2009 217k $10k vs 2010 162k $13k

I want a truck I can drive until the wheels fall off. I live in CT and they use magnesium chloride or salt to deice the roads. I am currently on my 3rd Subaru. I owned my first one for 13ish years. I put 150k on it and the fuel tank rotted out. I'd still be driving it if that hadn't happened. I've learned my lesson and now get regular car washes in the winter. I'm not impressed with the latest Subaru, it's a gutless wonder but it fit my budget. My wife currently has a 13 Highlander that I'm really impressed with. I like Toyota's build quality and reputation. That brings me here. I've been eyeballing Tacomas in my area and they seem to go for ridiculous money. There are 2 near me that fit my budget which is about $13k.

The first is an 09 with 217k miles. The ad says its got a new frame. They're asking $10k.

The second is a 10 with 162k miles for $13k.

Are they asking too much? What sort of mileage can be expected from these?

 

If maintained properly the drive train will outlast the body. Ide consider the one with the new frame if its actually in new frame condition and not already rusted to hell. Also are they 4cly or 6? base model, sport, offroad? 4x4?

 

Welcome to the forum Matt

 

They're both 4wd crew cabs with the V6.

https://www.bachmotorcars.com/inven...rt=12&limit=50&status=1&make=Toyota&vstatus=1

Thanks

 

i gotta tell ya, between those two, tough call. I looked at the white one first and said ohh yeah. Then the black one hmmm.
I would prob pick the white one as its loaded with the factory goodies. Either one will last you a life time with good maintenance.
Cant wait to see what others pick. Good luck and welcome to TW. Ohh yeah price on both seems really fair.

 

Hey Matt @RivetSmasher check in over here and chat up some local peeps. Maybe they can help.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hey-connecticut.309240/unread

 

Welcome to the site. It's definitely a toss up between those two. There's over a 50K miles difference between the two but the cheaper one has a new frame and pretty sure whatever else was rusted was replaced. I'd say inspect and drive both in person and see which one you like best.

I just looked up the service records on both trucks. Looks like they were both dealer serviced since new so either one is a good choice. I'm leaning more on the white as it is a TRD OR and I like the A-TRAC and the locker in that better than the hood scoop on the '10. Also the '10 only comes with TRAC and is a different system than the '09.

 

So I drove the white one and I was impressed. It felt really good. I did a bit of research into the black one by making a Toyota owners site which was way overdue since my wife has a 13 Highlander. I plugged in the VIN for both and checked out the service histories. The white one had it's frame replaced in 2018. The black one was inspected, passed and was treated. I've tried to dig up info on the frame warranty but I'm a bit confused as to what the end date is. I'm no lawyer and the way I read it you get 2 years to have the truck inspected, treated/replaced. That'd mean the 09 is done since the frame is replaced but the 10 could be inspected again and potentially pass leaving me with a ticking bomb. That being said, what is the inspection interval?

 

Don't buy either of those.



Don't buy a Tacoma that has had a frame replacement!
Don't buy a 2005 or 2006 Tacoma no matter what!

From there, each year/model/package has good points and bad points.

For $13k, if it was my money, I would look for the best condition, lowest miles, totally stock, never wrecked 2009 or newer TRD Sport 4wd, or TRD Off Road 4wd, 4 door I could find. If possible, 2011+

Beyond that, if it's cold outside and the truck has been sitting all night and you start it and you hear bubbles from under the dashboard.... It's a dead truck.... if you pop the hood and open the oil cap and look in with a flashlight and see oil spraying nice and even your good, if the oil us 'glopping' down or no spray, channels are clogging, if you look at the oil in the differencials and it's grey like a paint marker, that means it's still the original factory oil, jack the whole truck up off the ground by the frame, then grab the top of each wheel and shake the shuat out if it and look for wobbled, put it in 4wd next to a curb, turn the wheel all the way and run the tire over the curb and listen fir noises, creeks... drive it with the AC on for 10-20 minutes, stop the truck, turn it off, feel the AC clutch (if it burns you, the clutch is going bad), have a dealership run the VIN for recalls and see what recall work was and wasnot done... Or just have a mechanic you trust check it out I guess.

 

To jboudreaux1965, What, what are u talking about.
And there is no problem buying one that has a new frame. As long as the body is in good shape.