Help buying a 2000 Taco *Tips Please*

I am looking at buying a 2000 Tacoma 4x4. It is a V6 5spd. no power windows or locks. It is extended cab and has new 31" tires. Milage is 144,000. The truck spent 95% of it's life in Texas and has NO rust at all. Body and interior are in execelent shape. The price they are asking is $8,700 firm. I have not owned a Tacoma before so I am looking for help on what to look for. Does the price sound right? Milage? Problem areas I swhould be looking at? Any and all help would be great. I am going to look at it tonight. Thanks!

 

That's a very fair price for the truck you described. If everything checks out when you look at it, I'd jump on that. Sounds like a solid Tacoma

 

Is it a TRD ? or base model 4x4 ? If it is as you say thats a great price if TRD, if its a base model there may be some negoiation room there, I don't really have any problem areas with mine, just do the same inspection you'd give any vehicle your looking to buy.....sounds like it could be a real score, let us know !!

 

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. More so if it's a TRD. Either way I'd take a good look as the suspension. Check to see if the leaf springs are past their prime and the struts are still good.

 

Well not sure if it is a TRD. It doesnt say it on the rear bed like the newer ones. Is there something specific in the vin I can look at to see. I will try to post a pic.

 

Seems like a pretty good deal. I would offer 7500$ and go from there. If you can get it for 8k then thats a real good deal.

 

Heres a short vid I did when the grey wire mod was done, if you look,you'll see me push the locking diff. button, this button is one key to identifying your truck as a TRD model...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptFZ6CmI0Bc

 

What about a picture of the rear diff? Some guys can tell if it's the TRD by a shot of the axle from the front/back

 

Some generic stuff I look for:

Make sure everything works. Air/con, cruise control, horn, ebrake, indicator lights, stereo, clutch, brakes etc. Check out the leafs to see how droopy they are. Open the hood check for cleanliness and maintanance. Crawl underneith the truck and look for any leaks you can find around engine, transmission, transfer case etc. Check tie rod ends, ball joints, bearings for play.

Very important to look for DIY mods. Look for how good a job they did. Was it a 'get er done' or well finished job. Any ****** rigging on the truck is a red flag. God knows what else they have been playing with.

The odds are when looking at a used car that you will not see/find everything that is wrong with it. Therefore look for clues. If you are finding little things that are wrong, just think of what the guy selling it to u isnt telling you.

Don't feel rushed when taking it for a test drive.You're the one paying almost $10k, drive at least 30 minutes.

 

This is for sale at a dealership. I only have pics of what they have listed on there site.. So if there is a rear locking dif button then it is a TRD?

 

Yeah. That's a hard one for them to fake or anything. Test the button though and make sure it engages. You'll have to be in 4-Low unless someone has done the "grey wire mod" which you'll see referred to on this forum.

 

Ok so that I am on the right track here. The TRD modles came with a rear diff lock button? Did the SR5 have this option as well?

 

No. TRD Off-Road means it has a rear locker. Standard SR5's have an open diff

 

With it being crank windows and no power locks, I doubt if its a TRD.

 

Good point! Didn't catch that in his initial post.

 

sounds like a good price to me! but never pay what they are asking. start with a low number and move up to meet in the middle of what they want.

 

Make sure you climb under it "if you dont have a mechanic check it out". probably 30% of the trucks i looked at way back when had some sort of leak. Most commonly a little bit of gear oil from between the T-case and Tranny. Also look at where the cv's go into the axle for leaks. Also these trucks are kinda known for rusty exhaust.

 

NO Buy the truck was a total piece of @#$%. Wow pictures do wonders. I wouldn't give the guy $1,500 for it..lol Thanks for all the advice I am still on the look out

 

Kinda wondering how it went from excellent interior /exterior to total shit

in one day ?? You gave the impression that you already knew the condition ,so whats the story ?