question about book values and actual prices

2nd gens are not as reliable? How? Please expand on your input.

 

well. i see threads all the time about things that go wrong with them. the 1st gens everyone knows are bulletproof. they are tried and true. the 2nd gens have suspension problems, tranny issues, rattles. i just feel like the 1st gen is a better built truck than the 2nd gen. im not saying they are a bad truck because i would choose the 2nd gen over a frontier or ranger anyday, i just dont think its built as well as a 1st gen.

 

K. Thanks. I agree with you. I'm going to try to sell my Coma and look for a DC 1st gen 5-speed manual, then buy a 2009 Subaru STI 5-door for daily driving.

As for problems on the 2nd gen, I think most of the 2nd gen's complaints are just driver's preference. My Coma shifts fine, the off-road suspension is good, and it only rattles when I have my tools bouncing around in the rear seat storage unit. Some people expect Escalade luxury too in a Coma, which is ridiculous.

 

i didnt think they made a 1st gen DC in a manual.

 

Nope. The 1st gen DC ONLY came in 4 speed automatic.

 

Thats why I ended up buying new. Mine is 2wd 4 cylinder which I know is not nearly as hot as the v6 4wd models but for 5 thousand more I got a brand new truck with zero miles compared to a used one with 80 to 100,000 miles.

 

The first gen is a small truck, not midsized. It is even shorter than my little Ford Ranger. Unless you are talking about extended cab or the ugly 4 door. The 2nd gen I consider a full size truck really. I have no idea what Toyota was thinking when they came out with that ugly thing. I test drove one and it felt like it was flapping in the wind. It was also cheaper than a fist gen and the salesperson told me if he had a 1st gen and 2nd gen on the lot in the same condition, miles and price the 1st gen would sell much faster. Just higher demand for a smaller truck that has a nicer look.

 

Bummer...

 

2nd gen - nicer look? LoL hardly..

 

Maybe Im reading it wrong. But I think he was saying the 1st gen would sell alot faster and the 1st gen looks better..

 

I bought my 98 for $4440, BB was 3800. Dealer prices where around 5500 for the same truck in this area. Also, a lot of those had been imported from either coast. So they had corrosion issues. This was was north texas and colorado. I checked and no significant rust on this one. Private party purchase.

Here in colorado 1st gen 4x4 tacoma's go fast, and for a premium.

EDIT: So I guess one of the real things we'd need to know is, where are you?

 

You read it right... Ywen failed.

 

I sold it within hours for $7,500.00. Here it was worth $8,500.00 but wanted to sell it quick. Down here the first gen bring more than book unless the person doesn't know what they have.

 

lol i started a thread the other week saying how i wished toyota would come out with another 1st gen size pick up and all the 2nd gen guys came on here telling me no one in their right mind would buy one...

 

Obviously they would say that. They bought a 2nd gen.

 

I'm saying the guy's sentiment that 2nd gens are generally better looking by default is a hilarious statement to make.

 

Thank you all for your help with my question.

I got what I was looking for. Found on craigslist.
2000, six cylinder, extracab, 4X4, five speed, TRD, tow package. 124K miles. Came with three spare tires, one full size and two slightly smaller.

Paid KBB book value of $6,500. The buyer and I reached the price directly through the KBB site. The previous owner bought it for $12,500 at 98K miles and put 26,000 miles on it in 2.5 years. He was not making payments so it was sold by the co-signer.

The truck was used offroad and is not in showroom condition. The previous owner was a smoker. It has a small dent and light scratches. The first owner hit a stop sign in 2003. Rearview mirror is detached. Passenger rear view mirror is cracked. Jack is missing. One tires needs to be replaced now, other three probably within a year. One tail light is chipped. Noticeable but not excessive underside rust. So I have some work to do.

Runs well. No performance issues, strange noises or smells so far. Does not leak or burn oil or other fluids.

What I learned:

You can get a good Taco at book price, but you have to work at it. Most sellers will not sell anywhere near book price, especially if the truck is very clean and they are personally in love with it. I plan to offroad so a truck already used offroad was ok with me. No use paying for a prisitine paint job just to scratch it up.

I extensively searched for about a month before finding the right truck. Looked at many hundreds of vehicles everyplace online I could find. Made offers on 5 trucks before finding a willing seller at book price. Six cylinder 4X4's are rare compared to four cylinders and sell fast. Sometimes within just a day or two. About 6 trucks that fit my criteria were sold when I contacted the sellers. The seller reported another interested party coming to look at it, and I don't think he was BSing me. I got on the road within an hour after contacting the seller. I don't think it would have been there if I waited until Saturday.

Seller was 500 miles away. My search was in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. Found it in Alabama.

I hope what I learned helps. Thanks again for all your input!

Some pics:

 

Grats on the new rig. Glad you found one you like. Welcome to the elite-first-gen-taco-owners club.