Love buying used, and finding problems later

I guess its the price you pay though.. Bought my truck a month ago, with 52k miles. Later noticed side emblems are gone. Already fixed a terrible oil leak. I had the engine cover off for a while, during which one of the mounting studs fell out. Found out I got the wrong jack. One of the skid plate bolts is completely stripped, as well as the nut it threads into on the frame. Front engine splash guards are under the back seat for some reason. Has eagle eye headlights, one of which was full of water, and is newer than the other one.. It wasn't watery when I bought it. I'm hoping it was just a bulb not in right.. and the Foglights are bouncing around because of broken clips. wonder what is next? What is your experience?

 

Change blinker fluid?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6GsXhBb10k

Side note, did you inspect the vehicle at all? Those are some pretty obvious issues to find.

 

I feel your pain lol. I bought my '04 used a few months ago, only 24,000 miles on it so it's still really "new" technically speaking. But the previous owner did some aftermarket stuff to it that I've had some trouble with, uncapped port on the supercharger that took forever to find and caused a lean condition, AC system doesn't work very well, stock clutch fan was removed for an electric fan that for some reason isn't activated by the thermostat, dome lights stopped coming on when the door is open for some reason (yes they're in the "door" position), weird ticking sound coming from the tranny unless the clutch is pushed in (likely a throwout bearing that needs replaced), etc.

Most of it is just small stuff, the main issue was the supercharger port being uncapped because it was causing the truck to run lean, took 2 dealerships over a week to figure it out but it's good now. The other things are mostly just irritating, nothing I can't fix myself over time.

 

Did you get a warranty on it or did you buy it privately? I got a warranty on mine through the dealership I bought it from so most of what I've needed fixed they've taken care of.

 

Ugh. On the plus side if you got a good enough deal it offsets, still annoying either way

 

In my case, a 12 year old truck is a 12 year old truck and little things popping up over time is somewhat expected. Overall though I love the truck and wouldn't trade it for anything. OP what year Tacoma did you end up getting?

 

I did a good walk around, test drive. Made sure stuff was workin. I got a decent deal, and I had to drive a ways to get it, and they met me half way. Those things weren't really obvious at first. The headlight had no condensation in it when I bought it. The one side of the skid looked like it was hangin a hair low, which I assumed was a slightly bent brace/bracket, until I took it off to work on the oil leak. The front crank seal must not have been leaking long, because there wasn't a bunch of residue everywhere. And it only leaked above 2200 rpm. weird I know. But it took me a couple weeks before I noticed it. I just noticed my fog lights Yesterday, while working on the headlights. Pretty sure that was the squeekin I was hearin too.

 

2011

 

Yeah unfortunately when buying privately its not always easy to see every little issue that might be there, not to mention they sometimes don't pop up when you're looking. I made sure to get my warranty for that specific reason.

 

Bad seals are very common in inexpensive aftermarket headlights. If your new truck is a 2012+ I would suggest the OEM TRD Pro smoked lights.

 

Knock on wood but I got extremely lucky with my used 14. I know its not that old but I don't think the previous own did anything to it, like nothing.

 

Did he change the oil at least? lol

 

Pretty sure mine still has the stock Bridgestone duelers it came with on it. Getting kinda weathered

 

Its a 2011, or I would definitely get the trd pro lights. But the ones on it actually look pretty good. They have a dark gray background inside that matches the color real well. I just gotta figure out why and where its leaking.. But as I said., When I bought it there was no condensation in it. But after I washed it real good and drove in the rain it had a good bit. I took it out and filled it up with water, and couldn't find any spot where the surrounding seal was leaking. So I'm hoping it was just one of the bulbs wasn't put in quite properly.. Some of the plastic looks a light they didn't line up the right tabs in the right slots before twisting.

 

No warranty. It was actually from a wholesale dealer. I found it on craigslist. I thought it was a private sell, but It wasn't.. But still not warranty. And original warranty was out in december

 

lol... well yes, maintenance was fortunately done. Thankfully no tacky mods or any mods for the matter.

 

Yup. Good times.

I got a great deal on my 09 but have dropped about $1500 into it in just regular maint. type stuff. Tires, battery, plugs, blower motor, filters, etc.

Oh well, I have a rock solid taco (paid off) that ought to serve me well for many years.

 

My experience is that a quality pre-purchase inspection is worth spending the time to do or spending the $ to have done by a trusted independent mechanic.

And it's always valuable to know the product you are looking to buy very well. Options, packages, etc.

Simple example. Most used lots (and sometimes Mazda dealers) list almost any '90-'97 Miata as an M edition (at a higher price), and almost all with a tilt wheel. None ever had a tilt wheel, and M editions have very specific trim characteristics that distinguish them.