Help Buying 2008 DCSB

New to TacomaWorld, and I just went and test drove a 2008 DCSB Tacoma, 177K miles. Looks to be a very clean car, but you don't know what you don't know. It's been sitting on the dealer lot for a couple months now, and they're only asking $10,300 for it, which seems a bit low. So I'm expecting for something to be wrong, but I didn't find anything. It's a TRD Sport package, no towing package, has a hard tonneau cover...I'll post pictures.

I believe the biggest things to watch out for are rust on the frame, correct? From just crawling underneath and looking around it looked pretty clean. It's spent most of its life in VA I think. Do I just need to call the Toyota dealer to make sure there's not a recall on the frame? Or should I take it to my mechanic to check it out? Sorry, newb here, and I just want to make sure I'm not buying a lemon, especially with nearly 180k miles.

 

Pretty sure its not a lemon with 180k on it. Have a toyota dealership do a pre-purchase inspection and make sure it passes the frame recall. Or if you want to check, take a hammer to the driver's side inside frame next to the engine.

Do you have pictures of the frame?

to me, it looks clean. After doing those things, id be interested. Also try negotiating a little bit. Anything you can get off or get added will help

 

Nice looking truck! If it has a clean title and no CarFax issues, it’s definitely a buy imo.

 

Awesome, thanks guys. It seems a little crazy buying a truck with nearly 200k miles on it and it's still worth $10k. These trucks really hold their value! It did have a minor accident when it was about a year old, no airbags deployed, and since it's been driven most of its life since then I figure it's probably all right. I'm gonna run it by my mechanic Monday morning. Thanks for your help!

 

"minor accident when it was about a year old"
That may explain why the hood isn't seating properly?
Maybe just me...
I don't have a hood skewp and mine was in an accident too.

 

Actually I had popped the hood since I was looking at it when I was tsking the pictures.

 

okay cool

 

Has it ever failed inspection in VA? Carfax okay? Was it a college kid truck ever? Line X looks good. A great deal on that baby would be 9/9.5k, but with an accident & miles - 10,300 is too much! Ask about the carfax accident date & ask who fixed it? How many owners too? I agree, you need to take it to Toyota to get it checked with that many miles and the frame looked at. I wouldn't consider buying without Toyota's inspection report. GL thats a nice truck!

 

That pricing is too high considering the mileage and being a 2WD Prerunner. Personally, car prices will continue to plummet during this pandemic due to lots being overstocked so either keep looking or make an low offer after a test drive. That tacoma should be in the $7-8K range.
If you plan on doing any offroad, look for a 4WD or a 2WD with the offroad pkg. Tacomas also come in a 6ft bed vs. the 5ft bed like the one you are looking at so keep that in mind for usage of the truck if hauling is involved. Just be patient and get what you really want so there's no buyer's regret.

 

The vin# won’t come up as a frame recall The extended warranty replacement for them is 12 yrs from manufactured date so it may be out or coming close on that date.

 

A good mechanic with sufficient scan tool can look at everything, engine and transmission. Worth the $100 or so. Good luck. I have an '08 and it's a great truck.

 

The VIN for this truck is: 5TEJU62N18Z492585.

Toyota says, "There are no open Safety Recalls or Service Campaigns for this vehicle".
You can get the Carfax for this off the dealers web site.

For those who don't want to:
Market value $11930
Sale price $10299
2 owner, 1st personal, 2nd commercial.
Last owner in Maryland
Has had electrical problems in 2009 & 2010 repaired under warranty.
Other than the front end collision it's clean

 

If you consider yourself a good DYI mechanic and there is any PROOF that there were REGUAR OIL CHANGES you should be fine. You will have to replace the front wheel bearings at some point if that hasn't been done. Check the frame where the frame is close to the frame - rust may be hidden there. There are a lot of small mods that would be good to do like the diff breather mod - if you buy it.

 

Thanks for all the help. I pulled the trigger and brought my first Tacoma home today! Now, I'm ordering a new head with CarPlay to replace the factory unit, new front speakers, and a backup camera. Any recommendations on backup cameras? Saw one integrated with the tailgate handle but it was pricey (over $200).

 

Congrats and welcome to the club

 

Look on Amazon.
Master Tailgaters has one for $87.
Master Tailgaters Replacement for Toyota Tacoma 2005-2014 Black Tailgate Backup Reverse Handle with Camera
Which is $12 less than what I paid 2 years ago.

Sorry, I can't post links from my phone, yet.

 

Congrats. I think it was a good price. Even better if you got it for lower

 

good deal

Welcome to TW!