Why is it so hard to find a nice 1st for a decent price?

Bought my 98 with over 220k rebuilt engine for $1200. Needs some work but what a good price. To date i have $1900 invested in it, that includes the price of the truck.

 

Nice 1st generation for a decent price ?

Nahh.... specially 4x4

Pre-runners 2wd and 4cyl. you will find plenty at decent and sometimes cheap price if you get lucky.

However get ready to drop some money because most of them had been neglected ( like mine) or just previous owners drove them with the mentality if is not broken , not need to fix it, but preventive maintenance on this oldies is necessary (IMO)

Whatever suits your needs or taste you are getting a reliable truck, you will enjoy TACOMA and TW


Here link of some similar threads

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-ongoing-prices.199866/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lets-see-the-most-expensive-1st-gens-4-sale.314291/

 

Interesting thread. I bought my 1st Gen '03 DC SR-5 4x4 going on 10 years ago. Paid $16.9k for it with 60k miles. It had been meticulously cared for and came with a ton of upgrades. In recent years I've had people stop and ask if I'd consider selling it. I tell them "No, not really, unless you want to give me $20k cash for it."

Then they tell me stories about trying to find a 1st Gen in the sort of condition mine is in, and how tough it is to do. All I can say is keep your eyes open and read Craigslist religiously. I honestly can't imagine ever parting company with mine..

 

Couple months back I saw a '93 4x4 sell on ebay for just shy of 10,000. Looked like it was is great shape, but was shocked at the selling price.

 

I have to say 1st gen Tundra's are really growing on me though. I could use the slightly larger box and towing ability.

 

I bought my 02 DC Pre Runner 4cyl over a year ago for $11,500 and right now it has 61k original miles

 

Same here I get notes on my windshield or people will see me in a parking lot . I even get the Toyota salesman all worked up when I go to the dealer . what gets everyone wanting it so bad is the very low mileage

 

Got my '04 4x4 TRD last year for north of $20k after taxes and what not. Only 24,500 miles though.

They're in high demand, it's hard to even get them for KBB value. NADA is usually a better source for actual prices.

 

And besides the 20K how much more dropped to make it smooth again ? I guess at least 3K more ?!

I knew a decent price Tacoma with low miles... naah.. it won't be cheap

 

Most of it was recreational 4x4'ing and supercharger related...not cheap though lol.

 

They are out there, and more of them than you would probably think. You have to find a seller, typically an elderly individual or non-Toyota fanatic who is unaware of the almost cult-like fixation with them. To some people, a car is just a car and a truck is just a truck. They don't see any value in uniqueness or rarity.

I found an '04 4X4 V6 two years ago with 45,000 miles priced $500 under book... I don't remember the exact price, but it was a steal. I kick myself every day for not buying it. When I find another deal like it, I will be driving it home.

 

What do you guys feel about buying a Toyota pickup rather than a tacoma? There are quite a few around for good prices...

 

Japanese engineered, American built....
Thays why! Haha dumb redneck always talkin trash while they drive mexican fords and chevrolet, while im in my American Tacoma.

Suck it, 200k + and still hitting rev limit in 4lo woop woop!

 

I remember back when I was looking for a 1st gen Tacoma here in entire southeast, I specifically wanted a DC 4x4 and laughed at the 18-20k list price on every ad I saw, for anything around 120-150k on ODO. And then on top of that I was also looking for a 3rd gen 4Runner 4x4 with around 120k or less and they were even harder to find I imagine due to the fact they are a passenger vehicle and see more highway miles.

I needed a vehicle and didnt have time to spend another 6 mo searching for a needle in a haystack so here I am in a 2nd gen lol.

If I had to do it over again I would've just flown my ass out west and picked up one of the above options with low miles so long as price was reasonable.

 

When did everything switch over from "Pick Up's" to "Tacoma's". Mid 90's?

 

95.5

 

i recently purchased an 02 DC with 69k miles. the owner had it parked in a air condition garage next to his rv at his vacation home. they drove it less than 5k miles per year. it looks like a brandnew truck in/ out. I looked for 14mons to find it, theyre out there but not cheap. I was lucky

 

I just Googled and 1995 was the first year of the Tacoma before that it was Toyota trucks

 

To all first generation Tacoma buyers,

Here are the problems with purchasing first generation Tacomas. Some of this information I am going to discuss will be redundant for many of you. First generation Tacomas suffer from frame rust. The ones that do not reside on the west coast or the southwest of the United States with the exception of Florida and Texas most likely have frame rust if they are still running at this point in their life. As a result of this dilemma, there are not a hell of a lot of them left. Please note many of these frame rust ridden first generation Tacomas were purchased back by Toyota when frame rust was first detected during the initial Toyota buy back program. Some of them received frame replacements, but that was not very many of them. Even the newest first generations, which are a 2004 model year are now 13 years old so finding one with relatively low mileage, and that does not have frame rust is going to be quite a chore.

First generation Tacomas have an almost cult like following behind them, which is part of the reason why sites like this exist. To clarify this point, this is the same kind of attention and admiration first generation Toyota FJ 40 and first generation Camaros receive. Followers and admirers seem to be very emotionally attached to the body style of first generation Tacomas especially the 4x4 extra-cabs with the 5-speed and the 3.4 liter V6 engine, which is part of the reason why the prices of these old Tacomas are so expensive.

Many of you looking for a long term useful pick-up truck for yourself or your family will have to put in an incredible amount of time and energy in locating a first generation that fits the bill. Unless you are completely emotionally attached to the body style of first generations, your effort will be much better spent seeking out a second generation. You will have many more to choose from, and they are built just as well as the first generations. They have a ton of more options. Their stock seats are also quite a bit more comfortable, and they are a much better balanced truck. First generations are just small trucks that have a relatively big engine for their size when equipped with the 3.4, and they ride hard.

Good Luck
Paul

P.S. I am a first generation admirer.

 

Yep, here in Kansas/Nebraska they are getting rare as hens teeth.