Is $15k Enough?

Bigmikelakers

Bigmikelakers

New member
To purchase a 4th gen with less than 100k miles in Socal including taxes, fees, etc? My max would be no more than 115k miles. Another choice was the 1st gen Tacoma but, I've seen double cabs with decent mileage going for over $15k. Which seems kinda steep for me. The high mileage ones with over 150k miles still go for $12k plus.
 
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You should definitely be able to find an 03 or 04 for that. Around here the 05s are going for 15-16 and the 03s and 04s are going anywhere from 10k to 14k depending on trim and mileage.
 
You should be able to find one for sure. It took me 3 months to find one under 15K with less then 100k but I did. Keep an eye out on CL and Auto trader. A quick search and I was able to locate several in your price/mileage range Click Here

Good luck with your search man you'll love the 4th Gen!
 
Thanks for the input guys. At first I wanted the V8 due to it being more refined, reliable, and could be used as a bargaining chip if the timing belt hasn't been changed, etc but, now I'm willing to to take the V6. I was afraid of its reliability. But, I've read tons of stories of V6 Tacomas going well over 150-200k easily miles with that engine.
 
Bigmikelakers said:
Thanks for the input guys. At first I wanted the V8 due to it being more refined, reliable, and could be used as a bargaining chip if the timing belt hasn't been changed, etc but, now I'm willing to to take the V6. I was afraid of its reliability. But, I've read tons of stories of V6 Tacomas going well over 150-200k easily miles with that engine.
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No problem, even if you are a Lakers fan:AK47:
 
I just bought mine for 12.4k one previous owner, 03, v8, 4x4, Limited....took me about 3 months to find it though. Just be patient. Good Luck!
 
I would sure hope so. We just bought one for my Sister. It is a 2003 black SR5 with 98,000 miles. Very clean. Sunroof, V6, tinted front windows. All for under $10,000.

I don't see why you can't find like a 2005 for that kind of money.
 
Clemsonfan15 said:
I would sure hope so. We just bought one for my Sister. It is a 2003 black SR5 with 98,000 miles. Very clean. Sunroof, V6, tinted front windows. All for under $10,000.

I don't see why you can't find like a 2005 for that kind of money.
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The market here in SoCal is way different than South Carolina I think. The only 10k 4th gens I found were either salvaged or have crazy high mileage.
 
Well obviously, but it shouldn't be $2,000+ difference. You could also find one in another state for a cheaper price and drive it home.
 
Ive been browsing Toyota 4x4s, pickups and 4Runners, in LA for 2 years....yes, they cost way the heck more in SoCa for whatever reason....like he said a 4 door 4x4 with 200k miles they will still ask $15k for haah.....but there are sweet deals on older full size american 4x4s, I mean SWEET deals...trucks last so long out here you can get some sweet old iron for cheap with lift and mods....however Toyotas prices are sky high...

I love Jeeps and full size 4x4s, but need a better commuter and family weekend camping trip vehicle...so have been looking at 4Runners....and they are pricey...

Taxes, my friend if you are in LA like me, regardless you are going to get hammered....every truck, Jeep, and dirt bike Ive bought out here and registred I go to AAA to do the paperwork and empty my wallet...funny thing is I turn around and sell a toy two years later, LA gets to tax the next dude on it as well....a joke this communist state....

There is a nice 04 4x4 4Runner on CL right now for $16k with 60k miles....looks sharp too
 
Maybe try to work with this one....its the best deal Ive found yet

2004 Toyota 4x4 4Runner

Im starting grad school next month, so money is tight....otherwise I might go try to work on this guy....but with a commute to Fullerton from the South Bay for classes, eventually I might have to bite the bullet because gas mileage in a lifted Rubicon with heavy bumpers and a winch etc, is going to be draining my butt over time haha....
 
bluecollarjock said:
Ive been browsing Toyota 4x4s, pickups and 4Runners, in LA for 2 years....yes, they cost way the heck more in SoCa for whatever reason....like he said a 4 door 4x4 with 200k miles they will still ask $15k for haah.....but there are sweet deals on older full size american 4x4s, I mean SWEET deals...trucks last so long out here you can get some sweet old iron for cheap with lift and mods....however Toyotas prices are sky high...

I love Jeeps and full size 4x4s, but need a better commuter and family weekend camping trip vehicle...so have been looking at 4Runners....and they are pricey...

Taxes, my friend if you are in LA like me, regardless you are going to get hammered....every truck, Jeep, and dirt bike Ive bought out here and registred I go to AAA to do the paperwork and empty my wallet...funny thing is I turn around and sell a toy two years later, LA gets to tax the next dude on it as well....a joke this communist state....

There is a nice 04 4x4 4Runner on CL right now for $16k with 60k miles....looks sharp too
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Haha so true. Theres a 03 Double Cab Tacoma with 77k miles going for 15.5k. The dude selling it writes "no low ballers" like 4 times on the craigslist ad. I think thats way too much money. I think 12.5k would be a good price. It seems like the 1st gen Tundra is the only Toyota truck thats priced decent. I seen 05 and 06 double cabs with under 100k miles going for 11-13k. But thats too much truck for me. I prefer a 1st gen Tacoma double cab but they are usually priced steep. My options now are either a 3rd or 4th gen 4runner. 3rd looks better to me but the interior looks so 1990s. I like the automatic climate control/trip computer and engine choices of the 4th.


bluecollarjock said:
Maybe try to work with this one....its the best deal Ive found yet

2004 Toyota 4x4 4Runner

Im starting grad school next month, so money is tight....otherwise I might go try to work on this guy....but with a commute to Fullerton from the South Bay for classes, eventually I might have to bite the bullet because gas mileage in a lifted Rubicon with heavy bumpers and a winch etc, is going to be draining my butt over time haha....
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Thats out of my range. Unless I can talk him down to 14 which is probably unlikely. From what I read it seems like a dealer is more willing to budge on price than a private seller. Do you go to Cal State Fullerton?
 
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I start Cal State Fullerton next month full time grad school yup....gonna be a commute...but I love the South Bay, so cant see moving inland just to be closer to school...I have class 3 days a week, and the other semesters I might be able to pull only 2 days a week if scheduling works....so Id rather live here by the ocean, then inland...Im not a native Cali person, and as outrageous as cost of living is here, rent, gas, food, taxes, everything is so much more friggin expensive....that if Im going to suck it up and be poor I might as well look at the ocean everyday doing it instead of being inland somewhere...

So if you go to Fullerton look for the lifted silver Rubicon with bumpers, winch, lights, etc...thats me...the old man grad student haha...

Maybe Ill see how bad the commute is, and second semester see where funds are and if I feel like taking out a loan for a Yota 4x4...Id love a 4 door taco or 4runner, but yea prices seems sky high....there is a 96 with locker in Mar Vista for $4200 I think, 200k miles....maybe you wanna jump on that?

Ive seen decent prices on Tundras, but for the size and mpg if I go Tundra, I might as well go with a Silverado thats gonna get even better mpg, with more balls...and I really dont need a fullsize truck...

So Ill keep browsing 4runners for the most part in the next year....

I know the General Sales Manager at South Bay Toyota if you want to give that a shot, but prices on their internet site look SKY HIGH..and he said 4x4s are not popular at all in this area so they dont have many of them on regular basis
 
bluecollarjock said:
I start Cal State Fullerton next month full time grad school yup....gonna be a commute...but I love the South Bay, so cant see moving inland just to be closer to school...I have class 3 days a week, and the other semesters I might be able to pull only 2 days a week if scheduling works....so Id rather live here by the ocean, then inland...Im not a native Cali person, and as outrageous as cost of living is here, rent, gas, food, taxes, everything is so much more friggin expensive....that if Im going to suck it up and be poor I might as well look at the ocean everyday doing it instead of being inland somewhere...

So if you go to Fullerton look for the lifted silver Rubicon with bumpers, winch, lights, etc...thats me...the old man grad student haha...

Maybe Ill see how bad the commute is, and second semester see where funds are and if I feel like taking out a loan for a Yota 4x4...Id love a 4 door taco or 4runner, but yea prices seems sky high....there is a 96 with locker in Mar Vista for $4200 I think, 200k miles....maybe you wanna jump on that?

Ive seen decent prices on Tundras, but for the size and mpg if I go Tundra, I might as well go with a Silverado thats gonna get even better mpg, with more balls...and I really dont need a fullsize truck...

So Ill keep browsing 4runners for the most part in the next year....

I know the General Sales Manager at South Bay Toyota if you want to give that a shot, but prices on their internet site look SKY HIGH..and he said 4x4s are not popular at all in this area so they dont have many of them on regular basis
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Im looking into transferring to either Fullerton or Long Beach State next fall. But will probably stick to CSULB because its closer to my house in the South Bay. Hell yeah its expensive out here thats why I'm trying to get a degree.

Are you gonna take a student loan out for a truck? I wonder how the interest rate is for that compared to getting financing from a dealership.

Personally the 04-08 F-150s are my fav fullsize trucks. I dont trust Fords quality so I probably wouldnt buy one because of it.

I just took a quick browse on South Bay Toyota's site. Sky High is right. A basic workman's Tacoma for 16? Thats crazy lol.
 
Where are you in South Bay? Im in Manhattan

No Im not taking a school loan out, Im too old for that...Im still paying back $30k for a masters degree I got 12 years ago! Plus taking out minor loans to pay tuition for this masters, which should be about $12k total which isnt too bad, its way cheaper than my last masters!

My Rubicon will be paid off in a few months...if I get a Yota, Ill just get a bank loan...if I didnt live in frigging LA, I could afford a nice pad for $800 month, and everything else would be cheaper and Id be able to go get a newer truck no problem haha....but I came here for specialized doctors who have helped me come back alive quite literally, so its been worth it...and Fullerton has the top masters in sports psych in the country supposedly, which should set me up to get into a PhD, so I have 2 more years here....just would hate to spend too much in gas as well racking up the mileage on a nice wheeling Rubicon going to school...

A 4 Runner would be NICE...and my girl has two kids, so I need something to get them outdoors more, and a 3rd or 4th Gen 4Runner would be perfect. I wanted a 4 door Taco, but my girl is being logical in WTF do I need a pickup bed for right now, and an SUV is better to throw gear, cargo, etc and it be lockable and easily reachable. Im so used to pickups i miss them, but yea I live in Manhattan Beach, Im going to grad school, and there isnt any hunting close by nor do I have a quad or anything, no need for a pickup....recently sold a gorgoues 87 GMC shortbed that was mint...loved it but having two lifted vehicles with these gas prices, you might question I actually have any education at all hahah
 
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