fritosaregood

I'm pretty new to toyotas, and trucks in general. But I've been looking at ext cab tacomas for stereo competition purposes. I found one local that I can get for 4k. Its got 278k miles and looks to only have cosmetic damage.

It wont be a daily drive. It will be driven once or twice a month, but the drives it goes on will range from 300 mile round trips, to 1000 mile round trips.

It will also have close to 500 pounds added in the cab, and 1000+ in the bed.
It may eventually get taken off road, but nothing hardcore.

Is this something I should buy for my purposes? or is the mileage way to high?

westjohns yota

year and model, what motor, 5 spd or auto, some info on the truck would be nice, what motor? 22r/res are great, 3.0 may scare you , 3.4 is an amazing engine, and the 2.7 is also a good motor, 278k may seem like alot, but its a toyota, our trucks can go over 500k with proper maintence and a few repairs needed over time

fritosaregood

I knew I was forgetting some good info.

Its a 97 tacoma , 4wheel drive, v6 auto, not sure on engine size.
I think he said its the sr5 but he didnt know, and I know know how to tell.

the latest maintenance on it is oil, trans flush, and tie rod.

James Woods

iTrader: (1)

So it is the 3.4 V6, Best motor Toyota has ever made IMO

pruney81

Yes Toyota's do last a long time but for 4K I would think you could get something with a lot less miles. Especially if you are going on long road trips and racking up the miles yourself.

I know people on here will probably disagree with me and say that Toyota's run forever and they will but I don't think I would want to spend 4k on a vehicle that someone else put 278K miles on. I don't know where you are located but here in Colorado 4K would get you a nice 96-99 or so Tacoma with less than 200K miles on it.

Ok, I take that back you might have to spend a little more than 4K to get what I was talking about but I would still keep looking around for something with less than 200K miles, either way you look at 278K miles is a lot, even on a Toyota.

4K would definitely get you a nice pre Tacoma truck (86-95)

fritosaregood

I'm in Arkansas. If I try to buy, I would try to get down to 3500. Most Ive seen around here are pretty expensive. Usually posted for around 12k for 2000 models, 99s for 10k.

pruney81

Well, on the 3.4 with mileage I would want to see some proof that the timing belt/water pump has been done and pay attention to how hard the transmission shifts

pruney81

just looked on craigslist and this was at the top of page:
http://littlerock.craigslist.org/cto/2955317104.html


But after looking around a little more it does seem like people want a lot in arkansas, good luck, I would just make sure whatever you buy if it has miles hopefully you can get some service records out of em.

fritosaregood

Yea that one popped up today, but it has to be an Ext cab. and auto.

the one Im looking at on there is a 97 listed for 4500.

fritosaregood

a few of the newer ones on there that are better deals are already gone

pruney81

What about a 4Runner? Those seem to be cheaper

fritosaregood

In the class I compete in the truck give me the advantage of a bed to fill with extra batteries, and the smaller cabin will get louder. The tacoma also has a higher window line over the other ext cab trucks Ive looked at, and that is the highest point I can build too.