Is it worth it

I'm looking at a preowned 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 double cab. 137k miles. One owner, Texas truck so no rust. Asking price is 17,300 + TTL. That's rock bottom and they won't budge any lower. What do y'all think?

 

It’s not the worst Toyota tax I’ve ever seen.

I’d make damn sure I looked underneath MYSELF.

 

What price range are you seeing a comparable truck go for? Everything has been through the roof here lately with everyone doing overlanding and road trips.

 

Here’s how I look at it -

I have a 2011 TRD Sport DCLB 4x4 with 138,000 miles. If I had to rebuy my truck knowing that it was well maintained and rust free I’d probably take a shot at it for ~$17300.

Figure a 2013 has another 10 years minimum and another 100k minimum before you start getting into “high mileage” Toyota territory.

That’s $1730 a year for a truck you can be reasonably certain won’t have major engine or transmission issues.

Edit: I’ll bet you’ll have $1500-3000 worth of suspension related fixes (LCA, ball joints, etc.) in the first couple years. Add another $250-300 for full fluids/filters/plugs/belt/etc. for post purchase maintenance. Still worth it when compared to the price of a new truck.

The Toyota tax does interesting things to realized and perceived values. It’s both bad and good.

If you can get 10 years out of that truck it will be an exceptional comparative value. If you only use it for 5 and then buy something else - much less of a value.

 

I went to look already. Truck looks clean. I will need to flush all the fluids, change some pulleys and the belt. Seats are in decent condition. Paint and body is so so. Small dings and dents here and there, that are poorly touched up. Asking price is 17,500 and they're not willing to negotiate. Playing the numbers game now.

 

have they kept up oil changes and maintenance on the vehicle? Proof?

 

It's a mystery. No proof.

 

i assume you have already opened a toyota owners account and punched the vin in

 

I'm not sure how that works. Can you shine some light?

 

Open the oil cap and look down in at the timing chain sprocket if theres alot of sludgy buildup theres a good chance oil changes were neglected, a little light brown buildup is normal but if it's black and nasty looking I'd pass. Pull the oil dipstick as well and look for black buildup.

 

Did a visual inspection and the oil looks good. Brake fluid and power stirring are yellow and topped off. Coolant is pink and topped off.

 

Yep you definitely need to check the Vin and do a carfax to find out some history on the truck before pulling the trigger. Make sure it hasn't been in a major accident, how many owners, etc...
Well worth spending a few bucks on a carfax to find out everything you can on the truck. When I was truck shopping I probably paid for 10 carfaxes until I found the right truck. That truck may have spent half its life in the rust belt. You never know until you check.

 

I'll make sure to pull a carfax. How much do you think the truck is worth?

 

You should've asked the dealer for the carfax. They have to provide that to you. That should shed some light on the info you need. In October I bought a 2013 Tacoma TSS 4X4 package (Charles Maund Austin,TX), at the time it had 18,500 miles, currently sitting at 21,600. Out the door @ $30,000. Not too bad IMO. I feel like you could do better, but like the others say. If maintenance is good then it's worth a gamble.

 

This is from a private party so I would have to pull the carfax myself. I've been negotiating but he won't budge a penny.

 

Here is a outside view more or less. This is in Hutto, TX. So the numbers would be fairly similar.

 

Here is private party.

 

If he's still not willing to budge, I would just look for something else. It's ballpark. But your call bud. Good luck!

 

Not sure how the market is in Hutto but Houston prices for SUV and trucks have been through the roof lately. GX470, GX460, 4runner, and Tacoma resale value have been unreal. Seems like it's a trend right now.

 

Hutto is just outside of Austin. So the numbers would be relative. Just KBB with the mileage and package and throw in your ZIP. I understand that "Toyota Tax," though. But I will say I love my taco. Just enough of everything for me, super versatile.