Nervous about this purchase

I am about to buy a 2003 Tacoma for 10,000. It has 155,000 miles and has been service at the toyota dealer shop every 5,000 miles for the last 15 years shows the car faxs. It is a white 4x4 4 cylinder manual xtracab which has been fairly difficult to find that configuration. Other ones have 300,000 miles and are beat to hell and cost 7,000. Iseecars has it as an average price of 9,800 for my area. The frame looks amazing in comparison to others I have crawled under and the engine compartment looks great the interior very nice the seats have no tips or tears. It is only missing the passenger recliner seat handle and has a cracked windshield. Onthe exterior it has minor dings but and could use a new paint job but if you are 5 feet away it looks fine. What do you guys think?

 

If it is what you describe, I’d be comfortable buying it.

You’re positive the frame is solid?

 

Been my experience that if you have any negative feelings about a purchase, don’t do it

 

Just what does not feel right to you ??

Your getting those feelings for a reason.

 

Did you road test it?

 

I am having it looked at today. I hopped under it and it looked like the most solid taco frame I have seen thus far. I live in southern California and he said it has never been any where near snow or salt water.

 

Yeah sounded great. My dad thought the clutch was ruff but I am use to my 89 toyota pickup so i think i was slightly miss timing it.

 

Yeah I think I am worried about dropping 10,000. Then coming across one that is for sale for around 7,000. But idk I have been searching for 2 months almost daily for about 100 miles in all directions and this one is the best one and it is in my own neighborhood.

 

I have learned to go with the gut- if it doesn't feel right than walk away. There is ALWAYS another deal.

 

It's seriously just the money I think.

 

I think it is the money. If it was 7,000 I would buy it in a heart beat cause I would have 3,000 for whatever repairs come up.

 

Yeah I feel like this is a deal but I am just feeling cheap. I mean the car fax is the best I have seen after looking at 30 tacoma car fax.

 

Got pics?

 

I don't need this truck honestly I have a 93 bronco an 89 toyota pick and my dads camry I could use. The Bronco I am thinking of selling when the new bronco comes out. The 89 has over 240,000 on it no ac is black and look like top gear just got done trying to destroy it. So I don't need it but it might work well for me. I really like the idea of having a overlander and this one seems like it would be well suited. What is nuts is that this 2003 4 cylinder gets 17 mpg and my 93 bronco with a 5.8 v8 gets 12. I would think there would be a bigger difference.

 

I spent around 16k for a 2013 DC Limited. Then I spent around 4K on a lift kit, new lower control arms, new fluids and spark plugs, air filters, cleaned the throttle body, and other random stuff that I felt needed to be changed. But at the same time, I knew exactly what the truck needed. So I felt comfortable spending that. So I know the feeling you have of not knowing what may come up in the near future for this truck. See how you feel after you get it checked out by someone. And if it’s a good as you think, go for it

 

That's about the going price in SoCal, so unless there is something wrong with it not listed in your post it sounds fair.

You could probably talk them down to 9k if it's not the TRD package and needs a bit of work but 9-11k is normal private party list price for 1st gen 4x4.

If that seems like too much to spend on a 20 year old truck, the 4Runners of that era are almost the same functionally but much cheaper.

 

+1 on the 4Runner option, they are great trucks.

 

Yep, that's about the going rate in SoCal for a PP sale for that config. V6 and DC would fetch a few grand more. If it's a SoCal truck, the frame should be solid.

 

Ask the guy if he can do $8500 then. Worst he says is no, and you can then decide if you really want the truck and are willing to spend 10k or if you’ll just wait and see what else comes along.

 

Ahemmmm, you're talking to a lady/woman, a little more respect, please.

Off topic, but I get average 19 to 21 in my 4 banger, but i'm a true old man, but i really don't find it being that slow. Beats walking in this Texas heat for sure.

If you take the truck to a GOOOOD mechanic for pre inspection purchase and make sure and tell them about the frame problems these taco's have you should be fine, a lot of shops don't know about the frame issues. He should have a borescope to check internally also.