Buying a new Tacoma?

Hi All,
I am purchasing a 2014 Tacoma. This will be my first Tacoma and I am excited! I have attached a couple of photos and I am a little concerned with what looks like surface rust on the frame under the doors. What are your guys thoughts on this? I am going to do a final inspection Monday before I commit 100%. Thanks for any input. Steve

 

Welcome to the club!Somewhat hard to tell in the pics but does look like surface rust or a frame that is dirty and needs a cleaning!Definetly do a throughall inspection!Truck looks clean though and looks like there is also a spacer lift in the front!Good luck!

 

Thanks for the welcome!
If it is surface rust should this be a concern, and would that be normal for a 2 year old vehicle?

 

I'm no expert on the matter and I'm sure there are others on here that have much more experience. I just bought me first taco a few months ago so I do have some thoughts on this.
Where are you located? Or more importantly, can you tell from a carfax where the truck was purchased and serviced? In an area prone to road salt? Being in Georgia I ruled out Yankee trucks and potential beach trucks in my search. That's easier said then done if you live up north, out west or near the beach I know.
How many miles does it have on it? Would a 14' already be exhibiting frame rust issues? That's a pretty new truck. Again, someone with more knowledge on here could probably answer that one.


I love that spruce mica color btw! From the pics it looks like a nice truck!
Good luck!

 

Looks like a nice truck, I personally don't like that wheel and tire combo at all.

 

Thanks for the info guys...I am located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Our winters do last 5 to 6 months and we do use salt. I am surprised that a 2 year old vehicle would have rust on the frame. I have a 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, and in the same environment has very minimal frame surface rust after 11 years. Are Tacomas more prone to frame rust than other vehicles?

 

In short? Yes.

 

My truck is a 2013 and I live in the NE with heavy road salt. My frame doesn't have near that amount of rust. The only spots that you see rust are at the welds. Just spotty rust, no patches. My frame overall looks pretty clean.

 

My opinion is that Toyota would rather make defective frames and replace them 10 years later, than change the manufacture/design/material.

 

Where is the truck located, how many miles, Does it look sprayed?

 

They do use lots of salt in that area. If you can wait to buy something that would be from a salt free environment and then undercoat it before its exposed it would last longer. Toyota frames rust quite a bit faster then most and the less exposure the better. Some times if your willing to travel its worth the time.

 

My '14 live in PA and while my winters aren't as bad as yours we do get snow and use salt, I don't have any rust

Hard to tell from the pics, it may just be dirty?

If that is rust I would be concerned why? Was is off-roaded and pain/undercoat has been rubbed off

Love the color

If it's just dirt then your good!!

 

Surface rust isn't an alarming issue, just make sure that it hasn't eaten into or through the frame anywhere. Get the truck treated for rust if/when you buy it, which you should because that color green is awesome

 

If they had that green in a 15 I probably would have went for it.

As far as the rust goes, I noticed the mud flap are missing. It kind of looks like he's been down logging roads for a few thousand Kms.