Thinking about trading 2nd gen in on a 1st gen

I have a 2015 double cab sr5 and the payments are starting to bum me out. So I've been looking around online for other less expensive trucks.

A local jeep dealership has a 2002 Trd sr5 double cab prerunner 4 speed automatic with around 120000 miles on it. They're asking 12000 for it. Is there anything in particular I should look for on the truck? Excessive wear on certain parts? Known problems? Is 12k a good price?

Ive seen trucks smilar to mine on Craigslist for between 35-38000. What should I expect as far as trade in value for mine?

Thanks in advance!

 

Check for frame rust!

Also, I've seen some early 2nd Gen 4x4s for around that price and even 4x4 1st gens for half that. Shop around!

 

That's a lot of money for 2WD.

Here's the buyers guide: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-tacoma-buyers-guide.156943/

Watch out for Rust. That's pretty much it other than basic maintenance records.

 

so if 12 grand is a lot, what would a good price be? I really don't know a thing about 1st gen pricing. I'll do a little looking online tonight I guess. Less is always better when it comes to prices

 

Wildly depends on location and condition.

 

I wouldn't say 12 grand is a lot necessarily, just that its in the high end. That truck better be perfect for 12k. Check out for rust or abuse, make sure everything works, if its a good deal to you and gets you out of the 2015 payment then its a good deal.

 

Rust is the biggest issue with these 1st gens. Here is the latest case floating around here on TW.

Also are you looking specifically for a prerunner or 4X4's?


Read Read Read anything you can about the rust issues. If you have any questions about it, just post up, we will chime in to help you out.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/massive-frame-rust-crack-i-need-your-help.446948/

 

12k is a shit load for a 14 year old 2wd 1/2 ton pickup. If it has less than 50k miles then go for it.

I got mine for a little under 12k but it was in beautiful condition, low-ish miles, 4x4, TRD, supercharger, TRD headers and exhaust, moon roof, pretty much every little option you could have got from the dealer.

AND it was in so cal where everyone selling a Toyota truck thinks it's worth gold and was touched by baby Jesus himself.

 

Like everyone else has mentioned the big one to watch out for is RUST. Prices usually hover around 12-15k for 4x4 TRD Double Cabs with 120-150K miles. Extended cabs can be had for a few thousand cheaper. Not sure of the prices on PreRunners as I didn't look for those.

 

Do the math, you'll be better off selling the truck than a trade in.

research, research research! Be patient! Find exactly what you want and when you see it jump on it.

Oh yeah research too and don't pay attention to kbb values.

 

12k is 4wd price, it should be more in the 7-9k range. Love mine, but I would keep looking at that price honestly.

 

also what year is yours? that price i can get a brand new taco lol
i would say keep yours and just pay it off

 

They could very well offer you a deal your truck and $2,000.00 for the one your looking at.

Sell your truck outright if you want to lose the payment

 

I've seen them going for more when I was looking for my first gen, they do tend to hold their value rather well. I would offer less about 10k and see where the dealer is willing to come down to just don't fall in love with the first truck you find. As for your truck I would sell it on your own over trading it in. Good luck with your search.

 

I'll add a datapoint.

9K out the door for a 2003 Double Cab Prerunner L-4 (2.7L 4 banger) w/ 160K no rust in excellent shape. My airbag light is messed up, but I don't care.

I think you are seeing an extra 2-3K minimum for Left Coast prices. So you might want to seriously consider looking out of state, get one that never saw winter and drive it back.

 

If it doesn't have frame rust and is in otherwise good shape and you don't need 4x4, offer em $9k. Gives you wiggle room to ultimately pay close to $10.5k

 

Numbers might help your decision. How much do you owe?
How much is you current truck worth? Search nearby on Craigslist for trucks like yours under private owner to find an average price.
How much money will you lose on this transaction? / will you have some left over for a 1st gen.

It always comes down to the $

 

I paid $5000 for my 2002 xtracab 4x4 with 192,000 on it when i got it earlier this year. surface rust on the frame but i'm in wisconsin...so it's just something we deal with here. the truck runs really well, there were some odds and ends that I wanted to get to right away, but a torn tie rod boot was the only thing that i felt needed to be done. I've done lots of other stuff to it, but those things have all been by choice.

clutch had been replaced about 20,000 miles ago.

hope this gives you another reference point.

 

This is SOOOO true.
So CA buyer here who paid good money for my 03 4x4 V6 5 Speed TRD Extracab 140k miles.
But it's the color I wanted exactly and a SO CA 1 owner truck it's whole life.

 

^^^ this

I picked up my 2004 supercharged 4x4 TRD Taco this year for $17k with 24k miles on it. 12k for a 2wd with over 100k miles seems high especially if youre trading a 2015 in on it. Im all for getting into a 1st gen (best gen ) but personally I'd hold out for a better deal on a 4x4 if you're going to go that route.