'05 Tacoma SR5 TRD 4WD 161.2K miles for $15.5K ???

Hi,

I am a noob when it comes to the Tacoma lineup, but have been reading a bunch. Wanting to get my son his first truck and came across this offer:

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ty=d311&zip=37027#listing=75145310_isFeatured

CarGurus says "Fair" deal, but CarFax showed a collision reported in 2009, but the owner kept it for 2 more years. Last 2 owners only 1 year or so each. I also don't yet know if the TSB for the timing cover oil leak was ever applied either. Might get a chance to go and test drive it today.

For an '05 with that many miles, it seems high to me. I never am sure how much to trust CarGurus "instant market value". It has the tow package as well.

Sorry to just post the link, but I thought I would try and get my ducks in a row ahead of time.

Is this too much, and if so, what would do you guys think would be more in line?

 

I would pass on that. Too many owners in short spurts. You don't really know what your getting. It says 4wd in the ad, but has pre-runner on the tailgate. Was it hit in the back?? I saw the 4wd switch in the dash, so it is 4wd, but still. I would think there are better deals out there. I had a 2005 dclb 4wd that was in perfect shape which i sold a couple years ago. It had 125k miles on it and i sold it for $15k even. Unless you live in socal (where tacomas seem to be harder to get and pricier) you should be able to find a better deal than that.

 

Wow, I hadn't noticed the tailgate badging saying that as we had yet to make a trek over to see it. The impact report on CarFax said front or side impact, but it does make me wonder if it was rear left side and the tailgate had to be replaced. Not sure why someone would badge it a PreRunner if it were 4WD. Good catch on that!

The last two owners only having it a year or each bothers me as well. I got a quote from my independent Lexus/Toyota guy on the timing cover leak repair and he would charge $1500 for the whole thing. I have been reading that that appears to be in the range.

I think we're going to keep looking for now. This place it 20 miles from my home and I would have to have my guy check it out anyways. It's been on the market 50 days now, so I may wait and see what it does over the next month in case we don't come up with anything else. After researching it, I think I want 4WD with the locking differential and the double cab. They don't surface very often it seems. Wonder why?

 

I would definitely pass on it and keep looking. Just be patient and you will find the right one.

 

Pass

 

You might want to read up on the frame rust problems on the 2005 Tacoma. I would completely pass on this model.

 

Good lord. I have an 07 trd with 95k on it (and a wreck) in great condition and would only expect 16-17k, realistically. I don't care if 15k is market, a person would be insane to pay that for something with 160k miles on it.

 

You could get brand new equally equipped for less than 10k more.