what to ask when buying a taco

hey there folks new guy here. so i recently moved from the city to the country and have to do some light hauling like trash, logs, animal feed. my wife's uncle is selling his 99 Tacoma and after seeing pics i realy like how it looks. im gonna see it this Saturday so far all i know is it has 170k miles and he wants 5k for it. what should i ask and look for, also he lost the original key and said hes getting a replacement not sure of that could be problematic. This would also be my daily driver but luckily my job is only 15 min away from my house. so is that a good deal or a bad deal. also why does this trucks hold there value so well some of the online prices are insane to me.

 

I don't have experience with first gens but I always recommend taking a truck to a shop to get inspected if you don't trust yourself looking it over before buying.

A lot of the online prices are BS. I listed my 2nd gen for 24k when I was selling it but it's always in the hope that somebody offers that much. I knew I wasn't going to get that much.

 

Browski, this link has a lot of good info.

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

Also what engine does it have and is it 4x4

 

Don't see you have your location marked either. What state are you in?

 

I'm in South Carolina and I'm pretty sure it's gonna be a 4X4 because the area is pretty rural and they used it to haul hay around the farm

 

Like I said in the post I'm gonna go see it this Saturday I haven't seen it before and I'm prob gonna have to make a deal on the spot you know how old folks are and he already has an offer on it but he doesn't want to sell it to that particular person unless he has too. Hence why I'm asking on advice and what to look for and what to ask.

 

Frame inspection is number 1. Lots of reading around here on that. But not having been in snow/salt country it should be fine, but worth a detailed inspection.

After that, it's just another used vehicle, so all the routine things about maintenance records, parts replaced, etc.

If uncle shows up with a stack of receipts and can detail service work and scheduled PMs that have been done, everything is likely good. If he's 'it's a truck, its a Toyota, it runs, AND you are not mechanically savvy (no offence, but you key comment creates that probability) then pay an independent mechanic for an inspection, and make sure it includes a compression/leakdown test.

Odds are the truck is fine. If it's solid and acceptable cosmetically for the year and miles, then the price is likely quite fair.

 

No. Please tell us.

 

Well he's kinda ornery and I can't just tell him hey sir do you mind if I take a couple of pics so I can put them on the internet so people can tell me if it's a good deal or not I'll be back with my decision in a couple of days. He's gonna tell me to take my ass down the road. And plus he already has a buyer. And no I'm not a car guy different need one till I moved here that's why I need some help

 

Nothing wrong with being ornery as long as you're not mean spirited as well! It's also probable that he'd not sell a known problem vehicle to someone he knows. Many ornery folks are also quite honest.

Well honestly, all anyone can do via stuff like that is guess. I mean if it's mashed up with tons of visible rust, yeah, that's not guessing. But if it looks decent in photos, no one can really tell you about the mechanicals from that anyway.

Wouldn't you if you were him? I've sold a lot of vehicles and the first one with cash at the right price gets it. I'm not inclined to wait for them to bring back daddy, go to the bank and get a loan or other stuff. All that's fine if no one is behind them in line, but if someone shows up while they are gone (and they don't leave a deposit).......

My thought is to take a friend with you who is. Particularly if you can find a Tacoma guy that knows how to examine a frame (you can find it here by searching) A couple of bright lights, mirror on a stick and a ball peen hammer to whack suspect looking spots are really about all you need.

Also, related to the questions you want to ask. Call him before you go. Tell him you're working on learning as much as you can about that year model of Toyota, and ask him your questions then. Save a lot of time when you get there.

And take cash.

 

In my opinion, and I ain't all that bright. If the truck is 4x4, V6, and extended cab and in good shape that is a kick ass deal. Even if theres a little cosmetic stuff like the torn seat, clear coat missing and scratch and dings, this stuff is normal for the age of the truck. Now if this is a 2x4 reg cab which will also be a 4cyl id say move on or offer less. I can find those up in NC for 3k. I just looked at one yesterday with 4x4 99k miles and reg cab for 3k... Just really beat up so i passed.

 

Many shops will happily send a mechanic out to meet you and the buyer to look the truck over, for their hourly rate ($50-$70 or so out here). Call around local shops and see if someone trained in what to look for will meet you out there to give it a good once/twice over.

 

But other than that, some basics to look for: pull the dipstick and make sure there isn't any sludgy oil or solid particles in it, make sure it idles well, look under the truck and check the frame for rust, take a look at the skid plate (pretty sure all 4x4's came with them) and make sure it isn't beat to hell. Most skid plates will have signs of wear, that's what they're there for after all...but if it is beat to hell then that's a good sign the truck's been ridden pretty hard.

Anyhow, those are things I was told to look for when shopping for my 1st gen.

 

You sound pretty ornery

 

Being that he is "family" he should cut you some slack as to the timing. He should also be willing to let you take it to a shop for an unbiased opinion. Otherwise if you just buy the truck cause he says its fine without a second opinion and then there are issues your gonna blame him and then thats gonna create animosity between you two and thats gonna suck. Just talk to the guy straight up. Most ornery old folks appreciate honesty. Right @Clearwater Bill ?

 

Maybe. Better than being high n mighty.

 

Thanks for the advice guys im glad the Tacoma's ride high so it will be easy to look for rust I'm gonna ask him questions about service how long it's been sitting has he replaced the timing belt how often has he been changing the oil. And listen to how the car sounds and test drive it

 

My 'guess' is you'll like it, buy it, and it will be fine. Look forward to seeing pictures!

I don't know many ornery old folks that will sell a known problem piece to an acquaintance, much less a family member. Unless they are fully revealing of the problems and price it accordingly. Otherwise we just trade them in, part them out or have them towed off.

 

well played