Which Toyota Tacoma 4x4 to Buy?

[trailrunners]

I'm in the market for a used Toyota Tacoma. Right now I'm looking at 2 Tacomas.

One is a 2000 Tacoma 4x4 3.4L v6 extended cab with 143,000 miles and a nice fiberglass cap with a negotiated price of $9,500.

The other is a 1997 Tacoma 4x4 3.4L v6 extended cab with 106,000 miles, no cap, but a bed cover with a price of $7,500.

Both are in excellent condition, however the 2000 Tacoma is the only one I have actually looked at and driven. I will look at and drive the 1997 Tacoma before purchasing, however that vehicle is in another state and a good road trip away.

The 2000 Tacoma really is in mint condition with one owner that the dealership knew well and who traded his 2000 in for a new Tacoma. It looks to be meticulously cared for. Drove great!

The question is: What's a better deal? The 3 year older truck, with 37,000 fewer miles and $2,000 cheaper? or the newer truck with more miles, one owner, and well cared for? Blue book shows the private party value of the '97 to be $7,930. So $7,500 is in the ballpark. Blue book on the 2000 for retail shows $11,000 private party and $13,700 retail. The asking price was $11,988.

I like the idea of paying $2000 less and getting a truck with less miles on the '97. What's more important - less miles or a new vehicle (2000 as opposed to a '97)? How big a difference really is 106k than 143k? And, how much difference will there really be between a '97 and '00 in wear, etc? Seems like the better deal actually based on Blue Book is the 2000 Tacoma.

Also, I'd ideally like to get a 2.7L I4 because of the better fuel economy. These have been harder to find than the v6's. From your experience, how much better really are the I4's than the V6's for fuel economy? A mile or two per gallon, or a lot better? If a lot better, I may hold off for an I4.

Lots of questions there, any help would be greatly appreciated!

[cam2Xrunner]

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...0&aff=national

is that the 2000 you're reffering to? If so I'd get that one, it looks like it was well taken care of.

Heres a 4cyl for you.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...0&aff=national

You'll get about 4 mpg better with the 4cyl. The 4cyl is practically bulletproof, although the v6 is a good engine too. Just check for head gasket leaks.

[toyjunkie]

I have a 1995 Tacoma with the 2.7L engine and I love it. I guess it would depend on if you're hauling stuff and all that, but if not the 2.7 is more than adequate. I have NEVER gotten less than 19 MPG around town, and I'm a pretty hard driver. Freeway is between 24-26 depending on conditions.

For a comparison, my friend has a 1999 Tacoma 3.4L and only gets about 15 around town and about 22 on the freeway. Sure, his has more grunt than mine, but since mine is manual and his automatic I can still smoke him at a stoplight!

[trailrunners]

Thanks for the replies! I have to admit that I'm leaning toward the '97 mostly because it is $2000 less than the '00 and has fewer miles. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, the '97 looks to be very well cared for as well. Here's a photo of the truck:
http://cars0.ipixmedia.com/abc/cars/...JPG?t=tr/w:400

Still wouldn't mind waiting a little longer for a 2.7L I4, but finding a nice looking, running Toyota with reasonable miles and under $8,000 may be too hard for me to pass up.

Any other thoughts???

Thanks again!

[MR2Jedi]

I also have a '95 tacoma sx 4x4 with the 2.7 150/hp engine. unlike the V6's which had a recall because of some problem with headgasket, I have had only one problem with my 2.7. I had to replace the starter at 201,000miles. and thats only cuz I used to hunt and had it up to the doors in water and mud many, many times. i have 228,000 miles on it now and it runs almost like new..My brother in-law is a toyota tech. and a good one at that. he told me that he has never had to tear into the 2.7 I am a true believer in this truck. and I see there making a supercharger for this engine now! hhhhmmm?

[humanoid]

Whatever you get spend a few dollars and get a Carfax (I think that's what they're called) done on both and get the lowdown on both rigs before you buy.