Buying a 2011 Tacoma

Hi everyone. I’m about to buy a 2011 Tacoma TRD from a local “small” dealer. I’ve been doing some research on this vehicle and i wanted to make sure it’s a true TRD before I pay all this money. I’ve ran auto check and KBB on this vehicle with the vin number and it’s coming up as a sr5 base. (Pic below). The dealer send me a bunch of photos and somethings not adding up. Any advice?

 

It's a TRD with JBL 100%

TRD's all register as Sr5's with options.

 

Yeah? I wonder why it comes up as sr5?

 

Because TRD's are SR5's with lipstick.

 

thank you

 

Big thing, is check the frame before buying, surface rust is fine, but if it has mega rust, walk away.

 

I looked under and it ended up looking pretty decent

 

Remember, "TRD" is marketing. Certain packages and options were only available in a TRD package, but that's still marketing. Capability depends on equipment and your skill. If the rig has the items you want or you can modify it, cough, inexpensively, cough, then it's a good purchase. Badges and inept handling will still leave you stuck. Skill, whether driving or modifying, will save you.

Continue to do your research and have fun!

 

That rear differential and axle is awfully clean compared to the exhaust. My 2011 (in no rust california) still looks worse than that.

 

yeah, if u zoom in on the sticker, you can see over spray black paint. Almost like they painted it

 

some sort of rust preventer? I’ve never had to deal with any rust so I’m woefully uninformed.

 

Yes, true TRD Off-Road.

The overspray on the rear axle is a little concerning, but if it has actually lived in the Bay Area/Sacramento its whole life, rust shouldn't be an issue unless it was used to launch boats into brackish or ocean water.

The price is quite a bit lower than market value currently, so I would also say something seems fishy.

If you do pursue this one, get them to agree to let you take it to a Toyota Dealer for a Pre-Purchase Inspection. This will cost $100-150 and will be WELL WORTH IT if something is wrong with the truck. If nothing shows up, well... It is still worth it because the price is below market!

 

Worth buying a Carfax to see all the work done on truck......I agree, rear axle looks painted and the true rust status is Your exhaust, BUT actually not bad at all
I bought a 2010, with 199k.....Carfax showing all service done by previous owner at Toyota was the deal maker.
And then, thanks to Tacoma world, started down the road of services (Changing all fluids) and improvements......

one thing you want to do pretty quick...(because of picture) I .change your spare.....it’s almost 10 years old (Rot)

good looking truck, looks garage kept, nice detailing by dealer and previous owner took some of the badging off
Tacoma on doors and SR5 on back lid.

check your Cabin filter inside glove box......amazing what you can tell from the condition.

 

Currently they have it listed as $20,500 (internet price) and $22,000 on the lot. It currently has 163k miles.

 

Truck looks very, very original, no modifications.....
carfax will tell you where it first sold and how many owners and how many accidents.....

it’s not fool proof but a good start.....your dealer should actually offer you a copy for free.....they get unlimited for a price......

besides the axle, I guess I was bothered by the new Toyota TRD floor mats......they haven’t seen 160k miles.....

 

Get them down from that.

I bought at 157k in Roseville / Sacramento for well under 20k after some fun haggling.

Tell them some things seem to be covered up with overspray like noted above and find some nicks here and there you can complain about and get them to come down a bit.

Most of all, test drive it and feel out the transmission / life of the truck. When I test drove mine I dug into it off a stop and feather footed it as well.. both times I felt the transmission and overall drivetrain was 2x as solid as my Hyundai Accent I traded in for it at 90k miles.

Just broke 20k miles with my truck and she just keeps chugging so far.

Good luck.

 

Insane used Tacoma prices these days. That mean I would be able to sell mine for a gazillion monies

 

Unbelievable price. I bought my '11 Off Road New in 2010 with essentially the same equipment as on this truck and paid about 29k.

 

Not a prerunner.

 

Same here: 2011 purchased new in January 2011 for 29k before TTL.