This '01 Tacoma Sound Okay?

[Redline]

I would like some opinions on this used Tacoma. It belongs to a friend, he’s selling it, but not in a bug hurry, he has a new Duramax and the Tacoma isn’t being driven much anymore.

I'm car/truck shopping because I like to, not because we need another vehicle. My wife has a very economical 2000 VW Golf TDI that she drives, but this truck would be her winter/snow vehicle and also used for haulin' our three dogs around when needed. It could eventually do back-up Chaser pulling duty, but I have an F350 for heavy haulin.

Truck:

2001 Tacoma 3.4 V6 TRD (rear locker)
Crew-Cab pickup auto-trans with 101,000-miles on it.
Has a Leer shell on it.
Stock Except for shorter tires on it (245/75R16 I believe)

After break-in, Mobil synthetic was run in the engine and changed every 3,500-4,500-miles. Around 70-75k my friend started using Mobil's Extended Service 15,000-mile oil and changing it every 12-13,000-miles.

This guy is your typical 'car' owner, has his oil changed at Wal Mart or a quick lube place, and has probably done little else to maintain the truck other than these oil changes (maybe none was needed?). No oil analysis, just running the longer change intervals because Mobil says you can. The 3.5-4.5K intervals are not a concern, but the 12-13K intervals of late do concern me.

For the record, I'm not totally against extended oil drain intervals with a good filter, premium oil and some mechanical awareness thrown in. I use the factory recommended 10,000-mi. oil change interval on my wife's Golf, using 5w-40 synthetic diesel oil. I'm also considering extending my V8 4Runners oil changes from 5k to 7,500-10,000-miles WITH oil analysis, all with the same Red Line synthetic I’m using now. Just not sure about his “it says 15K on the bottle so I’m fine if I change it at a bit less than 15k” attitude. He could be correct and the engine could still be in perfect shape.

He will sell it to me for $10,000 (maybe a little high, but he often thinks his stuff is worth more than it is).

Kelly Blue Book price is $10,300 if it's in 'excellent' shape, Good is 9,500.00

Do these things have 15 or 16" wheels?

I know the 3.0 V6 was not Toyota’s best engine, any big flaws with the 3.4L?

James

 

[SAR_Squid79]

Sounds okay to me. What do you mean by Crew-Cab? Toyota has ExCab (which is 2-door with the little window), and DoubleCab (which if 4-Door, like Scott Brady's truck).

If it hasn't been wheeled, or raced, or abused - the oil changes wouldn't bother me at all.

The 2001 - 2004 Tacomas have 16" wheels.

That $10,000 price is a little high. FYI - Less than 2% of vehicles sold in the United States are in "Excellent" condition.

No big or common flaws with the 3.4L. If it's a 2001 it does not have the "throttle-by-wire" throttle body (which has been a problem). The 3.4L is just about as reliable and bulletproof as they come, IMO.

 

[Willman]

Sounds like a good truck!

3.4L is a great motor......Have not head any problems with mine..

Price seems about right @...$9000..............

What is your plan for the truck?? (Daily driver or ExPo rig??)

:elkgrin:

 

[Redline]

I was using my full-size truck terminology: Crew Cab = 4-doors. Double Cab in Toyota speak.

It has not been raced or abused, has probably seen very little 4-wheelin' except a little hunting. This guys drives pretty conservatively.

16" wheels (thought so) are perfect as I have some spare 255/85 tires it could sport after a lift ☺ (but I didn't really plan a lift for my wife’s truck)

I'm sure it's not "Excellent" just like you said, “Good” is probably about right. $9,000-9,500 would be a better price, but like I said, this guys thinks his stuff is worth more than it is...

No drive by wire throttle sounds great (my 4Runner has it :-(

Sounds okay to me.

If it hasn't been wheeled, or raced, or abused - the oil changes wouldn't bother me at all.

The 2001 - 2004 Tacomas have 16" wheels.

That price is a little high. FYI - Less than 2% of vehicles sold in the United States are in "Excellent" condition.

No big or common flaws with the 3.4L. If it's a 2001 it does not have the "throttle-by-wire" throttle body (which has been a problem). The 3.4L is just about as reliable and bulletproof as they come, IMO.

 

[Redline]

If I can convince my wife we should consider it (a tough sell as we don't need the debt or another car) it would be a winter daily driver for her. We probably would not sell her VW Golf as 40-50-MPG cars are hard to come by. I would need to check on the cost of adding another car to our insurance policy.

This Tacoma certainly could be a great ExPo rig if I needed/wanted it, but I have my 4Runner and the modifications to this Taco would likely be few, a Caravan Camper shell and a stout rear bumper would be on the early to do list.

Sounds like a good truck!

3.4L is a great motor......Have not head any problems with mine..

Price seems about right @...$9000..............

What is your plan for the truck?? (Daily driver or ExPo rig??)

:elkgrin:

 

[mtnbike28]

Sounds good.

The price seems good. Those trucks hold their value better than most. Look at the internet (craigslist and ebay) and you will see they are selling for 5k more than his price. I know I bought one used 16 months ago (02 dbl cab 4x4), my dad thought I was way over paying until he searched up and down the gulf coast.... here in upstate NY people seem to think Toyotas are gold. There are several 01 extra cabs 4x4 for more than $10k for sale here... all with some rust. I know since I have been looking for a truck for my daughter. Good luck Jay in NY

 

[p1michaud]

Sounds like a reasonable vehicle.

It has not been raced or abused, has probably seen very little 4-wheelin' except a little hunting. This guys drives pretty conservatively.

16" wheels (thought so) are perfect as I have some spare 255/85 tires it could sport after a lift ☺ (but I didn't really plan a lift for my wife’s truck)

Sounds like a reasonable rig. Personally I would not worry about the oil change freqency. As others have said, the 3.4L is a strong motor. Only thing to watch for is Timing belt, water pump, thermostat, coolant lines replacement. It's due if it has not been done already (if you search a bit in this forum this maintenace item is covered).

You can fit the 255/85R16 with no lift, great article by Mr. Brady of Expeditions West. Increased ground clearance without going too crazy with suspension upgrades. May be a bit large for DD duties, a 265/75R16 may be better suited with better fuel economy or potential for rubbing. Both desirable attributes for a DD IMO.

If

 

[Cackalak Han]

I don't know what some of these guys are talking about, but $10k is a steal for that truck, if everything checks out. Trucks like that go for at LEAST $14k around here and in the surrounding states. If you don't buy it, I'd be tempted to go buy it myself.

I would be a little bit concerned about the engine oil sitting in there for that long. Maybe do a Seafoam treatment or something. Also, the timing belt should've been done at 90k miles. And check to see if the rear axle seal is leaking. (along with any other leaks). Put it in 4WD and lock the rear (on dirt! Not pavement) to make sure everything works.

Lastly get rid of the 245's and get some 265/75/16's on there. 255/85's CAN fit, but like it says in the article, you need to do lots of trimming.

Oh, and the 3.4L V6 is an excellent motor (much more reliable than the old 3.0's.). Plenty of people have gotten over 300k easily on these motors.

 

[Jacket]

Sounds like a reasonable rig. Personally I would not worry about the oil change freqency. As others have said, the 3.4L is a strong motor. Only thing to watch for is Timing belt, water pump, thermostat, coolant lines replacement. It's due if it has not been done already (if you search a bit in this forum this maintenace item is covered).

+1. If the timing belt service hasn't been done, that could be a major bargaining tool. Otherwise it sounds like a winner!

 

[Redline]

I called him last night to ask about the truck again before posting my question and he mentioned that if a local word-of-mouth sale doesn't happen he will likely throw it on eBay as they seem to be selling for good prices there, supported by what you guys just told me. If the price is that good, I should be able to resell it easily if it turns out to be too expensive to have another vehicle. I’m pretty sure he hasn’t done the timing belt maintenance, I will have to ask him.

I would surely ditch the 245s if I was to buy the truck. The 255s are probably a little tall for the stock gearing and daily driver duties, its just that I have them, recently selling my last set of 265/65 to finance my Cooper STs. 265/75 or 235/85 would be the size to put on for my wife's truck and for MPG.

 

[Mc Taco]

James, sounds like a good truck for an alright price. What color is it? The reason I ask is that if you're going to replace the shell, I might want the old one for my truck. Plus it would give me a good reason to head up 395 and sight see.

 

[Redline]

The truck is a dark red.

I'm pretty sure we won't be buying this rig. I talked with my wife about it today, she doesn't want this particular Tacoma and she doesn't want a new/different car right now. She wants to wait a couple years and I have to admit this is a wise financial decision. I'll try to be patient while dreaming of diesel engine options in the coming years.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Hmm... Do you have the contact info for the seller? I might actually be very interested in this.

 

[Redline]

I left myself a note to call him tomorrow to confirm I can give out his cell phone number. He is currently out of state.

Would you PM me with your name so I can tell him who is calling.

James

Hmm... Do you have the contact info for the seller? I might actually be very interested in this.

 

[Christian P.]

I don't know what some of these guys are talking about, but $10k is a steal for that truck, if everything checks out. Trucks like that go for at LEAST $14k around here and in the surrounding states. If you don't buy it, I'd be tempted to go buy it myself.

I totally agree. Unless it has rust it's a steal!

I don't know where you live but around here (Bay Area) it's impossible to find a decent 2001 TRD 4x4 for that kind of price.

Check these for examples:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/car/578955929.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/578385657.html

for $9000 you get a short cab 4 cyl...

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/578415934.html

or 150000 miles

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/car/585125919.html



let me know if you don't want it...i'll go get it...