how these trucks weather in nj vs cale

I've got a question I cant seem to figure out. I'm moving to cali from nj in a month and would like to buy a taco for being out there. I found 2003 taco in good shape (for nj) with a great owner for 9k, (plus 1k eventually to ship it out), and I see that I can buy a similar one in cali for about 10k (from what I can tell on CL). Would the cali one be in significantly better shape from weather alone?

 

NJ winters take a toll on Taco frames!! if the '03 is in good condition mechanically and has a rust-free frame (has it been inspected and undercoated by Toyota?) than imo its fine to buy the one here.

also, I thought Cali prices were considerably higher than east coast but I may be totally off base..

Good Luck!! and welcome to TW

 

Most of the 1st gens I looked at here were pricey......
For 4k more I bought a truck off the lot at the Toyota dealership that was 2yrs old and 20k miles on her.

 

Thanks! it has been inspected by toyota and undercoated. Should I expect that to last about as long as one that didnt need that in good weather?

and as for buying a newer one, i'd prefer the 1st gen because I found the new one to be bulky for what I need it for

 

Wasn't steering ya away from a 1st gen.... They are tanks!

Just given ya a reference..... The 2nd gen came with 100k warranty and tow package which the 1st gen didn't.... They are like gold around here

 

From living in the midwest most of my life, then moving to CA I know that rust is KING. I agree with those before me: if there's no rust than go for it. If there is... heaven help you.

I brought a Honda CR-V out here after I moved and pieces have been slowly falling off of the exhaust system ever since. I got my Taco out here and haven't regretted it.

 

If the truck you're looking at has already been inspected and coated than it is a winner in my book! It's basically a guaranteed frame and you are covered until 2018!

 

thanks, great to know!

the frame looks good although one of the support columns? (just behind the front axle) does have a bit of rust and was not coated. other than that the rear differential has some rust and gas tank plate is pretty rotted, but everything else looks clean.

thanks for everyone's help, tacoma here I come!

 

I saw that happen when I worked at a dealer, the tech forgot to coat the crossmember behind the front axle and it ended up rusting through and qualifying for a new frame! You might get lucky and get a nice new frame soon!

 

good to know. one more question, should I be worried about the rotting gas tank skid plate? I called the dealership and they said a new one costs 480 which seems a bit ridiculous

 

if its mostly surface rust just remove it, wire wheel, and paint (thats what i did).. but if its rotted through then you could maybe snag one from a junk yard or make one.. there are a few threads on making one

 

thanks for all the help, taco's been bought!

one last question: when I was getting records of the frame inspection/undercoating from the dealership they plead ignorance on the 15 year warranty and made it sound like a completely unrealistic rumor. Is there anywhere that toyota states the warranty that I could show them if I ever need to?

 

My dealer gave me the same line on the frame of my 03. It was undercoated by Toyota before i bought it (confirmed by the dealer - but badly done, in my option) and therefore covered until 2018 as I understand it. This is the same dealer that replaced the frame on my 01 last year which was not undercoated. They said the warranty thing ended 12/31/12. Anyone have a definitive answer?

 

Contact Toyota customer service and talk to them about it. When I called Toyota I received an answer stating that my vehicle was covered under the 15 year ext warranty and got a reference number. It stated on the email that if I was having trouble at a dealer to simply call back (to Toyota with the reference number in the email) and provide the dealer information.