Is this amount of rust OK?

I'm trying to buy my first Tacoma. Is this an acceptable amount of rust for a gold certified 2019 trd sport at a dealer in the midwest? Lemon Squad reported it as minor rust

 

Ohio, normal for a state that lays down road salt in the winter.

 

OK to buy. However, I would get under there with a few bottles of Fluid Film (or like).

This is a 2014 Maryland vehicle that has been prevent-treated for rust.

 

Welcome to the forum. If you really want this one then use the rust as a bargaining chip and either get some cash off or get the dealer to treat it.

 

It depends on where you live? If you live in the North where roads are constantly salted buy it treat it and drive it. If you live in the South leave it alone JMHO.

 

Yes it is ok. Just make sure you clean & Fluid film or wool wax it to reduce further rust.

If you get dealership to do it, make sure to stress to use OIL-BASED under coating, don't get anything rubberized or even paint, painting over rust never works.

 

Dealer is in Cleveland Ohio.
They want $32K w 56K miles.
https://www.westsidetoyota.com/inve...rd-sport-4wd-4d-access-cab-5tfsz5an2kx176242/


OP, realistically, are you going to keep up with anti-rust treatments or just ride it out and let the truck further degrade?

That's the question you need to ask yourself. Because, IMO that rust isn't awesome right now and it's going to get much worse quickly if left alone.

$0.02


(Wasn't that a $32K truck five years ago?)

 

Yes, the level of rust is normal and better than the 2016 I purchased from Luv Toyota in western NY state 2.5 years ago. The used vehicle market began to cool last fall so prices are likely to still be higher than they should be. The response above from @ace_10 is on the mark. I have treated rust for years because we live in Michigan, It can be done but it takes serious dedication and the right tools. I strongly suspect what I uses is superior to Fluid Film and similar products but I have no experience with products of this type. My best results have been with POR-15 products but these add a layer of dedication that many cannot meet to their time constraints and rigor. SEM claims to have come out with competitive products but I cannot recall their name(s).

 

I plan on a level of maintenance and dedication that borders on the obsessive, and will not be owning it in a rust prone area. I have specific requirements I'm looking for and every similar Tacoma I ask about has either just been bought the day before or has carfax redflags. I tried negotiating since it was posted using every car buying coach/youtube advice thing I could find and no dice. If I'm going to get what I want in this market, the moderate overpricing just is what it is at this point

 

OP, if you live in a no-rust area, you don't want to buy rust. Makes no sense. None. Don't do it
Wait for the right truck. It will show up. Patience.

 

Buy a ‘25.

 

Then you know the answer to your question. Keep looking, dont get in a rush. Ski

 

This ^

 

I'm only interested in if the rust on this vehicle is enough to make it a bad purchase. I'm not interested in opinions on how long one should wait or areas one should have it in, but I appreciate the participation.

 

The amount of rust makes it a bad purchase in relation to the asking price. I would expect a clean rust free vehicle given the mileage, year, trim, and options given the $32k asking price.

 

While not condemning, it's pretty darn ugly looking and would take a good bit of work to look "pretty" again. Unfortunately all your neighboring states use the same insane amount of salt.

 

If you are in an area that doesn't use salt and has rust issues don't buy it. You can treat it but it will always continue to slowly rust. Every bolt under it is probably stuck and froze up so working on it will suck and take 10 times longer than it should

 

That rust wouldn’t scare me if the price reflected it. I’m in Canada, so have no idea of the going piece in usd for such trucks. if that truck was treated with fluid film (or equivalent) from new it would still be rust free and worth more.
if the price is the same as a rust free southern truck then I’d pass. But a good bargaining chip.
Also isn’t it missing the second, rearward skid plate? I don’t think the front diff is exposed on my 2022….

 

I didn't mean anything to be as rude as it may have sounded. I've just put a lot of thought and research into the other aspects for quit a while. I just want to make sure I don't have a big rust problem 10 years down the line. Again I will be doing very consistent upkeep and maintenance for rust and everything else, and I'm out of my element trying to gauge rust levels.