push me over the edge...

[kweetech]

Long time lurker..finally signed on. I really like the attitude on this forum..reminds of some of my flyfishing forums (speypages). Casual, good info, friendly...
Anyway...

Been eyeballing DC tacomas for a while now. We have a Forester we love (which we would be keeping), but it gets loaded down pretty quick...its an 07 with 80k, been out west maybe 10 times. We have a young one on the way, so we want some more room and the flexibility of the truck over an suv.. We bought a TRD ext cab new in 03, great truck, but sold to get a house..had a 99 4runner a couple years ago...cleanest 3rd gen 4runner I've ever seen, should have kept it.

Anyway..found an 04 TRD DC, red w/ a cap (big plus), clean carfax, no records,100k, $14k delivered to my house (its out of state). Having a hard time buying sight unseen, done it many times before. These trucks don't come up in WI often, and go for big bucks here. Got a bunch of pics, many underneath shots too..looks like it recently had the Toyota undercoat on the back section. I don't what I'm worried about...and my wife says do it!

I think I just need a few more "do it!" 's..maybe its paying 14k for a truck with 100k (even though I know it the half life, or less, of the truck). I know it will probably need timing belt/water pump..no biggie. Really want something I can keep for a while, and grow very fond of :safari-rig:

 

[Mr. Leary]

Do you have a link for the truck?

As much as I would like to shove you into a Toyota, without seeing some pics, description of it, I feel ill equipped to advise!

What I can say is everyone I know who has one, loves it, and plans to keep it for a long time!

 

[kweetech]

here's the link for the truck...
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=269835205&dealer_id=100016444&car_year=2004&rdm=1258829572255&lastStartYear=1981&model=TACOMA&num_records=100&systime=&make3=&make2=NISSAN&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=200&marketZipError=false&model2=FRONTI&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=TOYOTA&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=4%20wheel%20drive&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=53704&advanced=y&end_year=2010&doors=&transmission=&max_price=18000&cardist=128&standard=false

 

[deadbeat son]

I checked the link; it sounds like the dealer sent you more detailed photos. From what I could see, it looks like a nice clean truck. I'd be happy to have that in my driveway! I say go for it and take lots of photos when it arrives.

 

[TangoBlue]

Nice truck - do it! Sounds like you have it for a better than listed price, too. Don't let the mileage on the odometer scare you - remember this is a Toyota Tacoma - at a 100K its barely even broken in.

 

[WASURF63]

kwetech,

Looks good on paper. An '05+ will give you more room with a family and a more powerful engine. Just my .02
I've owned several different Toyotas (mostly trucks) since the late 70's and never had a bad one. Lucky I guess...
I'll be happy to give you a push over the edge.
"Do it"! Oh and by the way, Welcome to ExPo.

WASURF63

 

[Willman]

Welcome to the ExPo!

Do it!

Plus this truck looks like my twin!!!

Red is a nice color!

 

[Whitey]

For that price I would NEVER buy a toyota with the 3.4 in it. Drive a Toyota with the 4.0 V6 for five minutes and you'll never go back.

 

[kweetech]

For that price I would NEVER buy a toyota with the 3.4 in it. Drive a Toyota with the 4.0 V6 for five minutes and you'll never go back.

for that price..I'm not even coming close to DC that's 05 or newer..not around here anyway. Most 02-04's are 16-18k..even with higher miles.
I like the "analog"-ness of the earlier tacoma. The 4.0 is fine..I've driven a few (would rather have the v-6 frontier in a newer truck actually)...but I have to stay below 15k, and I want something that will last. I've shopped around A LOT..and came back to the early DC.

 

[DaveInDenver]

For that price I would NEVER buy a toyota with the 3.4 in it. Drive a Toyota with the 4.0 V6 for five minutes and you'll never go back.

Yeah but $16K for a 3rd gen DC Tacoma with 100K miles isn't all that terribly priced. I agree that I'm not sure they are worth that much and the 1GR-FE is a uber nice engine, but clean 3rd gens seem to go for about that.

 

[Whitey]

I agree that the market value is what it is. I feel it's tough to justify that much $$ on an engine design that's 13 years old.
I know you said no SUV's but a 4th gen 4runner is much roomier than the 3rd gens.

 

[PHXtaco]

If something ever happens to my `04 I will hunt high and low to find another in good condition—but then again I prefer the smaller size to the 05+. You have to get what is a right fit for you. If you are not concerned about having the extra space and power and think that the 04 is right for you, you will not be disappointed. By the way, the only time I have felt I did not have enough power was towing.

 

[gearbox]

Good truck, good platform to build off of. I'd try to get him down on the price by another $500 to a grand. Still, $14k with the top is a fine price if it has not been neglected or abused.
If it had an undercoat recently could it be hiding something?

 

[Cackalak Han]

Bought mine with 100k on it as well. Now with 129k miles, not one complaint. I've got a little one on the way, which was the reason why I got a DC. I don't think you'll have any regrets.

Oh, since you're buying from a dealership, I'd get them to do the water pump and TB. Still haven't done mine yet, but will probably do it at 150k.

As for the engine comment, I believe the 3.4L is one of the best engines Toyota has produced. It's got plenty of power for me. If I needed more power, I'd definitely go SC. That extra power and the SC whine gets addicting, though.

 

[kweetech]

The 14k isn't too bad, since it has a cap (saves me $800-1000), and they are delivering the truck to me (I live about 3.5 hours from the dealership).
I missed one in similar shape for 12,500..but wasn't ready to buy. A couple low mile rigs have come up, but sold instantly for >16k. Another dealer has an 03 with 89k, but won't budge from 15.5k.

I figure I could keep looking..but they all are about the same around here. Not really built up/abused..more hwy cruisers than anything. Just trying to find the right match of stuff..I like the red (don't want another black or silver vehicle), has the cap, hitch (for towing small boats), clean carfax and reasonable miles.
I guess If I have to catch up on a few maintanence things, I'm not to worried..as I'll know they've been done right...plus like most say, 100k isn't barely broken in.
I'd try to get the dealer to do the wp/tb...but they're a ford dealer, probably should just leave it alone