Need advice on buying a '96 Tacoma

Hi there all, just made an introduction 'hello' on the forums and have been promptly pointed in this direction for where to post my question/s, so here goes!

I live in BC Canada right now (so prices will be in Canadian dollars) and am looking at a 1996 Tacoma.

Looking at the basics:

• Year 1996
• Milage 164,000km
• 4 cylinder, Manual Transmission
• Price $8500

"Also oil changed every 5000k, fuel injector cleaner added every fourth gas tank."

Other things on my wishlist are an extended cab and 4x4, and it is both of these things.

The closest comparison I can find elsewhere is another Tacoma:

• Year 2005
• Milage 167,000km
• Manual Transmission, 4x4
• Price $9000

So the price and milage are similar, but the age is 9 years apart! The one going for $9000 isn't an extended cab so that is a downside for me, but I am just trying to justify $8500 for something 9 years older.

My questions for you folks are,

• Is this $8000 a reasonable selling price for a Tacoma of this spec?
• If you were to buy it, what would you say is a reasonable offer?

I've been reading up on your 1st gen forums about used trucks and what to look for etc. Have taken note about the mention of rust. I'm also currently looking at what other trucks/manufacturers I can get for a similar price, and trying to weigh up the argument if a Tacoma is the right choice.

I hear real good things about Tacoma's and my lady in particular is pretty keen to one too.

Anyways any thoughts or advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

 

The first gens are a little smaller are you ok with that, but if the 2nd gen is a standard cab then the 1st gen is going to seem huge on the inside. It seems the first gen guys are pretty partial to the smaller body style. The number one thing I would be looking for on the 1996 is frame rust as the "Toyota buy back ship" has sailed already. I am not familiar with 2nd gen prices so I can not comment. It seems you might be comparing apples to oranges...1st gen vs 2nd gen, extended cab vs regular cab. It is pretty typical for two Tacomas of the same year to have very different prices if one is an extended cab and one is a regular cab. I don't know if any of this helps or not but atleast something to consider.

 

Hey thanks for the reply. You made a good point there actually, I am comparing a 1st gen to 2nd gen, in addition to the other variables.

I'm not entirely familiar with either, so the space issue would not necessarily be an issue to me. My partner will be the one checking out the vehicle but she plans to take it for a check-up at the mechanics before we go any further.

The '96 in question states this in the description: "Vehicle has rust spots over both rear wheel wells". Does that sound alarming to you, or is this more of a minor thing?

During more browsing today I've found another '96 Tacoma with 312,000km on it. 4x4, extended cab, the only difference being it's an automatic. This one is selling for $6000.

The original at $85000 it's a little out of my price range, I'm thinking of an offer of $6000 and was hoping for a few nods from the forum. The more experienced advice I can get the better!

Cheers again.

 

I would buy the 'newest' truck you can afford and avoid the rust issues.

That 96 might be a nice truck if you know for certain that the frame is GOOD and won't rot out in 3 years. Have the frame inspected thoroughly and closely.

Other than that...I owned a 96 for 5 years and loved it!

 

I think thats a great price from what ive seen when looking for a first gen tacoma for the past year here. I just got one with 240,000kms with reg cab for 5000.

 

Thanks Jansten. The fact that the description says 'minor rust' for the rear wheel arches gives me some hope that this can be treated in it's early days before it hits the fan. I want to get it checked out professionally before I offer anyhow, so I'll definitely be mentioning that as a priority.

RGosen may I ask what year your Tacoma is?

I've been checking newer models but the prices shoot up a good bit. I love the style of these 1st gens but am well aware that it's gotta be an educated buy over just blind love!

Cheers

 

I own a 96 with 158K and i paid 4000 Last year. 8 OR 9K seems high to me. check KBB

 

I owned a 96 Tacoma sr5 extra cab with 165000 miles. It had a 4 inch lift with after market alloy wheels and off road tires. It was a 6 cylinder manual transmission. And i sold it for 7500. It was in extremely excellent condition. It also had a shell that matched in color and There was no rust.

Hope this helps.

 

Much harder to find that kind of a deal in canada..you would be waiting many years lol

 

Thanks again guys, any info is a great help towards me making a decision. Unfortunately I don't get to go have a look at the thing as it's my lady who is up there dealing with it. We'll get it checked out though and I'm currently thinking of offering $6000 provided everything is in good condition. Perhaps even $5500 so I have room to go up a little more!

 

offering 6 is a great place to start! Sounds like you have everything worked out pretty well. Good choice going with the x cab, you would have hated having a single cab. Just no room.

 

I bought mine for 3200, resale value on actual market is around 5k in my area.
That's with bad paint and being bought at auction. Op check for cracked headers, mine had big cracks. Also if that fuel filter has never been charged it should sooner than later.

 

Well a bit of an update here:

After getting checked at a Toyota dealership the big issue was with the rear leaf spring. One of the leafs are cracked at both sides of the wheel. At some point this has swung round and dunted the shock but not critically.

Anyways the dealership quoted a repair of $1000-1500 and recommended it be done upon purchase. However this is for a full leaf spring package to be put in. Alternatively I've heard you could replace that leaf/layer (I am a layman with this stuff!) individually for around $200 if you got the part from an auto wrecker.

That said, I put in an offer of $5500, with a reply of "way too low". I'm now waiting on a reply for an offer of $6000, explaining my inital offer was going to be $7000 before it got the check-up.

Anyways I feel a tad cheeky starting the offers at such a low value under the asking price, but the voice inside my head said 'try it'. Been looking exhaustively for other Tacoma's out there but I must say it's pretty tough to find a suitable match!

All in all, still considering to take the offer upto $7000 if needs be, but any higher and I reckon the compromise would be solely on my side.

If you fancy giving me your thoughts I'd be thankful to hear them! Trucks aren't no big thing back in my home country (Scotland!) so this is all a new learning experience for me, and I'd really love a Tacoma by the end of it all

Cheers all.

 

Have you checked www.kbb.com? www.nada.com? How about a carfax report? Look around no ebay, craigslist, www.cars.com, www.autotrader.com -

If anything - these links can give you an idea of what these trucks are going for and whether or not the price is fair. AND search for another truck.

Be patient..... He's obviously not in a hurry to sell it and/or doesn't need the money. Don't let your 'excitement' get in the way of a fair deal.

Was the frame good?

 

I spoke to the mechanic today over the phone, and granted he works at a Toyota dealership and is also a Tacoma owner. But on a professional note the truck is in 'good working condition'. There is rust on both rear wheel arches but this is minor.

Just got word back from the owner, they are repairing the leaf spring themselves and bringing their price down to $7800 from $8500 due to this.

So yeah, my offer was refused! I know there are plenty -other- opportunities in terms of manufacturer too, and I am trying to restrain the excitement factor from this decision too.

Trying to take a step back and see if this is still a reasonable deal!

 

I thought the exchange rate was pretty close right now but that seems like a lot to pay for a 96. I paid 3500 for mine last fall. Granted it has high miles but it's a really clean one owner truck and it runs like a top. A coworker of mine just bought a mint 02 regular cab 4x4 that just hit 100k miles for $7000. Just got a new frame from Toyota too. Considering you're in Canada I would suggest looking for an 01-newer that qualifies for a frame replacement. Here in New England the 95-00 trucks are really rare now. Toyota bought most of them back for frame rot before they were 15 years old.

 

Very much agree the 1st gen's are rare now, at least here in BC where I am looking, and this must surely help them hold their value along with their durability and reputation.

Looking at your recent buys, the other members here, and what I've researched, this is a basic run down of what I've been using to compare.

• 1990, 261k, $4000
• 1991, 255k, $4399
• 1992, 324k, $4900
• 1992, 430k, $1900
• 1993, 376k, $4560
• 1995, 338k, $2500
• 1998, 407k, $5700
• 2000, 257k, $6000
• 2005, 167k, $9000
  
• RGosen, 240k, $5000
• JudoJohn, 1996, 258k, $4000
• Joshaone, 1996, 165k, $7500
• n0ms, $3200
  

The one in bold is the main one that questions the truck I am looking at. Comparing that to a 1996, 167k, $8500, it is 9 years younger!

That said it doesn't offer everything I seek and is also in a location that I can't directly deal with. My partner is fortunately in the area of this '96, everything else is spread out over BC.

At the moment I'll be honest, I've already offered $7000 and stated why this is a reasonable offer at the least, but overall a very fair offer.

What's my reasoning? Rationally, it will be in great condition for a '96 upon purchase, with low mileage, ticks all the boxes (4x4/MT/extcab/canopy) and if it stands up to it's reputation, should serve me at least 5 years whilst holding a good market value. Fingers crossed.

Irrationally? It's black, it's a 1st gen, it's sexy. We both love it. And if we get it my partner doesn't have to get a greyhound bus back home from work in a months time!

At the end of the day I'm still taking in all this information you guys are giving, and it's much appreciated, but the main question I keep asking myself is "Is this the truck that fulfils our needs, lies within our budget, and doesn't push me to the next price bracket of $10,000-15,000+".

It sounds like a lot of you have struck some good deals here, I'd happily snap them up if they were still available, but I guess this is the hand I've been dealt.

Keep you in the know

 

Well the owners have got back to me and basically their final offer and bottom line is $7500.

Since finding it at $8500, it's now had a repaired rear leaf spring, new battery, and some fixed lighting (small i know).

So all in all, a single owner '96 Tacoma,

• ext dab
• 4x4 MT
• 4 Cylinder
• 167,000km
• with Canopy

Looking back on my research, 1990-1995 Toyota trucks are still reaching $5000 over here in Canada. If I didn't have the room to push to $7500 I'd be gone by now, but knowing it's possible makes the voice in my head say 'go for it'.

That's my gut feeling. If it ain't too good to be true, then it's legit... right?

the results are almost in...

 

So we got it in the end

Just gotta wait for my lady to get back with it, 3 weeks, and I'll post a pic... and take her for a spin of course!

Thanks to everyone for your advice & opinions, much appreciated.

 

right one. where abouts in canada?