To Buy a "Cheap" 1st Gen?

I wouldn't say that I am "unfortunately" in the market for another truck, but I'm having legal troubles with my 1st gen Tundra that are leading me to have to scrap it/part it out.
(Ahaaaa transformation Tuesday)

My current daily driver is my 2004 BMW 330i ZHP that I absolutely love and would have a hard time picking an extended relative over.
She is my muse, my flame.


But, now that I've spoiled myself with the lifestyle of filling a two car garage, I can't help but yearn to fill that empty hole that can only be filled with the likes of a truck. A Toyota truck.

My main problem is that I don't have a lot of that disposable income I hear people talk about in the movies.

Without selling the Bimmer I'd be looking at close to a $5k budget if I bought from an owner. If I went third party through a dealership I'd roll the dice and splooge for a $10k budget that I would finance half of because I'm an idiot.

If I did sell the Bimmer I'd be back up to that $10-12k budget which would mean I could be more serious about browsing the Buy/Trade/Sell forum on here and actually buy something clean.

But I'm not a rational man, so I'm curious if anyone has had any luck purchasing a cheaper first gen Tacoma. I know it varies purchase to purchase, but I figure if I throw a few grand at a truck with some miles on it then work into some maintenance and TLC over the years it could turn out to be alright.
I've pretty much already talked myself into the idea and I'm on somewhat of a timeline in the Chicago area with Winter just half a year away, need to get back into a 4x4 before I go through withdrawals and itch away my skin.

Tl;Dr - any thoughts on buying a cheap(~$5k) first gen Tacoma?

 

I bought mine for 3k, very very little frame rust, still smooth inside the frame just surface on a few spots on the outside. 95.5 185k. so it can happen.

 

Yo man first gen Tacoma’s are selling for a premium and you get very little truck for the money....

Buy another first gen tundra. You can get a nice one for 5k, and they are just as reliable as the Tacoma’s and will run to 400k miles. I’m a big Tacoma guy, wouldn’t trade my truck for the world, but I’m sorry man the first gens are just way overpriced and not worth the market value.

 

Whats with with all the spent 12gauge shells in the rollover pic? I smell a good story

 

Didn't really think about what that would look like to other people, I was up on a mountain with some buddies shooting at shit and all their guns were in my bed. Thankfully no damage to those

I like to golf

 

Damn what area are you in? The Chicago CL isn't turning up a lot of winners lately

 

I'm slowly picking up on that. Where're you from that you're finding nice Tundras for $5k? I bought mine originally for $7250 with 142k on the clock, she was clean but ended up getting terrible rear fender rust a month after I took her home.
I'd definitely consider just getting another Tundra if I can find a decent one

 

Yeeaaaa so initially when I wrecked the truck I immediately went out and bought another body off of someone and paid to have that thrown on. Apparently in Illinois if you want to do any sort of major swap between two vehicles you need an authorized shop to inspect both trucks first, then do all the work(probably at a hack price) and then drive it to the DMV themselves and have it inspected for a rebuilt title. Complete PITA, I'm over fighting it

 

so is it best I should trade in my well-cared-for old truck (the dealer has been wanting my keys) and get me into a new $50k Tacoma that is not overpriced

 

Tell me about it Wish I just stayed out in Montana lol

 

i don't know whether i should like that or not like that
trucks not supposed to ride like pimpn caddys from where i be from lol

 

oh no, not the ninja edit
my truck is way much nicer than truck i had before this!

 

i am not as tall as you are lol

 

i don't think PETA like the donkey comment

 

one of those ninja edits again (sorry)
peta

 

I paid $600 for this truck. 1998 SR5 v6 5-Lug. 450,000 miles.

Absolutely nothing wrong with it besides being ugly.

 

Now that's a steal

 

Back here in CT I got my 2002 Tacoma for about $5k. Clean body sitting on a new frame, but had to fail emissions to get an extension to figure out it's emissions issue - (Charcoal Canister). I changed the bed as that was crap. Been a great truck. Coming up on 2 years IIRC.
Recently picked up a 2003 Tundra sitting on a new frame for just under $5k. Not as nice underbits as the Taco, but I can deal with the crusty stuff like bushings a bit at a time.

All that said, I can see the logic to trying to register your rebuilt truck at your "vacation" home in another state, like VT or ME...
Surely you have some friends 'back east' or someplace.

 

Whatcha talking about, it’s registered in Vermont.

 

Buy a pre runner you can always swap later