03 Double Cab with Blown Motor

Hey I am looking at buying my first tacoma and I need some help determining if its a good deal.

Its a 2003 4x4 double cab with 110k miles, SR5, TRD with a blown motor. They are asking $7k. Its a pretty nice truck with a good frame and no rust other than the rear bumper. Is this worth buying at $7k?

I have the time and the ability to install a new/used engine in my garage…

Thank you all in advance!

Travis

 

Is it the v6?

It will be impossible to determine if the auto trans is in good shape or not since you can't drive it.

Even if it has a clean title (no salvage) that price is only good if the trans is in perfect condition.

I've seen reman 3.4Ls go for $2500-3000.

If it was me, I'd offer less. Maybe $5,000.

 

Yeah there are other things that could be wrong that without an engine, you can't check. Digiratus is right where I would be on this.GL

 

Thanks guys. It is a V6. It was a dealer trade-in. A family was vacationing from NJ in our area when the motor let go. They just bought a new truck and kept on vacationing. Don't know if this proves that the trans is good but if it got this far it might be ok. Are the transmissions problematic on these trucks?

 

for a Toyota V6 to "just let go" seems unlikely, especially at 110k... Spend some time on this site and you'll see lots of examples at 250k.... so why did this happen, and without warning? I would be concerned about a lack of maintenance which means the trans could be crap, and who know what else on the truck. Catastrophic failures happen, but I would want to know exactly what broke. In regard to price, I would take purchase price, add the cost of my labor (always more than you think) and the cost of a new motor (plus trans?) and compare that total to buying a good example outright in your market.

I would want to come out way ahead in that equation to consider taking on the risk.

Maybe its just me, but if my vehicle imploded on vacation (had that happen due to a traffic accident), I would get a rental. Immediately buying a new car without shopping around/taking time to negotiate seems to guarantee that you just made the salesman's day. You might assume a few more things about a person that would do that. Admittedly I am operating on very little information, but its what you gave us. Not to mention I am a cheap bastard.

Is there any service history? could you get a warrantee on the existing transmission and rest of the vehicle? Those details might help make the decision.

Even at half the price I would not jump on this deal (though I would be more interested)

Let us know how this proceeds.

 

I'm with Mike.


I've been looking myself. Out west, 1st gens with running motors go for about 10-15k. Back east, I see the 7-12k range. 5k to me would be about what I'd top out for on a project truck, especially being back east.

 

I would say no. Save a little more money for something with a functional engine

 

I'm in the $5,000 club also. Not worth the risk of more wrong above that.