Taco Newb Need Advice

[atomicshawn]

My 91 Subie I've been commuting in threw a rod a couple of weeks ago so looking for a small 4WD truck to replace it. I've been trying to find a decent 96-2004 regular cab Tacoma w/ a manual trans. Everything I've found so far has been:

a) way over priced
b) super high miles
c) beat
or
d) all of the above

I'm looking at a 96 right now. Seems pretty clean with a few blemishes (see photos), I dig the color, but it has 215,000 miles and no AC. I dont think the seller will move lower than $5,100. Is this a reasonable price? What is the life expectancy of a well maintained 2.7L? Any thoughts on the 2.7L vs. 2.4L?

Any insight/advice is appreciated,

Thanks

 

[atomicshawn]

the flaws...
...

 

[40Habits]

IMO, it is overpriced. The NADA clean retail is $4,275. The 2.7 will last if they are maintained but that is getting up there.

I would keep looking.

 

[fsusteve]

overpriced, should be closer to $3k with that rust and no a/c. The 2.7 is a monster, a 22re on roids.

 

[Haggis]

Keep looking, be patient and you will find what you are looking for. 3rd Gen Tacomas are a bit over priced, but worth it.

 

[Dini]

I would hit craigslist and check the surrounding states if I were you. Here in Oregon, you could find one of those pretty cheap with no rust, as we don't salt the roads.

 

[Kris]

Cool site I found when I was looking for a Jetta was SearchTempest - The EASY way to search Craigslist searches craigslist for any/all the states you want and all the cities within it. It can take a while to load

 

[taccruiser97]

I would be asking if the frame has been replaced by Toyota since Tacomas have had problems with frame rust and Toyota has replaced frames for the last few years on that generation of Toyota pickups.

 

[Dini]

Cool site I found when I was looking for a Jetta was SearchTempest - The EASY way to search Craigslist searches craigslist for any/all the states you want and all the cities within it. It can take a while to load

I use a search engine called "crazedlist". It works ok, but it's probably not the best one out there. It does what I need it to though.

 

[meigsrock]

Price is not too bad if it were up here in Alaska. Tacomas go for ridiculous prices up here it seems.
That truck looks pretty good if the rocker panels are addressed soon and if the frame is ok.

Do watch for and ask about the rusty frames. Toyota will not do anything about them if the truck is over 15 years old from what I understand, so keep that in mind if shopping 96-97 trucks especially.

On a side note, does any one know the GAWR axle rating for the rear axle on these 96-04 Tacomas?