Looking for Advice

Hi Everyone,

To kick things off, I am looking for some advice, I currently own a 2022 Tacoma Double Cab Manual TRD Offroad in Army Green outright but am selling it with the financial idea of not having that much money tied up in a depreciating vehicle at my age.

I really like Tacomas and the reliability/functionality that comes with it. This brought me to the idea of buying an older one to replace my new one to hopefully save some cash. As everyone probubly knows, this isn't the easiest thing these days with older generation Tacomas holding their value as well as they do and even increasing in price due to their popularity.

This has led me down the rabbit hole of finding the perfect first or second gen with low mileage, optimally singe or access cab V6 manual 4x4 with minimal rust sub $20k, and the reason I am reaching out to this group for advice. I have found a 1st gen Access Cab at a used car dealership that looks very clean from an initial glance, but some things stand out to me. Queue the insight I am hoping to get from this forum.

The truck is listed as a 2001 Toyota Tacoma Deluxe 3.4L V6 4x4 5 Speed in Super White with 75,753 on the clock. I have attached a picture below for your reference.





From an initial glance, it looks really clean right? I am out of state, outside of days drive away or I would just go and look at it instead. Well here are the things that I am curious about.



First there looks to be some sort of tape on this connection here, not quite sure if this is normal?



Next, correct me if I am wrong but it looks like the majority of the underbody was covered in some sort of spray, not sure but hopefully not just black paint but in the corner of the skid plate it looks like there is a rust whole that was covered up, would you agree?

The shocks also don't seem to stock, correct me if I am wrong?



Here you can see what looks to be more rust or at least flaking on the frame cross bar and once again looks to be covered in some sort of black coating, hopefully not just black paint. Parallel to the frame rail, you are also able to see a good amount of overspray of whatever this coating is.

Then my real concerns start, towards the rear of the truck there looks to be a weld that dosn't look quite factory, almost as if a portion of the frame was replaced. Does this look factory to you or was it redone?



Looking further back, here is another picture of the frame that looks to have been redone, not quite sure if this is normal or if it is something to look out for. There is also a sizable hole in the muffler, I am assuming this part would be easily replaceable.



Here you can see more of what looks like a partial frame replacement. Is this okay structurally or is it something that I should steer away from?



Here you can see more of the holes in the muffler. I am curious to know what you guys think of this U-Bolt plate, does it look like this is messed up? What are your thoughts?



Here you can see more of the overspray, it also looks like there is a good amount of rust flaking on the leaf springs. The interesting part is the rest of the bed and everything else for that matter seems pretty normal, especially for the vehicles age.




Overall as you can see the rest of the vehicle looks to be really good condition. Which is why I am suprised by the frame section replacements and black spray on everything. Overall the vehicles history seems to be pretty solid, original owner has it for two years in Florida averaging 17,109mi/yr. During this ownership, according to CarFax, damage was reported due to natural disaster at 30,000 mi in July of 2003 but registration was still renewed with the state of Florida as having a clean title. The second owner purchased at 40,189 and the vehicle was registered in Kansas averaging 1857mi/yr up until May of 2023 where the vehicle was sold at auction and ended up in this dealers hands. Also noting that the Title History with no Damage Brands or Odometer Brands. I think it is also important to mention that during conversation with the dealer over the phone, they said they only sell clean title vehicles and would not be willing to send me a video to the vehicle running and work with four shops in their area to get vehicles up to sale quality but do not keep track of service records on what they have done.

Overall, what do you guys think. Is this worth my time? Is it even worth checking out. Given that it is far away, I was thinking of paying someone with the company Lemon Squad to review the vehicle prior to flying out to it or putting any money down. I figured it would worth getting insight on this forum prior to that though.

I will update this post if anything else comes to mind. Thanks for your time and I would appreciate any advice, thoughts, recommendations or warnings that you might give me.





If anyone is curious, here is a picture of my current truck. Thanks!

 

If you own the '22 outright I'd just keep it... 1st gen trucks are just getting older, and the list of things you'll have to replace or repair within the first few years of ownership to get a point where you really know what you're driving around is probably larger than you're imaging.

 

Very likely the frame was rotted prior to being fixed. Probably rolled back the odometer too. You've done your homework....now run.

 

Yeah, run away from that one. If you own your current truck outright, why change?

 

Run away now!!!!

 

To me with that few miles....they used it as an RV instead of a daily commuter....

probably to pull/launch a boat....

engine bay kinda backs up the 76K......unless they steam cleaned it....


if so .....your third member, axles, rear hubs, and brakes may be toast....


With your current truck....you know exactly what you have......
and should run worry free for many many years.....

 

You mention age is your body still in good enough shape to do the majority of repairs and maintenance this truck will need?

Any first Generation Tacoma can get real expensive farming out all the Labor.

Something to consider in changing Trucks

 

Very possible, I'd be very wary of a 22-year-old truck with only 76,00 miles on the odometer.

 

The frame probably rusted out (AKA "natural disaster") and has definitely been repaired. A closer inspection is required to determine if it's a good job or not. I wouldn't be as concerned about the coating, I'd chock that one up to "lesson learned" after paying for a frame repair.

Did I miss it or did you never mention asking price?

Mine is an '03 and had 63K when I bought it, sometimes you get lucky, but what other posters are saying is true: 23 years old, it's going to need work, maybe a lot. That's just part of the deal with an older vehicle.

I can't really see it. What should be there is the corner of the skid plate. The other side has a mounting bracket reinforcement bracket on it and is a common place for it to start rusting through; mine has it. The outside of the skid plate is rusted through but the bracket is welded on well and holds pretty strong.

 

I’m in my early 20s so no worry there really

 

the dealer is asking 13,900+ $500 processing fee

 

I would bargain, or keep looking. Honestly I pad that for mine in 2018 but it was the truck I wanted and has a nearly perfect frame.

 

Keep looking.

 

LOL

 

My vote is "NO WAY", don't wast another minute thinking about this truck. Just keep looking if your hell bent on getting a 1st or 2nd gen. One thing to keep in mind is the lower ball joint is the one real weak spot of the 1st Gen Tacomas. Toyota fixed that problem on the 2nd gen. If you could afford to, I'd look at a 2009 or so 2nd gen with low milage. But you will still have to inspect the frame. Good luck in your search.

 

Run

 

$13,900 too much

 

I'd keep the truck you have. You know it's history, and it will serve you well. That older one is definitely cobbled back together. People are so dishonest I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.

IF you are dead set on an older truck, find one you like and buy it BEFORE selling your new one. Drive it for a few months to see if you like it as much and to see if any gremlins pop up. This way you're not stuck with a lemon and out your nice new one. If the old one passes a few months of scrutiny, then reevaluate selling the newer truck.

Still, I highly recommend just keeping the current rig.