To purchase or not 2000 SR5

I'm looking at a very clean and stock 2000 SR5 2.7 5 speed with 260K. I'm a bit torn about this truck. I've always wanted one of these and this thing is clean. I do wish it had pwr windows/locks and I kind of wish it had ABS. The miles don't bother me much, its obvious that the last owner(owned it 12 years) was a commuter and was meticulous.

Good:
2.7 w/5 speed
3:91 rear
cleanest truck ive seen, inside looks nearly new
rust free and always been in Alabama
totally un-molested bone stock down to AM/FM/CD/cassette
everything works perfect(AC, cruise)
clean carfax
never been wrecked
drives great
Near perfect body, even the tailgate and bumpers


Bad:
open rear (B06A)
no locker
small oil leak at front of motor
I don't think it has ABS
Seller wants retail (~$7500)

1. What do you think? I need some advice.

2. Is ABS is a pretty common feature? If so then I may keep looking around, but if ABS is hard to find anyway, then I may snatch this truck up.

Truck will be a DD for me and won't be an extreme off roader.

 

ABS was an option, I don't think many sprang for it in 00 though. (may have been popular for auto. trans.) I believe it was standard for 01.

 

Thanks for the info John.

 

Dosn't sound like it's quite what your looking for. I'm not sure why your hot on the abs but the elocker I get.

My 01 dub cab dosn't have abs FWIW

 

Way too much considering the miles, leak, and the 4cyl. Is it 4wd?

First gen Tacomas didn't come with LSD, so if you honestly want that, you'll have to jump up to 2nd gen sport model Tacomas or later models (I think it bacame standard on all models 12 and up?)

ABS sucks in these trucks. My 01 doesn't have it, thank god.

Edit: ABS is more common through the 01-04 eras but I've heard of some earlier models having them. Possibly option 98 and up. I seriously doubt 97 and below had them.

Another edit: welcome to TW and good luck for your search.

 

For me the pros you have listed well out weigh the cons, especially for a DD and little offroad. LSD and lockers are not needed on pavement anyway.

Will be very hard to find a sample that old with that many miles as clean as you say it is. Are you willing to trade cleanliness and care for the parts you feel are missing?

I do think the price is optimistic for the miles/vintage. If you decide to pursue it, walk in with a wad of cash. Make you offer. If declined, put your money in your pocket and leave him your phone number, and walk away. You'd be surprised how many cars I've bought after a week of no attention for the seller....... they call the guy that had cash in hand.

 

i agree with bill, make him a cash offer and don't be afraid of walking away. the oil leak is the thing that caught my eye. is the oil leak in the oil pan or front main seal?

 

It is 4wd. I actually had a 03 DC Prerunner several years ago and got stuck in it so I won't get another truck without it. Good to know that LSD isn't available for 1s gen. I can mark that off my must have list. Your making me feel better about no ABS. I guess I'm hung up on ABS because it saved my tail(and car) in my 98 Camry once.

Thanks for the info and welcome.

Thanks for the info man.

 

Pictures

 

I tried the cash thing on Tuesday and have found its pretty effective. They were asking $8500 and I offered $6500 and as dealers tend to say, "I have more than that in it". LOL. Full retail is ~$7600 so to me $7500 seems a bit high.

Not certain about the leak. It's high enough that the top part of the front cover is wet. The top of the head(valve cover gasket looks clean though.

 

My first Tacoma was a prerunner so I know exactly what you mean

But yeah man, read up on the ABS systems on these trucks and almost everyone will tell you they're way oversensitive especially offroad, and many disable it to be on the safe side.

Have you tried looking here? There may be something close to you, or something that may pop up if not already.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/1st-gen-tacomas-for-sale-1995-2004.167/

 

Here's the link.
https://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/6036778063.html

 

My Prerunner was even TRD(diff lock). I got stuck in my yard and pulled it out with my 4 wheeler. LOL.

I browsed a bit on the classifies last night. I can see that nice trucks can be found for less money.

 

truck is in great shape, but 247k on it with an oil leak is a deal breaker for me. and abs brakes suck in the snow!

 

It's actually 260K.

I need to read up on the oil leaks.

I really appreciate everyone's quick responses on this. I was really leaning toward purchasing this truck and now I'm thinking about passing. I kind of prefer the 01-04 front end too.

Man, I really enjoyed driving this truck and I'm looking forward to getting one.

 

01-04 have the most comfiest seats out of all the updates imo. No first gen Tacoma seats are comfortable by any means compared to newer cars, but still.

 

Love my 2000 SR5 4X, bought it new.
Have done a lot to it and wheeled it most everywhere over it's lifetime.
Re-geared to 4.88 with a locker in the rear axle gets it done.

I put a lot of coin into it... But those investments have always paid for themselves.
And it's been a very reliable truck in all the years I've owned it.
But like any used vehicle... expect some maintenance/repairs when it's that old.

ABS sucks on anything but a factory street car that is left unaltered.
Even then... hate having ABS on my DD '10 Corolla.

It only works OK on dry pavement and during a panic stop.
No insult intended... but it's designed for those whom can't drive and fail to pay attention.
I personally think I can brake better then what ABS offers.

I would determine exactly where the oil is leaking from. Could be a simple repair.
Pay a mechanic for their opinion and have them check it out.
Worthy of the coin spent if they're a qualified/trustworthy mechanic.

Hard to know if it was maintained well... But if it looks clean... probably was.
Engine could go to 500K or die tomorrow. Part of the risk of a used vehicle.
But if it's in good shape... throw another engine in it if it does and roll on.

I'd have the frame inspected in detail for rust and corrosion.
If that's determined to be bad... don't buy it.

I wouldn't sell mine for less then $ 12K
But then... I'll likely never sell it while I live as I've grown attached.
My son can have it and do with it what he likes when I've gone.

I personally don't think the price is too high if it's in good shape.
I think it's not very far off from the price of 2wd Pre-runner.

But then I live in California where a 1st Gen 4X retains its value and is in high demand.

 

Same here on the ABS. It is a poorly designed system in my 2nd gen. It increases stopping distance incredibly and obviously when you need it to be shorter this will be a major problem. I almost ran into a car that pulled out in front of me that I shouldn't even have come close to hitting.

I'm glad my "new" first gen doesn't have ABS. Less braking distance, less parts that can fail, and with the lack of good aftermarket rear axle shaft replacements for the abs equipped trucks, it's a win win win not having ABS.

For better braking I'm strongly considering the tundra brake upgrade from all of the good reviews from level headed people on here that report great improvements in braking.

 

If I bought a vehicle with ABS that would be disconnected then removed when time permitted

I get stuck in my driveway pretty often.

 

OK, I'm seeing the light about no ABS. Salesman verified this morning that it doesn't have ABS. I'm going to mark ABS off my desired list. No insult taken about ABS. The time it saved me was on a wet road going around a corner and a Stop sign snuck up on me.

I'm now thinking that even though I like the newer front end a bit better that I really like the benefits of manual hubs and quite honestly, I find that an older vehicle in exceptional condition is kind of cool.

I don't plan to do any hard core wheeling, but I do enjoy finding vehicles limitations. I have an interest in in installing a locker. I had an 87 Mazda 4x4 years ago and it is becuase of that truck that I have such a desire to purchase a 4wd Tacoma. But I learned that 4wd doesn't mean much when RF and LR wheels(or vise versa) loose traction when negotiating an embankment or such.

Frame is excellent. I crawled under with flashlight and looked at the inside of the box frame. Looks great and not because of new paint.

Fixes for the truck would be:
- squeaky clutch fix (research showed bronze bushing mod)
- oil leak. still have to research and may take truck to someone that can quickly determine source
- add locker of some sort
- good AT tires 31 x 10.5 or approximate

Is the B06A rear as good of option as any that are offered on 1st gens? I know that a 4:10 would be better but for my mild needs and the fact that I don't plan to go bigger than 31's or maybe 33's the 3:91 may be OK.