New Owner, sketchy seller!!

Hello,

I just bought a 97 toyota tacoma 4x4 V6 a few days ago. Great truck from a sketchy as hell seller off of craigslist. Title is clean, no reported accidents or stolen. Looks great....a few things have me scratching my head. yes i should have ordered a car fax and didnt. I have a few questions....

These cars are not painted black on the bottom from the factory are they? Mine is....the guy of course said he was the original owner. I think they spray paint them black on the bottom from a dealership. Anyways, I also found a piece of masking tape stuck in between the truck bed and the cab on the outside...it had paint the same color as my truck on it. I take it at the factory they dont use masking tape..

The bed of the truck where it meets the cab, the gap is not the same on both sides. I would say one side the gap is maybe 1" bigger. Is this normal? The gaps on the tailgate are not the same either, one is slightly bigger than the other side...tailgate wont close unless you pull the handle. Drivers door, different key lock then the rest of the car. All these things could be explained away or not......the car is 14 years old. These are all things i didnt notice at the time, only later when really looking it over well.

Vin number stickers are all there though, under the hood, on the door jams and match the car. They dont look like they have been taken off and put back on, and they dont look new.

The truck itself rides awesome, runs perfect. Short of taking it in to be inspected is there any other way to make sure the frame is straight or other body checks? Next time car fax, car fax, car fax. Thanks for any help.

 

Take it to a frame shop, they should be able to help ya for relatively cheap. It might have just been in a small accident and the bed may be uneven.

You should always have your shop look over a used car before purchasing, though!! Hopefully you get outta this one okay

 

first, if he/she says they were the original owner, than he/she should be the only person on the title.

second, i would fork over the 30 some bucks for the carfax. you've already spent a few thousand dollars (i would assume), just do it for peace of mind.

third, the paint may have been for a rusty frame. first gens have been known to need more maintenance (rustoleum paint) on the frames to keep them in good condition. pics would help.

last, not real sure about your other problems. heat, wear, time could just be the factor of the small length differences. not real sure though. if it drives great and you're happy, than what's it really mater?!

 

It's a 97... Sure it's had some bruises fixed. Carfax only shows what's reported. And welcome to TW

 

Thanks, ..whatever car i get im on those forums like crazy. Its an awesome help. I love to see pic of these cars too.

 

He was selling it for his grandparents who sadly enough had to move into a retirement home. That was his story at least. 93K miles on a 97...thing is in awesome shape...or at least looks like it. I will go for the carfax.....either that or just bury my head in the sand since the deed is done. I am happy, just bugged me seeing that masking tape....liars on craigslist they are all liars!! ha

 

Carfax is great if the vehicle was in a reported accident. Not every accident is on the paper.


That being said, Carfax is accurate most of the time. Take it to a body guy and have him look at it. He could tell you what was/wasn't done with the truck.

 

Beat me to it!

 

Haha I buy and sell a LOT on Craigslist and have met some awesome people who have given great deals.

Forgot to welcome you earlier, too

Like I said, frame shop. Peace of mind. Carfax helps give peace of mind, but it only shows reported accidents. Even then, there are several thousand examples of people online giving testimonials to incorrect Carfax's. I've always purchased them, though!

 

Yep. I was talking to a "lady" about buying "Her husbands truck" for super cheap because "he died and she couldn't stand to look at it anymore" but then she was living in utah and the truck was in florida and some 3rd party was selling the car for her and i had to make a "fully refundable credit card deposit" to have the truck shipped here so I could see it.
You would think that nobody would play your emotions like that but there are some sick twisted fucks out there.

 

Sorry this is off topic but what part of Oregon are you from?

 

Good old beaverton usa

 

You might have screwed the pooch on this one. Might have to have a frame shop check it out.

 

Welcome to TW!

Like the others said, spend a little money now & find out what the deal is on the truck. Buy a carfax (around $15)on it, then if it doesn't tell you anything take it to a body shop & get their opinion.

Sounds like it may have been bought at an insurance auction, then repaired enough to get it cleared by the dmv to be road worthy. Painting the bottom black, to me sounds like someone trying to cover up some damage.

Next time a little research before you buy. Will help you not get stuck with a damaged vehicle.

 

Wwhhaatt?? What part? I used to live around Walker Rd and 158th but now I'm off of Allen and Hall. Be sure to check out the region section and post up in the Oregon/washington BS thread. Got a few of us from Beaverton, Hillsboro, Portland and a few from Corvallis.

 

Dont get too worried man. It isnt a brand new truck, and sounds like it's good mechanically. I recently bought my Tacoma off craigslist, and 2 days after I got it home the check engine light came on. Now, I know that dude had to have disconnected the battery before i came to look at it to clear the code. I am more honest than that. But I will fix it and be done with it.

 

Ha! I am just down the street. I live on the corner of Hall and 5th, kinda over by the water park/library (behind the Beaverton High school) youll probably see my Red tacoma if you cruise down that way. Ill post up in the oregon threads

 

yeah i know, just pisses me off at myself more than anything for not getting a carfax and not catching some of that stuff.