HELP. Buying a Tacoma, how bad is this RUST FRAME?

option 1: Seller is selling tacoma, but underneath looks a little rough. I talked him down to 8700, but still hesitant. How bad is the rust? 208K Miles

2006 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Manual V6 4x4


Second option: 05 tacoma 235k miles
also has frame rust, here are some pics of that one. going for $9800

What do you all think? Should i buy either one of these or wait for a less rusted one? This is kind of my budget range, so it makes it difficult.

 

If don't need the truck now and can afford to wait for something better to come along then I'd pass on these trucks. If you absolutely need the truck now I'd go with the first option. Just my opinion

 

X2

 

x3

2nd option is a hard pass.

 

I’d keep searching, I’d consider more options if you want to stick in that price range for a midsized truck, well maintained 1st gen’s, pickups, other manufacturers midsized trucks in your area..

 

What makes the 2nd option a hard pass? Just curious...

Dealership said and i quote:"the peeling that you see is the rust protection that was sprayed underneath. we bought it like that."

 

lipstick on a pig

 

Are any of them eligible for a frame recall?

 

Whenever I see something like that I say to myself, "Hell no!"

 

All you need is the VIN and Toyota's website. Don't trust the used car dealers.

 

how long do you think # 1 would last?

 

1st one there are no recalls for that truck. 2nd one, dont have the vin as its on craigslist

 

At this point, I don't think there's a 2nd Gen that qualifies for the recall. It's been too long.

The 2nd truck bothers me more because even though it's been coated, at this point, the coating is holding more moisture than it's preventing.

 

Welcome to the forum

Option #1 at least looks like an "honest" truck - that is the seller hasn't done anything to camouflage any rust damage.
However, what is this?



Option #2 is not worth your time or money, hard pass.

There is already a hole in the frame and I'm betting a good smack with a hammer and there would be a hole in that body mount.



As a general rule, never buy a vehicle with a recent "undercoat" job, this was done make the frame look nice for about 6 months, eventually the rust that the undercoat was sprayed on lets go and the real (bad) condition of the frame is visible.

Note: Undercoat - a rubber or asphalt like product is different from oil or wax based products like Fluid Film or Cosmoline.

 

Back in the day I thought undercoating was the shit. Now I know better. Live and learn.

 

1st looks okay
2 nd looks like it’s delaminated already
But the pic @RustyGreen pointed out is not good.
Might want to pass on both.

 

So they got it cheap as hell at auction...

 

That 5th picture would be the deal breaker for me.

 

In the old days the factory or dealer applied undercoating on new cars was a very durable product, it was made of all the chemicals they can't use anymore.

 

dead serious, that was the point i started shopping 1990-2011 ford rangers. most of them can be had for $1k-6k, with almost identical condition, but it leaves the rest of the amount for either correcting the problems, or saving for something better later. i chose to do both, which netted me a slightly better resale when i gave it up for the tacoma i really wanted later on.

i would never pay $8-10k for that, but paying $3k for that is acceptable