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Should I buy an 03 Tacoma???????

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Choward, Jan 31, 2012.

  1. Jan 31, 2012 at 6:12 PM
    #1
    Choward

    #1
    Choward [OP] Member

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    Hi, Im looking to buy a 2003 Tacoma Double Cab SR5 TRD with around 37,000 miles. My only issue is I have heard all kinds of bad things about the frames on these older trucks rusting away no matter how low the miles or how nice the body.........Can anyone give any suggestions? The frame looks good to me but I hear they rust from the inside out????
     
    Choward, Jan 31, 2012
    #1
  2. Jan 31, 2012 at 6:18 PM
    #2
    Adam Baum

    #2
    Adam Baum Well-Known Member

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    PCS
    Vehicle:
    01 PreRunner SR5 debadged
    It depends on where you are buying it from, and where the truck has been. Like any used car make sure you read the CarFax. The affected years were before 2000 according to my local dealer.

    My 01 Doublecab Prerunner has lived its entire life either in Houston, TX or in Ft Walton Beach, FL. The rust I have is just normal surface rust. Now if you were up north were it snows then that might be something to think about. In any case see if the seller will meet you at a local Toyota dealer so you both know. Also Google the subject and you will find lots of information & pictures.
     
    Adam Baum, Jan 31, 2012
    #2
  3. Jan 31, 2012 at 6:22 PM
    #3
    Ohbrian

    #3
    Ohbrian Taco Roja

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    Brian
    Fremont, CA
    Vehicle:
    04 PreRunner
    Eclipse head unit,scratched paint,ripped seat, black chaos 6 rims, Bilstein 5100's, top plate spacers, AAL, Midget antenna, Bakflip G2 cover, 14" Magnaflow, 400W inverter, LR UCA's
    37000 miles I'd buy it in a heartbeat if you don't live in a swamp or salt area.
     
    Ohbrian, Jan 31, 2012
    #3
  4. Jan 31, 2012 at 6:26 PM
    #4
    Choward

    #4
    Choward [OP] Member

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    Thanks for the suggestions, I live in Southern Ohio where we do get snow and they do salt the roads. As for the google idea, I have been on the computer all evening and that is where I found out the recalls were up to 04........
     
    Choward, Jan 31, 2012
    #4
  5. Jan 31, 2012 at 6:30 PM
    #5
    NFK

    #5
    NFK Death Technician

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    Nick
    Canada, BC, Vancouver Island, Victoria
    Vehicle:
    BLACK THUNDER
    Tiers 33/11.5 tiers Mickey Thompson,Wheels Mickey T Side Bitters 17” 3” Rev Tech Lift,Added Leaf Spring,Black Projector Headlights CCFL Halo’s / HID’S Blacked out tail light Mod,Grill craft Grill Top and Bottom Hella 500 Behind Gril,FJ40 1986 Toyota Land Cruiser Emblem Front Grill K&N Air Filter,TRD Emblem Lower Grill Bottom Right,Toyota Bug & Stone Deflector Toyota Skid Plate Rhino Lined,WeatherTech Window Visors AVID Step Up Sliders,Bushwhacker Pocket Style Fender Flares Key Hole Plugs Colour Matching,Tacoma Bed MattRear,Tailgate Anti-Theft Mod ( Key Hose Clamp) Leer 100XQ Canopy,Semi De-BadgedPainted Remaining Badges (black) FA-series Short Stubby Antenna Length: 8" TRex Eyelids,Wet Okole TRD Seat Covers Charcoal And Black With Center Console And Rear Pockets With TRD Emblem logo WeatherTech Floor Mats,48 LED Blue Dome Light
    DO IT!
     
    NFK, Jan 31, 2012
    #5
  6. Jan 31, 2012 at 8:04 PM
    #6
    Tacomadude89

    #6
    Tacomadude89 Well-Known Member

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    Pretty much a brand new truck for a first gen! You'll be hard pressed to find one with lower miles.

    Get the frame checked out and go from there!
     
    Tacomadude89, Jan 31, 2012
    #6
  7. Jan 31, 2012 at 8:10 PM
    #7
    Swimmerboy2112

    #7
    Swimmerboy2112 Well-Known Member

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    Brian
    Walnutport, PA
    Vehicle:
    02 TRD V6 5 Speed X-Cab
    Borla exhaust, K&N intake, ARB bumper, 16x8 Konig Countersteer Offroad wheels, 20% Tint
    I got my frame checked by the dealer (02' Taco), everything was good to go and I live in Eastern PA where the salt is laid down heavy.
     
    Swimmerboy2112, Jan 31, 2012
    #7
  8. Jan 31, 2012 at 8:13 PM
    #8
    Rhino

    #8
    Rhino Well-Known Member

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    Ryan
    Laurel, Mississippi
    Vehicle:
    03 TRD SR5 4x4
    gray wire mod, blacked out, debadged, toolbox foglights, cb in dash, system, bilstein 5100's in front wrapped in eibach coils, 5125's in the rear with 2 inch aal and 1 inch shackle, diff drop kit, extended rear brake line, 8000 lb smittybuilt winch on a custom winch bumper, 2 4 inch 100 watt kc's and 2 6 inch 100 watt kc's on the bumper, sometimes a ladder rack,much more to come
    make the guy selling it go with you to get the frame checked if its all good go for it
     
    Rhino, Jan 31, 2012
    #8
  9. Jan 31, 2012 at 10:31 PM
    #9
    lil J

    #9
    lil J Well-Known Member

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    Jacen
    Louisville
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    99 Tacoma 4wd V6 Horizon Blue
    Old Man Emu Suspension
    mine is a 99 with over 150000 miles no problems with the frame what so ever. The only real problem is you have to change the mass air flow sensor after about 100000
     
    lil J, Jan 31, 2012
    #9
  10. Feb 1, 2012 at 5:46 AM
    #10
    livnlrn

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    livnlrn Well-Known Member

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    Rick
    Elkton, Virginia
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    I would buy it even if it does have a rusted frame. Take it to the dealer & have them inspect it. If the frame is bad, u can make a little money on it & go look for another one. They pay big money for the buy back. More than what the truck is worth. Had my 03 checked & it is good. They said they would stand behind it for 15 years.
     
    livnlrn, Feb 1, 2012
    #10
  11. Feb 1, 2012 at 5:52 AM
    #11
    186000mps

    #11
    186000mps ..Slingin' up mud and we're scarying off bunnies..

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    Charles
    Wimberley, TX
    Vehicle:
    01 Tacoma V6 4WD
    Bilstein 5100's, Toytec front adjustable coilover kit, Exporear leafs, Fox resi rears, Slotted & Drilled front rotors, 33x12.50 BFG ATs on Outlaw II 15 x 10s, Bushwacker cutout flares, K&N cold air intake with aluminum sheathing water baffles, ARB bumper with XD9000 winch with wireless remote, IPF 900XS lights, Flowmaster cat-back exhaust, Rhino bed liner, UWS gullwing toolbox with tools and recovery gear. 48" Hi-Lift Jack secured under toolbox.
    Hell ya !!
    Only 37K...just a baby
     
    186000mps, Feb 1, 2012
    #11
  12. Feb 1, 2012 at 5:54 AM
    #12
    livnlrn

    #12
    livnlrn Well-Known Member

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    With that low of miles, even if the frame was rusted, they would prob. put a new frame under it. BUY IT...
     
    livnlrn, Feb 1, 2012
    #12
  13. Feb 1, 2012 at 7:44 AM
    #13
    TIPICOTACO

    #13
    TIPICOTACO Well-Known Member

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    Tyler
    nw nj
    Vehicle:
    '01 DC 4X4 TRD "RAD BARON"
    Some lift, some armor, some scratches..
    buy it now!!! or better yet give me all the info and location and I'l go take a look at it for ya :spy:
     
    TIPICOTACO, Feb 1, 2012
    #13
  14. Feb 1, 2012 at 11:32 AM
    #14
    takamineman

    #14
    takamineman Active Member

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    greg
    auburn, ga
    Vehicle:
    1996 Sr5 4x4
    I've got an '03 and it's the best truck I've ever had. I've asked it to do some crazy things over the years and it's never let me down! Buy it! You won't be disappointed!
     
    takamineman, Feb 1, 2012
    #14
  15. Feb 1, 2012 at 5:53 PM
    #15
    Box Rocket

    #15
    Box Rocket Well-Known Member

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    Syracuse, Utah
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    1995 FZJ80 Land Cruiser
    3xLocked, lifted, well used
    x2
     
    Box Rocket, Feb 1, 2012
    #15
  16. Feb 2, 2012 at 1:17 AM
    #16
    drwb

    #16
    drwb Well-Known Member

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    Allen
    Glendale, CA
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    04' TRD 4X4
    OME 880 coils Wet Okole seat covers
    How much does the seller want for it if you don't mind me asking?
     
    drwb, Feb 2, 2012
    #16
  17. Feb 2, 2012 at 7:46 AM
    #17
    Choward

    #17
    Choward [OP] Member

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    Seller is asking 18 even for it.....
     
    Choward, Feb 2, 2012
    #17

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