Is this a good idea? 2004 prerunner possible buy.

I currently drive a 2012 Kia Forte Hatch and My wife has a 2002 525i bmw. We've spent about 3k in the past 2 years are so trying to keep her car alive. Long story short were both tired of her car and how unreliable it is. I had a 2001 prerunner in high school that I ended up having to sell to go to college, worst day ever. Ever since then I have been wanting another Tacoma. Now I'm married and financially stable I think it's time to get myself another taco as I never had an issue with the truck and I loved it.

I found a 2004 double cab Sr5 prerunner on Craigslist with 184k Truck is clean. Brand new Bridgestone dueler tires, wheels off a 2011 taco, bed liner, and tinted windows. Looks awesome other than minor dents and paint scuffs.

Ended up at 8.6k after some haggling down from 9.5k asking.

Only problem is my mechanic buddy found that the timing chain case had a small oil leak during pre purchase inspection. I told the owner and he took it to this Toyota master tech he knows. The tech replaced the case and they're checking to see if it leaks at all after he drives it for a day. The guy paid for the repair and isn't asking me to move up in price as he didn't know of that issue.


Right now I'm wondering if I should still go for it even though the truck had this issue and has higher mileage. I like the price as I'm younger still and don't want to be too financially deep into a truck yet.

Also, tell me the reason why you love owning a taco so much and why I should or shouldn't by this truck. Thanks guys. This forum rocks!

 

4 banger or v6? Does he have maintenance records?

 

4 banger. He's got papers for everything. Truck is originally from Oregon and he did full matinence on belts and such before bringing it down to SoCal.

 

8.6 is way too much for that truck. For that price look for a v6, 4x4 and trd (has an electric locker in the rear axle, $1,200 piece of hardware). Keep looking man.

 

Really? Around my area everything is going for like 10-12k that's the same truck. Guys on the Orange County section of the site have been telling me it's a good deal. The TRD trucks with similar mileage and a duel cab are close to 13-15k.

I'm not arguing as I want input just trying to let you know where I'm coming from on the price.

 

8.6K is a bargain for that truck in this area.

I have that exact truck, 1 owner, similar miles.

If you want v6 or 4x4 in a Double Cab 01-04 around here prices are 12-16K.

 

Seems like a fair price I've seen them going for $12-13 when I was shopping for a dc.

 

Yep, the area has a lot to do with how much you're going to pay. That would be a little high here but in cali thats not bad.

 

Other than the DC that is the most basic model you can get. I would never pay over 10 for anything less than every available option, especially at over 150k miles.

When you say "going for" do you actually mean asking for? There is a pretty big difference as the trucks you see for sale aren't actually selling while the trucks you don't see have already sold (for much less).

 

For me it is actual sale prices.

I found 3 double cabs. All over 150K miles. 01-04. One in AZ (sold for 13.8K- v6), one in SF (sold for 11.5K, 4 cyl), and one in SD (sold for 12.7). I had deposit on one, missed the other two.

Fist gen double cab in CA are going for quite a bit. Whether it is "worth it" or not, depends on the buyer.

 

Congrats on the purchase

Hope to meet up sometime