Future NEW Tacoma Owner

Check anyways. Don't let the guy pressure you into not checking what needs to be checked. If he doesn't like you inspecting the car, then you should pass. There will always be another good deal out there.

 

I would go to KBB.com and find the value of an example truck that you may be interested in - i.e. a 2002 Taco. I would then plug in your current zip code to see what private party value may be. I would then plug in your new zip code you'll be moving to and check value. If it's considerably more expensive in CA, then I would buy it now. If the other way around, then it might be more wise to wait.

 

CA vehicles are almost always better. But they show in price. Tacomas are super expensive out there. I'd doubt you'd find a 1st gen 4wd 4door under $10k, but there's always a chance I guess.

Edit: you could probably find one, but it would have like half a million miles on it.

 

He's cool with bringing a mechanic out..heck, he even supports it.
He said "the rust isn't abnormal and that all vehicle frames start to rust as they age. Mine is normal."

 

That's fair, and normally vehicles exhibit some sort of rust. You can't expect everyone to Fluid Film every year, although I wish they would.

That's good that he's cool with the mechanic part. You can bring one or meet him at a shop and they can throw it up on the lift and take a look.

 

Just find one with low miles. Manual, and just in good condition. When I look at cars or trucks to buy I look at the air filter. If it's looked like it has been in there for the life of the truck you know it was abused.

 

I would also stay away from salvage titles. I would look for a private seller who keeps meticulous records.

 

I maintain a simple philosophy. I do not buy used vehicles with out a detailed service record. All my vehicles have a detailed service record. If i do the maintenance myself I log the repair or routine maintenance. There is always the concern of a fabricated maintenance log but at least a log shows something. No log, no deal.

 

Got the guy down to $9,350. Does that sound like a good deal to you?

 

Plug it into KBB.com and see what the value pops up as. I don't know what all the options of it are. I'm a pretty big stickler on always KBB'ing / NADA any vehicle I look at.

 

Private party in excellent condition is $9,087 on KBB. Not sure exactly what it was on Edmunds but it was lower there.

 

That truck is absolutely not in excellent condition. That truck is in good condition. What's the value in good condition?

 

Very good condition has it at $8,380 and Good condition comes in at $7,789. He put $1,200 into things since last June (timing belt, water pump, etc) if that changes anything. I am worried about his lack of awareness on the frame rust issue. Tires have 50-60% tread life left.

 

He put $1,200 into things to keep the truck running - that doesn't add any value whatsoever to the vehicle. If I spend $5k on a new motor because the last one failed, it doesn't add a cent to the vehicle's value - it's just bringing it up to par, which is a running vehicle.

I think he's overpriced, brother. Anytime I sell a vehicle, I always go under KBB, which I consider to usually be $1k over what I'll really get for a vehicle. So if KBB shows $17k (for example), then I'll ask $17k but accept $16k. There's a lot of variables there, but that's generally my rule of thumb, which is that KBB is high.

If good condition has it at $7,789, the most I'd likely pay for it is $7,500. Given that it sounds like you had to haggle him down to above $9k, I think you guys are pretty far apart.

I don't recommend it - I'd show him the KBB and see what he says. However, at the end of the day it's your money brotherman - all I can do is offer my opinion.

 

Thanks for all the info, man. Big help for sure.
When haggling, he said that if I can find a truck like that for any cheaper than $10k to let him know. I believe in going off the FMV but apparently he doesn't.

 

Yeah, too bad if he doesn't - it's not his job to decide fair market value. He's probably one of those 'but I saw a guy asking $11k on eBay!'. People can ask whatever they want, but what they're selling for is another issue.

If he keeps his price that high, he'll just be keeping that truck for a long time.

If you pass on it, wise decision. Let us know if you're looking at some other ones. Sorry you couldn't make a deal - it really is a good-looking truck, but would just hate to see you get ripped off.

 

Thanks man will do! Somebody here said earlier that this was a good deal... for $10,700.
What about this truck?
https://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/5400863515.html

 

The link has it listed at $9k - same truck?

 

No, this is a different truck. A good bit more miles at 205,000 vs the 180,000

 

Okay sorry, I misunderstood. I don't know why anyone would say that's a good deal (the first one we were looking at, the red one).

The 2003 looks to come in at around $8k with that mileage, but that's without any bells and whistles because I can't tell anything that it has on it. Maybe if it it's a Limited or something it may be a little higher.

It sounds like he just wants to get rid of the truck before he leaves. That might be a better situation.

However, looking at the frame and examining the truck mechanically is going to be pretty key for a truck over 200k, as I'm sure you know.

Overall, if I were in your shoes, I'd certainly give that one a look.