Toyota’s skillset in building reliable, capable trucks gained a lot of notoriety in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The Tacoma, first launched 30 years ago in 1995 to replace a truck that was simply named “pickup,” has since matured to become the best-selling midsize pickup in the country today. The Pick of the Day is a 2002 Toyota Tacoma 4×4 extended-cab pickup listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Pittsburgh.
Marketing materials for the first-generation Tacoma were playful and fun: one magazine advertisement said, “That feeling of freedom, that feeling of power, that feeling of stupidity after, a spontaneous jungle scream.” It went on to say, “When you’re behind the wheel of a Tacoma 4×4, you can’t help but feel primal.” Toyota boasted about the truck’s V6 engine, its “shift-on-the-move” 4WD system, and its class-leading ground clearance.
This Tacoma is a 79,330-mile, highly original example in beige that is said to be unmodified and rust-free. The listing says, “MaxMotive is pleased to offer this really clean Tacoma. For the year and age of the truck, you can tell it is very well maintained.”
Equipment includes chrome bumpers, side steps, Bridgestone Dueler tires, mud flaps, a sliding rear window, black fender flares, and a spray-in bed liner. The cab is well-appointed, too with bucket seats, a center console, power windows, air conditioning, and AM/FM/CD audio system. Under the hood is a 3.4-liter four-cam V6 that was known under the code name “5VZ-FE.” It was rated at 190 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission and dual-range transfer case deliver power to all four corners. The dealer has provided a walk-around video showcasing the exterior and interior.
For those seeking proven reliability, off-road capability, and durability, the Tacoma is a no-brainer. It’s a no-frills truck that some would say is spartan in features, but it has a strong, utilitarian design, strong replacement parts support, and class-leading value retention.
Regarding the price tag: One thing about older Toyota pickups is that they are insanely good at retaining—and even gaining—value. An extended-cab 4×4 V6 Tacoma started out at round $21,000 in base trim when it was new in 2002.
The asking price for this lightly used example today is $27,000.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
