New to Toyotas

Hi I am new to the Tacoma but really love them. I have had 5 Nissan trucks but feel I want to go Toyota now. I am looking at a 2009 crew cab 4x4 SB Tacoma with 170K miles for $13K. I have not yet purchased a Carfax to see how many owners and maintenance portion. I kept every service record on my Nissans. Any advice??
Thanks!

 

Welcome to TW...Frame should be the main concern!!

 

Its private party then right?

 

If it is private party I would ask the owner if you can take it for a test drive, and take it to a parking lot or something. Get underneath it and look for any rust, leaks, cracks, dents in the skid plate or anywhere else from rocks, etc. Anything like that. Check the CV joints, leaf springs, shocks, leaks or damage to the differentials front and back, and transmission. Look for frame damage and anything else you can possibly think to check. Then go under the hood and see if it's dirty, has a lot of oil/grease anywhere, and check the oil, antifreeze, coolant, brake fluid, etc. Then drive it for a while, listening and feeling for anything that doesn't seem right. Run the A/C and stereo. (I forgot to do the A/C on my truck and on the way home I realized it whines, although it works fine.) Go somewhere with a dirt patch and put it in 4x4 hi and then 4x4 lo. Give it some gas and make sure all 4 wheels spin. Listen for weird sounds and feel for anything weird again. Check all the lights and gauges. Look for stains, stretches, or worn spots on the seats. I can't think of anything else really at this point, but remember, DO NOT talk prices until you have checked everything out and are sure you want the vehicle. Then, use any issues you find as haggling points to get the price lowered a bit. Good luck, and I hope this helps!

 

CCrames. No it is at a dealership. I usually do a good checking. My dad had me wrenching since I was 10 but you did point out some things I would have slipped past so thanks!! I bought my Frontier with 120K and had it for 6 years now 165K. But it's giving me issues now so I don't want to keep putting money into it. Whatever one I decide to get I will post a pic.
Thanks for the welcomes!