New truck for my gram...advice needed

My grandmother currently has a 2003 jeep liberty with 96,000 miles. I wont get into details, lets just say its a P.O.S. i want her to have something more reliable, and she likes tacomas. She doesn't have a large budget, so she'll be looking at first gens. I found a 2003 access cab 4x4 4 cylinder today with 136,000 miles for $8900. my questions 1) is it insane to trade her 96,000 liberty for a 136,000 mi tacoma? 2) how is the price for the tacoma? If her credit app is accepted, i will bring the tacoma to a mechanic to look it over before she commits. On my test drive, i noticed the front right wheel was making a clunking noise when turning right. I looked at the frame today, and it was coated with a thick tar like substance. Let me know your thoughts.

 

Be very careful with coated frames..I bought a 2001 with 44xxx miles on it and the frame had been coated by the dealer. Later I found out they coated it to hide significant frame rust and I ended up having to deal with getting the dealer to take it back. Eventually they did but it was a PITA. I should also mention the dealer was a Nissan dealer lol

As far as the clunking noise..I could try and take a couple guesses as to what it might be but you might wanna post in the first gen section..you'll probly get better insight into the issue as well as the truck overall

 

Does your grandma really like the Tacoma or are you kinda nudging her the Taco way?

How old is your grandma? Will she like having to step in and out due to the high height of the Tacoma?

 

shes 70. yes, she really does like it. Yes, i am nudging a bit. I want her to have something reliable and capable. We have severe winters here. Her jeep has broken down half a dozen times. As for the step in, it is really no more difficult than the jeep. If she gets approved, ill make sure shes happy with everything before she signs.

 

So the first truck didn't work out. Now were looking at this one. Its a 2001 with 83,000 mi. 2.7 L 4x4. Their asking around $8,600 for it. of course we will beat that number down the best we can. Its a few years older than the jeep, but it has 13,000 less miles. Its in good shape. No dents, just a few minor scratches. i asked about The frame and they said its good and just passed toyota inspection. It drove great. No strange noises. Im sure itll be much more reliable for her. I did tell her that i don't want to push her into getting a vehicle she doesn't truly like. She said she really likes the truck, and is comfortable with the height etc. She has always had higher vehicles. Hopefully the deal can happen.

 

Get her a used Camry with some good all-season tires or something. Much more practical for a 70 y/o woman IMO.

 

Have you thought of possibly a 4runner? like a 96-02?
My 02 Tacoma went 220k only have to replace the transmission before I sold it for 10,500$

 

i agree with the camry.... my grandmother had 2 camrys. My dad runs a shop and has a camry with close to 300k miles on it he just drives around town and runs like its brand new. She needs comfort... not a taco.

 

No i have not thought of any other vehicles. With her low budget, shes stuck getting older, higher mileage vehicles. So i told her the only one i'd personally trust is the tacoma. She legitimately likes them and had mentioned she likes her friends several times. I'll ask her again tomorrow if shes sure shes happy with the truck for herself, not just because i like them.

 

Exactly, where is she going to put stuff when she goes shopping...or anywhere for that matter?

 

But what if that is what she really wants lol.. Imagine when you get to 70 and your kids or grandsons want to get you in a corolla or camry but what your heart and soul desire is a TACOMA... hahha

 

i'll bring all this up tomorrow. But camrys are great too, eh?

 

yes i keep asking her "so you truly like this truck? Not just because of me?".

 

if she does end up getting it, the first thing you need to do to that bad boy is throw some nice low side steps on there.

 

realistically, if she gets this truck, itll never get anywhere near that mileage.

 

well yeah I figured that. Try looking at 4runners they are a lot more comfortable than the tacos haha

 

my grandfather,who unfortunately recently got diagnosed with alzheimers, also has a tacoma. He's not suppose to drive anymore though.

 

Getting in & out could be painful for her eventually. You gotta let her get in it and drive it and see how she feels in it.

We went thru this with my mother-in-law. She's in her 70's.....We wanted to get her something 'reliable' for obvious reasons, but nothing she sat in was *right* for her. Seating positions too high, too low, couldn't reach the pedals or steering wheel and not enough adjustability...., etc. She had been driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee. She wanted an SUV. We test drove just about everything. Although, I'm NOT a fan of Ford products....we found a Ford Escape that fit her the best out of everything. She could slide in & out without any effort. The thing was only 3 years old and was a good deal so we had to jump on it. Knock on wood - it's been a good car for her for about 3 years so far. We really don't know how much longer she'll be driving, but this will probably be her last vehicle.

What does your Grandmother want? Let her get the car of HER dreams that fits! This might be her last dream car....