Weekend Shopping

I went into the weekend with three or four nearby Tacos to look at, and the two best prospects were gone by Friday night. Man! One of them even got shipped to Texas because somebody wanted it that much. I'm starting to wonder if I'm being too picky in my search. Then again, nobody likes to settle. As much as I would love 4x4, I might get a 2wd for now, and keep my eyes peeled for a 4x4 in the coming years. I just want to get into the first gen world and start learning how to maintain them. Any thoughts on these trucks?

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...hRadius=75&makeCode1=TOYOTA&modelCode1=TACOMA

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...004&isRecentSearchView=true#listing=171190849

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...004&isRecentSearchView=true#listing=168146917

 

Bueller?

 

get the silver limited! looks good to me. clean and low miles. good price too. try and give them 12k cash and snatch it up

 

Thanks for the feedback! I don't believe I posted a silver limited. You must mean the SR5. I drove that one twice. Once alone once with the wife. No major issues. Except the classic back seat cigarette burn.

 

oh crap ur right. its not limited. the dealer said it was in the description but its not. its 7:45 am where i live and have yet to sleep. its the trd off road with tow package. i have the same exact one with like 6,000 less miles on it. i love it. i think you should def get that one. engine bay is supppppper clean and there is a bed liner already in there. looks stock everything. and new tires.... ask when timing belt was replaced and if it wasnt, use that as leverage for 500-600 off
if i was in AZ i swoop that thing up

 

Seller Comments
2004 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Prerunner Limited. This Tacoma is a clean Carfax pickup with low miles for the year, and an excellent service history. The Tacoma is one of the best trucks on the market, with a strong reputation for durability and value, and this one is no exception! With maintenance like this truck has had, you can be certain that this truck will be going for decades and many miles into the future. You can also be certain that it will hold it's value better than nearly any vehicle on the market. This Tacoma is very well equipped with the following options: 3.4L V6 motor, automatic transmission, Double Cab (4 full doors), 4-wheel ABS, ice-cold air conditioning, aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in Big O Premium All-Terrain tires, Duraliner bed liner, CD stereo, cruise control, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, sliding rear window, SR5 package, tilt steering wheel, towing package, TRD Off-Road package with locking rear differential, and SO MUCH MORE! This Tacoma has an excellent service history, including a recent timing belt change! Includes a brand new set of OEM floor mats. Please call or text Tony at 480-492-5208 with any questions, or to schedule a test drive.

 

oops it says the timing belt was changed..

 

Haha 7:45 here, too. But I just woke up. Thanks for your input. Always much appreciated.

 

@Rburdeaux would you even consider the other two, or do the high miles deter you? That black one with 194k on it is going for under $7,000, which is obviously tempting.

 

The first one is by far the best deal if it's in good condition. (Only looked at the first pic on every deal)

The second one has clearcoat failure on the roof. I have it on mine. Save yourself the embarrassment and skip out on the black Tacomas.

The Last one has a lot of miles and yet still is priced the highest. That doesn't make sense to me. I'd skip but only because I'm paranoid and cheap.

Have you considered looking on here for one?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/1st-gen-tacomas-for-sale-1995-2004.167/

Remember to always check the frame. No matter how good it looks from the side, get under the truck and really inspect it. Flashlights are ideal.

And honestly, this truck isn't too hard to maintain, so unless you REALLY need a truck now, I'd wait for a 4WD and save yourself the cash.

 

Thanks a lot. Great input. It isn't so much that I NEED a truck now, but I want to get out of my Rubicon before its 2 year anniversary in May. I'm more in a rush to sell the Jeep than I am to buy a truck. Wife and I can share a car for a bit, or I can borrow a beater from my brother. I've only looked at the for sale section here once or twice. Is there an easy way to filter by geographic location?

 

I wish brother. The mods have been saying it'll happen...... eventually.

But the marketplace for the SouthWest is huge for Tacomas. Good luck for your search.

 

i would not consider the other two at all. #1 is the winner. i actually think its a great find. 4x4 1st gen tacomas i feel like are harder to find. and also more expensive.

 

For sure. If it's in good condition, he could probably flip it for extra coin.

 

I'd basically buy it and take great care of it while I keep my eyes peeled for a 4x4.

 

yeah here is san diego that would go for a lot more. probably 15.5k just test drove a 02 4 door SR5 with 45k miles. 18k. then test drove a 03 double cab limited 4x4 18k. but im in sd.so i dont know if that is relevant

 

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...=false&filtersModified=true#listing=163887754

This is an example of a 4x4 near me. It is a 2.5 hour drive to get to it, and the thing kinda looks dirty inside. Makes me think someone didn't take care of it. The only other 4x4 around here is 225k miles and up.

 

look at the dealer rating. it's bad. but only 4 reviews so not big enough sample size. (or they don't do a lot of business cuz they suck) also the carfax says two owners but they say only 1. also i think having a picture of the engine bay is important to make sure it has not been neglected. possible valve cover gasket leak is common on 5vzfe.

 

4x4 limiteds are pretty sweet tho.

 

Did you not see the last few pictures? They show the engine bay. It's got a K&N on it.