My first truck

[Cupooterluvr]

Well we went to my Grandma's house this weekend. We came to find out she's selling her truck. I was wondering if you guys think it's a good deal.

It's a 1999 Toyota Tacoma with most modern features in it, with the exception of anti lock brakes and power windows/locks. It's REALLY easy to drive. It's kinda small and has a camper shell on the back. It's got about 105,000 miles on it, but it's a Toyota, and they're mostly highway miles. You can't kill Toyota engines.

I actually like this truck. She let me drive it and it handles pretty well. Its size makes it seem like you're going faster than you are, so it kinda freaked me out at first. It's got brand new suspension front and back. I'm sure if we bought it she would get it tuned up. Right now it runs pretty well but it gets about 15 MPG. A good tune up would fix that I'm sure.

She's asking $2,900 for it. What do you guys think? By the time I get the cash to buy it she'll probably have lowered the price on it. She only wants what she owes on it plus $100 so she can have some extra cash.

 

[marauder]

You better snatch that truck up fast...

 

[HeartBreak]

Considering it's a Toyota, 3K is a great deal (in my opinion), especially since you know most if not all of the history of the truck. Go to kbb.org and fill in the forms, and it'll give you the blue book value for the truck. A tuneup should help the mileage considerably. On top of the tuneup, consider changing the engine oil, trans fluid, and have the diff oil changed.

 

[Cupooterluvr]

Dad says it's a bad idea since it doesn't have antilock brakes but honestly one should know how to pump the brakes hard anyways.

Also, I forgot to mention that the gas pedal sticks a little but a bit of WD-40 should fix that.

 

[marauder]

Is the truck 4wd or 2wd?

 

[Cupooterluvr]

It's 2wd.

Also, every control and switch has a firm "click" feel to it. It's not like modern controls where everything is mushy. You can tell when you switch something.

 

[marauder]

If the gas pedal is sticking do not drive it, get that fixed. No WD-40 is not the answer. As for ABS, small 2wd trucks it really doesn't matter. When it's wet outside you need to learn to drive, especially if it's a stick shift. If this is your absolute first vehicle I would suggest against driving in the rain until you have confidence. Nothing like heading tailgate first into oncoming traffic after turning right fast at an intersection. My first truck was a Flareside F-150 with almost 350hp and that thing HATED rain.

The truck will tick 300k easy as long as you maintain the fluids at their proper intervals with decent quality, don't go cheap and don't throw your money away on 'synthetic' blends.

Camper shell adds value, especially if painted to match and its a snugtop. You will like that when you have to carry stuff around for people who pay you cash to do it. Another cool thing about having trucks.

15mpg even with an engine needing tuneup is bad. My car has 390lbft torque and gets 14-16 in the city, and about 22 on the freeway. It's a heavy car with a supercharger. I have to run 93 octane in it, which right now is $3.97/gallon. So keep that in mind as well.

 

[Cupooterluvr]

It doesn't stick down, it sticks when you're going to take off. You have to give it a little extra press to get going.

My dad's F150 gets 15 MPG so I was thinking it was pretty low for a four cylinder. I'm sure it gets more but she said that was what she would put it as.

All the oil and other engine-related fluids are new. She also put in new spark plugs.

 

[marauder]

Says combined MPG is 20.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/Feg/noframes/15317.shtml

 

[Cupooterluvr]

That's not too bad. The average sedan gets about that.

 

[marauder]

The "tornado" that you put into your air intake tube may get you a few extra mpg, as well as K&N Filter and proper tire inflation, etc...

It sounds like a good vehicle, but seriously...be aware of wet surfaces. I always suggest people learn trucks wet weather handling characteristics in an open parking lot or similar paved area that does not have telephone poles or curbs to run into. Practice "sitting still" and turning right, and having to accelerate hard as if you pulled out in front of someone who is almost going to hit you. That's where you will have the most problems losing control.

I notice you're in Florida so you probably won't have snow to worry about, so I won't go into those details.

 

[Cupooterluvr]

Thanks for taking the time to really lay it down for me. It's a big help, since this is a big decision for me.

Down here, when it rains in the wet season, it POURS. After that though you don't have to worry about it. After the tires on it wear out, if I buy it, I'll put some good wet/dry tires on it.

Dad has a point about the ABS though. Down here in Florida people pretty much suck at driving so a good set of brakes is literally a life saver. I'll practice stopping quickly without the ABS so I know what to do.

A locking gas cap is a plus since with these damn gas prices people start siphoning your gas... lol

 

[marauder]

Up here they are drilling holes in the plastic tanks and stealing your gas that way...it's the same thing that's gone on for years. Not much you can do about that but those caps unfortunately. I'm looking into buying a new vehicle that just had the tank drilled on it, so I'll probably be putting a new gas tank on it. It's sat a few weeks since the owner was out of town on business. He's a good friend of my dad, and he has to leave the country now since he's done with his work in the US so he is going to probably cut me a good deal. I'm either getting that, an AMG BMW SUV, or a BMW x5...I really don't care about gas prices lol.

 

[Cupooterluvr]

Yeah... they're gonna have to start selling carbon fiber tanks and Kevlar braided fuel hoses lol

 

[h8z2luze]

the tacomas are really good trucks.

 

[Karl M]

I wouldn't sweat the lack of anti-lock brakes too much unless you spend a lot of time on slippery surfaces. Just keep the speed down, and go easy on the accelerator, you sould be OK. Sounds like a decent price, snatch it up.

 

[CharliesTheMan]

Man you better snatch that up in a hearbeat. Tell your dad, I got my first hot rod when I was 14, it was a 68 Chevy pickup, had drum brakes all the way around, pushing 400 hp with ET streets on the back. That will give a dad like yours something to worry about, but the 99 brakes will still be up to par. As long as you don't get stupid with it, you'll be fine.

 

[mr_bob]

i just bought an 06 jeep wrangler that did not have abs in it and never gave it a second thought.

I used to drive an 83 k20 4x4 and love that thing to death its a beast can handle anything you throw at it. but you do need to learn how to drive with out abs and with a light backed like a truck. It likes to be first all the time.

other then all that i think its a great first car. Will last you forever!!!

 

[marauder]

Yeah... they're gonna have to start selling carbon fiber tanks and Kevlar braided fuel hoses lol

Skid plates tend to stop all that, as well as ownership of a Mossberg 500a. :yes:

My brothers car alarm will sound if the fuel level drops when alarmed...lol!

 

[Cupooterluvr]

My dad bought the truck yesterday. He called her up and said he'd send a check He said it'll be his truck but I get full driving rights. I guess that helps lower the insurance costs.