Buying a Gen 1 Tacoma: Good or bad as a daily driver?
Posted by JoshBoGosh@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 11 comments
Looking into buying a Gen 1 tacoma as a new daily driver. It's my dream truck and have been looking for decent deals on FB market for about 4 months and finally found two that I like.
Both have about 200k miles, one is beige for $9500 and the other is green for $8500 (I haven't negotiated prices or seen in person yet) and they seem to be in about the same condition with both having a v6, 4wd and automatic transmission. Both posts claim no issues other than some cosmetic dings/dents and that they run great. The beige one seems to have a better frame rust condition since the green doesn't have any pics of the frame (Idk if I'm allowed to add fb market links on here for the posts).
I know it's very dependent on the specific truck, but I wanted to ask for some input from a car centric community for their thoughts so I can make a more informed decision. Since it's a \~25 year old vehicle, how would it be to daily drive in terms of maintenance, reliability and availability of replacement parts? Thoughts on these prices for a Gen 1 tacoma? Since my car right now is old but works (09 vw rabbit), this kind of becomes a "the devil you know vs the devil you don't" situation, so I'm looking for some input to expose my potential blind spots. Thanks in advance!
Thronebomber@reddit
$9500 for a 30 year old 200k mi truck. Insane clown world we live in.
Revolutionary-End542@reddit
Nah you're just broke
TheThinDewLine@reddit
lots of broke people in this clown world, be careful out there, you’re lookin like a delicious snack to someone hungry enough :)
sprchrgddc5@reddit
Where are you located? I’m guessing somewhere with no salt if you’re able to find two of these?
My dad had one when I was a kid. I sorta hated it. But I was in SoCal for work and saw a ton of them in pristine condition and absolutely would want one again. They’ve all but disappeared in the north cuz of the massive frame rust issue. That would be my biggest concern tbh.
JoshBoGosh@reddit (OP)
I’m in the CO region. The ones I’ve seen posted around CO have decent surface rust, but I wouldn’t buy anything that’s definitely rusting out.
Afraid_University_81@reddit
Im selling my 03 but Im in Utah, its a 4 cylinder, 4x4, manual 5 speed, 185k on it. Was in CA most of its life, frame has some surface rust but no scaling, mostly just discolored. Mechanically its solid just the clear coat is bad.
OkButterscotch12345@reddit
I have one with over 200k, and wouldn’t even consider selling it for less than 15k$. The thing is they can’t be replaced, they will only go up in value so long as you maintain it. The lack of electronics alone is built in reliability. The seats are not very comfortable for super long drives. Just plan on fixing it if it breaks, who cares! You’re buying the platform. Used parts are plentiful because many had frame problems and didn’t make it in under warranty. In the 6 years I’ve owned it I have never needed a single repair. Original engine, transmission, and even the clutch at 235k.
AKADriver@reddit
I wouldn't on mileage alone. Look for a Nissan Frontier of the same era, get one with 100k on it.
I owned a 1st gen Tacoma, great truck, but mine had low mileage. I can't say how well they hold up. Mine needed work because of corrosion, it was driven in upstate NY and everything rusted, not just the frame, but the suspension, rear axle, etc.
Smokey_tha_bear9000@reddit
I had a 2000 Frontier crew cab in high school. It blew up at 100k when the rear main seal let go on the interstate.
I now have the 2003 Tacoma my brother bought in high school with 70k on it. It now has 260k on it. The 1st gen Tacomas are way better than the 1st gen Frontiers.
I loved my Frontier, but the Tacoma is just a better truck all around.
Rough_Cancel7265@reddit
I would hard pass based on mileage alone, but then throw in nearly $10000 and the fact that it's 30 years old? Even harder pass. I've done/seen the 200K daily song and dance before. Mechanically it very well might keep on going, but it's all the stuff you don't think about that will start to add up.
Mysanityranaway@reddit
May have better luck on /r/1stGenTacomas or tacomaworld.com
It is fundamentally more reliable than most VW products but it is still a nearly 30 year old truck.
It needs lower ball joints and a timing belt every 70-100k or immediately if you have no history.
Best case scenario, you keep both vehicles so you have a backup while working on the other.
I dailyed mine for years, it sits at 372k and I'd really just need snacks and gas to take a 1k mile trip.