2nd Gen Purchase Question

Hey guys, I’m purchasing a 2008 Sr5 and I just have a question on if I’m getting a good deal or not (I think I am). I’m going to attach pictures so I can hear some of your judgement calls. The truck was listed for 15k, I offered 13k and we eventually worked to 13.5. The truck has 191k miles on it, which I don’t love, but I know the reliability on the v6 so it’s not the biggest deal. There isn’t a lick of rust on the frame, and there’s a bible of service records on this truck. The guy is in the army, and selling it because he’s having another child and needs something bigger.

It’s a Florida truck through and through, clean title and no accidents. The frame has been coated with sealant every spring for the past 5 years. Within the last few months he has done both front bearings, rotors and brakes, all new Pulleys/Belt, and new Battery. There’s a 4.5” spindle lift on it, and the rest is OEM. Yes it is a 2WD, but I live in Florida and only tow a 1000lb skiff and I towed with a 2WD before this and have never slipped. It fits what I need. I’ve looked for a month now since somebody totaled my last 2008, and to me this is the best deal I’ve seen and the best condition truck I’ve found, regardless of the mileage. Let me know what you think, I’m inclined here to not feel that I’m being taken for a ride.

 

The lift kit imo adds zero value or minimal at best. It’s a 10k truck.

 

That’s not my market though. I haven’t found a 10k Tacoma in the entire state of Florida that has less than 250k miles on it and a busted frame. And I would have added the lift aftermarket myself. So it factors into the purchase for me if I don’t need to do the work separately.

 

I got my 06 sr5 when it was 10 years old with 63,000 on the odo for 18k and the truck you’re looking at seems to be in similar condition which isn’t bad considering it has about 40,000 more than mine currently. I think you might be able to talk them down because they’re almost at 200k but they’re probably asking extra for the aftermarket parts. I’m not too mechanically inclined so take this with a grain of salt but assuming it has a clean title and no major structural or mechanical issues it sounds like you’re not far off with the price.

 

Then if you’re happy with the price buy it. It definitely looks clean in the pics.

 

Also I never buy anything that I’m not willing to walk away from. My offer would be 12k cash or walk.

 

Price feels high to me, not insane but more than I'd want to pay. And I live in what is arguably the highest priced market for these trucks. If the truck was 4wd or a newer year or lower mileage then that price would be good.

That said, it's hard finding these in the condition, price, miles... etc that you want. There are a lot of trucks out there but not always a lot of good, realistic candidates to purchase. Sometimes you just gotta buy what you can, when you can. But if you can wait, I would.

 

This is fair but I need this truck. I’ve been out a truck for a month and a half due to my accident and this is probably the only up-to-par truck I’ve been able to find near this price (condition wise and maintenance wise). I’m inclined to pay this because of how the Florida market is and the urgency that I do need a vehicle. Price also does feel a tad steep to me which is why I’m trying to feel out if I’m overpaying while trying to balance the necessity of purchasing a vehicle.

 

Id say 12k it is clean though. Your call

 

I’m kind of there with you, which is why I broached the topic. It’s not ridiculously overpriced to me, but my gut does say I am overpaying slightly. I’m also trying to balance the fact that I’ve been out of a vehicle for a month and a half due to my accident and really haven’t been able to find something near this condition and in this price range.

 

This is a tough because your making an emotional purchase. Which you should never do but I understand your situation.

 

Yeah that’s where I’m at as well. I know it’s now sliding into that region so I’m at a standstill here.

 

I say go for it if you can afford it!!

Clean frame, clean interior, service records that show it was well taken care of and a good Taco year! It's over priced slightly for a 2wd but if you can live with that then I'd say it's not a terrible deal!

 

Insurance paid me out around 17k for my last truck so I’m actually walking away with something here. Granted I could probably reach upwards a little but I’m not looking to blow every dime from insurance. I was looking for a 4WD but I sold my last 4WD because I never used it a single time towing my skiff so to me the maintenance felt like a waste when I’m not trail-crawling even a single time per year. Sure it’s nice to have the peace of mind but I haven’t ever had the need for it. My last taco didn’t even have the tow package and I never had a problem with my boat, and that was with adding a hitch harness to the frame lol.

 

good maintenance records, looks pristine, no seriously damaging aftermarket mods that can't be undone

If you can get him down any more, or you're okay slightly overpaying for exactly what you need, I say go for it. It might be slightly overvalued, but I'd rather overpay for something that is exactly what I need/what, then pay less and get something that could be a maintenance nightmare.

Definitely wouldn't say you're being taken for a ride...truck seems legit, just a hair overpriced.

 

Lucky! When I totalled my Taco a little over a year ago I got 13k

 

Oh it was a nightmare getting this done. I had to hire a third party adjuster and an attorney because of how much they undershot my truck because of the work I did to it personally myself. New alternator, new gaskets, new pumps, new serp belt, all new pulleys, new tires, new control arms, and the geico idiot still came out and put it 2k under what I had just done to it lol. I bought the truck 11 months ago and someone destroyed it last month, two weeks after I did all this work.

 

Dang that sucks!

 

all good, the kid was 16 and he made a dumb mistake. I’m probably coming out better in the end and I’m happy nobody was killed. Things can be replaced, lives definitely cannot.

 

I was thankful someone caught the guy on dash cam running the red light when my accident happened!