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Buy or pass?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by josher-mi, May 23, 2017.

  1. May 23, 2017 at 9:35 PM
    #1
    josher-mi

    josher-mi [OP] Member

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    I found another one, what do y'all think?

    https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/6137195770.html

    Toyota owners site has very good history, including a couple frame inspections and undercoating around 2010. I also have a clean carfax. I will do the hammer test if I look at it. There is enough rust to be concerned, based on the attached pics.

    Also, this is being sold by a used car dealer, who is listing it on inventory site for $5900, but on CL for $4900. Go figure.... They were nice enough to send pictures of its frame (attached).

    IMG_0001.jpg
    IMG_0005.jpg
    IMG_0003.jpg
    IMG_0002.jpg
    IMG_0004.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2017
  2. May 23, 2017 at 9:46 PM
    #2
    UtahTacoma02

    UtahTacoma02 Well-Known Member

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    ARB front bumper, Old Man Emu suspension, on board air compressor, on board hot water converter, cb radio, safari snorkel, warn 8K lb. winch, AP rock slidders/rear bumper, gray wire mod
    Personally I would pass. The frames rust from the inside out so chances are it looks worse inside the frame. Granted most of that is advanced surface rust but it's on its way to be an issue in the future. It also appears that the floor boards are getting some rust spots. Car fax may be clean but it looks like it got a repaint on the front fenders and hood. Appears a darker maroon color on the front fenders and hood from the following pictures on the ad. Description says it comes with spare front end parts as well. They may have never reported an accident and did repairs and paint themselves or by a family friend. I had a previous Tacoma with a clean car fax but was hit in the rear and resprayed on the truck bed. Just noticed the super low price. Maybe something else is wrong with it or maybe a good deal for someone. :notsure: Those Limited bucket seats though :drool:
    01414_2HXovqoY7aJ_600x450.jpg
    00w0w_lFJfuq1wvxX_600x450.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2017
  3. May 23, 2017 at 9:50 PM
    #3
    DustStorm4x4

    DustStorm4x4 BBC 2020

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    Don't even test drive it.
     
    outlawtacoma likes this.
  4. May 23, 2017 at 9:53 PM
    #4
    mlcc

    mlcc Well-Known Member

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    Pass
     
    josher-mi[OP] likes this.
  5. May 23, 2017 at 9:54 PM
    #5
    Speedytech7

    Speedytech7 Toyota Cult Ombudsman

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    I've done a mod or two
    hard pass, buy from a different part of the country then move there. The rust belt is no fun anyway :p
     
    Hobbs and josher-mi[OP] like this.
  6. May 23, 2017 at 9:57 PM
    #6
    10MGM

    10MGM Well-Known Member

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    Pass
     
    josher-mi[OP] likes this.
  7. May 23, 2017 at 10:02 PM
    #7
    InfernoTonka

    InfernoTonka Infernal Order of Knights Templar of Inferno-ness

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    The first thing I noticed too was that the red color seems a little mismatched. Rust galore under the other one everywhere as well. I'd pass on the used car dealer one.

    The Craigslist one might be worth checking out in person but check underneath. If it looks better than the red one and the other one in the previous thread, then you might see if they'll take $2,500-$3000. Where I live, beater cars that have crappy exterior paint go for $3,000. Use this as a reference. The under $5,000 used car market can be interesting.

    So far you've seen some real rust buckets and this can be helpful because when a good one shows up you'll know it when you see it.
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2017
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  8. May 23, 2017 at 10:20 PM
    #8
    InfernoTonka

    InfernoTonka Infernal Order of Knights Templar of Inferno-ness

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    OP - another thought is it's probably best to buy from an individual than a used lot. Used lot's tend to buy at auction and usually cars go to auction for a reason. Used lots tend to do little, if any repair work. It's just passed on to a buyer with the hopes it works for 60 to 90 days.

    Also used lots can get trade in cars from new dealerships. Older trade in cars are traded in for a reason usually. Usually the reason is that needed repairs exceed the value.

    You should assume that cars that are 10 years or older will need at least all the fluids changed out, belts replaced, possible tires, etc...

    Recently I used Yelp and found a mechanic near me that somehow after 20 years of living where I live, I never knew this business existed. It's a family owned repair shop in business since the 1960's and it's the kind of place that you have to schedule an appointment a week or two in advance. They had the highest Yelp rating of any business I've ever seen...nearly 500 reviews and all positive. This kind of place is where you can take a car to and have a mechanic check it over before you buy it. These types of quality shops don't advertise and all the locals know about them through word of mouth.

    IMO used cars can be a big headache unless you can work on things yourself or take it on as a fix up project. The trick is figuring out if a used car is at the end of it's life or not.
     
    josher-mi[OP] likes this.
  9. May 23, 2017 at 10:33 PM
    #9
    Stutely

    Stutely Well-Known Member

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    Pass. I'm in the middle of repairing the frame of one I should have pass on. Paid 6k for a 99 with 127k miles that seemed to have a good frame except for a couple bad spots. I smacked around with a hammer all over, but when I got it home and started really going to town trying to knock off loose rust so I could make repairs and recoat the frame I discovered to my horror the frame was damn near shot. Unless you have a welder and a ton of spare time and the wherewithal to undertake what will undoubtedly be a huge repair job don't bother.

    I took mine apart March 6 and am just finally at the point of putting the cab back down on the frame...yes you read that correctly. I've also replaced brake lines, the load sensing proportioning valve, E brake components, etc. I've dropped about 2k more bucks in my repairs, including 600 bucks worth of metal cut from patterns I made and took to a local shop. I've used about 200 cubic feet of welding gas, and about 16 lbs of welding wire.

    And on top of all that my wife is plotting to kill me... ha! She wants the garage back.

    Nice thing is that in a few days I'll have my dream truck back (lost a 97 to rust a few years back), and with everything I've done the frame is probably more solid than when it came off the line.

    Cheers!
     
  10. May 24, 2017 at 12:55 AM
    #10
    ghs57

    ghs57 Well-Known Member

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    Pretty much stock right now
    As an '03 with undercoating the frame is still under warranty (depending on the in service date-maybe not for much longer though). It should be inspected and assessed by Toyota before anyone buys it. Actually, my frame is in about the same condition and has checked out OK the last three years.

    However, the front end question needs answering. This one needs more investigation.

    Edit: either the hood is popped in those pictures or there is something amiss with the alignment.
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2017
    josher-mi[OP] likes this.
  11. May 24, 2017 at 5:11 AM
    #11
    josher-mi

    josher-mi [OP] Member

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    I like your style:)
     
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  12. May 24, 2017 at 5:14 AM
    #12
    josher-mi

    josher-mi [OP] Member

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    Thanks for sharing... I am curious from your experience, are there some key places to check for frame integrity? They have a lift, and offered to hoist it up for me.
     
  13. May 24, 2017 at 5:16 AM
    #13
    TexasWhiteIce

    TexasWhiteIce Well-Known Member

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    Wow, I'd buy that for $1,000 for that much rust. Otherwise I'd pass.

    The fact that even the spare tire has rust tells me it's no bueno!!!
     
    josher-mi[OP] likes this.
  14. May 24, 2017 at 5:44 AM
    #14
    onakat

    onakat Well-Known Member

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    The first place to check is where the leaf springs attach to the frame, right behind the cab, as it is usually the first place where these frames start to rot.

    Also, by the gas tank and the catalytic converter, as they are a commonly rotten spot on good looking but rotten frames

    As said before, these frames rot from the inside out, so try to poke a finger or something into the square holes on the frame rails to see how much rust chunks and flakes there is in there. If it's full, probably not a good sign, but it's the hammer test that is really going to tell you if the frame is good or not

    Also, the front end, take a good look at it, pop the hood and look for anything indicating a possible repair due to a crash. Anything that is misaligned should be a red flag for you.

    if it ends up it is all good and you buy it, remove as much loose rust as possible on the frame and have it greased, as it will stop the rust from progressing and worsening

    good luck :)
     
    josher-mi[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  15. May 24, 2017 at 5:55 AM
    #15
    josher-mi

    josher-mi [OP] Member

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    Thanks, this is super helpful!
     
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  16. May 24, 2017 at 6:38 AM
    #16
    ToxicTwin

    ToxicTwin Money Talks...It Says Goodbye

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  17. May 24, 2017 at 6:39 AM
    #17
    natas1321

    natas1321 mischief monkey

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    I would keep searching.
     
  18. May 24, 2017 at 7:06 AM
    #18
    NM Lance

    NM Lance Well-Known Member

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    No way, especially for that price. That frame is scaling away.
     
  19. May 24, 2017 at 7:27 AM
    #19
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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  20. May 24, 2017 at 7:28 AM
    #20
    polack

    polack Well-Known Member

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    Hey man, I live in the same part of the country as you. border of Wisconsin and the UP. We can't buy vehicles that lived their lives in this area. I bought my previous two tacomas from this area only because one got a new frame but even with the new frame there was still constant rust problems with everything else. The other taco I bought only because it was a double cab for next to nothing. I could care less about the frame cause I could spend the time to fix it. Do what I just did. My third tacoma is getting delivered this morning. From a forum member in arkansas. He had motor problems but I didn't need the motor so I got it for a good price. Pay the 800-1200 delivery fee or buy a plane ticket and drive your tacoma here. That is what you need to do if you want a good long lasting tacoma.
     
    josher-mi[OP] likes this.

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