Newcomer, "New" 2007 Tacoma Owner

Hello all,

I am a new member, and a "new" owner of a Tacoma. I'm not used to being on forums quite this large, but I've benefited a considerable amount already from your advice, so I thought I should participate.

I purchased a 2007 Toyota Tacoma, Access Cab, 207L, 4wd 5-Speed (Base Model) in January. It was purchased from a friend, who had only driven it within 5-10 miles of his house. It has about 10,000 miles on it. No, I did not omit a zero.

Three days after taking possession, it went into IRA Toyota of Danvers, MA for a frame replacement, and several recalls. They called this week (3 months later) to say the parts were in. While working on the truck, they called me yesterday to let me know that it needs Tires, Rims, a new Steering Rack, New Tie Rod Ends, New Brakes, Rotors and Calipers on the front, New front and rear exhaust pipes and muffler, front axle shafts, front differential, front struts, coil springs, and strut mounts, front drive shaft, oil pan and bolts, and - last but not least - wiper blades.

The guy I spoke with told me that these items are simply things their policies require them to let me know about. I don't HAVE to take action immediately on any of them. He's a nice guy, and I appreciate being told about these items. There's nothing "scammy" about the situation.

That said, being told my truck needs $17,000 (their estimate) worth of work - when I've only drive it for three days - does make my head spin a bit.

I know this is a newbie welcome post, but do you guys mind if I ask a question - are these trucks worth that kind of upkeep?

I plan to take it to another mechanic once I get it back, and see what items on that list actually need to be done.

 

Welcome to the Madhouse!!!



Get a second opinion!

 

It’s probably a best practice recommendation, so although not technically a scam, they are trying to pry more money out of you. Definitely take it for a second and even a third opinion. The items that are brought up again probably need replacement, but make sure that your additional opinions are reputable.

 

Lol - sorry! I don't have really good pics, because the truck has been in the shop since I got it. Here's what I do have...

 

Jeez what happened to the front drivetrain?! Were all 10,000 miles in 4 wheel drive? Did the truck sit a lot with salt on it? With that low amount of miles I’m assuming this damage is due to rust and corrosion.. If the oil pan is rotted, how is the body?

 

Your pics didn’t post but from your avatar the back wheel looks fine.. why would you need to replace those?

 

Thanks guys. I fix guitars, used to fix tech for Apple Inc, grew up doing electrical work with my father's company, and am a woodworker.

Trucks and cars is a kind of fixin' that I have never ventured into. Any advice is helpful.

The truck sat right where my avatar picture was taken for ten years. Is there something to that idea of never parking on grass or dirt? Also, we are in a salt-prone area up here in northern MA.

 

Rust paint is all he needs....

Did it pass a safety? Did you notice any issues when you drove it? If not, I would drive it until it really needs those items...

Nice find!

 

Shoot, if it sat outside for that long especially on grass/dirt you probably have some rotted seals/rubber. For example, your steering rack is probably leaking. Is the steering wheel hard to turn or whine?

I would have them fix the frame and then maybe get some used parts from a junkyard and maybe they’ll reinstall those while they have the truck apart. I think it depends on the dealership.. Whatever is left over once the repair is done I would bring to a local mechanic with cheaper labor and parts.

 

Thanks, Tocamo. They are going to do a safety on it when they get it back together, but the service guy didn't make it sound like any of these items would be required to pass.

Still adjusting to the news from the dealer. This is the first pickup I've owned. I grew up driving around in my father's S-10's, out of which he ran his Electrical business in New Brunswick, Canada.

 

Welcome to TW! Let's see some undercarriage pics.

 

I didn't notice any issues with the steering, and no noise. I just had to put a pump and hose on my Focus last October, so the sound is something I'm (painfully) familiar with.

 

Keep in mind these were all taken before the truck went in for the frame replacement. Kind of randomly taken.

 

Yikes!!

 

Flaming bananas are bad, right?

 

Any chance your friend would buy truck back?? That’s one hell of a to fix list !!

 

Welcome

 

Uhhhh that truck needs a TON of work

When I first read this I was thinking the dealer was scamming you


Now I see the pics and they aren’t wrong lol..

 

Oh man...

Well first things first, welcome to TW!

Assuming the truck runs good, perhaps a good donor vehicle search is in order for the parts listed. It may be more cost effective to approach it that way versus buying all of those items individually. There's probably another 2nd gen out there with a bad frame (and not qualified for a replacement) and the rest of the parts that you need are good. I would recommend the brakes, steering rack and exhaust be replaced with new parts though. You can probably pick up some better used wheels with tires on the classified threads.

With the low miles, and dealer frame replacement I think its got potential. Good luck.