Advice on 2002 Tacoma Purchase

Hi! I am looking at this stock 2002 V6 RWD stock Tacoma (170k miles, $12.5k) from Northern California, and would love to get everyone's advice with pictures and sound of the engine below:

https://youtu.be/hKVmXp6RLns

170k miles
From purchase to 120k miles, all serviced at Toyota with some of the major ones below:
5/2005: 30k mile service, fuel injection cleaned, power steering pump replaced
8/2005: lower ball joint replaced
4/2011: water pump replaced @ 88k miles
8/2012: brake + differential fluid flushed/changed @ 100k miles
5/2013: power steering fluid changed @ 109k miles
8/2013: induction system / throttle body serviced + cleaned, transmission fluid changed/flushed
@ 112k miles
10/2014: coolant changed/fushed @ 126k miles

Non-Factory Serviced:
3/2015: brake fluid flushed/changed @ 129k
11/2015: vehicle serviced, oil change, body lubricated @ 142k miles

4/2016: throttle body cleaned and serviced (+ other oil change) @ TOYOTA dealer @ 143k
5/2017: oil change @ 150k
(car doesnt seem to be in use much from 2017-2021)
9/2021: coolant change, oil + filter @ 165k
New owner 2024 @ 165k miles

New owner told me he did spark plugs, shocks, coil packs, ("spent almost $3k"). He likes used cars but also gets tired of them and moves on to the next thing (was seen driving a 2021 tacoma)
timing belt and water pump was replaced at 88k and 1/14/2024 (new owner) @ 165k, (aisin was written down for 165k)

 

Personally, I would pass. For $12.5k, you can find a comparable condition TRD 4WD DC with similar mileage. Rather have 4WD and not need it vs need it and not have it.

That’s my opinion.

 

Very clean truck. If it has the locking rear differential it’s a TRD OR 4X2 with the decals removed.

 

Looks like a very clean truck, 12.5k is pretty steep for 2wd though. Maintenance records and overall condition indicates that you shouldn’t have any issues or deferred maintenance to deal with if you choose to buy it. Stock leaf springs may need to be swapped out if you’re going to carry much weight, they look pretty tired as should be expected for the age.

 

Too expensive for a 2wd. Worth 7.5k.

 

Please edit your post to delete all the duplicate pictures.

Clean truck; only thing I saw was the universal joint throwing grease.

 

Looks like possibly a pinion seal leak with the way the oil is slung above the drive shaft. And I second spending $12,500 on a 4WD but definitely looks like a clean truck and well maintained

 

It's certainly clean. Bummer it's not a 4x4. I would probably still seriously consider it. Being me, I would offer him 11k and hope he bites. There's no rust on that thing, so over here on the east coast it would be worth it.

 

Ah, that is the transmission end of the shaft, not the differential!

 

Thanks for all the feedback and sorry for the duplicate pictures (i'll edit now). I agree on trying for a 4x4, but man its been so hard. It would also be for a family member in the northeast. When we try to find them in the northeast, they're in generally rusty conditions at the year and price point.
@Toycoma2021 are you saying theres a leak at the transmission end of the shaft? How much would that cost to repair?
The suspension did seem a little bouncy, even though he said he spent a lot of work on it.. maybe he did not replace the leaf springs.

Unfortunately, he won't take anything lower than 12.5. And it does not have the rear locking.

 

Too much. I couldn’t get 6000 for my taken care of 05 4x4 with a new frame and zero rust anywhere.

 

I would pass too. Keep looking, you’ll find a clean frame in CA regardless. Earlier this year, my uncle bought a 01 TRD DC 4WD with 188k mileage for $13.8k after tax from a family lot in central CA. Has fairly new OME full front and rear suspension/leaf spring with SPC UCA, factory rear elocker, a matching snugtop campershell, Method wheels on 32” tires with bolt on rock sliders. I would say the additional parts on the truck is probably worth 5k. Heck, he drove off the lot with an oil changed and a tank full of gas too. They’re out there, just keep looking.

 

That’s how it is. When you’re looking, you’re under pressure. Thinking someone else will jump on the deal. When you’re not looking, deals are everywhere. Took me a year to find my Tacoma. Viewed several, some in town and some 5 hour drive one way. Ended up buying one 2 hours north of me after I gave up looking. Just so happened, a coworker was like, hey check this one out while I was at work. Went the next day and drove her home.

 

In your 9th picture there is oil or most likely grease on the bottom of the body. This usually comes from universal joints slinging it everywhere. I believe this 2002 MY has grease fittings for the joints so it maybe only the overfill coming out - maybe nothing to repair at all. It could be old grease too, nothing currently happening there at all. It would be best to just check the U-Joints. I do my own work so no idea of cost if something were indeed wrong.

By the way costs of vehicles here in CA are high, but little rust. Seems like a long distance to come for a vehicle, suggest you buy something a bit closer to you. Sounds like a case of the "Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence" syndrome.

 

Get a ppi.