makes me hesitate.

And yes, I was shocked by the prices on the double cabs when I started this search. Ten years ago, I also thought DC's were ugly and useless. But then again, I've driven full size diesels most of my life. In my world, full size shortbeds never actually qualified as a real truck. Why would anybody want a truck without a bed large enough to haul plywood with the tailgate up?

But now, times are different. I have two elementary aged kids, and I am tired of driving a big stinky noisy smokewagon every time I have to make a quick trip to town. Besides, it is usually hooked up to a work trailer anyway. Had to pick up the kids from school yesterday, while hooked up to my tool trailer. I felt ridiculous. I also want an automatic, cuz I've been driving manuals my whole life, as I've always hated autos. But 20 yrs of carpentry, and my knee joints want a break.

So, it would be nice to have a second "truck" for grocery getting, snowboarding, mtn biking, camping, and general hooliganism. Frankly, a subaru would do 90% of what I want. But I do spend time on back mountain roads, exploring ghost towns and what not. Black Bear road is on the to-do list though, as my Dodge 2500 or my wife's explorer do not seem like ideal vehicles for that. So how about a 4runner? I've considered it, and honestly, even those are cheaper than these stupid double cabs.

But I want to be able keep tools/gear and dogs in the back, separate from the living quarters. The reg cabs and xcabs don't have the room for the kids.
The 2nd gens cost more than I'm willing to spend. 4 Runners are too similar tothe wifes explorer. So, back to the DC. This will be a 4th vehicle for our family, and my toy to satisfy the midlife crisis.

As for rust, Technically, Colorado is a desert environment. The mountains will have snow from September to April, but on the front range, where I live, it will snow, and then it usually melts in a day or two. They don't salt the roads here, but do use a mag chloride which you do want to rinse off ASAP.

I have checked craigslist in Kansas and Nebraska for the DC, but figured it shouldn't be too hard to get one of these locally, as they are everywhere. Patience will pay off.

BTW, this won't be my first Toy. I've had an
85 4runner, wish I kept it.
97 Xcab 4cyl taco, wish I kept it.
87 reg cab PU. Glad I sold it

Here's a pic of my current ride, just so you can see how eager I am to get something else.

 

That '02 in Annapolis would be perfect.