About to (sort of impulsively) buy a 2nd gen, but trying to wrap my head around the frame issues

I realize that this is probably not the right place to pose this question, but I didn't see a threat with a place for people asking questions about purchases... Please move or delete this if I am in the wrong.

I am thinking the time is right to leave the world of jeeps and buy a used Taco... I was on the fence of buying either a Wrangler Unlimited or Tacoma in 2010 but I settled a Jeep. I traded that 2010 in for a 2013 Wrangler Unlimited.

A 2010 4 dr TRD Sport is at a used truck lot nearby, 62,000 miles and has a Leer cab and Thule Rack on it. http://www.seacoastusedcars.com/2010-Toyota-Tacoma/Used-Truck/HamptonFalls-NH/7159765/Details.aspx

I spoke with someone from service at a Toyota dealership, it looks like this still needs the leaf spring recall. I couldn't get a clear answer on the frame issue. Does anyone know if there is a factory warranty on the frame? If so, how long? I realize that there are risks involved with purchasing a used vehicle, I just want to know what I am getting into.

I was actually surprized to see all of the used Tacos available in my area. If I were to spend $4-5k more, I can get one with 1/2 the miles and three or four years younger. Does this seem like a decent example of a Taco?

This one is over an hour away, but is a 2014 6 speed with a cab and similarly equipt for $29k
http://www.edmunds.com/inventory/us...ma Double Cab&invtype=USED&defaultType=&mode=

 

both are nice, but i like the newer 6pd better, but is just me, good luck.Plus the silver never looks dirty. Oh yea welcome to TW, and get the truck rustproofed.

 

From what I've read/seen it all depends on what dealer you go to, I have 2 dealerships by me - 1 won't even discuss the frame replacement program, the other has about 20 frames stacked on top of each other behind their workshop waiting to be swapped out and they couldn't be happier to answer any questions I had.

 

The frame recall is over the end of march if you live in a salt brine area and your truck has the original frame it will rust out and be useless - be very careful if this applies 2 U.

BTW there is a spring replacement recall - air bag spiral recall - seat belt spring recall on some vin numbers - you should make sure they are done B 4 they expire

 

Yup! My 2010 jeep was black... never again. My silver jeep always looks clean. I really don't have any pictures of it, but here it is.


Will there be any obvious signs if the taco was rust proofed in the past? I read somewhere that Toyota might not warranty your frame if you tried to rustproof it.

 

Hmmm. This is for sale in a beach town. I am not sure where the previous owner lived. Does that mean that I would need to get it inspected before the end of the month and if there is damage, it would qualify? After that, would I be S.O.L.?

 

Price seems a tad high on that 2010. I paid $25k for my nearly identical 2011 (TRD Sport pyrite mica, but a long bed) with fewer miles almost two years ago.

 

Yah... that is also my gut instinct. I saw some listed for more, some for less. This should be a pretty good time to trade in my jeep, so everything will be negotiated.

 

Recall's do Not Expire Ever.

Service Campaigns do.

 

The current service campaign is for model years 2005-2008. A 2010 doesn't qualify. Whether there will be a service campaign in the future for that model year remains to be seen. That said, I would still thoroughly inspect the frame before purchase.

 

For whatever it's worth, my 2011 frame has now been through five New England winters and still looks as close to new as it possibly could. Minor surface rust on the welds, but that's it. If I feel inside the boxed section, it still feels still smooth and painted inside.

 

Hopefully the newer frames will hold up.

 

Thanks! This is exactly the info I was looking for. Time to clean up my jeep and get it ready to trade in, I'm not going to rush on the 2010, I need to see if I am better off spending a bit more and getting a newer one.

What does everyone think about the 3rd gens vs. 2nds? Do you guys look at them and think about what you are missing out on? To me, they don't look like they are worth the extra cash, but you guys would know. Mpg is about the same, and more power and a 6 speed auto are all nice, but it works need to spend $37k plus for a trd sport. I think a 2013 or 14 with 20-30k miles for $28k is a better buy.

 

The interior is about the only thing that draws me to the new 2016 Taco's. If it were me I'd shoot for a loaded 2015. Regardless of what year used Tacoma you get do yourself a favor and crawl under and look for frame rust and weak spots. Most develop around the catalytic converters coming down from the engine. If you don't find any then your gold. As far protection after your purchase there are several routes you can go after you buy it and it's something to consider.

 

Thanks, my next step is to figure out where to look for trouble spots.

As for 2015's, there isn't much of a price difference with the few 2016's I found. I find myself so close to being without a car payment, i don't want to finance too much. I only owe just under $8,000 on my jeep, so I have quite a bit of equity in it. I want to finance less than $10,000 for a truck. We will see how it works out. I love/hate the negotiation process.

 

If you don't already have it, I would get pre approved for a loan before you walk into a dealership. Negotiate based off of what you are approved for and what you want to pay. I just bought my wife a new highlander and did it this way. Long story short: Checkered Flag Toyota tried to say our credit wasn't great and they were gonna get us a loan for 9% interest on a new car. Told them they were full of it and walked out. Later that day was approved for a loan for a new car through my credit union for 3%. Went into Priority Toyota next day found the Highlander she wanted. Negotiated the price. Walked out with a Highlander with more options and a lower purchase price. Point is we were in control.

 

Good advice about the pre approved loan. If you decide to buy new COSTCO has good prices through their car buying service. You can get MSRP and Invoice price on their web site without being a member. You need to be a member to get their special price and what dealer. I was able to take the COSTCO price that was at invoice and get it even lower at another dealer. Sold my used truck on Craigslist for $4500 more than the dealer was offering.

 

Since you are looking in NH, I would browse Toyota of Nashua's inventory. They have a few double cabs listed, and have their own truck dealership set apart from their cars. I bought mine there new and Got a good deal. Can't speak for used sales there though.

 

Interestingly enough, my original window sticker is from there. My guess is the previous owner wanted something specific and the dealer here swapped them for it.

 

I just took a look at their inventory, they have two white TRD Sports... this one looks interesting http://www.toyotaofnashua.com/certi...a-Tacoma-f59ded5b0a0e0ae84c12d715aa85a7b4.htm

I am pretty positive that I want a TRD Sport. A friend's brother sells cars for Bernardi in Brookline, they have a RBM Limited 4 dr with 24k miles for $29,995. I just can't get excited about it. I don't care for chrome, and this has a bunch of it... wheels, bumpers, mirrors, etc. It does have the heated pleather seats and all of the bells and whistles and a Leer cap.