I'm looking at a 1998 TACOMA-any notorious problems?

jaredb3000 · 12-05-2006, 08:18 PM

Based on five years of owning an 88 pickup w/o one prob., Im ready to join the winning team again. Im not familiar with the Tacoma's as I am with the 22r pickups-basically, is there is anything typically problematic with the 1998 4wd v6 extcab I should lookout for? this one has 200,000 miles on it (montana miles). Supposedly it gets 18-22mpg, does that sound right? appreciate any feedback-thanks

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WATRD · 12-05-2006, 08:25 PM

The mileage is moderate and the gas mileage sounds a bit high but not out of the question if you drive like a grandma on the freeway.

The '98 Tacoma was a good rig. The only notorious problem is the jealousy you will experience from non Toyota owners...

Welcome to YT.

rimpainter.com · 12-05-2006, 08:32 PM

My 98 Taco Limited had an issue with the seal around the waterpump at just under 30K miles. The foreman at the dealer said some of these 5VZ engines had an issue with the seal when it left the factory. I would assume that at 200K miles the bug has worked itself out, but you never know.

Other than that my 98 Taco never let me down.

Oh, and I got around 18 mpg, mixed driving. Best I could do on a long trip was 19 mpg, and at higher elevations I pulled 20 or 21.

Welcome!

toyota_mdt_tech · 12-05-2006, 09:18 PM

Zilch. I own one. Bought it brand new. Only has 55K on it now. Love that truck. Its a TRD V6 5 spd 4WD power everything

jjrgr21 · 12-05-2006, 09:25 PM

had 1 put 215k on it. no problems at all, and they were hard miles. mine was a 5spd and the best i ever got was 23mpg on 225/75/15 tires, went to 31's and it was about 19-20 on average

ornery · 12-05-2006, 09:38 PM

i bought my 99 this summer.. the MAF needed to be replaced, and theres a TO bearing squeak i think, but otherwise.. Its pretty fun, wicked in the snow. haha

mastacox · 12-06-2006, 06:31 AM

That is a lot of miles... even for a Toyota, it's hard to say how much longer it will drive before major engine work is required. I personally would hold out for something with 100k miles or maybe a little more.

Winchester · 12-06-2006, 06:54 AM

Your bio sounds like mine, had a 88 taco put 375,000 on it best ride I ever owned. After a six month search found a 98 tacoma x-cab 4x4 sr5 with 156,000 on it, for a toyota thats break in miles!

Tacoclimber · 12-06-2006, 08:06 AM

Had a 99 Ext cab, with the 2.7. Ran like a champ. Traded it for the 03 DC.

Welcome to YT!

cackalak han · 12-06-2006, 08:43 AM

Do it,

Get the Taco

DO IT.

ac808m · 12-06-2006, 10:09 AM

I have no problems with mine. I've been getting 20+mpg and have 137k on it.

Do you know the history of it pretty well? Check the diff fluid. Mine was pretty crusty when I bought it at 103k. Does it have a diff lock?

If you like the truck-get it. You won't regret it.

12-05-2006, 08:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
WATRD Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Duvall, WA Posts: 5,109	The mileage is moderate and the gas mileage sounds a bit high but not out of the question if you drive like a grandma on the freeway. The '98 Tacoma was a good rig. The only notorious problem is the jealousy you will experience from non Toyota owners... Welcome to YT. __________________ -Rob Slightly Modified 2001 Tacoma - WATRD.COM WATTORA is becoming NWToys! Tread Lightly! certified Tread Trainer Search 100+ Toyota tech sites, including this one: Toyota Tech Search

12-05-2006, 08:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,797	My 98 Taco Limited had an issue with the seal around the waterpump at just under 30K miles. The foreman at the dealer said some of these 5VZ engines had an issue with the seal when it left the factory. I would assume that at 200K miles the bug has worked itself out, but you never know. Other than that my 98 Taco never let me down. Oh, and I got around 18 mpg, mixed driving. Best I could do on a long trip was 19 mpg, and at higher elevations I pulled 20 or 21. Welcome! __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids Last edited by rimpainter.com; 12-05-2006 at 08:34 PM.

12-05-2006, 09:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
toyota_mdt_tech Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: WA Posts: 529	Zilch. I own one. Bought it brand new. Only has 55K on it now. Love that truck. Its a TRD V6 5 spd 4WD power everything __________________ Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician "MDT" 1998 Toyota Tacoma TRD V6 4WD 5 SPD 1998 Chevrolet K1500 1999 Toyota Camry 2003 Toyota Highlander 4WD 2007 KTM 85SX 17/14 2006 KTM 300XC-W 2005 KTM 65SX 2004 Kawasaki KLX 110 2003 Honda XR50 2002 Yamaha TTR 125L 2002 Kawasaki KLR650 2002 Suzuki Eiger 400 4WD 2004 Cargomate<--link GeePaw® Racing<--link

12-05-2006, 09:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
jjrgr21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,520	had 1 put 215k on it. no problems at all, and they were hard miles. mine was a 5spd and the best i ever got was 23mpg on 225/75/15 tires, went to 31's and it was about 19-20 on average __________________ 2003 4WD TRD Tacoma 1986 4Runner

12-06-2006, 06:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
mastacox Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Los Alamos, NM Posts: 2,650	That is a lot of miles... even for a Toyota, it's hard to say how much longer it will drive before major engine work is required. I personally would hold out for something with 100k miles or maybe a little more. __________________ Brian 1998 4Runner SR5

12-05-2006, 09:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
ornery Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 154	i bought my 99 this summer.. the MAF needed to be replaced, and theres a TO bearing squeak i think, but otherwise.. Its pretty fun, wicked in the snow. haha

12-06-2006, 06:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
Winchester Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Galveston Texas Posts: 8	Your bio sounds like mine, had a 88 taco put 375,000 on it best ride I ever owned. After a six month search found a 98 tacoma x-cab 4x4 sr5 with 156,000 on it, for a toyota thats break in miles!

12-06-2006, 08:06 AM	#9 (permalink)
Tacoclimber Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Between a rock and a hard place, AZ Posts: 3,713	Had a 99 Ext cab, with the 2.7. Ran like a champ. Traded it for the 03 DC. Welcome to YT! __________________ CJ ...<>< 03 DC TRD Tacoma 4wd with a bunch of junk. SOLD 1964 Chevy Biscayne, 230 I6, lowered, satin black, old-school legit. Just wheel the stupid thing!!! But do it responsibly, ok? My band: Road Worn Saints

12-06-2006, 08:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
cackalak han Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Salt Lake Posts: 1,768	Do it, Get the Taco DO IT. __________________ 01 Tacoma DC TRD OR 4x4

12-06-2006, 10:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
ac808m Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 106	I have no problems with mine. I've been getting 20+mpg and have 137k on it. Do you know the history of it pretty well? Check the diff fluid. Mine was pretty crusty when I bought it at 103k. Does it have a diff lock? If you like the truck-get it. You won't regret it. __________________ -Aaron 1998 Tacoma Limited XtraCab 4x4 \| De-badged TRD \| 3.4L Auto \| Factory E-lock & Moonroof \| 882 2.5" OME Lift \| 17" Enkei RTS Rims \| Brembo Slotted Rotors \| Slee Brake Lines \| K&N Filter w/Deck Plate \| Custom 654 Weatherguard Box \| Stubbs Sliders \| LineX-ed Bed & Sliders \| Kenwood KDC-MPV6022 \| OmniFi \| JL 250/1 Amp \| JL 8" w/Hidden Box

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