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78 messages,  Last post on Apr 09, 2008 at 5:25 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Tundra, Truck

Messages Page 5 of 8

#39 of 78 1998 Tacoma by bamco

May 02, 2003 (6:32 pm)

I found a 1998 Tacoma ext. cab that I am considering buying. It will be my third Toyota truck ('85 & '91).
 
The 98 is a one-owner (now deceased) being sold by the son. It is an SR5 with a four cylinder, 2WD, automatic (like my 91). It has about 14K miles on the odometer, and from the looks of it, that is accurate.
 
The worst thing about the truck is that it was owned by a smoker. (Any suggestions for getting that nasty smell out?)
 
I have looked without success for any notices about this year Tacoma. Anyone know of major or minor problems with 98 Tacomas?
 
Thanks--Jack

#40 of 78 bamco by KarenS HOST

May 05, 2003 (6:54 am)

Here are a few suggestions for removing smoking odor:
 
There are various products you can buy that will help. Fabreeze (found at most grocery/home stores), Nok-Out(http://www.nokout.com), Odo-Ban (Sam's Club and maybe Costco?) to name a few.
 
If you want to go the natural home remedy route, here are some suggestions:
 
Soak a rag with vanilla extract and place it under the seat.
 
Place a bowl of white vinegar in the truck (with all windows up) overnight, or for several nights, until the odor disappears.
 
Place an open bag of charcoal in the truck.
 
Cut up an apple, put it in a plastic cup and keep it in the truck till its shriveled.
 
Sprinkle the entire cab, including the upholstery with baking soda. Leave it for a couple of days, if possible. Vacuum it out.
 
Put unused dryer sheets under the seats.
 
Hope this helps!

#41 of 78 Tacoma Pre-Runner V-6 vs. Tundra V-6 by lagitane

May 11, 2003 (4:49 pm)

Ok, I'm asking for feedback on a difficult problem. For those who have experiences with both, which would you prefer to drive provided the Dealer's final price was the same, both are extra cabs, (2 door in the Tundra), both with the same options (except that you can get an off-road pkg with the Pre-Runner, but alas not the V-6 Tundra (Why? I wonder). Anyway, having a struggle with this decision. I do alot of commuting, but like to take to the mountains on week-ends when I can. I live in SE AZ, and we do have some tall mountains here, believe it or not. (High Sonoran desert.) Need some power and decent traction. Dealer likely won't go for a trade to a Taco V-6, 4x4, or I'd do that in a heart beat. However,I'm like way upside down already with my trade.
 
Now, some of you will likely groan a this, but my trade is a recently purchased Tundra V-8, loaded w/TRD pkg, BUT gas is killing me (and high payments). I really screwed up. I miscalculated my budget by about $200 or I wouldn't have bought it in the first place. That is why I need to return it and try to trade it for either of the above mentioned vehicles before I start putting mileage on it. I'm pretty sick about this. I love this V-8. It is an exceptional truck, but don't think bankruptcy sounds like something I'd like to go through. Working a second job or eating rice and beans for the next 6 years is always an option, I suppose, but not very much fun. I am at the top of my salary ladder, so until they raise it, I'm kind of stuck.
 
Feedback needed ASAP and anything helpful you have to say will be much appreciated. I know, I know, didn't put much forethought into this purchase, but I'm under a lot of stress, and human, and I really messed up.
 
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#42 of 78 lagitane by rlafaver

May 12, 2003 (12:27 pm)

I feel for you because I've been there. But I don't think any Toyota will provide a way out. It may sound like heresy, but you almost have to go to an S-10 or a Ranger to get a decent price on 4WD. I like the S-10, and I like the V6 engine in them. I almost bought a 2WD version before I decided on Tacoma. The big rebates are the magic.
If you gotta have a Toyota, you might want to look at the 2.7L 4 cylinder 4WD. I know they don't have the power of a V8, but a friend has one that is 10 years old and still runs great. It has a lot of torque and gets him around quick. But this is Louisiana, and there ain't no hill.
You have to sell the Tundra to an individual in order to get a good chunk of your money back. Forget trading it. Even the Toyota dealers will rip you off.
If you sell the Tundra for a good price, maybe you could find an older Toyota 4WD for a decent price and get clear of the money morass. I have to believe that if you try to stay with a new Toy you will just get deeper.
Anyway, my sympathies, and I hope you escape the mess because life is too short for that kind of stress.

#43 of 78 rlafaver et al by lagitane

May 12, 2003 (11:36 pm)

Hey, are you a Frenchy; me too?
 
Anyway, I know where to go to see what my truck may be worth, but never tried to sell a brand new truck before. Thought about putting an add in the Truck Trader to see if I could just get a couple of thousand down and have someone take over my loan, or something. This is a fully-loaded Access cab, V-8 4x2 with Limited Slip Differential. Has all the bells and whistles, even a towing pkg. Its Desert Tan, a really beautiful truck. I paid $22,800 for it; really stomped on the dealer. (Was able to take advantage of hard economic times.) Then with their add ons & BS, the total financed was $23K something. Not too bad. Got any suggestions as to where and how to market it. Not my field. I'm a counselor. Thought you may know of a web site or some other way to sell I'll ask around here also, but in the little burg I live in, they just ain't to swift about such things. This is Cochise County, rectum of Arizona. Ends right at the Mexican border. Good place for a drug counselor, but not for much of anything else. It is becoming a retirement mecca for rich, stressed out Phoenicians, Tucsonians, Southern Californians and retired military brass. Guess that is where I'd get the money. Not an easy bunch to reach however. Pretty clicky.
 
I was also considering refinancing this puppy for a lower interest rate so I could keep it. Was starting to research that; then I read the thing about the O2 sensors going out on a regular basis on V-8 Tundras after about 20K or more miles (not covered by warrantee after 36K miles). Scared me. Gotta get rid of it before then. At the rate this thing guzzles gas, I'll not be able to save for such expenses and it will back to credit card debt again. NO!!! When does this nightmare ever end. I should have kept my little old '94 I4,4x4, 22RE. Lots of regrets about letting that go. It's been all down hill since I traded it off. Still have dreams about it. Other than its size, and no power, really reliable truck.
 
Anyway, I'm rambling. Any advise you, or anyone else, may have is appreciated, and thanks for your support. Feels better just to know someone understands.
 
JL Montague

#44 of 78 lagitane by rlafaver

May 13, 2003 (5:05 am)

I am about 1/16 French, but I don't feel like one. I sorta feel the 1/4 indian (that's "Native American" out there, I think) but all that other garbage in me is probably dominant. I have some English, and I'm proud of that and the indian. Talk about a mongrel.
Anyway, you got an awesome deal on that truck, and I think you could sell it in a city pretty quick. You will still take a loss, but probably not too much.
People here who live in the outlands advertise vehicles to be viewed on Saturday in town, but I don't know how well that works. You can advertise it in the nearest large town newspaper and make appointments to show it on the weekend.
There is a big internet site that I tried once with no luck when I was in Wyoming. You've probably seen the ad on TV, but I don't remember the URL. However, you have a very desirable truck, and I did not when I tried it. People, rightly or wrongly, seem to be absolute suckers for used Toyotas.

#45 of 78 rlafaver by lagitane

May 13, 2003 (12:35 pm)

Cool. I am about 1/4 French (Dad's people were from Quebec), and about 1/16 French Canadian Indian; Montanais, we think, but not sure. Can't locate those old records, but my soul is Native, even do traditional Sioux sweat lodges; learned to do the songs & prayers in Sioux. Ran away to Canada once and lived in a tee-pee, trying to find my roots. I don't visually look Native, but my heart and soul are 100%. I think that is what counts.
 
Anyhow, so many people say how wonderful this Tundra V-8 is, and how great a deal I got on it. Gets confusing. I drive it and love it. Love the deep purr of that big V-8 engine. Love the power. Then I go to the pump and groan.
 
Just still riding the fence. Found out I can work crisis on week-ends. Oh Joy! Buy hey, it's $115 a pop for every call you take. Course, if I have to drive to other rural site, gonna rack up more miles, and there goes my week-ends. Still it's a way to survive. Still pretty spooked about what I'm hearing about trouble spots for Tundras. The Gas is bad enough, then you take into consideration the O2 sensor problem which is expensive and seems prevelent, even chronic over time, plus the problems people have with the brakes. I know all vehicles have their little quirks. Guess I just got spoied by my old '94 bullet-proof 4x4 Toyo truck with the 22RE, I4. I didn't have one single problem with that truck until things started wearing out at about 135K miles. But the ride was gruesome. Rattled all the fillings loose from my teeth. Gotta remember that too.
 
Hard call. Gotta think on this for awhile. Even if I do sell or trade this thing, I don't like any of the alternatives out there. Don't like Rangers or S-10's. Silverados have lotsa problems too. Liked the Ford F150's, but couldn't afford a 4x4 new, and would have a hard time trusting a used 4x4 'cause I know how people drive them. Would give my eye teeth for a V-6 4x4 4-Runner. Right, dream on.
 
Anyway, thanks for your help. If you hear of anything else that may help, let me know. I'll keep you posted. (Oh, know of any way to figure what to ask for this machine. I can't find anything to calculate what I could get out of it on the used truck sites. Everything starts at 2002. Know I'm gonna lose some cash, but would be nice to see what I can get.)
 
Mitakuyasin (we are all one)

#46 of 78 Looking to buy a 94 Toyota Pickup, could use some advice by mnkyboy

Jul 05, 2003 (11:36 am)

nice, but it could use a wheel alignment. Body looks very well maintained, and it has some nice chrome wheels.
 
Im having a hard time deciding if I shoud make an offer on such an old truck. Ive owned Toyotas before, and they can last for 150K+ miles with no major problems.
 
I did a Carfax on it, and the first time the odometer was recorded was at 32k miles in 1998. The report states it had one owner, originally in New York. The dealer is in New Orleans, and he said he bought the truck in an auction in Memphis, TN. According to Carfax report, that was in Nov. 2002.
 
He is asking $6,990. The NADA price is $6,427, KBB is $6,875, and the Edumunds TMV is $5,694.
 
If you have ANY comments/suggestions, please post them. Thanks

#47 of 78 older Toyotas by oregonboy

Jul 07, 2003 (8:47 am)

Last November, I bought a 1996 Tacoma V6 2wd. It just turned over 100,000 miles last weekend and I have no regrets. It looks and runs like new and gets 25 mpg on the highway.
 
I did spend $1,200 on it shortly after I bought it for it's 90,000 mile service. That included replacing the timing belt, all fluids and filters, and a brake job. I fully expect to get at least another 100,000 miles of reliable service out of it... maybe more.
 
-james

#48 of 78 James by paul_p

Sep 12, 2003 (1:05 pm)

You should, James. My 1993 just turned 181,000 yesterday. Less than $1,000 in repairs since I bought it at 101,000 miles and that includes a clutch which wasn't really needed (mis-diagnosed).
 
 - Paul

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