Thinking about buying a 97 taco

So I have my eye on a 97 taco reg cab 5 lug. 140k , needs a paint job but is mechanically sound. I was thinking if I can get it for like 2k (he's asking 3k ) I may scoop it up and fix it up and let my son learn to drive on it. He has money from selling an old project Truck (72 c10) that was his but in the current inflated market I kind of feel like he should save his money for a real car purchase when he graduates rather than a 1st car which may get some bumps and bruises. Plus after he's done I can have another toy lol

She's shedding clear coat like a ginger kid after beach vacation but a Maaco job I figure would do her up. 5 speed manual 2.4

 

I had a 4 cyl 99 Prerunner Tacoma many years ago. Ran great, super reliable and never had any problems, despite the abuse it took. After close to 200K miles I accidentally crashed it. It was still driveable, but I traded it in for an ‘03 Tacoma 4x4 6 cyl. It, too, was trouble-free and super reliable. I later traded it in for my current Tundra at 205K miles only because my son’s car seat wouldn’t fit in the back. My friend has a 96 Tacoma 4 cyl manual trans with over 500K miles!

These little trucks are awesome. Very easy to work on and maintain, super reliable and functional. I wish they still made them.

 

I ended up passing on this one due to borderline dangerous frame rot, but the search continues. I have found a few others that are potential candidates

 

Yeah, I forgot about the frame rot issue. Mine were in TX the whole time, so no exposure to salt roads or sea salt spray. The frames on mine were pristine.

 

Late 90's, early 2000 Toyota's will run forever....it would've been a nice find if the frame didn't have issues.

 

We purchased our 1 generation 2003 Tacoma new and it has not been on snow/ice with road chemicals applied. Believe the warranty for frame rust was for 15 years, but our fame looks great!

Paid $12,500 new for this base model 2.4L manual 5 speed 2WD with over 192,000 miles on it so far. Normal maintenance performed, replaced both door locks, exhaust sensor a couple times, local body shop takes car of clear coat/paint issues, and recently replaced AC compressor. It gets mid to upper 20s MPG. It's a great TV for our low profile utility trailers and motorcycle trailer!

We're keeping this little truck




Tried towing this 2000 pound aluminum trailer with it, but did not have enough HP with the 2.4L in 5th gear for highway speeds due to trailer's high profile and wind resistance.




We have a different camping rig now!



We really like the little Tacoma, too!!!

 

I ended up buying a 1999 nissan frontier 4x4. Not a toyota but still a super solid truck. 1 owner , 5 speed v6. Needs a paint job but in phenomenal condition. Had service records with it and shows they have kept up with the timing belt maintenance. 206k but they way it drives you would never know it. Oh and the frame is cleaner than even my tundra lol

 

Nissan's are solid trucks. My wife wanted an Xterra when we couldn't find a reasonably priced 4Runner. She loves it.

 

Frontier is a solid truck with plenty of useful info on their forum!

 

Had a chance to go through it, and it really doesn't have a whole lot it needs. Here's my fix it list so far

Driver window crank *fixed
Headliner
Repaint
Oil pan gasket
Radiator flush
Tailgate handle

That's literally it.

 

Which forum? I noticed the ones I have found are not very active

 

I had a '98 4runner that I bought at 210k miles. Aside the coffee sludge tranny fluid (original I think when I got it at 20+ years old), it was in fantastic shape. I'm pretty sure in that gen the tacos and t4rs were about the same.

 

https://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/

 

There is a transmission oil bypass/cooler modification folks do to the older Frontys. Transmission oil cooled in the lower radiator section would fail causing engine coolant to mingle with the automatic transmission fluid. Folks would bypass the radiator transmission cooler and add their own transmission cooler, if I remember correctly. Not difficult to do, but should be done on older Frontys to keep engine coolant out of the automatic transmission fluid, unless you have a manual transmission. I have owned two Frontiers. Both great trucks!

 

I got the manual son is going to learn the ways of the stick lol

 

Well didn't take long to start breaking this truck in lol 2 yards of soil and 2 yards of river rock.... i told .y wife after today we will know whether or not it needs a clutch lol

 

Has a higher payload than my tundra no transmission cooler though. Plus I a) didn't want to take the shell off my truck and b) this trucks getting repainted anyway lol