Might buy a 2005 Tacoma in a few hours... need advice.

That’s priced to sell

 

Alright guys.... update time.

I tried to look at the truck Tuesday at 6pm (it was posted at 3) but the owner was unable to meet due to work, so we agreed to meet same time last night.

Before I even showed up they send me a message saying they actually had 54 people respond to their ad, and someone was willing to give them $8250 sight unseen I guess? Whatever, I was still going to look at it.

So I show up with a good friend of mine who knows vehicles and mechanics pretty well and we start looking over the truck. Everything looks good while it's sitting, but I start to get nervous when he tells me it hasn't been driven much in the last 4 years...

As soon as we take it for a test drive, the first thing I notice is the brakes are non-existent, I'm slamming my foot to the ground to stop. The rear end got a little loose while we were hitting a bump on the highway, and there was also a pretty significant and loud exhaust leak.

I wasn't totally out until we started testing the 4wd and found out 4 low wasn't engaging. The seller had no idea how it worked really. Said he couldn't remember the last time he used it and that I would probably never need it (wrong).

He was also happy to demonstrate that you could shift into 4 high at 50mph, it was pretty cringey to me, but maybe these trucks are designed for it?

Anyhow, in summary, I passed on it. They were happy to announce that they had 53 other people interested and it would sell immediately. Of course, none of those people had been able to test drive it yet.

 

It will sell for that price even with the issues you stated. As for the issues switching to L4, you have to be completely stopped with brakes on, shift to Neutral before selecting L4. Switching from H2 to H4 can be done at any speeds up to 62mph. If the motor is mechanically sound along with the body and frame, I would've bought it. Those issues are minor especially since that truck is priced way below market value. It's a 4WD tacoma with a Prerunner price.

 

@LukaszK

Did you replace the head gasket? Or did you have to replace the whole engine? Sorry if that is a dumb question but I am not that technical. I have a 2005 Tacoma that I bought from a guy who rarely drove it -- I only have 50,000 miles on it. Wondering if my head gasket goes how much it is likely to cost me to fix. Any info would be much appreciated.

 

Yes, the 4 high seemed to work fine, but we did exactly as you said and as the card on the sun visor said, but when we tried to engage 4 low the beeping noise and flashing would not go off, which was telling me that it wasn't engaging and something wasn't working properly. The owner must have tried it 10 different ways before giving up.

It was also a little more rusted near the strut towers in the front than I would have liked, and the rear shocks were completely rusted out. It also needed ball joints and tie rod ends based on the fact the owner said they were original and you could feel it over bumps.

All in all yes it would still be a good deal for someone who wants to get their hands dirty and put some work into it, I just didn't get a good vibe from it.

 

Nothing wrong with passing on it if you didnt feel right with it. You want to make sure the purchase you make is exactly what you want. Especially since you're spending a lot of hard earned money on it. Keep looking and you'll find something.

 

It likely just needs a suspension upgrade versus ball joints since the shocks are rusted but I agree that if you are not the type that want to deal with the issues, walking away is a wise thing to do. Good luck with your search.

 

Thats too bad man. 4 hi can be engaged up to 20 or 25mph safely without damaging the truck. 50 is going to cause unnecessary wear to the transfer case. To engage 4lo, the truck already needs to be in 4hi, then stop the truck put it in neutral and pust the 4wd selector in and select 4lo. Anyway sounds like theres a lot of work to be done to the truck. At the original price point it may have still been a good deal, but outbidding those other potential buyers just made it not a good deal at all.

 

Wrong. Can engage up to 55mph without any damage.

 

I don’t blame you for passing. From the price it sounds like he could have traded it in for more and didn’t which is sketchy. Then all the other things you mentioned would have been enough to scare me off not to mention all the wrench turning you were about to do with it being all original to keep it on the road.

 

That's funny because that was another red flag for me. He said he's only sold like 2 cars in my old life (dude was probably 45-55) and every other vehicle he's traded in. I'm thinking hmmm then why was it you decided not to do that with this one? I'm sure dealers are offering top dollar? My guess is they weren't going to offer him what he wanted for it based on something they saw. Or maybe he just wanted to sell it privately this time? Who knows.

 

Without actually meeting this guy or talking to him, he already sounds sketchy. Sounds like a lot of number fluffing too by saying X people were interested and coming to buy it. But it was still there available for you to test drive. Like everyone said, for the price of the truck and what was needed fixed on it, seems like a good deal. But not with the uneasy feeling you got.

 

Bruh no you can drive it while engaged up to 55. To engage the owners manual says to slow down to 20 or 25 can't remember exactly the speed. Probably no issue disengaging at 55.

 

If what you are saying is true, Toyota changed the manual at some point because mine says you can switch into 4H while traveling up to 62 MPH. You can drive 100 MPH in 4 high if you want to, but it won't switch from 2 to 4 unless you are at 62 or under.

 

You made the right choice by simply following your gut instinct.

 

I always try to go with my gut. It wasn't feeling good as soon as he started saying that he hardly drove the truck in the last 4 years. Oh and that he let one of his kids drive it through college (never a good thing to hear as a buyer lol). I'm so glad when people willingly offer up valuable information like that.

 

Correct but imo,if are driving in excess of 50mph, you likely do not need 4wd.

 

I'll have to look at it again, but I'm pretty sure it says driving over 55 in 4hi is not recommended and it should be engaged below 25.

 

You did the right thing by passing on it,I doubt he had 53 other guys that want it,yet he still had it when you looked at it.Sounds like a money pit to me.

 

Bruh,

https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM35862U/pdf/OM35862U.pdf

pages 170-171