First Post. Looking at 09 Tacoma and need advice

This is our first post. Warning: There will be typical Noob stuff in here. For this I apologize.

We are looking at getting a Tacoma for Texas part time and Baja Mex part time. We have narrowed it down to a 4x4 Double Cab with a Long bed so we can stack some stuff in there like dirt bikes, beds/etc... on different trips. The wife is dead set on the LB and I can't get out of it.

Sorta torn between getting something like 2013-14 in the higher dollar/lower miles range. But Tacomas being notorious for having long lives if taken care of...not opposed to "higher" miles/lower price....

So this one pops up today.

2009 LB double cab 4x4
104k miles
Dealer asking 18800.00

so far from the pics I can tell it has a brush guard/a winch, Lifted with Bilstein (has a Bilstein sticker) and it's lifted.

That being said, We like those farkles because we prob need them in Baja plus it looks cool. however, in addition to what do ya'll think of the price (is that way too high)...with that extra stuff added on, is there more wear or issues we should be on the look out for? What should we look for?
I am aware of the recent 05-10 rust recall law suit or whatever. Not sure how to approach that.

Anything else we should know or think about? What am I missing or not thinking about?

Should we just go with newer and low miles? I know that subjective but I wouldn't mind saving 10k.

Sorry for the long noob post. I'm sure I will remember something else later.

Thank you for your help~!

Beagle

I am trying to post a few pics below. Not sure if it will work.

 

Big things are to check for rusted frames and maintenence records.

That said I wouldn't touch that truck. There are so many unmolested vehicles out there that there's no reason, in my opinion, to consider something that somebody has had their hands all over with all kinds of mods. Who knows how well it was all done or how hard it was beat.

 

Will this be a daily driver? If so, I would look for a truck with a stock suspension. My experiences with trucks modded with winches and lifts is that there is a good chance it has been abused off road. Or as has been mentioned, who knows who has done what to the vehicle. If you are in love with it, I would take a very long test drive looking for vibrations, grinding noises and loud clunking noises. The frames have had a history of rotting so also check that very closely. They can be great rides, but abused or neglected vehicles can most certainly quickly become a money pit and an unpleasurable experience.

 

Thank you guys! These replies are very helpful and sobering as well. Just what we needed to hear. I feel like I needed to get popped upside the head and pointed back in the right direction! Appreciate the honesty and time you have taken to reply.

 

The feeling I get when people diss trucks that have the very thing they talk endlessly here about doing to their own truck.

 

It's a couple hundred bucks to have it inspected by an independent mechanic.

If you like the mods, it's in your budget and you're willing to risk a couple bennies to make sure you're somewhat ahead of the curve then go for it.

I don't like modified used cars either, but I also know that the only difference between that truck and that same truck with stock suspension is a small amount of effort on the previous owner. $300 worth of greenbacks and that truck would be on stock suspension.

People will beat a rig half to death here, return it to stock, trade it in and then get mad when the dealer doesn't offer them absolute top dollar because the truck is "so clean."

Fuck that.

Find a middle ground, proceed with caution, but it's your call. I'd recommend a mechanic inspection over an internet inspection any day of the week.

 

That RACING steering wheel cover had me sold

 

Well, first thing that comes to mind is a lesson ive learned in the past when buying off road trucks...

There is a very important reason there is already a lift and especially a winch installed. THEY MOST LIKELY used them! On top of that, buying one already setup from a dealership... i'd run! Means that most likely it was a trade-in. Why would such a setup truck be traded-in??? Knowing that selling it to another off-roader that knew the history of the truck would pay ALOT more for it than what the dealership would give on a trade-in?

Unless you know the complete history of the truck, i bet 10 to 1 odds you would be buying someone elses problem... hope im wrong though

 

Just bought my first tacoma a month ago. 2009 double cab trd sport long bed 2wd. 92,000 miles on it, one owner truck. Extremely clean. Spacer lift in front. Bfg ko2's, 17x9 Glamis rims, aftermarket pioneer head unit/dvd player, snug top she'll with bed rug. Otherwise stock. Drives perfectly straight. No noises, well taken care of. Mine was at a dealer, listed at 19,998. This is southern California los angeles county. Taxes are higher. I got it for about 20,500 out the door, which means it was dropped to about 18,xxx dollars. I would test drive that truck and see how it feels. Thoroughly look it over and if it feels good, I think around 18 is a good deal if the truck seems solid

 

I know it's already been said, but it's so hard to say if the truck was modded as a fancy pavement queen or if it was really put through its 4x4 paces. A really detailed inspection will be your best bet if you like the truck. If you like it, look at it closer and see what you think. I can't express how much it would be to your benefit to find a private, independent shop to take a look and give you an honest opinion. Hope that helps.

 

That seems like a lot of money for a modded truck with high miles, and more likely than not it was taken off-road. I would look for a stock vehicle with low miles and save yourself a headache later.

 

I would look carefully for dirt/mud embedded in the crevices of the frame. It is almost impossible to get the frame fully clean after a romp in the mud.

 

Im not scared of a Toyota that has been taken off the pavement. I bought a 4Runner with a couple hundred thousand miles on it that was used mainly as an off-road vehicle. I traded that beast in with ~245k miles in perfect running condition(after replacing the valves due to one burnt valve towing a trailer).

Obviously it's always nice to buy a vehicle from an elderly lady who never applied more than 5% throttle, but it's not the end of the world if a Toyota travels on a dirt road from time to time.

 

Where in Baja? A rear locker would be good, but would be aftermarket on a long bed.

 

Ha! Is that David K from Nomad?!

It would be the greater San Juanico area. And yes! Would want a locker!

Hope to run into you down there!

 

Yes, the same David K from Baja Nomad!
The factory locker (and A-TRAC) is only available on the Off Road TRD (2009-2015) which does not come in a long bed (6' on the double cab). So, you would need to add an ARB or other rear locker /or go with the standard bed on the double cab (5'). They make the tail gate extender for your bikes and cargo to ride in the 5' bed with the gate down.
What is you Nomad handle?

 

Thank you everyone for all of the input! Super helpful and I think we are gonna go with something a little more stock and then slowly add as needed (wanted). Appreciate everyone's time in responding. I'm sure there are many posts to come!

 

Nomad handle is Beagle. Well, with all the time you spend down there and where you go, if you have a Tacoma, I can tell we are getting the right truck now!

Good to know on the Locker. Not sure if we would need it. Baddest stuff we would be getting into would maybe be the North Road into San Juanico. Hard to tell. Mostly would be hauling bikes, boards and dogs. Occasional odds and ends for the casita. Maybe a pig.

Good to know you are here! Will be picking your brain here and over there.

 

The 4WD Tacoma is the #1 small truck of Baja Nomad forums by a long shot. They are the ones that encouraged me to get my first Tacoma some 16 years ago.