Should I Buy this Tacoma??

New member, interested in buying a Tacoma.

So I've just started thinking about a small pickup to haul home improvement stuff, take things to dump, help family with projects and haul around my road bike. Happened upon a 2000 DLX single cab 4x4 in immaculate condition. 150,000 miles, clean as a whistle, seller states all maintenance records available, has a clean CarFax and AutoCheck (for what it's worth), garage kept. Seller is asking $3,500 FIRM and stated price is not negotiable.

Here's the photos....
http://s102.photobucket.com/user/PeteSTV/library/?sort=9&page=1

A few red flags in my eyes:
1) The truck is exceptionally clean for the year and mileage
2) Carpet looks new and does not match rest of interior (un-reported flood damage??)
3) Guy is in a rush to sell (family reasons)before he comes back to town (could be totally legitimate reasons)
4) Price seems very low - Other Tacoma's in the area are selling higher and in much poorer condition.

What do you guys think. I really like the truck, other than the stated concerns. Any input would be appreciated.

 

I've never seen that color carpet with a tan interior. Doesn't necessarily mean there is anything wrong though. Looks pretty clean underneath. I lost a 2000 to the rust recall, so I would be concerned about the frame. The recall is over for this model year. Has it spent its life out of cold weather states? Thes rush to sell does not have to be your rush to buy.

 

Scam!

 

I bet it's on Craig's list . They always post that they are out of town or on a different country and will ask you for money at one point .

 

Yes, I first saw it on Craigslist. Also he put it on ebay for "Buy it Now" at $3,500. The seller has answered nearly all my questions and seems genuine. Looks like it was purchased in 2002 with around 28k miles on it and has been with the same owner ever since. Could it be that this guy is just completely anal about his vehicles?? I really want it to be legit, but I have my doubts.

 

Did you take the pics?Have you walked around and looked under the truck? Have you driven it? How does he want you to pay?

 

Scam.

 

I've never bought a used vehicle online, so I'm a little naive. His eBay feedback is spotless, no prior vehicles though.

Here's the text of the auction:

THIS IS MY 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA REGULAR CAB 4X4 PICKUP. THIS TACOMA IS IN GREAT CONDITION FOR THE YEAR AND MILES. I TOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE BOTH COSMETICALLY AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, MECHANICALLY. THIS TRUCK IS IN IMMACULATE SHAPE & DRIVES AS GREAT AS IT LOOKS, AS YOU WILL SEE IN THE PICTURES. THIS TACOMA BEING A REGULAR CAB, 4X4, 5 SPEED WOULD MAKE A PERFECT HUNTING TRUCK OR EVERYDAY DRIVER.
LOCKING FRONT HUBS
BLACK BRUSH GUARD
31 IN. OPEN COUNTRY TOYO HT TIRES
SPRAY-IN BED LINER
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
DRIVER/PASSENGER AIRBAG
EXCEPTIONALLY CLEAN INSIDE, OUT & UNDERNEATH

THIS TACOMA IS WHITE IN COLOR WITH CHROME BUMPERS & BLACK OVERLAYS WITH BLACK SIDE MIRRORS & DOOR HANDLES. MOUNTED TO THE FRONT OF THIS TRUCK IS A BLACK POLAR BEAR GRILLE GUARD BY ELEGANT USA. THE BRUSH GUARD GIVES THIS TRUCK A RUGGED LOOK WITHOUT BEING TOO RADICAL BUT IT CAN BE REMOVED IF THE BUYER CHOOSES. THIS TACOMA ALSO HAS A LINEX SPRAY-IN BED-LINER, FACTORY ALLOY WHEELS WITH LOCKING HUBS. THE WHEELS ARE 31X10.50X16 OPEN COUNTRY TOYO HT TIRES WITH 85% TREAD.

THE INTERIOR OF THIS 2000 TACOMA IS CLEAN AND IN MINT CONDITION. THE DOE SKIN TAN CARPET IS SHOWS ZERO STAINS. THE DARK TAN CLOTH SEATS ARE ALSO CLEAN AND HAVE NO RIPS OR TEARS. THE A/C ON THIS TACOMA BLOWS ICE COLD. THE PHOTOS BELOW WILL SHOW EVERY PART OF THE INTERIOR SO YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF HOW EXTREMELY CLEAN AND VERY WELL KEPT THIS TACOMA TRULY IS. THIS TRUCK HAS MANUAL LOCKS, WINDOWS AND MIRRORS. CD PLAYER.

ALL POWER OPTIONS WORK PROPERLY. I HAVE ALL BOOKS AND RECORDS AVAILABLE, NO ACCIDENTS, NON-SMOKER, GARAGED KEPT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK. I AM NOT INTERESTED IN ANY TRADES. I CAN ASSIST WITH SHIPPING/DELIVERY OF THE TRUCK WITHIN A 100 MILE RADIUS FROM OUR RESIDENCE. FOR FURTHER DISTANCES PLEASE CONSIDER LOCAL PICK-UP OR ARRANGE SHIPPING.[/I]

 

1) It does look really clean but not unheard of. I ran into a few 1st gens with less than 80K miles original owners. I've even ran across an 88 with 137K og miles.
2) Looks like the truck has been detailed. If you look at the frame, looks like it's been sprayed and wiped down. As far as the carpet goes, it does not match the interior at all. Interior is gray and carpet is tan. My 1st gen has tan everything. Possibility that the carpet has been changed.
3) Is he really in that rush to sell to put an auction up? I've sold cars on craigslist within a couple of days myself.
4) This is the tricky part, price seems ultra low. I've seen pos late 80's to early 90's toyota posted for around $2k-$3k though it doesn't mean it's gonna sell for that but this one, shady low.

 

I bought all four of my Tacomas off eBay. Two were dealers, two private. No money changed hands until I inspected the vehicles. I had to travel 100 miles or so for each. I would have walked away if I didn't think any of them was a fair deal. But, It can be risky. I missed a few flaws on my current truck, and it cost money to fix it up. That was a private sale, and either the owner was ignorant of the problem (unlikely, in my opinion) or did not disclose all the facts. Carfax did not indicate any problems, and did not show an accident record which turned out to be fairly serious. Proceed with caution, and don't be pressured into anything. You can buy a vehicle any day of the week, if not this one, they'll be another along soon enough.

 

I think I'll just let this one pass. As good as it looks, I just don't feel comfortable enough to take the risk. I don't really need a truck, but it sure would come in handy every now and then. A Tacoma is definitely on the top of my list, though.

Thanks for the replies. I'm gonna keep searching. Maybe I'll be back as a Tacoma owner at some point!

 

as DriverSound mentioned. to me it also looks like the frame was "sprayed" with something and they also got the rear axle and all the shocks/driveshaft, but missed the front driveshaft.

also the brushguard looks "off" to me like it's been hit or the brackets were done wrong, the light cover section should be more horizontal.

the interior is "tan" but with that carpet it make it appear grey, you have to look about 75% of the way through pictures to see the stickshift and realize it

looks like a new rear bumper and possibly fronts as there are no "minor" scratches or imperfections anywhere, odd for a 14 yr old truck. especially when the bedliner looks well used.

it doesn't hurt to look but definitely check under the front and get up in the frame with a little tap hammer, I saw some indications in the middle frame where rust was painted over.

 

I dont think the 2000 had anti lock brakes. In fact, I think only the 2004 did IIRC. Other than that no real red flags... Either a good scam or legit but owner doesn't know what its worth (or what anti lock brakes are).

 

From that carpet alone.... pass!