I'm new...Opinions?
- Thread starter Laxaholic
- Start date
Also, I would suggest the double cab over the runner... I like both too, but it sounds like for the stuff you do, the truck bed might come in handy, like keeping the snowboards in the back... or it you feel the need to carry a quad or dirtbike, the bed with the tailgate down would work. The quad cab also gives enough room (I know the 4runner has more but you'll be fine) for upgrading the sound system. Never did it myself, but I've seen lots of threads about other people's sound upgrades.
I you haven't already, make sure you go see it soon and take someone with you. Regardless if that person knows anything about cars or not, they could see something you don't or missed. It's hard to find a well taken care of 80's or 90's toyota pickup for under 3000... let alone an 03? Sounds fishy to me.
Good luck though, hope it works out.
ol' scott
Adventurer
On the '03 for $3,000, run.
I'm betting it's on Craigslist or another type site. The poster makes up a story about how he's deploying, divorcing, moving, death in the family, etc. and that's why the price is so amazing. They drag a few pictures from elsewhere on the internet that belong to somebody else and say they're pictures of the vehicle in their ad.
A quick searchtempest.com search showed me the same Black, 2003 Double Cab 4x4 Tacoma for sale in 6 different cities within 500 miles of Athens, GA. Exact same ad, all saying the truck was local.
Somebody is not going to sell a truck for 25% of the market value just for a quick sale.
Good luck on finding a vehicle, just remember if it's to good to be true it probably is. Also, if you treat any vehicle wrong it won't last long so remember that. While Tacoma's and 4runners are great vehicles they'll only last as long as the work you put into it.
I'm betting it's on Craigslist or another type site. The poster makes up a story about how he's deploying, divorcing, moving, death in the family, etc. and that's why the price is so amazing. They drag a few pictures from elsewhere on the internet that belong to somebody else and say they're pictures of the vehicle in their ad.
A quick searchtempest.com search showed me the same Black, 2003 Double Cab 4x4 Tacoma for sale in 6 different cities within 500 miles of Athens, GA. Exact same ad, all saying the truck was local.
Somebody is not going to sell a truck for 25% of the market value just for a quick sale.
Good luck on finding a vehicle, just remember if it's to good to be true it probably is. Also, if you treat any vehicle wrong it won't last long so remember that. While Tacoma's and 4runners are great vehicles they'll only last as long as the work you put into it.
i really does seem legit, but again...u guys are the experts.
its silver. guy sent me 50 pictures, all of the same truck.. sent a carfax. he told me it was in texas right away.
so, im guessin its no good?
take a look
http://picasaweb.google.com/anthony.sanders38/2003TOYOTASR5TACOMAAUTOMATIC4X4#5547125669625421426
its silver. guy sent me 50 pictures, all of the same truck.. sent a carfax. he told me it was in texas right away.
so, im guessin its no good?
take a look
http://picasaweb.google.com/anthony.sanders38/2003TOYOTASR5TACOMAAUTOMATIC4X4#5547125669625421426
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skrillah
Adventurer
Yeah...if you have a budget of $14k...there will definitely be others out there that should fit that budget.
I have an '04 xcab Taco and I drive it 85 miles 5 days a week. Just changed the timing belt and water pump out, but really thats all I expect to do to it for awhile...at least as far as maintenance goes. It only has about 84k miles but at 85 miles a day, it will climb quickly.
I came from a 4runner with 154k miles on it and loved it but needed a truck. So do what fits your bill.
Don't be afraid of 100k miles or even a more, if they have good maintenance records and hasn't been bashed on, its probably rock solid. No questions.
Also, don't fret about loosing the "jeep thing" you will quickly catch the "yota" bug and won't look back.
I have an '04 xcab Taco and I drive it 85 miles 5 days a week. Just changed the timing belt and water pump out, but really thats all I expect to do to it for awhile...at least as far as maintenance goes. It only has about 84k miles but at 85 miles a day, it will climb quickly.
I came from a 4runner with 154k miles on it and loved it but needed a truck. So do what fits your bill.
Don't be afraid of 100k miles or even a more, if they have good maintenance records and hasn't been bashed on, its probably rock solid. No questions.
Also, don't fret about loosing the "jeep thing" you will quickly catch the "yota" bug and won't look back.
double cab tacomas are kinda hard to come by? atleast 4 wheel drive ones in my area... not sure where to look, i think u guys are right on that one, its a bust. from like 99-03 look the best, thats what im tryin to find. may have to stick with a 4runner if i cant find a truck..
Petrolburner
Explorer
Go test drive a few and find what you like. I had to wait about 2 months before I found the right Tundra, but I'm so happy I did. I'll also say go ahead and test drive a first generation Tundra, 00-06, with V8 and 4WD.
trailmix
New member
Try out a 4th gen 4runner while youre at it to. Ive owned several 3rd gens and love them, i currently have a 97 limited 4x4 with 140k and it runs like new. But ive driven a few 4th gens, both v6 and v8 and theyre great trucks. Only thing i dont like about the V8's is that they are awd, where the V6 is selectable.
offthebeatenpath
Adventurer
X2 on this... ran into the same deal this fall while I was looking for mine, except then he was "from" Wyoming.... If that bastard would put as much effort into getting a real job.....
Anyways, I scored my 03 double cab with 95k on it for $10.5k. It doesn't have a topper, needed to be detailed, oil change, new cv boot, front turn signal, small dent in the tailgate. I still feel like I got a great deal. It's a 4x4 and there's plenty of room for the kiddos seats in the back. And you can fit an elk in the back
Anyway, drive both, decide what you want covered, as well as heated or cooled. Remember that whatever's in the bed won't be heated or cooled while you're driving if that matters to you. You probably won't find a great deal on a Toyota, that's just reality. But you'll have a super reliable vehicle no matter what you spend.
i think its ridiculous that things like this can go on...oh well, live and learn i guess..
im honestly fine with either i think, a 3rd gen 4runner or a double cab tacoma...must be four wheel drive. they will drive about the same, yea?
i drive my dads lx470 every now and then and he tells me what a 4runner will most likely drive like.
my plans for my "new" vehicle are about the same...ARB bumper with some lights. put on my warn winch and cb/pa and possibly some new tyres.
are there any real differences between the 4runner and the tacoma other than the obvious. i know as far as a tacoma goes, i should shoot for an 03 i believe. whats a good year for the 4runners? its all a bit confusing which options came when...
ive learned alot from the site, hope for more
im honestly fine with either i think, a 3rd gen 4runner or a double cab tacoma...must be four wheel drive. they will drive about the same, yea?
i drive my dads lx470 every now and then and he tells me what a 4runner will most likely drive like.
my plans for my "new" vehicle are about the same...ARB bumper with some lights. put on my warn winch and cb/pa and possibly some new tyres.
are there any real differences between the 4runner and the tacoma other than the obvious. i know as far as a tacoma goes, i should shoot for an 03 i believe. whats a good year for the 4runners? its all a bit confusing which options came when...
ive learned alot from the site, hope for more
laxtoy
Adventurer
4runners (96-02) and tacomas (95.5-04) with a 3.4l v6 are very reliable, and have respectable power balanced with a good ride. i have driven my 99 ext cab taco from seattle to alaska and back (about 6000 miles in a very round about way), as well as many many trips between seattle and san diego and beyond, and never a mechanical failure. believe me, as a former cj owner who dumped about $3000 in repairs, the ride quality doesn't even compare. i wouldn't think the ride of a 4runner would be as similar to a lx 470, considering that era 4runners and tacos are true mini truck platforms, so i consider them to be pretty nimble with good acceleration and road manners, especially for a truck, and they get around in city very well (easy to park, good power) and do good on tighter trails considering they're pretty compact. i would go with a 4runner and not look back- close enough in size to what you currently have, great reliability, good space for storing gear and people, plus they have a great aftermarket and there's a ton of info on the web for maintenance help