Is it worth buying???

So I'm new here and looking for my first Taco. I found a "mechanics special", and was wondering if you all think I should run away or is it a decent deal and pretty easy to resolve issue. It looks real clean with some upgrades, and I can do some basic wrenchin' but not a mechanic(I'm a I.T. Nerd). So here is the listing I found and I attached the mechanics notes...

2007 Tacoma
$13,500
Up for sale is my 2007 Toyota tacoma.
4x4 double cab 6ft bed
*4.0 v6 A/T 174,755 miles
*Magnuson trd supercharger with k&n intake.
*Full dual exhaust headers back
*Fabtech uniball uca's with icon coilovers.
*Bilstein rear shocks with upgraded spring pack.
*Method race wheels on 35" Firestone destinations
*Fiberglass offroad front fenders, N fab off road tube bumpers
* Snugtop pro contractor topper. Still have the tailgate and I also have a bed roll bar.

Truck ran great up until the starter blew up and ruined the flexplate. Installed a new plate,starter and rear main seal got everything back together. Ran fine for a couple days then CEL lights for o2 sensors started popping up and it started running rich causing misfire. Took it to a local shop and they think the tune got messed up somehow(attached is a picture of what the mechanic found). The truck still starts and drives but the plugs will foul up. Don't have time to mess with it so my loss is your gain. Serious inquiries only price is firm.

 

Seems odd that the owner didn’t try to reflash the ECM?
Maybe @Torspd has dealt with these codes?
I personally would not buy someone else problem.

I got enough problems already, and I didn’t have buy them. Yikes.

 

He’s had more problems with it than that. That’s why he dumping it. He’s feed up, tired of putting money into it.

 

I was just curious if it looks somewhat fixable and what would it May take to resolve?
I was more afraid of finding out something more computer based issues. It's a shame because it's really clean looking on the outside, but don't want months and thousands of cheddar in troubleshooting and still not having it run right.

 

If I were to buy that truck, I'd assume I'd immediately be as a precaution/in an attempt to fix it:

- Read the entire supercharger thread on here
- Verify injectors are correct for the blower, if not replace
- Verify vacuum line routing
- Replace fuel pump, as a precaution
- Get HPTuners and tune, reflash the ECU
- Replace plugs
- Maybe replace 02 sensors, definitely inspect/test them
- Pray that that fixes all the issues
- If not, cry for days.

Are you prepped for dumping possibly a couple thousand in to chase some issues?

For a supercharged truck it's not a great price, definitely a gamble. That price is more of a running perfect price.

 

If this vehicle has lived in snow/salt country, anytime during it's life, more than 2 winters, I'd be just as concerned to check out the frame for rot as any of the other stuff.

You say you are not a mechanic. If this is a toy for you, you have storage space, time and patience, it could be a great learning experience. Likely expensive though.

Or it could be a steaming pile you wish you could bury.

A pre purchase inspection by a competent independent mechanic you trust is a must before buying. At 174 k with an SC, it needs a compression and leakdown test as part of that exercise.

 

Doesn't look like a good idea OP unless you have something else to drive and take that Tacoma on as a project. Although that seems like a lot to be paying for a project truck. Where is it located at?

 

OP, do a Kelly Blue Book search on that. Using a few of the general parameters in your note, I come out with $7K to $9K. I understand those values can be off but that tells me that this truck is way over priced. He also says the price is firm. Personally, I would walk. But I fully realize that is just me.

 

if you’re a shade tree mechanic and love a good project then maybe.... if he cuts that price by about 1/2.

For my part..... nope. No way, no how!

 

Never hurts to make an offer if you say to them you dont want to insult them. If they have a problem, ok...

 

KBB and NADA results can be off the make sometimes on Tacomas. Just like the the Carvana thread. My truck is a 06 DCSB 4x4 TRD sport and KBB has my truck in $8800 - $11000 private party and less on trade in. NADA has it being $8800 - $10700 trade in. Universal Toyota had my truck at $10400 trade but they didn't have what I wanted. Probably for the best. Carvana was $8200. Although my truck isn't stock but that might be a minus on those numbers.

 

I totally agree with you. And that was my point -- the numbers can be off and we all know that. However, $13,500 appears to be way off and too high for a car with unknown gremlins that you will have to pay a fair mount to diagnose and repair properly. Could be straightforward -- or it could be a nightmare. For that price I don't want the risk.

 

Inspect frame for bad rust.

Compression test and leak down. That'll determine how the spark plugs look, and cylinder/headgasket health.

Look at vacuum hoses. Probably some old and cracked ones.

Inspect engine and exhaust for additional mods, burned sensor wires.

Check fuses/ and see if the URD fuel pump kit has been installed. Notable by the external fuel filter.

 

A non running truck at that price Mom or wife is harping sell that dam truck .

If you want the fun offer 1/3 of the asking price

OP it all comes down to your skills.

Working through 1 code at a Time I had a project like that it took about $5,000.00 in parts if I needed to pay labor maybe an easy $8,000 more My 92 4Runner has a easy $20,000.00 completely stock

Great vehicle now but if I had put it towards newer Tacoma .

 

Short answer, run away.

 

Offer him 10k and hope for the best. Guy might be an idiot and if its fouling the plugs it's a computer issue. You only live once and the supercharger itself costs half the value of the truck.

 

Never would I have imagined to see a "mechanics special" go for five figures. Either I'm now an old fart that complains about the days when I could have dinner and a movie for a nickel, or everyone else is insane for thinking 14 Grand is a good price for a broken ass truck.

Considering that's almost half the asking of a brand new truck with 0 miles and a warranty, I don't think I'm in old fart territory just yet. Not even close to a good price, in my opinion.

 

https://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto/d/ankeny-mechanics-special-supercharged/7177655144.html

 

Even if it needs a motor it's worth 10k. Find one line that for cheaper

 

If that is true my 07 is for sale, It should worth at least $15K based on this. I have no known mechanical issues and fully expect at least 300,000 miles out of mine. True value is around $8000. It's worth more than that to me so I keep it as a 3rd vehicle. But if someone will give me $15K for it they can have it. That's almost 60% of what I paid for it 13 years ago.