Im thinking on Buying a 2000 Tacoma PreRunner for $7,500 still waiting to see if price is negotiable the pictures he had on the post The frame is looking decent Rust Free, any advice or thoughts are very welcome Thank you.
If you can find one from an non road salt state or one with a good or replaced frame, they're awesome trucks. Unfortunately I live in Upstate New York, the road salt is eating up my 2000 Toyota Tacoma, it still runs great with 247,000+ miles on it.
Great Car last for a long time. I respectfully received my father's 2004 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab 2×4, which had only 35K miles on it, after his passing in December of last year.
Didnt realize how much I would miss my 01 Tacoma. Something about driving that truck...feels satisfying. The Tacoma feels like it has a soul. A classic truck.
Bought my 2001 "Certified Used" in 2001 with 3K miles. Now at 117K miles and bulletproof. 4D 4x4 V6. Hands down the best vehicle I've ever owned. When I had to buy a regular car due to my wife's disabilities keeping her from easily getting in the truck, the salesman at the lot was drooling over it and trying to talk me into trading it in. No f'in way. Mine until the day I die.
Ya, my '03 v6 4x4 with 103k get's a lot of attention when I bring it in to the Toyota Dealer for normal maintenance. Not once have I had an issue with it. Pull small horse trailer, camper and utility trailer with no problems. Absolutely hands down one of the best vehicles ever made. And I bought it new in 03.
This truck is beautiful. The styling aged so well. Combine that with the reliability and practicality, you can’t go wrong with this truck. I’d love to own one. Unfortunately clean examples are approaching $10,000.
@@jonah5839 thank you for that reply, just seems like they steered away from the small pickup idea mid 90's- 04 very appealing to buyers, then 05 went down too bulky ,may yours seeve you many more miles of smiles!
Same thing here I start looking at a new one and I'm digging it till i see the inside and it's like a driving keyboard and tablet on the dash Dont know why they put screens in new vehicles that are hard to use and navigate it's just going to cause wrecks
2nd gen isn’t bad, I have a 2014 trd sport that still has a key and manual seats but just enough tech without anything breaking all the time. I sold my 01 for it. Having a wife and kid you want some of the safety features on the newer vehicles. But the 3rd gen is too much tech and too big for me.
The nostalgia of those old pull out parking brakes in the old Tacoma’s. I grew up riding in my dads 2005 V6 manual Tacoma and when he would park to drop me off at school I remember the sound of the old pull out parking brake. To this day still runs good with 300k miles. He recently traded it in for a used 2013 Tacoma off-road V6 6 speed automatic. He’s getting old and just wanted an automatic. Tacoma’s are good trucks
Looked for a 1st gen Taco for 6 months before finding one. Got very lucky on a 2002 V6 Xtra. Florida truck with 53k on it. Looks new. It wasn’t cheap for a 20 year old truck, but I’m planning on keeping it for another 20 at least. Love the size and mechanical quality. Best vehicle I’ve owned.
Yes..yes..yes..my 97 2.4 extended cab just rolled over 300,033 today on the way to work...and im a contractor and have used my Tacoma every day straight for last 5 years!!absolutely love this truck!
This is the video that made me fall in love with first gen tacoma. I’ve owned my 2003 since December and I still love the way it looks and driving it every day. I come back and rewatch this vid every now and then since I love the editing and clips!
I bought this exact same 2001 xtracab model 2 years ago and let me tell you this little truck is now permanently part of the family. At first it needed tons of work with a couple of minor headaches but fast forward up until now and she looks mint and runs flawlessly
I just acquired my father's 2004 PreRunner. He can no longer drive. Has 250,000 miles and the thing runs like a top. I'm looking foward to doing some restoration on interior and a good cleaning. Love this truck.
i love my 1997 SR5 4x4 Taco, yes I paid too much for it, but I couldn't pass up on an original 1st gen toyota with 86K miles on it. Rust free from Nevada. Keep up the good work mr. Ethan.
I've been waiting for the my 04 Taco Dble 4x4 to give up on me to buy another truck, 16 yrs later its still runs great. Don't buy this truck if want a new truck every 5-7 yrs it's just keeps giving back reliability. My last tacoma I gave it to my neighbor cuz I would hate not seeing it everyday. ; )
Just bought a ‘98 Taco SR5 V6 4x4 with 203k mi. It was California owned by a lady for 21 years. No accidents no recalls. Great maintenance record too. Paid $11,300. Has a tiny spot of rust on the body. Came with the matching topper. I plan to use it for truck camping and work. I live in Colorado.
Great truck, I have an 2003 3.4L V6 w/ 4WD. Just be aware that OEM CV shafts for the 4WD can take over 3 months on back order to obtain and the aftermarket ones tend not last very long before leaking. I would recommend having at least one on hand as a ready spare, especially if off-roading. I have had this truck since 07 and 30,000 miles, just re-built the engine at 198,000 miles a few months ago in my garage and still running great. Exhaust valves are the weak point on the engine as a leak-down check on the stand revealed all of them were leaking, but not so bad as to be out of spec. Went ahead and lapped them with the seats which fixed this issue, truck is still running great and rock solid. All major components were in great condition and well within manufacturing specifications even after this amount of time and mileage. Did not need to send anything out for machining or replace any major components, just put in all new seals, gaskets, etc.
My 2001 Tacoma 2x2 has 83,000 miles on it in great condition. Every time I bring it in to have work on which is very rare the mechanic tells me to hold onto it as long as I can. My nephew wants to buy it and has been wanting it for years! This will be my last car, definitely can’t afford a new truck at the prices they want.
I have the 1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Extended Cab 3.4L V6 4x4. Bought it off the lot and it still runs great today. Recently replaced my shocks and leaf springs. It has 270,000 miles.
i had just got my first truck at 23, and it is the 1st gen ‘95 tacoma. it did have a 286k mileage but it seemed like mint condition, very well maintained car with paperworks to prove it’s maintained. exterior and interior almost had 0 flaws. i really hope this will last me long term unlike the older cars i’ve been getting since i was 16 young and dumb.
I had a 2003 extended cab Tacoma. I put 352,000 miles on it with very few problems. Eventually the frame rusted through & now I have a 2019 extended cab. I am learning to love it, but miss the smaller version. I am also a little disappointed that in 16 years they couldn't figure out how to get some better gas mileage.
You lose reliability with better gas mileage. They stuck with the 6 speed transmission instead of the 8-10 speed transmission for the reliability. More speed more parts = less reliability.
Good review. There's still a ton of these running around here in Oklahoma and Arkansas where rust isn't a factor. I don't know if a 20 year old pickup can be considered an investment, but I've noticed, with the TRD Sport models at least, they've stopped depreciating and prices are actually on the rise for clean examples. It'll be interesting to see if that continues and how far it goes.
I know this video was posted a while back. But I bought my 04 tacoma prerunner 3.4 liter v6 2wd off the lot, and it's still runs good. Took it off-roading over Thanksgiving weekend for the first time, and I was impressed. Surprised I didn't got stuck.
Your summary about the used Tacoma marketplace was very accurate. "This is one of those vehicles that probably requires a little bit of a longer search to be sure you're not overpaying." Besides the Tundra and Tacoma there is also the T-100 which was actually made by Hino. It is a real pity that in the near future Tacomas will no longer be made in the USA. As regards the rust, have folks heard of a product called Krown Rustproofing? It works.
96 t100 4x4 5sp 337k 3.4 miles original ac comp. and alt 1 clutch [pilot bearing] at 280k i'm 66 maybe it will out last me i knew about hino too.starting to use a little coolant no rust florida
@@juanrodriguez-ry6yt Take care of that coolant issue, it might last another 20 years . Those of us who live in areas where they salt the roads must ABSOLUTELY use rustproofing if we want to see our vehicles reach their potential lifespan. Glad to hear you chose the manual . BTW Hino is really just another division of Toyota.
Very good and reassuring video. Well, this past thursday, April 1st., I purchased a 2002 Tacoma. A dream come true ! I did a few months of research on the pick up , and decided to buy a 6 cylinder, automatic, 4x2 model with an extended cabin. They are very hard to find here in Puerto Rico, so When one is available, then the price is high. I bought one and, your beautiful video confirms to me that I did not make a mistaje. I mede a great purchase ! Thank a million my friend and lots of succes with your next videos !! Your friend from Puerto Rico... Edwin Oliveras
just watched your datsun b210 video from 2017 when you first got it, and you deserve way more subs and everything, your videos are awesome and really well made
Best vehicle ever period. My old man has one, and I like to take it out for a spin whenever I get a chance. Simple. Mechanical. And most importantly RELIABLE.
Sadly it probably wont, as these new trucks are starting to be made cheaper. And Toyota is now moving its production of Tacoma's to Mexico, where they will likely be made even cheaper
2002 Tacoma 2.7 Prerunner here with 278,000 mi, I bought back in 2011 with 132,000 mi, only thing was replacing head gasket and fuel injectors at 260k. Never let me stranded on the side of the road. Love this truck.
I bought a beat up 2004 base model single cab three years ago for $2,800. It’s still going strong and I’m debating investing in prettying it up. The fact that it’s 2wd has me a bit hesitant, but it is a throwback to another era
My 02 has 371k,I've took it in to get the wheel bearings replaced twice and both times they said there's not a thing wrong with them.I do wish I'd used synthetic oil, the engine went out at 320k but I got lucky and found one that a tree had fell on,engine had only 70k.I'd like a new truck but this little truck wont let me get one.I'll probably never sell it.
I defiantly agree! Their legacy that dates back even before the Tacoma has definitely helped them keep their value. That’s partially why I’m thinking of getting a frontier double cab.
Nice job with this video. My 2002 2.7 ext cab with 148k miles is a gem…still looks absolutely great and runs like new. The frame was replaced in 2010. Asides from just replacing the old hazy headlamps, it is just reliable and bulletproof. Doubt I will ever sell it.
I remember they came out in 1995 1/2 with the little square universal headlights and in 2008 they went to the larger headlights then this style headlight in 2001, my father has the exact same truck in the video except a 2002 TRD same color. The body has no rust at all but the frame got replaced by toyota. That's pretty bad when the frame rots out and the thin sheet metal body doesn't have any rust at all. I wonder if the new frames will be rotted out again in a few years, there probably the exact same as the original junk frames they used, I noticed all the seams and welds started to rust within the first year after it was replaced. He owned close to 10 toyota truck and all but one the frames rotted out, one actually snapped completely in half between the cab and the bed.
I just got a 96 with 220k miles for $2750. No rust on frame and body. Okay conditions need a moffler because it’s missing it, interior driver door handle is broken, driver seatbelt is stuck and needs some TLC but overall it looks good. I will fix all those little problems and add power windows and power locks. Its a great upgrade from my 94 Toyota pickup that has no AC and PS.
I love my 1998 Toyota Tacoma. Xtra cab, it has the 2.4. 4cyl engine with auto I bought it new it now has 548,000 miles on it and I drive every day best truck I have ever owned, far better than my 2005 Tacoma 4dr truck
2002 Tacoma PreRunner Xtra Cab 2.7L. 290k miles and still runs absolutely so perfect. I’m a 20yr guy, use it all the time for my home improvement business. I hope I never have to say goodbye to this truck!
They are the perfect size and look awesome for an older truck, plus the great reliability. But most of the asking prices are insane in my area, I’d on ever buy one if I was getting a great deal.
I have the 01 pre runner 2nd owner and have owned this for a long time now. No major issues. 280,000 miles and still running strong. Best vehicle I have ever owned. Extremely reliable. I have a new 2023 Tacoma now but am keeping the old one around because I don’t know how reliable the new one will be haha.
I had mine 19 years since i was a 16 year old young buck. Loved this truck and it's now with my father only 155,000 miles. 2.7 L 4cylinder is one of the best engines. I had a dealer tell me all vehicles breakdown well numbnuts no not the little yota not one single breakdown. I kept a logbook since it was purchased for 17,250 new and replaced spark plugs in 2010 and news belts a couple years ago. The engine is solid cast iron my new v6 2015 seems like a great truck but we will see. My frame wasnt replaced by the way but i sprayed it off regularly wash n wax and im in South west VA we dont have winters like the Northeast. I had a relative weld a steel plate on one section of the frame and i would drive that truck another 20 years if i could. Thank you toyota for making this little tank and thank you for the alabama emoloyees who assembled it. So many could learn from you
love this truck with a passion, My grandpa taught me how to drive a manual up in the hills back when i was 11-12 and since then i was set on buying a Toyota tacoma. I’m about to turn 16 and my grandpa wants to sell me his 2000 tacoma ( he added wider wheels and a lift kit) i’m amazed how time passed
The clock was one of the only things that didn’t change with the face lifts and in my 1996 tacoma it is clearly visible through the spokes of the wheel because it was designed that way, the new steering wheel they used in later years covered it up.
Just picked up a 95 taco 3.4 4x4 w/310k miles from a coworker for $1400, runs great, frame has surface rust but no pitting, very little body rust! Super happy with it so far. Planning on an ome 2 inch lift, replacing everything around the wheels, ball joints, tie rods, everything, and probably see if I can do a frame treatment before the rust gets worse 👌
I have a 97 Tacoma xtra cab with a 6 cylinder. Went to LA to find one. No 4wd but always being asked if I want to sell. Had mine for 15 years. Best truck ever.
Same here with the '02 prerunner dc 3.4. Hasn't seen a mechanic since '08 timing belt. Pushing my luck with 130k on the belt? Maybe. But the belt looks real good. And yes its seen lots of coolant. Its about time to take her offline and do the belt, pump, seals with a OEM ebay parts kit. Also time to drop that tranny pan for a new strainer at 205k.
I had a 98 2WD. I loved it!. It got destroyed when it was T-boned by a big Dodge Ram construction truck. I survived. A great musician's truck. 2 guitars and amp or small PA. Perfection. I really loved mine. Ran like a Timex. Love the super clean lines. Not a fan of the bulgy, F150-sized new Tacomas.
I'm the original owner of a 2001, V6 TRD crew cab, 2wd version w 190,000 miles. I know it is a good truck, but after reading some of the comments, I now know how desirable others find it. Kinda cool. Thanks for posting your review!
My 1st question is are you a junior? 2nd Q; is that e vanity plate? Your initials or perhaps your fathers initials are in the plate. Story time! In 2003, I bought a brand new 1st gen last year ‘04. It was part of an order of fleet trucks destined to work up in Maine power Co (I too am/was from Mass) and a few of the trucks didn’t get sold. So I bought one of the leftovers. It didn’t have a radio, rubber floor mats, manual everything. It did have a frame with extra crossmembers, which I thought was kinda special, came with TRD skid plates and a little lift. All from the factory, they were special ordered that way. In 2008 I deployed and was gonna be gone a long time. So I sold the truck to my cousin Lynn. She drove that truck up until last week(3/20/24)I just bought it back from her for $1000! She took great care of it. It had the frame, tcase, trans all replaced under recall plus a bit finagling from a mutual friend and Toyota tech. How cool is that?!
I'm just one story, so here it is...I bought a 1997 Tacoma "shorty" with 7k on the clock, when I sold it I had racked up over 400 THOWWWSAND miles and the engine was still running just fine; but I did have to replace the transmission at 150k
Damn I have the green 1995 just like that I wish I could buy all of them! Pay your dad his asking price and put a camper on it and go camping! Your dad is going to be so pissed when he has to buy a new one! Those are bulletproof!
I've an '03 Tacoma TRD OffRoad 3.4 L V6 4x4 extracab with 416,000 miles. It still gets 16 city/20 highway mpg. Never wrecked, no rust , religiously serviced .Many hunting trips with many more planned. This truck will go almost everywhere.
I bought a 1997 regular cab 4x4 Tacoma over the summer. Get this, a little over 85k miles when I drove it home. The downside is, it sat a lot and the previous owners didn't do a ton of maintenance and replacement on it, so I've been slowly but surely replacing items. 22 year old rear shocks won't function anymore, if anyone was wondering. It's got a check engine light but runs fine, but I can't get an OBDII reader to communicate with it. It gets power, but no comm. Still working on that one.........
Hello Road / Ethan Tufts old guy owned it, then when he died it went to his daughter and her husband. They didn’t need it so it sat around for a few years mostly. Hasn’t been too much fun sorting out the issues because of lack of use, but I’m getting there.
Oh HELL YEAH! I have a daily driver 2002 PreRunner quad cab 6 cyl with 158,000 miles and I have a 2000 Tacoma 4x4 Ext Cab 2.7 4 cyl with only 78,000 miles on it, bought it from original owner 2 years ago. BEST investments I EVER made! They will outlast ANYTHING on the showroom floor today!!!
My 2003 Toyota Tacomr prerunner has 15k miles and practically new. My grandfather bought it and never took it out much since he had many cars. Since his passing, my grandmother gave me the truck 💎
When i used to be a Toyota express maintenance tech at my local Toyota dealer, i would see one of the master mechanics there replacing so many Tacoma/Tundra frames. I’d see the truck little by little get disassembled. Then the body lifted off while they rolled out the old frame for a new one. It was a pretty cool process
I have a 2000 Tacoma. It’s my Mexico truck, I drive it from Midland, TX to Mexico City nearly every month. It flies under the radar, it’s easy to park in the 2nd largest city in the world, and with 244,000 miles on it, it still runs like new. Is it flashy??? Nope, it’s dependable and I am constantly approached both here in Texas and Mexico and asked if I want to sell it… your simply not going to find a decent truck for under $5k, especially 4x4
What do you think of the 1st gen Tacoma?
Im thinking on Buying a 2000 Tacoma PreRunner for $7,500 still waiting to see if price is negotiable the pictures he had on the post The frame is looking decent Rust Free, any advice or thoughts are very welcome
Thank you.
If you can find one from an non road salt state or one with a good or replaced frame, they're awesome trucks. Unfortunately I live in Upstate New York, the road salt is eating up my 2000 Toyota Tacoma, it still runs great with 247,000+ miles on it.
@@garyphillips6270 do you wash it at all routinely to get that nasty crap off of it?
Great Car last for a long time. I respectfully received my father's 2004 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab 2×4, which had only 35K miles on it, after his passing in December of last year.
My first gen Tacoma got over 415K miles, still runs like a champ.
No it dont it runs but not a champ
GameboyTommy how do you know, stfu
GameboyTommy what?
Damn mine only has 75k and I though that was high miles 😄
@@kevinkidneyy yeah STFU
short answer: YES
long answer: YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSS
Omg fr I really want first gen tacoma
The best vehicle ever made. Period.
Did you forget about the corolla and camry?
The 4Runner
@@markflierl1624 ....how right you are!....dont leave out those two bullit proof gems!....best cars ever!
Tacoma > 4Runner 🤘🤘
VICSKIM949 indeed
Didnt realize how much I would miss my 01 Tacoma. Something about driving that truck...feels satisfying. The Tacoma feels like it has a soul. A classic truck.
Bought my 2001 "Certified Used" in 2001 with 3K miles. Now at 117K miles and bulletproof. 4D 4x4 V6. Hands down the best vehicle I've ever owned. When I had to buy a regular car due to my wife's disabilities keeping her from easily getting in the truck, the salesman at the lot was drooling over it and trying to talk me into trading it in. No f'in way. Mine until the day I die.
Ya, my '03 v6 4x4 with 103k get's a lot of attention when I bring it in to the Toyota Dealer for normal maintenance. Not once have I had an issue with it. Pull small horse trailer, camper and utility trailer with no problems. Absolutely hands down one of the best vehicles ever made. And I bought it new in 03.
If you try buying it today it’ll be more than in 2001 😂
good on you for not letting a slimy car salesman get at it
i can recognize a tacoma starting up a mile away, music to my years
Everyday Allday me too, that starter noise gets me
Same Lmaoo
This truck is beautiful. The styling aged so well. Combine that with the reliability and practicality, you can’t go wrong with this truck. I’d love to own one. Unfortunately clean examples are approaching $10,000.
Toyota should go back making them like that again small and compact my 04 very dependable
I have an 04 too. very reliable. Drive like new till this time.
Just saying the cabin in my 2020 is smaller than my 2018 GTI.
I have an 03 tundra and it also is very reliable and not very big compared to whats around today
@@jonah5839 thank you for that reply, just seems like they steered away from the small pickup idea mid 90's- 04 very appealing to buyers, then 05 went down too bulky ,may yours seeve you many more miles of smiles!
@@jonah5839 I love my 2003 tundra.
Man I have soft spot for small pickups, especially both Tacoma and Toyota Pickup. good vid man.
They're both great. Thank you for watching! :) :)
Buy one like I did last year. I hope it lasts like my F-350 I still have.
I have a 2004 Tacoma TRD and love it. I absolutely hate all of the newer Tacomas and Tundras though; too big and nothing but technology.
Same thing here I start looking at a new one and I'm digging it till i see the inside and it's like a driving keyboard and tablet on the dash
Dont know why they put screens in new vehicles that are hard to use and navigate it's just going to cause wrecks
And ugly
SAME. just bought my tacoma. 202K miles she better run to 400K
Overpriced and ugly too. I’ll stick to my 03’ for another 18 years. Lol.
2nd gen isn’t bad, I have a 2014 trd sport that still has a key and manual seats but just enough tech without anything breaking all the time. I sold my 01 for it. Having a wife and kid you want some of the safety features on the newer vehicles. But the 3rd gen is too much tech and too big for me.
The nostalgia of those old pull out parking brakes in the old Tacoma’s. I grew up riding in my dads 2005 V6 manual Tacoma and when he would park to drop me off at school I remember the sound of the old pull out parking brake. To this day still runs good with 300k miles. He recently traded it in for a used 2013 Tacoma off-road V6 6 speed automatic. He’s getting old and just wanted an automatic. Tacoma’s are good trucks
Im about to buy a tacoma with 500k miles so we will see how that goes
I just bought the truck and it runs great
Hows it holding up?
@@lxlpsycho Still haven't driven it since I'm not old enough to legally drive it but it's still doing great I'm taking good care of it.
Wow 500k
I've got a 2000 taco, regular cab, 5 speed, 356k miles, with original engine and clutch. Yes you should
Looked for a 1st gen Taco for 6 months before finding one. Got very lucky on a 2002 V6 Xtra. Florida truck with 53k on it. Looks new. It wasn’t cheap for a 20 year old truck, but I’m planning on keeping it for another 20 at least. Love the size and mechanical quality. Best vehicle I’ve owned.
How much you pay?? 2 years ago
Wow 40 years
Keep the Tacoma, since it's your dad's... you might regret it later on... just sell your other hoopties.
Looks like my brother might be buying it, so it might stay in the family. Though it is very sound advice to sell my other hoopties!
How many miles does it have? I might be interested!
@@manzini9396 150k!
@@HelloRoad
Perfect mileage
Would like to talk more if it's available.
I bought one literally the day this video was posted but just saw the video, I have the 96 extra cab, 3.4l V6 manual sr5. Best vehicle I’ve owned
I own the same model, except a 98. I can second that
Same but
With the 2.7 4x4 but 98
My dad has the 02' Tacoma TRD package 6 cylinder all original condition with almost 650k miles.
*Conclusion*
YES YOU SHOULD BEST TRUCKS ON THE PLANET*
That’s crazy my dad has a 03 4 door with camper lifted 3” balloon tires with 120k mikes no accidents runs like a dream
@Michael Pimo
Thats Awesome!
These Tacomas last forever.
Wow, wish my Taco can also run that long!
Wow amazing 😭just got a 01, Tacoma for about 3,500 with 187,000 miles. Hope mike last that long.
@Swiper 979
Your Tacoma should last for a long time as long as you take good care of it.
Yes..yes..yes..my 97 2.4 extended cab just rolled over 300,033 today on the way to work...and im a contractor and have used my Tacoma every day straight for last 5 years!!absolutely love this truck!
I have a 2004 Tacoma Prerunner extra cab V6 and it’s the best truck I ever owned. Rust free frame and built like a little tank.
They r gems
This is the video that made me fall in love with first gen tacoma. I’ve owned my 2003 since December and I still love the way it looks and driving it every day. I come back and rewatch this vid every now and then since I love the editing and clips!
😀😀😀😀
th-cam.com/video/xnWKz7Cthkk/w-d-xo.html
I wish you could sill buy a compact truck.
Just buy a ford ranger lol
I still have my 99’ Tacoma. Great condition, runs amazing, reliable, great for trail riding and as a daily vehicle, I could go on all day
Toyota could've shrugged off that frame issue, but they didn't
That's Toyota for ya
I'm about to receive my grandfather's 2000 silver tacoma prerunner. Couldn't be happier.
I bought this exact same 2001 xtracab model 2 years ago and let me tell you this little truck is now permanently part of the family. At first it needed tons of work with a couple of minor headaches but fast forward up until now and she looks mint and runs flawlessly
I just acquired my father's 2004 PreRunner. He can no longer drive. Has 250,000 miles and the thing runs like a top. I'm looking foward to doing some restoration on interior and a good cleaning. Love this truck.
Having been in northern California mine has zero rust.
i love my 1997 SR5 4x4 Taco, yes I paid too much for it, but I couldn't pass up on an original 1st gen toyota with 86K miles on it. Rust free from Nevada. Keep up the good work mr. Ethan.
Got the same truck with 115k mi.i put in a 6" fabtec lift kit with 32" mud tires I've never got stuck yet
They r gems
I recently bought a 2002 double cab 4x4 tacoma. I LOVE it!
Got a 98 tacoma, its been in the family since new. Over 340k miles on it and its still old reliable.
I've been waiting for the my 04 Taco Dble 4x4 to give up on me to buy another truck, 16 yrs later its still runs great. Don't buy this truck if want a new truck every 5-7 yrs it's just keeps giving back reliability. My last tacoma I gave it to my neighbor cuz I would hate not seeing it everyday. ; )
I love my 04 Tacoma extra cab TRD with 98k miles. MY Grandson asked if he could have it when I die. I'm 70 he is 8 ,yep he can have it.
I had a first gen, great truck. It was a 01. Drove it well above 280,000 miles. Only thing I replaced was the water pump.
Just bought a ‘98 Taco SR5 V6 4x4 with 203k mi. It was California owned by a lady for 21 years. No accidents no recalls. Great maintenance record too. Paid $11,300. Has a tiny spot of rust on the body. Came with the matching topper. I plan to use it for truck camping and work. I live in Colorado.
Great truck, I have an 2003 3.4L V6 w/ 4WD. Just be aware that OEM CV shafts for the 4WD can take over 3 months on back order to obtain and the aftermarket ones tend not last very long before leaking. I would recommend having at least one on hand as a ready spare, especially if off-roading.
I have had this truck since 07 and 30,000 miles, just re-built the engine at 198,000 miles a few months ago in my garage and still running great. Exhaust valves are the weak point on the engine as a leak-down check on the stand revealed all of them were leaking, but not so bad as to be out of spec. Went ahead and lapped them with the seats which fixed this issue, truck is still running great and rock solid. All major components were in great condition and well within manufacturing specifications even after this amount of time and mileage. Did not need to send anything out for machining or replace any major components, just put in all new seals, gaskets, etc.
You may of gotten a dud. Or you don’t take good care of your vehicle. I’ve got 450k. No issues.
My 2001 Tacoma 2x2 has 83,000 miles on it in great condition. Every time I bring it in to have work on which is very rare the mechanic tells me to hold onto it as long as I can. My nephew wants to buy it and has been wanting it for years! This will be my last car, definitely can’t afford a new truck at the prices they want.
I've had my 2001 prerunner xcab 2.7 liter Tacoma for 16 years, and still loving it !
I have the 1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Extended Cab 3.4L V6 4x4. Bought it off the lot and it still runs great today. Recently replaced my shocks and leaf springs. It has 270,000 miles.
This was my first car. I love this truck.
i had just got my first truck at 23, and it is the 1st gen ‘95 tacoma. it did have a 286k mileage but it seemed like mint condition, very well maintained car with paperworks to prove it’s maintained. exterior and interior almost had 0 flaws. i really hope this will last me long term unlike the older cars i’ve been getting since i was 16 young and dumb.
I had a 2003 extended cab Tacoma. I put 352,000 miles on it with very few problems. Eventually the frame rusted through & now I have a 2019 extended cab. I am learning to love it, but miss the smaller version. I am also a little disappointed that in 16 years they couldn't figure out how to get some better gas mileage.
You lose reliability with better gas mileage. They stuck with the 6 speed transmission instead of the 8-10 speed transmission for the reliability. More speed more parts = less reliability.
They have, but everything has gotten so much bigger and heavier
Just got a 95 in mint condition with 225k miles for 6800. The old man was a mechanic and included an extra engine with 90k miles. Lol
Good review. There's still a ton of these running around here in Oklahoma and Arkansas where rust isn't a factor. I don't know if a 20 year old pickup can be considered an investment, but I've noticed, with the TRD Sport models at least, they've stopped depreciating and prices are actually on the rise for clean examples. It'll be interesting to see if that continues and how far it goes.
Here in Indiana I just bought a 99 tacoma, rust free which here is unheard of here and tbh one of the cleanest trucks I've ever seen for the age
Yes definitely mine has 300,000 miles and still runs great
Still my dream truck. I mean, I had the single cab. But something about this style is 100% the cleanest aesthetic
I know this video was posted a while back. But I bought my 04 tacoma prerunner 3.4 liter v6 2wd off the lot, and it's still runs good. Took it off-roading over Thanksgiving weekend for the first time, and I was impressed. Surprised I didn't got stuck.
Your summary about the used Tacoma marketplace was very accurate. "This is one of those vehicles that probably requires a little bit of a longer search to be sure you're not overpaying." Besides the Tundra and Tacoma there is also the T-100 which was actually made by Hino. It is a real pity that in the near future Tacomas will no longer be made in the USA. As regards the rust, have folks heard of a product called Krown Rustproofing? It works.
96 t100 4x4 5sp 337k 3.4 miles original ac comp. and alt 1 clutch [pilot bearing] at 280k i'm 66 maybe it will out last me i knew about hino too.starting to use a little coolant no rust florida
@@juanrodriguez-ry6yt Take care of that coolant issue, it might last another 20 years . Those of us who live in areas where they salt the roads must ABSOLUTELY use rustproofing if we want to see our vehicles reach their potential lifespan. Glad to hear you chose the manual . BTW Hino is really just another division of Toyota.
Very good and reassuring video. Well, this past thursday, April 1st., I purchased a 2002 Tacoma. A dream come true ! I did a few months of research on the pick up , and decided to buy a 6 cylinder, automatic, 4x2 model with an extended cabin. They are very hard to find here in Puerto Rico, so When one is available, then the price is high. I bought one and, your beautiful video confirms to me that I did not make a mistaje. I mede a great purchase ! Thank a million my friend and lots of succes with your next videos !! Your friend from Puerto Rico... Edwin Oliveras
just watched your datsun b210 video from 2017 when you first got it, and you deserve way more subs and everything, your videos are awesome and really well made
Thanks so much! If you know anyone that might be interested in the channel please spread the word. Thank you! :)
Best vehicle ever period. My old man has one, and I like to take it out for a spin whenever I get a chance. Simple. Mechanical. And most importantly RELIABLE.
I can only hope that my 3rd Gen 2020 will last as long as the 1st Gen
Pat JP it won’t
Jon Smith GM fanboy?
I have a 2016. I hope so too
One can dream, newer models have way to many mechanical parts inside and out.
Sadly it probably wont, as these new trucks are starting to be made cheaper. And Toyota is now moving its production of Tacoma's to Mexico, where they will likely be made even cheaper
I just bought a 2001 Tacoma, 3400 4 cam 24 engine, I’ve only driven it once and I’m already in love with it. Gotta love Tacoma’s
Answer: Hell yes! I bought my 99 new off the lot. I have over 300,000 miles. Best vehicle ever.
2002 Tacoma 2.7 Prerunner here with 278,000 mi, I bought back in 2011 with 132,000 mi, only thing was replacing head gasket and fuel injectors at 260k. Never let me stranded on the side of the road. Love this truck.
This was the Tacoma that made me fall in love with them! Awesome little trucks...the same generation 4Runner was a beast too. 😎💪🏻
I bought a beat up 2004 base model single cab three years ago for $2,800. It’s still going strong and I’m debating investing in prettying it up. The fact that it’s 2wd has me a bit hesitant, but it is a throwback to another era
My 02 has 371k,I've took it in to get the wheel bearings replaced twice and both times they said there's not a thing wrong with them.I do wish I'd used synthetic oil, the engine went out at 320k but I got lucky and found one that a tree had fell on,engine had only 70k.I'd like a new truck but this little truck wont let me get one.I'll probably never sell it.
I had a 1996 Xtracab. Drove it for 21 years as a daily driver. I only had to replace the starter, leaf springs, and radiator over those 21 years.
I defiantly agree! Their legacy that dates back even before the Tacoma has definitely helped them keep their value. That’s partially why I’m thinking of getting a frontier double cab.
Nice job with this video. My 2002 2.7 ext cab with 148k miles is a gem…still looks absolutely great and runs like new. The frame was replaced in 2010. Asides from just replacing the old hazy headlamps, it is just reliable and bulletproof. Doubt I will ever sell it.
I got 2 of these I'm not gonna sell them.
Edit: that's actually the 3rd facelift it 1996 models still had sealed beam headlights.
I remember they came out in 1995 1/2 with the little square universal headlights and in 2008 they went to the larger headlights then this style headlight in 2001, my father has the exact same truck in the video except a 2002 TRD same color. The body has no rust at all but the frame got replaced by toyota. That's pretty bad when the frame rots out and the thin sheet metal body doesn't have any rust at all. I wonder if the new frames will be rotted out again in a few years, there probably the exact same as the original junk frames they used, I noticed all the seams and welds started to rust within the first year after it was replaced. He owned close to 10 toyota truck and all but one the frames rotted out, one actually snapped completely in half between the cab and the bed.
Dont sell em these r gems
Thats not the tacoma.
Tacoma didn't come out until late 90's
I just got a 96 with 220k miles for $2750. No rust on frame and body. Okay conditions need a moffler because it’s missing it, interior driver door handle is broken, driver seatbelt is stuck and needs some TLC but overall it looks good. I will fix all those little problems and add power windows and power locks. Its a great upgrade from my 94 Toyota pickup that has no AC and PS.
I love my 1998 Toyota Tacoma. Xtra cab, it has the 2.4. 4cyl engine with auto I bought it new it now has 548,000 miles on it and I drive every day best truck I have ever owned, far better than my 2005 Tacoma 4dr truck
Me too I have a 99 taco with the 2.7 with 536,000 miles and still runs great
I have 00 taco 290k miles...its great
Original automatic transmission still good?
2002 Tacoma PreRunner Xtra Cab 2.7L. 290k miles and still runs absolutely so perfect. I’m a 20yr guy, use it all the time for my home improvement business. I hope I never have to say goodbye to this truck!
They are the perfect size and look awesome for an older truck, plus the great reliability. But most of the asking prices are insane in my area, I’d on ever buy one if I was getting a great deal.
3 years later, the prices have continued to increase....wtf
I have the 01 pre runner 2nd owner and have owned this for a long time now. No major issues. 280,000 miles and still running strong. Best vehicle I have ever owned. Extremely reliable. I have a new 2023 Tacoma now but am keeping the old one around because I don’t know how reliable the new one will be haha.
I had mine 19 years since i was a 16 year old young buck. Loved this truck and it's now with my father only 155,000 miles. 2.7 L 4cylinder is one of the best engines. I had a dealer tell me all vehicles breakdown well numbnuts no not the little yota not one single breakdown. I kept a logbook since it was purchased for 17,250 new and replaced spark plugs in 2010 and news belts a couple years ago. The engine is solid cast iron my new v6 2015 seems like a great truck but we will see. My frame wasnt replaced by the way but i sprayed it off regularly wash n wax and im in South west VA we dont have winters like the Northeast. I had a relative weld a steel plate on one section of the frame and i would drive that truck another 20 years if i could. Thank you toyota for making this little tank and thank you for the alabama emoloyees who assembled it. So many could learn from you
love this truck with a passion, My grandpa taught me how to drive a manual up in the hills back when i was 11-12 and since then i was set on buying a Toyota tacoma. I’m about to turn 16 and my grandpa wants to sell me his 2000 tacoma ( he added wider wheels and a lift kit) i’m amazed how time passed
The clock was one of the only things that didn’t change with the face lifts and in my 1996 tacoma it is clearly visible through the spokes of the wheel because it was designed that way, the new steering wheel they used in later years covered it up.
I just picked up a 2000 Toyota tacoma prerunner. Love it
Just picked up a 95 taco 3.4 4x4 w/310k miles from a coworker for $1400, runs great, frame has surface rust but no pitting, very little body rust! Super happy with it so far. Planning on an ome 2 inch lift, replacing everything around the wheels, ball joints, tie rods, everything, and probably see if I can do a frame treatment before the rust gets worse 👌
I have a 97 Tacoma xtra cab with a 6 cylinder. Went to LA to find one. No 4wd but always being asked if I want to sell. Had mine for 15 years. Best truck ever.
solid truck. mine is a 4wd 1996 v6 5 speed manual with extended cab. got it for $4k at 175,000 miles. she gonna last me decades
I have my dad's 2002 Tacoma Pre-runner 2.7Ltr. Has 250K miles and runs fine. I do 90% of the maintenance myself. Great vehicle to have.
I'd never part with my 2004 double cab SR5.
SAME, BUT 03, HAD SINCE NEW.
Same here with the '02 prerunner dc 3.4. Hasn't seen a mechanic since '08 timing belt. Pushing my luck with 130k on the belt? Maybe. But the belt looks real good. And yes its seen lots of coolant. Its about time to take her offline and do the belt, pump, seals with a OEM ebay parts kit. Also time to drop that tranny pan for a new strainer at 205k.
Rusty Scout I didn’t want to part with mine, it sadly got totaled, but I bought another Toyota just a tundra this time :)
@@evanarnaud2740 I'm sorry to hear your Tacoma was totaled, I've always been worried about that happening.
What year is your Tundra?
@@carlthaysen5779 yeah. You can't see the belt from the outside of the timing belt cover.
I had a 98 2WD. I loved it!.
It got destroyed when it was T-boned by a big Dodge Ram construction truck.
I survived.
A great musician's truck. 2 guitars and amp or small PA. Perfection.
I really loved mine. Ran like a Timex. Love the super clean lines.
Not a fan of the bulgy, F150-sized new Tacomas.
recently picked one of these up xtracab 4x4 factory supercharged manual!
Ooooh nice!!!
I'm the original owner of a 2001, V6 TRD crew cab, 2wd version w 190,000 miles. I know it is a good truck, but after reading some of the comments, I now know how desirable others find it. Kinda cool. Thanks for posting your review!
Thanks for watching!!! Yep, these are really great trucks :)
Ha ha try not to overpay !!! If you didn't overpay you didn't buy a Taco 🌮
My 1st question is are you a junior? 2nd Q; is that e vanity plate? Your initials or perhaps your fathers initials are in the plate.
Story time!
In 2003, I bought a brand new 1st gen last year ‘04. It was part of an order of fleet trucks destined to work up in Maine power Co (I too am/was from Mass) and a few of the trucks didn’t get sold. So I bought one of the leftovers. It didn’t have a radio, rubber floor mats, manual everything. It did have a frame with extra crossmembers, which I thought was kinda special, came with TRD skid plates and a little lift. All from the factory, they were special ordered that way. In 2008 I deployed and was gonna be gone a long time. So I sold the truck to my cousin Lynn.
She drove that truck up until last week(3/20/24)I just bought it back from her for $1000! She took great care of it. It had the frame, tcase, trans all replaced under recall plus a bit finagling from a mutual friend and Toyota tech. How cool is that?!
Tacoma production ended in 2004, anything newer is a Tacundra! Lol
Just drove my heavily laden 3.4L '96 from Seattle to Philadelphia and it was a delight.
Great video. Great truck. My brothers 92’ is still on the road.
I'm just one story, so here it is...I bought a 1997 Tacoma "shorty" with 7k on the clock, when I sold it I had racked up over 400 THOWWWSAND miles and the engine was still running just fine; but I did have to replace the transmission at 150k
I think this is pinnacle Toyota, my 2001 Camry is like the car version of this.
Great video! I just bought a 2003 Tacoma double cab! So stoked!
Still looking for one myself, how'd you find it!
Damn I have the green 1995 just like that I wish I could buy all of them! Pay your dad his asking price and put a camper on it and go camping! Your dad is going to be so pissed when he has to buy a new one! Those are bulletproof!
I've an '03 Tacoma TRD OffRoad 3.4 L V6 4x4 extracab with 416,000 miles. It still gets 16 city/20 highway mpg. Never wrecked, no rust , religiously serviced .Many hunting trips with many more planned. This truck will go almost everywhere.
I have a 2019 Tacoma TRD Off Road, that I don't want to take off road yet (too nice), so I am looking at a 1st gen Taco for that.
I bought a 1997 regular cab 4x4 Tacoma over the summer. Get this, a little over 85k miles when I drove it home. The downside is, it sat a lot and the previous owners didn't do a ton of maintenance and replacement on it, so I've been slowly but surely replacing items. 22 year old rear shocks won't function anymore, if anyone was wondering. It's got a check engine light but runs fine, but I can't get an OBDII reader to communicate with it. It gets power, but no comm. Still working on that one.........
Wow, I guess there are still a few low-mile examples out there! Hope you can get the OBDII issue sorted out!!
Hello Road / Ethan Tufts old guy owned it, then when he died it went to his daughter and her husband. They didn’t need it so it sat around for a few years mostly. Hasn’t been too much fun sorting out the issues because of lack of use, but I’m getting there.
Oh HELL YEAH! I have a daily driver 2002 PreRunner quad cab 6 cyl with 158,000 miles and I have a 2000 Tacoma 4x4 Ext Cab 2.7 4 cyl with only 78,000 miles on it, bought it from original owner 2 years ago. BEST investments I EVER made! They will outlast ANYTHING on the showroom floor today!!!
Nice!!!!
9:23 that will cost you 12-15k
Agree
Yep... you will never find one for 5K. Lol
Got mine around 5k but it was already like 200,000 miles
Just picked one up with a new frame and the whole nine with 156k miles for $5500. Thanking my stars for that one.
Aidan Wellman that’s a good ass deal
My 2003 Toyota Tacomr prerunner has 15k miles and practically new. My grandfather bought it and never took it out much since he had many cars. Since his passing, my grandmother gave me the truck 💎
Definitely not gonna find one with 150k 4x4 3.4 for $5k
Eli Boyer yeah that doesn’t exist unless it’s rusted to hell.
Eli Boyer I got my 01 4x4 trd v6 with 181,000 for $5200
Anonymous John Doe it’s rusted from the inside you prob didn’t see it.
Jay Moar No you dumbass it’s a Georgia truck 😂
Anonymous John Doe why are you calling me a dumbass? Relax man
When i used to be a Toyota express maintenance tech at my local Toyota dealer, i would see one of the master mechanics there replacing so many Tacoma/Tundra frames. I’d see the truck little by little get disassembled. Then the body lifted off while they rolled out the old frame for a new one. It was a pretty cool process
My 2000 Tacoma worked perfectly for 17 years. Then it needed AC, steering, and brakes. 5K to fix it. Not too bad for 20 years.
I have a 2000 Tacoma. It’s my Mexico truck, I drive it from Midland, TX to Mexico City nearly every month. It flies under the radar, it’s easy to park in the 2nd largest city in the world, and with 244,000 miles on it, it still runs like new. Is it flashy??? Nope, it’s dependable and I am constantly approached both here in Texas and Mexico and asked if I want to sell it… your simply not going to find a decent truck for under $5k, especially 4x4
i just got chills... i wanna wheel my Gen1 to south of the border to Mexico City, my rig has only been into Canada a few times
I paid almost 8 grand for my 2003 prerunner V6 trd off-road with 150k miles and for California that’s a fair price it’s crazy how much they go for
Yep these things still command big money!
I just bought 2002 Tacoma automatic transmission 4 cylinder base cab. For $4.500 with 160,000 miles on it. Fun small pickup truck to drive
I have a 2001 4wd v6 5speed my buddy gave it to me for 4k. It’s now got 190k miles, I use it as an off-road and camping rig. Been a good truck.