daler Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Hi folks, figured I would get a faster response here than on a toyota site. I"m buying a used truck and have found a 1998 toyota tacoma extra cab 2.7 liter manual, air, no cruise. It has 115,000 miles on it which is a bit for 98 but the truck is in good shape. I had it checked by a dealer and they think it is a sound truck. Do you think 8,800 is a good deal? thanks, dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 not bad, I'd run the VIN to make sure you're not looking at a salvage title or the like, just to be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daler Posted July 17, 2003 Author Share Posted July 17, 2003 Yeah, I ran the vin and I would be the 3rd owner. It has not had any accidents or funky stuff reported to carfax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 I bought a used 1998 tacoma 4x4 standard cab from a dealer a year or so ago for 11000, for what that's worth. It had 60k on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunglehead Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 I have a 94 toyota w/~120 K on it, and here are some things you might want be aware are very common problems on Toyota engines (truck engines) The timing chain can slap into the guide and break the holding pins, which as something like $1400 to fix in a good shop. A mechanic good with toyotas can hear it pretty clearly. Also have em check to see if the clutch is new. A clutch with 115K on it will need repair very soon. Mine also had a radiator leak, but that was a long time ago. Toyota might have upgraded the radiators. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attitude Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Use this: Edmunds Used Car Pricing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayB Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Agreed. Ask the owner how long ago he replaced the timing belt. For my model year Toyota recommends changing the timing belt every 60,000 miles, so even if he'd gone by the book you are getting pretty close to the service interval for that part. Ditto for the water-pump, which should be replaced at 120,000. I'd also ask about the rotor, the plug-wires and the plugs. And - take a look at the CV boots on the front axle and see if they are showing signs of oxidiation or minor cracking. When those blow it'll run you about $300-350 per axle to get them replaced. If they are showing signs of imminent demise, have the guy lower the price by the cost of replacing them, or something close to it. Same for the timing-belt, water-pump, and other major items that are approaching the end of their recommended service-life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshK Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 FWIW, I'd consider paying a bit more to get a truck with less mileage. That's a lot of mileage for the year, and generally anybody using a *truck* that much in a short period of the time is gonna use it hard. I learned this lesson a few years back buying a used suburu. I had it checked out and everybody (including my mechanic friend) thought it looked very clean mechanically. As luck with have it, I had to replace a burned valve a few months later. Stuff like that adds up and before you know it, you've paid more than you would have paid for a lower mileage vehicle. On the other hand, if you can get him to do what JayB recommends, it may allow you to replace enough stuff to feel comfortable with the vehicle and still arrive at a nice, low overall price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobBob Posted July 18, 2003 Share Posted July 18, 2003 Use Edmunds, NADAguides.com, and also pay the $12 or so for ConsumerReports' online used vehicle pricing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrible_ted Posted July 18, 2003 Share Posted July 18, 2003 A lot of times high mileage reflects a greater distance per trip rather than a greater number of trips. That's usually a good thing (assuming oil has been changed regularly), as long (usually freeway) mileage trips allow the engine and exhaust system to come to temperature. Many low mileage vehicles are used for the same number of trips, it's just that they don't go very far. It usually takes a 12 - 15 mile trip (20 minutes or so) to heat up the exhaust system enough to expel all of the moisture. I'll bet the exhaust system on this rig looks a lot better than than the exhaust on my own, 57k '98 Toyota Tacoma. No major repairs is a good thing. By '98 most of the problem had been engineered out, but those late 90's Toyotas are notorious for blowing head gaskets <40k miles. Before '96 you might expect it. Past '96, and it's the sign of a lemon. -t Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figger_Eight Posted July 19, 2003 Share Posted July 19, 2003 That's a lot of miles for the price. I might keep looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricS Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 Have an 89 4x4 Toyota w/ about 115K .. so reading an 98 .. seems a tad high. No big problems to date (thankfully)! Have had to replace muffler, agree w/ Terrible T ... Also note about the clutch, check your clutch reservoir .. fluid could be low! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lummox Posted August 27, 2003 Share Posted August 27, 2003 daler said: Do you think 8,800 is a good deal? no. it might be what the market is. but i wouldnt call that good. youll be spending bucks on repairs pretty soon with that many miles. youll be over 10k invested within a year i reckon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtn_mouse Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 You dont want a toyota. I have a 92 with 157,000 miles. I had to replace the original battery last month. Stuff just doesnt last anymore! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 Yeah. Toyota's suck. I bought one that was totalled before I bought it, and I totalled it once more. The damn thing drove like nothing had ever happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lummox Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 someone a little unclear on what 'totalled' means? btw. i saw a 87 saab yesterday for $1500. looked immaculate. i thinking 'portrero chico mobile'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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