Can you see anything cosmetically wrong with this truck?

You're welcome. It's tough being in a position where you are learning about vehicles just as you're looking to buy a vehicle. Here's the thing with dealers - there's Toyota dealerships and private dealerships like the one you linked. Toyota dealerships will sell you something at a premium because they will have a more professional image and this may or may not be earned. Small time dealerships are a bunch of guys that go around finding cars at auctions that they think they can get rid of quickly - sometimes that means they're a great deal that they luckily came up on, or it's something they think they can smooth talk someone into buying. Can you get a great deal from a dealer? For sure. Can they keep info on the DL that would make it or break it unless you ask specifically about it? Oh yeah - in fact they will probably try to sell you on anything that they can point out about the car while also choosing to avoid anything that isn't completely obvious or egregious such as a "new engine" really being a cheap remanufactured unit or an "awesome lift" being worth 1/2 of what they're charging you for it, if you bought it yourself.

I like that you're honest with yourself in saying that you might be making excuses for wanting to buy a car sight unseen / taking a dealer's word for it, we all do it to some degree I think because owning a truck is fun and in your case you need it to get to work eventually. Just be picky since you'll be driving this thing in ten years hopefully with it modded to the gills. Gotta buy the right one so you don't lose your mod money on unnecessary maintenance

 

My dad actually has a buddy that buys and sells cars from auctions. I'll have to give him a call tomorrow. LOL about the mods. And funny you say that; when I first started searching for a tacoma I didn't plan on doing any mods or care about an off road package or 4x4 but now I'm looking for a tacoma with both the package and 4x4. Before I know it I'll be adding mods lol.

 

Add your own mods - so many people bolt junk to their vehicles that really needed that money go to "boring" maintenance. I'm in that situation with my first gen. Luckily he bolted on high end parts worth a lot as I sell them off for basic parts and tools / the occasional shop fee for stuff I don't have the tools for. I also don't have to drive the truck as my daily driver. Plus I like this kind of project, so yeah, get a TRD Offroad 4x4 clean and stock and start saving for all the mods you want to do, but can't afford and join my club

Oh and your dad's friend sounds like the go-to guy in your situation. Just do your research on the trucks you want because he may or may not know all of the issues with Tacomas.

 

Where did you see the salvage title? I skimmed the 2 in the op, didn't jump out at me.

 

Was referring to this one: https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...=false&filtersModified=true#listing=169407618

Think I might have linked a few through out this thread lol

 

It's been in a crash, driver airbag whent off, the steering wheel is gray and the interior is tan

 

Missed that one entirely.