Thoughts - 2004 4x4 at dealer

Test drove a 2004 Tacoma at the dealer today. At the time that I drove it, it had not yet been inspected by the dealer mechanics.

Specs:
2004
V6
4x4
Extended Cab
174000 Miles - yes, 174000
TRD Off Road Package, locker does not function
Dealer is asking $10,000.

However, it just failed inspection. Will cost $1000 in parts + labor to pass.

I'm thinking the previous owner was a volunteer firefighter, because of the miles and there was wiring from the battery running to a dome light (removed), possibly to a CB (removed), and a cell phone charger. The owner must have been a smoker, because it does smell like cigarettes. That's not a huge issue to me.

It drove straight, 4x4 worked, engine was strong, belts make some noise, power steering seemed just slightly rough, locker will not engage and tailgate is broke. The truck is not as beat up as it may seem.

Is this worth pursuing? We have until tomorrow morning to commit before the dealer puts it up for auction as is.

I know I will not pay the $10,000 the dealer is asking.

Thoughts?

Edit:
Automatic Transmission
Located in Central MO
Edmunds pricing from $7000-8000 - rough to average condition
KBB in Excellent Condition is $12,500
Basic inspection of the frame showed no rust issues

 

Make an offer. Worst he can say is no and you haven't lost a thing.

 

Thoughts on an offer?

 

I got my 04 for 8500 with 89k miles FWIW
that was also private seller. and it didn't have any problems...

just to give you an idea...
what does kbb say?

 

Edmunds says around $7000-$8000
KBB gave a price for 'Excellent condition', which was $12,500. It's in rough to average condition.

 

I'd pass on it...too many miles.

 

i'd make an offer of around $8200 with them fixing the locker and see what they say.

 

X2 a lot of unknown miles

 

Did you check underneth for rust?

 

I understand what you're saying, but these trucks are hard to come by. Could be another long wait.

Briefly. No obvious signs of rust, but yes, I would need to further inspect it.

 

x3. The wait is worth it to get something better imo

 

I fully understand your opinion. However I've looked for the past year at local dealers, craigslist and classified ads in the paper. This is the first one to come on the market.

Here's the bottom line:
I want to get it, but I feel that doing so would be impulsive. Chances are it's fine (aside from the issues previously mentioned). If I'm making a mistake, I need to be talked out of it.

 

I've got an email out to the dealer asking what specifically is holding the truck back from passing inspection. I've also asked him if I could take the truck to a private inspection facility tomorrow morning to get a second evaluation.

 

Oh yeah get a carfax on it.
def worth it, stopped me from buying a truck with
a rolled odometer, and a bent frame!

 

if the locker is fucked, then the truck was used and abused. what elese is messed up? trans next? transfer case? wait for one with no issues and less miles for that price. im looking into some with similar miles and $2k less than this one.

 

Not necessarily abused. My locker bit the dust a few months ago, and I hadn't 'abused' it. They can go bad.

Yes. Tried for over 5 minutes. Did not hear the actuator cycling - electronic hookup could be disconnected. I'll check that out.

 

Just drove out to the dealer.
Here's some pictures.

 

PASS. At that mileage you're going to be rebuilding the whole truck.....eventually and it will cost as much as just buying a trouble free new (or alot newer) one.

If you could get that truck for NO MORE than $5,500 go for it because you WILL spend thousands to fix it over time and then you're stuck with an old high mileage truck that NO ONE will want.

Isn't the interest rate alot higher for a used vehicle than new?

Buy a used truck from an original owner; at least you can size up the owner and maybe he has receipts for work done.

Ya. $10,000 is ALOt of money for that.

 

Way too many miles for that price along with repairs that will be needed in the future....keep looking and I'm sure something will turn up eventually.

 

I'd have concerns with the mileage. That's a lot of wear on bushings and bearings etc. How is the suspension? If original, you can easily dump a grand right there. Has the T-belt (plus h2o pump) ever been done? Due every 90k, about $500 in labor). Power steering rough? Pump? Rack? How's the exhaust? Close to rusted through? Tires? Cha ching cha ching cha ching.