Info on 2009?

Hello, I'm considering buying a 2009 TDR Double Cab. What do I need to know before I make this purchase?

Thanks!

 

Hello,

Welcome to the forum. I would get a carfax if you can, check the vin for any open recalls, bring a car savvy or mechanically inclined friend to help spot issues.
I would check for heavy frame rust, see if the recall has been done.. I'm sure others more knowledgeable will come and chime in also. Good luck!!

Edit: Recall Link www.toyota.com/recall

 

Whatever you do, don't buy a TDR.......Make sure it's a TRD...........lol

Anyways, I just purchased an 09 DCLB TRD Sport and love it, it's only been 3 weeks but have been stoked on it!

 

Oh yeah, I did the carfax report, I checked values, consumers report, KBB, US News, Car and Driver... Okay you get the idea I did my research. It has just over 72k miles on it, no accidents, nothing obvious wrong with it. I've gone over it. I'm buying it from a very reputable dealer. It has a 3 month / 3k warranty on it. I'm just wondering if there is some none obvious thing I should look for. Like the ones made in Mexico have trouble with the A/C or the ones made in Texas have alternator trouble???

 

Frame rust will be the biggest thing.

Alternators and A/C can be easily replaced, frames not so much without inviting epic problems.

 

Yeah TRD... that's what I meant... lol

That is what I'm looking at, double cab, long bed, Toyota Racing Development package. Wait is your's silver too???

 

Nah, mine is black....I had a few colors I'd be okay with, just wanted DCLB TRD Sport....Silver was one of the color's I woulda been cool with.....I purchased mine with 78K miles on it.

 

Okay, great! Any place in particulate I should look? Under the hood at the engine mounts? Crawl under and check the whole thing? And what's normal rust vs something I should worry about? The vehicle has spent it's entire life in a norther (snowy) climate.

Carfax didn't list a recall. I did see it looked like there was a rust proofing applied, but there were a few rust spots under the hood (hence my specific place question).

 

The 2009 is one of the worse model years.

 

my 2009 has been great, not many issues at all except Steering rack at 173k, ujoints around 100k and brakes at 150k

 

And a majority of those complaints were in regards to the radio.......geez! Even saw one complaint about not being able to see the cupholder at night.....Seriously, I can find my beer with my eyes closed! LMAO

 

Hmmm... where is this from? Consumers Report has 09 as a good and warns to stay away from the 2010. I'm curious where this data is pulled from. CR uses subscriber surveys.

 

Was it a radio and interior refresh and people were just pissed because things changed. I was an automotive engineer for over 15 years. I've see this pattern of behavior.

 

LOL. OP's day was ruined when he seen 09' as the worst year.

 

From here:

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Tacoma

Only the 2016 tops the 2009.

 

Tacomas are quite reliable, but at the end of the day you are buying a vehicle that is almost 9 years old.

 

What does this chart prove, doesnt even detail what the so-called issues area?

OP, take this with a grain of salt.

 

Some things I wish I looked at when I bought mine from dealer are...

I had a very small crack in windshield
One of my interior console lights for the heat dial was out
One of my parking lights was out
I think tires should have been balanced better (a little steering wheel shake, but may be the road since it only happens on one highway)

And that is all I have noticed so far..

Good luck man!

 

The chart came from http://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Tacoma

Just go to that website, click on any year, and it will show in detail, all of the complaints.

More than just a grain of salt!

 

And it's mostly interior accessory complaints....radio, wind noise with windows down ( go figure ) and my personal fav ( not being able to see the cupholder at night ) Like I mentioned b4, I always can find my beer in the dark!!!!

OP, every year and make vehicle is going to have issues, just do your homework first and look at the obvious issues as mentioned in previous posts......