Potential Tacoma owner w/ questions

First and foremost, Happy 4th to all! Regardless of the current state of America, this is an awesome country we live in.

To begin; I am a long time Jeep owner (20+ years), I've built them to go fast and slow, however, I've always had my eye on a Tacoma.
So this past week I started my search for a 2005-2010 and found a 2005 TRD Sport AC 4wd in white with 72k on the OD priced @ $14,500. Truck was purchased new in PA and spent it's life in WV. The car fax doesn't show much, other than standard WV annual inspections, several warranty recalls (seat belt, leaf springs, etc..). The dealer selling the truck purchased from an auto auction and knows nothing of its history. I placed a call to the dealership in WV, Dan Cava Toyota World, where all service and recall work was performed and requested service history. Service manager ran the VIN and advised of frame replacement in January of '15.

I've inspected the underside of the truck, definite signs of rust on trailer hitch, hitch support, rear fender/body supports, rear axle housing and third-member, shocks, and surface rust else where. Frame is new, no question-- along with leaf springs, shackles, body bushings, all brake lines, fuel lines, misc. bolts, and lower control arms, etc. Truck drives great, I would not have guessed it had a new frame installed.

Problems:

• AC does not work--I'm thinking compressor. Dealer has agreed to fix.
• Wheels are corroding--dealer has agreed to repair or replace with new.
• Unknown steering wheel shimmy @ 45-55mph; feels like tire balance. Dealer has agreed to balance or replace tires.
• Will not shift from Drive to 4-3-L. I am guessing this is a linkage adjustment.
• Right rear brake line is leaking @ axle.

Several questions:

• What is Toyota's warranty on frame replacement labor/parts installed? (i.e.: above mentioned shift linkage and brake lines...)
• I'm hesitant to purchase this truck because of the extensive work performed, however, I also view this as a complete rebuild and see possible benefits to this overhaul. Thoughts?
• Truck was not driven much (7.25k per year average). Thoughts?
• I've inspected the crankcase oil, all smells and looks ok--nothing regarding motor or trans is in question--thoughts or suggestions?

Picture has been attached--camper and running boards come off purchase goes through.

Thanks in advance for the responses! I am excited about the potential to become a Tacoma owner, long time waiting!

 

Yikes. with that list of problems IDK if I would agree to purchase. If the dealer will agree to do it if you buy, why wouldn't they just do those things beforehand and not lose a sale. I would walk. I would wait until all those things were fixed before dealing.

 

Run away

 

Id make them fix everything prior to purchase and talk them down more a lot more use the problems to your advantage if you're set on the truck.

I say fix before purchase because In my younger days I got screwed with a dodge that needed new injectors the dealer said they would fix it under the free warranty. Well I dropped it off when I left to Louisiana for a month. They said it would be done when I got back turns out they never even touched it until I got back. Waited 2 more weeks on the Warranty adjuster to look at it and said f it and sold it and got my money back.

 

I'm scared.

 

Pass on it and keep looking

 

This came from an auction right? I'm guessing a Toyota Dealership wouldn't touch this truck with a 10 foot pole, so its probably a corner used stealer ship? Just a guess.

I see your point about all of the good things here, like new frame. I bet this dealership paid way, way, way, less than 14,500 for this truck that operated in a very harsh climate. If I had my hart set on owning the truck, I would low ball the hell out of them, and be prepared to have them get pissed and tell me to F-off! lol. You never know though. At the end of the day, a 500 dollar profit beats a truck sitting on the lot that they cant sell, and then goes back to auction.

 

Quite a bit of issues with "claimed" low 72k miles. Such low miles always makes me think it was tempered with

 

Run Forrest Run.

 

Where is the truck at for sale now?

I work about 10 minutes from Dan Cava when I am working out of WV. I've bought 2 vehicles from them, and a slew of others I work with have used them. Pretty honest dealer IMO. Been trying to deal with them on trading my Tacoma in on a 2015.

A lot of dealers won't fix problems unless someone request it, way for them to save money.

 

Why would you assume that low mileage on a 10 year old truck make you automatically assume its been tampered with? My dad is notorious for buying vehicles and never driving them much at all. He usually has 2 or 3 cars. He bought a brand new Ranger in 1999 and when I bought it off him in 2007 it has less than 20k miles on it. He just never drove it more than a few times a year. Don't know why he does this, but he does.

 

All those issues with 72k on a Tacoma is why I raised that flag

 

Corroded wheels? Poor cleaning/vehicle care. If you don't take care of alloy wheels they will corrode.

Shifter linkage? Probably related to the frame change out. Never delved into the into linkage, only guessing.

AC bad? Happens. Seen a few posts on here with newer trucks with AC broken.

Wheel shimmy? Bad belt in a tire? Poor balance job? My 3 year old truck had a wheel shimmy at 65MPH due to a very oddly worn tire.

Leaking right rear brake line? WV, PA road salt probably contributing factor.

Rust on stuff under truck? WV, PA road salt.

Not that many problems. Low miles or not it's still a 10 year old vehicle.

If the dealer fixes the problem and throws in a decent warranty and I wanted the truck I'd buy it.

 

I have less issue in my 99 4runner with 270k on the clock

 

I had less issues with a Ford Ranger at 300k miles(till the engine gave out because of my negligence)

We can argue this all day, the OP has bailed it seems. So good day.

 

Honestly, for a 10 year old truck, I don't really see the issue. If the dealer is willing to fix any problems that it has before you buy it, then I'd say go for it. It's got a new frame and rear suspension on it,the rust on the underside is normal for age and where it has lived it's life. OP said the oil looks good/ smells good.

 

7/24 Update:

I slept on the purchase and decided against it. My gut was telling my no and I stuck with it. Wasn't getting the warm and fuzzy I wanted.

I did find a 2011 TRD OC AC @ Jim Barkley in Asheville with 77k on her in silver streak mica, which is what I was after.
Truck is awesome! Toytech/Bilstein 5100coilovers upfront, not sure about leafs out back. Doesn't appear to be an AAL, 5100s in the rear too. Spidertrax wheel spacers, Leer shell, and new 265/75 Cooper S/T MAXX rubbers (coming off soon). She drives great, really impressed.

Plans include:
New rubber; 285/75 or 285/70 17 with new wheels.
TC upper control arms.
Black emblems.
Weatherguard LP tool box.
Misc. maintenance and detail oriented projects.

Thanks for help, glad I didn't purchase the first Tacoma!

 

Congrats on your purchase

 

I think you made the right call passing on that first one.

 

Silver Sky Metallic was not available until 2014.

Silver Streak Mica was used in 2011.

Hope the dealer didn't steer you wrong with the other details.