Newbie looking at some high mileage Tacoma's. What to look for?

New guy here.....from the Idaho Panhandle.

Had a Tundra the past 4 years. Sold that this past weekend and am now looking for a used Tacoma.



Budget is about $17k with tax and everything. Prices seem all across the board. Need a crew cab.....of course 4 x 4. Looks like everything out there is over 100k miles.

Definitely does not scare me.....but want to be sure what to look for? Known issues over 100K

Found one with a rebuilt title in my price range with only 70k on it......but damn I do not know if I want a black truck.

 

Rebuilt Title can = Scary. Don't know if I'd personally want to do that. I guess it all depends on the real history of the truck.

Generally speaking: 2005-2009/2010 you have to really inspect the frame. Class action lawsuit - Toyota is replacing entire frames due to shitty steel and massive rust issues on many trucks. Though in Idaho you may be okay.

2012-2015 some folks gripe about emissions control crap (little air pump).

Like any vehicle it's really all about service history and how it was driven/maintained. On V6 models spark plugs should be done very 30k miles generally. Diff fluids every 30k (for towing/offroad use) or 60k for regular driving. Oil changes every 5k.

 

If you have the vin for any truck your looking at run it through https://www.vehiclehistory.com. Kinda like car fax but free.

 

Make sure it doesn't shake when you drive it or take off. Check the frame with a ball peen hammer and get on the ground and really look it over, probably spend 10 minutes at least looking for rust holes. I think one of the worst spots the rust is up front on the backside of the frame, around where it's fully boxed. Don't buy one with a rebuilt title unless it's half off. When you sell it you'll get about 1/2 what others are worth and probably have a hard time getting insurance. Some of them also have wind noise problems on the highway it sounds like a kazoo when your driving 75 or 80. I'm not sure but think some of the 6 speed manual trucks had some problems.
The 2nd gen trucks are pretty good though. I've had one with a 2.7 for 8 years and 155k miles, its been a good one. There's a guy on here with a 4.0 with about 400k miles.

 

Thanks!!

 

The truck shown has 70k, TRD package. Asking $16k for it. Most stuff I am finding is $16k with 150k in it.

Car Fax says the truck was totaled at 30k....rebuilt and owned by the same owner until recently.....must have been traded and hit the auction. Local dealer picked it up.

 

It sucks having a black car, if you get the silver streak color you only have to wash it twice a year.

 

My Tundra was Horrible......showed dirt horrible and scratches

 

There is no way I would buy a truck with a rebuilt title. I have seen some of the shody work that rebuilders have done.

 

But to be totally honest........I have seen normal guys treat there vehicles like crap....not change oil.....etc. No matter what a used vehicle is a risk!!

 

If you buy a rebuilt,you really have to know what to look for.Mine carries a rebuilt title but I did the work to bring it from Salvage to Rebuilt so I know exactly where it was hit. 17K should get you a nice rig with about 130 on it.Service history is everything.

 

I always try to buy from original or second owner, clean title, see if they have vehicle maintenance history kept in a folder or something. Second gen with less than ~140k and a responsible previous owner, and you should be golden.

 

https://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/d/toyota-tacoma/6263120636.html

Best deal I have found so far.

 

Could also search the vin in Google images to possibly see the previous damage on a rebuilt/salvage title. Make sure it didn't look like this before: 2015 Pasco, Wa

 

If its a 4 door Tacoma and got totaled at 30k miles it probably had at least 15k worth of damage done to.

 

It does not take long to get to $15K. Pictured is my Tundra, $18k.......just sheet metal. No frame damage. Tundra Vs Elk.

 

Were your offered a buy back price from insurance?

 

100k miles is NOT high mileage.

 

No.....it was not totaled.

 

Salvage title.... Cragislist be like "minor right side damage".

IRL, 2 airbag sensors, abs sensor, front bumper, crush bumper, fender, light assembly, rad mount, steering rack, right LCA, right UCA, spindle, and the alignment never makes spec.

Killer deal bro!