Crazy to buy a 2003 Tacoma with 90K miles?

I'm looking to buy a truck that will last for many years. Would love to buy a Tacoma but am priced out of the newer models. It looks like the best thing I can afford is a 2003 with 80-95K miles. I've heard Tacoma's last for many miles but am worried that, putting miles aside, purchasing such an old truck is a bad move as there is likely to be lots of future repair work needed. Any thoughts?

 

Lol I bought my '03 at 150,000 and my 01 at 160,000. I'd say 80-90k is way below average for a first gen. Fortunately, if you take care of a first gen, they'll make it well over 200k....maybe even past 300k.

 

That's nothing miles wise for a first gen. Not even broken in yet. If you maintain these trucks they will go for a long time. Have seen some with over 4-5 hundred thousand miles on them.
Any used vehicle you buy in your price range is going to need future maintenance and "repair". These trucks have a awesome track record though.
One thing to definitely check though is the under carriage for rust issue's. There was a recall for rusty frames throughout the salt belt states. So make sure any you look at don't have issues with that.
TW is your best friend if you want to learn more about these first gens. Good luck with your search.

 

Got my 03 with 160,000 and it runs like it's new. Take care of it and it'll last forever

 

Youre not gunna get a negative response to that question on a forum full of a bunch of diehards...

 

I have a friend with a 1st gen with over 300,000 miles and no major issues. My 07 has 164,000 and I expect a lot more. My BIL is driving a 2006 with 220,000 miles and is driving it from GA to NM and back next week. I wouldn't worry about 90,000 miles.

 

It's much more important to know the health and maintenance history of the vehicle than the odo reading.

 

^^^ this is a very true statement!!!!^^^

 

Get a Carfax report on it or something like that to make sure it wasn't in any wrecks and I think it'll tell you the sell history, too. Using that, you can make sure it was never up north where the rust issues occur. I would still check the frame, though. Also, test drive the heck out of it to make sure the transmission doesn't slip. Also, inquire about the timing belt. My old 2001 2.7 liter has a timing chain, but my 2003 3.4 liter has a belt and they need to be changed every 90k I think.

 

Best part is if the timing belt lets go it doesn't take out the rest of the engine!

 

OP, dont buy the truck. not enough miles to prove that its gonna last as long as you plan to keep it .

Pass on the offer and look for another truck

 

My 1998 TRD Off-Road had 229K on the clock and was still going strong when I sold it in 2008. Man, I sure miss that truck.

 

My 4X2 '93 only needed a starter and horn, partial exhaust parts, gear shift bushing, few batteries, sold it a month ago for a grand, 278,000 miles, needed body work from hitting a deer and recently a bear. Took me to Wyoming a couple years ago and just a mile from home, the bushing in the gear shift acted up. $20 fix.
Duane

 

Crazy? No but it depends on what the price is...

 

I found my '04 earlier this month with only 25k miles on it...garage kept in the Arizona desert. I was in the same boat as you OP, wanted a Tacoma but priced out of anything new (I maybe could've gone new if I got a great deal on a base model SR 4x4, no bells and whistles), but I'll take a low mileage first gen with the TRD package and V6 any day.

Like others have already said, these trucks will last forever so long as they're maintained well (hell, even ones that aren't still seem to last a long time). Make sure it's record is clean, check for rust, take it for a spin and see how it runs. 90k is hardly anything especially for a first gen Taco.

 

Also make sure the odo wasn't rolled back.

 

90K miles?? The engine's not even broken in yet!

 

I had my 1st one a 2004 at 114k and 2nd one at 102k I supercharged the white one(wow) then it got wrecked\totalled it at 147k miles......Started the Crash at 130mph! hit the wall at 90mph.......I still have the race seats from that truck and all the go fast goodies in my 02 taco now. But it's totally a 180 on truck styles! The 04 was white and slightly lifted 3" level with hellwig sway bar\link ends kits front and rear. S\Charged, 7th injector,Exhaust, Intake and more. The Black truck is lifted 9" with 37"s and same blower but the Urd crank pulley, Re-geared and all the trimmings. Pretty much After the accident i would not let the insurance company ROB me of my hard earned goodies. They wanted to give me $17,000.00 for a truck that was at $28,000.00 They said the supercharger was engine modification and wouldn't pay up. I proved it was a factory option and you could get it if purchased after initial truck purchase because financing the supercharger kit was not allowed at the same time as financing the truck. So when the insurance told me that I would not sign paperwork totaling the truck until it was brought to my house. This took 2 days and i got a new truck in the meantime....Well i stripped all my goodies off one truck and put them on the new truck Took me 12 hours!!!!
I love this gen truck. I can have anything i want truck wise but i just LOVE this BIG black truck! Im gonna buy another gen and keep this as my camping truck. OH i just got a new fiberglass hood with a scoop molded into it.

I like these trucks HUGE!! I would love a 2nd gent S\Charged 12" lift on 40" x 20" tires! I need a house not more toys! Id buy another one RIGHT NOW!
04

02

02 the day i got it.

R.I.P. 2004 taco

The black rhino as it sits today.

 

No matter the vehicle or its reputation for reliability or the lack thereof, if the previous owner did not maintain it it will not last.

--Dan

 

Why were you going 130 mph?!