Should I buy this or keep looking

Hello everyone, I am looking to get a low km taco that will last me many years. My budget is around $25,000 (CA). I found what seemed like a great deal...
2008 Double Sport
Extended Box
69,000km
Got dealer down to $21,500 (very quickly from sticker of $24,888)
BUT...when I went to test drive today, turns out it is a "salvage". Dealer says it was a hit dear, all cosmetic (he says replaced hood, bumper, headlight and fog lights). Told him I only buy if I see papers proving it is all cosmetic damage. If he proves this, should I bite or just let it go and keep looking? Drives great, seems really good.
Thanks for your help

EDIT: UPDATE - WOW, you all rock! Thank you so much for helping me see the light! I was on the fence but you all convinced me. I think I may try and get something newer. I sorta like the idea of paying the 25k and just finance a bit more for a new one, or one just a year or two old as I really want to enjoy this for many years. I am sure I will be bugging you all with many more questions. But I promise to search first ☺ thanks again everyone!

 

Welcome to TW!At that price,yr model,mileage and not quite knowing what the real story of the damage is i would pass!Be patient and take your time.I personally think you can do better with the money you want to spend and get a newer 2nd gen with the money you have or are willing to spend!Good luck OP!

 

No way buddy. Let that shit go. "Salvage" is a dirty word.
Just be patient. Why don't you put the 25k as a down payment and then finance like 6k and get the Bad ass 2015 Tacoma DCSport that you really want.

You'll pay like, um...$50 a mo???

 

I already posted but I got to give props to Capaldi!Great knowledge from TW members who are lookin out for one another!

 

Heck no!

My 2013 brand new with 50 miles on it was 19,900. Now granted mine is a base, single cab, and not at all fancy, but still, for 25k you can do better man. Good luck, happy hunting!

 

I don't think the OP meant he had $25k, I think he meant he didn't want to finance more than $25k? Either way RUN from the salvage. DO NOT believe the dealer. RUN.

 

I would pass on it and buy a new Taco.

 

Did Arin open a stealership??

Run, don't walk, away from that truck. For a deer strike to write the truck off, well let's just say it almost has to be a moose. Not worth the headache, especially when he wants 20+ for a 7 year old Taco. If you want to show him you know he's a crook, offer 14k and tell him that's as high as you'll go for a truck with a salvage title.

 

I knew a guy who bought a chevy truck with a salvage and drove it for years.

 

You may not want to do this, but if your curious, search the tacomaworld forums and see if the truck you test drove was a vehicle that had appeared here. You may be surprised to hear the truth from the driver him/her/it self.

I would just do a general search like "truck hit a deer", and see what happens. It might be here,

 

OP,
For what it's worth, when I was looking to buy my first Tacoma (I've wanted one since I could drive) I nearly ended up with some less than desirable or shady examples cause they fit my initial budget and I REALLY WANTED one... Long story short, in October 2013, I ended up with:
2009 TRD Off Road Access Cab, Automatic 4x4
With only 47,000 kms and never winter driven.
Even had factory running boards, vent shades and solid try-fold tonneau.
Bought privately for $20,500 plus taxes including safety and e-test, in Ontario.

So ya, I'd say wait for a better deal, they're out there.

Good luck!

 

I'd pass for sure. Even if the truck runs and drives great, the salvage title hurts the resale value big time. Even if you are planning on never selling the truck, you really don't ever know what the future holds for you. Like others have said, have a little patience, the right truck is out there waiting for you to find it!

 

Hi, welcome.
If it is truly a salvage title then why was there only cosmetic damage? Something stinks.
Im "guessing" that it was more like a larger animal, like a moose, and there may have been more extensive damage that may included frame damage. If it is to good to be true, it probably is.

 

That's something else to consider, will the bank be willing to finance a salvage vehicle?

 

25,000 is almost 2012 range if you look hard enough!

 

For the record I'm in no way advocating buying this particular truck...

But, I do know that it's not uncommon for insurance companies to write off a vehicle after airbags deploy (and usually bust the windshield in the process) even when there is no other structural damage done to the vehicle.
Who knows what really happened in this case but it is possible that the "deer" was hit at just the right speed and angle to have triggered the airbags, blowing the windshield and causing cosmetic front end damage.

Just saying it's possible... As a potential buyer, I'd be checking the brand of windshield installed, all the clips, fasteners and mount holes holding the front end together, including headlights, etc. Examining all around the interior for signs of airbag deployment.... And even after ALL is inspected and I'm confident the vehicle is sound... I'd offer the $14k previously mentioned due to the fact that it's a salvage title... Lol

 

Walk on this one...

 

Run! Cars/Trucks don't get totaled and salvaged with minor front end damage. Dealer is hoping a sucker will bite, you know damn well he only has probably 10k into the truck if that much.

 

Thanks again everyone for the great advice! After seeing you all showing me the way, my thoughts have changed. Instead of getting a 2007/9 for $22-23,000 I think I may be better suited to (hopefully) get a newer taco that is a 2010/2011ish double cab with low Km's for maybe $26/27,000. Remembering my main goal to get a taco with as low Km's as possible to have something to enjoy for a long time, if I am patient, is it realistic to hope to get a newer double cab for around 75,000 km for that price (Canadian!)? How much wiggle room do I have for a used taco that is on a lot as a lease return? It seems they are in huge demand...does that dictate little to no wiggle room? Should I expect to be able to get a sticker price of $27,000 down to $25,000 or so on a cash deal? Thanks again everyone, I appreciate it!

 

The 2016's are are supposed to roll out in what...3 months? With the new generation hype (hate it or love it), it's gonna have some effect on the market, particularly in your favor. Yeah, our taco's have the best resale value on the market, but with a generation change after ten years, the price may, just may, drop down a little bit, especially if you're decide to go through a private party via craigslist. More than anything, you can use the whole "new generation, new technology, new norm" argument and actually have something to point at as opposed to a magazine article; it's not gonna work well at the dealership, but craigslist is another game. It's really just another tool in your arsenal for bargaining, and hey, you just never know.

Short term impulse may tell you that you want it and you want it now, but if you can withstand the urge to for another 3 months, your wallet may be heavier, your mind may be happier, and you may avoid the dreaded buyer's remorse in the long run. Just my two cents OP - hope you get that dream taco of yours