Looking at a 03 Tacoma

So I am checking out a 2003 Tacoma for sale for less than 10 grand. Color is Maroon. Has 150,000 miles on it. 4X4 with power windows, CD player, cap on the bed. V6 engine, Manual Trans. Looks like its in good condition. For sale in Franklin PA. on cargurus.com for sale by Villiage Auto in Franklin, Pa. Tell what you think of it if you have a chance to check it out. I have to think about driving there to check it out personally.
Thanks.

 

On the surface it sounds like a good deal. Check for cancer and general wear/tear and take a long drive (money for gas). PN uses salt solutions I think so take a good look underneath. Good luck.

 

sounds like a great deal as long as the frame isn't rusted out and the 4wd is fully functional when you test it. the main thing that kills these trucks is frame rusting out from the inside out so areas where they salt the roads in winter are prone to having bad frames. there is a frame replacement warranty on these trucks 15 years after mfg date so the 03 would still be covered until 2018 for that provided it was brought in and inspected by Toyota so this is something to check on.

post a link to it so we can check it out and give you our opinions on it

 

Ok thanks for the input so far. www.villageautofranklin.com
I hope this works, I normally don't post links to other sites so I am not to sure how to do that. The share option on the cargurus site wants to post it on facebook.

 

I can't comment enough about having the frame checked..... The 'frame' warranty has expired for the 1st gens...however... I would highly recommend asking the dealer of the history of the truck frame. Has it ever been inspected by Toyota dealer? If yes...does it have a new frame?
If NO...I would HIGHLY recommend having it inspected by Toyota before buying it.

If they are unable to give you information about the frame - INSIST on having a Toyota dealer before committing to buying it!!!

 

I have sent an inquiry to the dealership selling the vehicle and see what they reply with. I will definitely have the vehicle checked if they do not know anything about the frame. Is there a way to find out directly through Toyota myself? Or is the best way to simply take it to the dealership instead?
I don't really have to have it or need it but would love to use this opportunity to check a few out before I do make a purchase.

 

it hasn't expired, its just most trucks are too old to be covered by the 15 year warranty anymore. the warranty ran out on 00 models this year and the 01 models by the end of next year, 02 models in 2017 and covers 03 until end of 2018 and the 04 year until 2019.

but I believe in order to be covered, your truck would have had to already been regularly inspected and or had the frame treated by Toyota

 

According to this thread - they cancelled the campaign without notice back in 2011. If the truck had been inspected previously and the undercoating was applied - this may have extended it. But if it was never inspected - I don't believe they're honoring the warranty anymore.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ecall-still-going-on-or-did-it-expire.198900/

The 2001-2004 trucks were only given new frames or undercoating (they were never part of the buy back program). Think of it this way...... Even if you did fight with Toyota on the deal, you're certainly NOT going to get a new frame. They're not producing 1st gen frames anymore.
The only other option, is to have them undercoat it. And to be honest - depending on how bad the frame is, you don't want to waste your time having them undercoat it. The rust is already there and undercoating only band-aids it for ...what, 5 years maybe?

I'd move on..... The OP should look for a 2005-2008 Tacoma and know the 'frame warranty' is in effect until March 2016. You could theoretically get a new frame/undercoating without any hassles.

 

yes the warranty is still covering the 01-04 trucks, how they choose to fix it with buyback or frame replacement doesn't really matter does it?

from post #5 in that thread it says they are still covered by the warranty if the frame was inspected and sprayed

[
For the 1995 to 2000 Tacoma trucks:

The buybacks are still going on if it has been less than 15 yrs from date of first use.

For 2001 to 2004 Tacoma trucks:

Toyota no longer sprays the frame for corrosion protection.

If a truck has frame perforation from rust and has never been sprayed - time has run out. Claims will not be honored.

If the frame has been previously sprayed by Toyota and then develops rust perforation, Toyota will send an engineer to inspect and evaluate before frame replacement or buyback occurs.

Contact your local Toyota service dept. They should confirm this.
Give them the VIN of the truck and have them check to see if it has ever been inspected and sprayed. [/QUOTE]

so the key component to still have coverage is if the frame has been previously sprayed by Toyota

 

OP regardless of the frame rust warranty issue, check the frame very closely and unless its in very good condition or has been replaced already, I would not want to gamble on getting involved in a truck with frame issues.

if you like it and think its worth buying, bring it to a Toyota dealer to have the frame inspected and they can inform you of any problems they find as well as if the truck still has any frame rust through warranty

 

OP, Toyota Service records show that truck just got a new frame. I added the VIN to my ToyotaOwners account and checked it out, there's lots of service records but the latest few are below. I didn't copy it over, but the timing belt shows changed at 132k. Looks like that last several oil changes were at the dealer too. Somebody spent $$ on that machine.

I'd jump on that truck OP, it's not going to last.

11/20/15
Dealer
Allegheny Toyota
150,653
Repair Order Number: 0164648
DRIVERS FLOOR MAT INSPECTED AND IS CORRECTLY INSTALLED, REPLACED VSC VALVE,FOUND HEATER CONTROLL ASSY BAD REPLACED HEATER CONTROLL VALVE

10/1/15
Dealer
Allegheny Toyota
149,499
Repair Order Number: 0162311
SPA ZTH VEHICLE RENTAL 61-97 DAYS

9/29/15
Dealer
Allegheny Toyota
149,517
Repair Order Number: 0159413
SPA ZTH REPLACE FRAME BY DEALER

9/29/15
Dealer
Allegheny Toyota
149,517
Repair Order Number: 0162931
REPLACED FRONT BUMPER, REPLACED REAR SHOCKS, PA STATE INSPECTION (SEP), R+R WIPER BLADES, REPLACED LEFT PLATE LAMB BULB

7/30/15
Dealer
Allegheny Toyota
149,499
Repair Order Number: 0161142
SPA ZTH VEHICLE RENTAL 31-60 DAYS

6/25/15
Dealer
Allegheny Toyota
149,499
Repair Order Number: 0159980
SPA ZTH VEHICLE RENTAL 1-30 DAYS

5/21/15
Dealer
Allegheny Toyota
149,336
Repair Order Number: 0158716
SPA ZTH INSPECT FRAME, FOUND PERFORATION

5/19/15
Dealer
Allegheny Toyota
149,336
Repair Order Number: 0158608
PA STATE INSPECTION REJECTION.

 

I agree ^^^^^^^^^^^

it just got a new frame so its like a brand new truck now that they put a new bumper and frame and they always put on new leaf springs and body mount bushings too, considering it as being part of the frame when they replace frames.

the previous owner likely got spooked by the frame replacement and wanted out of the truck for fear of "whats next" but he was crazy to give it up.

I would jump all over that truck fast before someone else buys it

 

Thanks for that info Travelfeet. I appreciate it and I have not yet heard back from that dealership. I presume that they were off the weekend probably because the holiday. Hopefully I can get there to get it looked at. I definitely like the look of the truck.

 

Did you end up getting it? Village Auto has a reputation on only having nice stuff on their lot. I used to live outside of Oil City and drove passed every morning.

 

I did not end up getting it or anything yet. I never heard from the dealer so I am a little disappointed that they never got back to me. I am going to check the site and see if it is still there.

 

Well it is SOLD!! Snooze and you lose. Oh well. Keep looking.

 

What a bummer! Yeah they pop up here and there. Mine goes in next week for the frame replacement. So you may see it for sale locally if they talk me into a new Tacoma or Tundra!

 

Thanks bud