Should I buy this '03 PreRunner TRD?

Hi guys,

Newb here and just entering into the Taco world. Need a truck to haul my motorcycle around and get me back and forth across the country a few times. Found this here in town.

He's asking $12,500 for a pretty clean 03' (93K miles). I think that's a bit high, offered $10,500. The tires will need to be replaced in 5k or so and there's currently no spare. E-locker works. Drives straight and true. Thoughts?

Original CL Post here: http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/1663066357.html

 

looks like a nice truck to me! the only issue i see is no transfer case.

 

the reason that there is no transfer case is cause it's a PRERUNNER! lol!

 

Its in great shape...The price is a bit high though

 

seems a little high for a 2wd... I could see 10.5 for a 4wd! Has the tbelt done yet?? its due @ 90k.

 

Hopefully so the buyer dont have to worry about it. But either way its a non interference engine. And people have gone way over 100k without changing the timming belt.

 

I was just giving a reason to barter for a lower price...

 

The plastic missing on the side of the drivers seat is about $70 list. For a pre-runner with those miles, your offer is the absolute max I would go (if it was in perfect condition).

Have you done a compression test? The missing spare points to laziness or perhaps the owner is tired of the truck. If the owner hasn't been diligent with changing the oil or greasing the drive-line zerks ......

 

looks like there's a little rust build up on the frame also... I would look into that.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I appreciate it.

I may do a carfax tonight and see what's shakin' there.

Good thing is, I'm not in a hurry. I'll keep you posted.

All the best,

Ryan

 

The Seller seems to be sure he wants more than 10.5k. It won't be me.

Thanks for all of your responses. Let me know if you hear of any good deals under 15k in the Nashville, Kansas City and NYC markets!!

I hope to be a more permanent member of the forums.

Again thanks for your help.

Ryan

 

Get ahold of Tic Taco if you don't mind driving to Michigan...I think it has a brand new frame too! http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/buy-sell-trade/84343-2002-toyota-tacoma-sr5-extended-cab-pick-up-91k-miles-7-850-a.html

 

Hey, heres a really nice deal on a great Tacoma...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/bu...5-extended-cab-pick-up-91k-miles-7-850-a.html

 

Great minds think alike, no?

 

You'd da man

 

It took me about 2 months to find what I really wanted (4 cyl, 5 sp, 4x4, extended cab). Daily, I was checking:

1) Craigslist.com
2) autotrader.com (search by feature and distance, way cool)
3) Ebay (be careful..... very careful)


I also setup an auto notify at carmax.com and had a pro looking at the auto auctions.

Autotrader produced the truck I bought. Good luck......

 

Thanks guys!

 

I bought a truck that looks just like that about a week ago; it's an 04 though. I got him down to 11.3k and he woudln't budge after that. It had 108k too, which is a little higher. Mine has a factory tow package though but a drop in bedliner; which those suck b/c there's rust spots underneath the edges/corners from where water got trapped in. I looked on CL, auto trader, etc. Most I saw were going for 12k+ and the ones that weren't were either 4cyl, not a PreRunner, 5spds, no TRD, didn't have the sport wheels, or were some different combination of a lesser truck...OR they had 160k on them. I wanted a 4x4 but they wanted stupid $$$ for them and I was leery that I'd get a truck that had been beat.

These are somewhat hard to find in this exact setup unless you want to travel to get one. I paid probably a little too much for mine but I put 4200 down on it and will have it paid off in 2 yrs probably. The truck should last me quite a bit longer. No rust on the frame either. 1 owner vehicle from Lakeland, FL, clean carfax, not a scratch on the truck. I drove it, liked it, and figured I was about $500 higher than I should go on the truck...but I wanted it and it wasn't worth saving $500 to wait who knows how long to find something else.

Oh yeah, mine has the spare and about 50% still on the tires too. So maybe I did alright; not great. Pics are in my gallery if you want to look.

 

Very nice truck. Looks like you kept her up. Very good price for what I've seen around here.

 

Was that prerunner lifted, it looks Awesome.