In November I will be purchasing my first car. I want it to to be able to haul my dirt bike, mountain bike, and it needs to be a good daily driver.  Would the Toyota Tacoma fit the bill? My price range is around 2000, so it would be an early 2000s model.

Thanks for any input!

dirtbiker0521, on 17 July 2012 - 01:19 PM, said:

You want an early 2000 model Tacoma for around $2,000?

Good luck with that!

your not getting a tacoma for that cheap. For some reason they hold there value, if you want something for 2 grand look more into the ranger s10 line up 4 cylinder 2wd will haul  the bike and mountain bike thats about it but at 27 mpg its not bad. If you really want the tacoma your going to at least 5gs

Ok, money aside, will it still meet the needs listed above?

I bought a 1998 tacoma extra cab 4wd in 2006 with 140,00 miles on it  Now it has 273,000.  It has only needed basic maintenance other than replacing the original clutch at 190,000, and a valve job.  It always gets 20 city and 23 highway, but that's cause I got the 4 cyl.  I have driven my truck everywhere with my bike in the back.  I am always camping, riding, and fishing.  The early tacoma pre 2004 is an awesome truck, especially if you find one with manual locking hubs.  I have used the 4wd at least once a month in the six years I have had it, and never had issues with it.  I don't think very many rangers or s10's can take that much abuse on there 4wd before blowing cv's or transfers cases or electric hubs.  Toyota's just rock.  They do have problems with the door handle s getting old and brittle and breaking and same with the locks.  But I figure its usually because they are so old lol.  It seems like a lot of the motorcross guys just want a low to the ground 2wd truck to haul their bikes to the track and back.  But my style is pack up the bike and camping gear for the weekend and take off to the mountains, and for that you can't beat a pre 04 tacoma.  I just sold my truck for 5,500 and only cause I am moving across the country and selling everything I own first.  My old man just sold his 2006 f150 with 143,000 for 6,000. That is the best argument for toyota power.

SOunds like the Toyota is a very durable machine! I'll do my research and hopefully find a good deal.

Buster Traugz, on 17 July 2012 - 01:37 PM, said:

THe reason why they hold their value is because they run forever.  I think they burn a bit of gas, but you'll get 350K out of them with just basic maintenance and simple repairs.

Toyota makes an amazing truck! My dad bought a 1991 Toyota pickup brand new off the lot. He put close to 300k miles on it and had it up until just a few short years ago. This truck, mind you, was so awesome that he actually DROVE it to the junkyard and still made away with several hundreds of dollars. Why did he get rid of it? Well, he actually bought an 04 Tundra and the 91 pickup needed a new rear end. So he just wanted to get something out of it rather than put more money into it. Again, great trucks!

is tacoma a good truck . aparently some people really do live under a rock. 2k wont buy much but if thats all you have to work with then you do the best you can

Taco's are great trucks.  If I had any use at all for a light truck, it would be a Tacoma.  I carry heavy loads though and need a 3/4 ton truck.

The one thing I have always noticed with the Taco's is they are typically easy to maintain.  You can do most of the general maintenance with little knowledge when it comes to turning wrenches.

I have no idea what the value of used trucks is in your area, but $2000 is not a lot of cash to sink into a used truck, let alone a Taco.  That is a good thing though.  Its your first vehicle, depending on how you treat your things I would expect you are going to bag on it a little and you will find its weaknesses quickly.  That is fine as long as you have the cash to fix it when you brake it.

I would search your local auction sites for vehicles that may have been reposessed, or insurance claims that still have valid titles and can be fixed up for your needs.  Also, never pay retail for any parts.  Find a buddy who gets a discount at your local part shops, heck get a part time job at one.  The mark up on parts is stupid.  Get to know where your local salvage yard is.  Sometimes you can get good deals.  Since the internet age though, it seems used parts have gone up and the reconditioned part prices have come down.  So something at a salvage yard is not always a good deal.

Hold out and wait for the right truck.  Don't just jump on a deal because its a deal.  Make sure its the right deal.  Find something that has decent tires on it.  Rubber can set you back a bit of change early on.  Don't be affraid of vehicles that have had a lot of recent items replaced on them.  You are going to be looking at higher mileage trucks at that price point.  Sometimes people sink cash into things because they are at that point where it needs the work then turn around and sell it.  I just did that on my girlfriends car.  We did the brakes, struts, shocks, sway bar end links, exhaust, and put tires and rims on it, then turned around and sold it a month later.  Picked up a nice little 05 ZR2 Blazer for her with like 50,000KMs, (30,000miles)  the thing is mint.

We had looked at an 01 S10 ZR2 with even less miles on it, perfect truck.  The 4.3 is bullet proof, a little harder on fuel, but easy to wrench on, but it sold before we could jump on the deal.  This is the type of truck you might be better off looking around for over the Taco.  It is true, the 4x4 isn't as forgiving to abuse, but you really have to abuse them to get yourself into trouble.  Stay away from trying to put extra large tires on things.  Its hard on the running gear, puts more torque onto everything and leads to something braking.


And if you are set on the Taco, great, just wait, one will come along if you wait long enough.

early 2000's model will run 8-12k or even alittle more for a good one. you can look on KBB at what they go for. and you will most likely pay book value unless the owner is a crackhead needing quick cash so he can bail out of jail.  a roached out pile of steeming dog crap might be 5k. 2k will buy the wheels and gearshift knob from a early 2000 model

Thoughts??

http://pittsburgh.cr...3105239539.html

harryhandshake, on 17 July 2012 - 06:00 PM, said:

You dont become the #1 seling compact truck in the US for no reason. This is coming from a guy who bought a brand new 1998 Tacoma TRD 4WD V6 5 spd and sold it less than 6 months ago for $13,500, it  did only have 60K and always garaged. It was perfect with some dealer tech upgrades (lots). I paid 22K for it when it was new, MSRP was $25K. Nothing else would have that kind of resale value. They will go all day long for 5-6K OVER kelly blue book. If you sell it for KKB, you gave it away.

5-6k over book value ? you must live amongst idiots if theyre willing to pay that much. good for the seller though, putting a ton of extra cash in his pocket. i could see someone paying a few bucks more than somethings worth if its the exact truck their searching for and want it real bad but 5k more than something is worth is plain ubsurd. a bank (atleast banks around here) wont loan a dime more than what the book says and generally will only go about 70% of book value (and you fork out the difference) if your not a known customer with them in the past. do you mind telling where you live ? ill gladly drive there and sell mine '04 if i can get 5k more than its worth then ill go put down payment on brandnew one. i payed about exactly what kbb said mine was worth, bank loaned 100%, i drove off happy customer. got it for 16.5G, still owe 10G, kbb says it worth 15g, if i could get 20G from it ill sell it tonight

NoFearManCR, on 17 July 2012 - 07:07 PM, said:

pic is worth 1000 words. has a few dents which aint the end of the world but whats the underneath look like. balljoints, cv axles or ujoints need replaced ? oil leaks ? as with most vehicles, theres mileage intervals where serviceable parts need replaced. seems like its every 90K miles on the 3.4 toyota recomends new timing belt, water pump and some other items on the front of the engine. has all that been done at the correct mileage limits ? pretty sure thats around $1000 to have that procedure done from a qaulified toyota dealer. $2500 seems pretty cheap for that truck. im seeing red flags of possible mechanical issues but hard to say without seeing it first hand. thats '95 tacoma for $2500, $2500 is about what you would pay for '95 dodge dakota. something seems fishy to me

Edited by harryhandshake, 17 July 2012 - 09:03 PM.

harryhandshake, on 17 July 2012 - 08:48 PM, said:

That seller was me. They sell all day long for 5K over blue book. Its the market and that is what they sell for. If you sell for KBB, it will be sold about 5 minutes after you post it with a bunch of people beating down your door. If you finance it, and the bank loans only KBB, better have a 5K down then.

wow i guess we're living on two different planets from each other. heres 75 tacomas '01-'04, from a quick glance all appear to be at book value or close to it but certainly not off by 5G   http://www.ksl.com/i...&tab=list&pid=0 . i looked up several in kbb and seem to be right on the money.
why would someone in washington (assuming thats where you live according to your sig line) over pay by $5000 when they could drive a few hundred miles south and keep the $5000 in their pocket ? im not sure theres a rational answer but i would like to hear your response

Edited by harryhandshake, 17 July 2012 - 11:05 PM.

I bought a 2005 Taco in 2006 and still drive it everyday. Best truck Ive ever owned.  Although its a small truck, its got plenty of power and I haule a good size trailer and bikes...Dont think youll get one for $2000 tho.

Heres a pic

http://www.rpod-owne...e=quad-pod-265q

I had a 2000 Tacoma PreRunner.  123,000 on it never a problem. Now driving a 2006 Tundra 111K on it never a problem. - they are very good pick ups!

Toyota makes great products. I had a 92 camry, 400K on it, still going. NIssan trucks are also nice.