Looking at an 07 Base 4x4, decent offer? (pic)

Has been sitting over a year. Owner can't remember how many miles, under 200k but over 150k. Was going to donate it, but no one can drive a manual. Guy in his mid 70s, used it as a work truck (surveying). Got something to replace it and left it sitting.

Right side tires are flat and has the damage shown. He says it runs fine, just in poor exterior shape. He's used sheet metal screws to keep the fender panels on, etc.

Clutch replaced at about 100k. Only thing wrong is blower only works on high setting.

07 Base
4x4
2.7l (I assume)
175kish miles
Beat

He's going to put a new battery in it and get the tires figured out.

He's asking 4k. I told him if I can drive it away that I'd do that.

I'm pretty handy, can do pretty much everything short of engine and transmission work.

Any advice?

 

Check frame because you're out of time for new frame

 

If he fixes the tires and such that you can drive it away, go for it. EXCEPT... what is the frame like? I love my 2007 reg cab 4x4 manual etc., and I'm hoping to make it my last truck (I'm not sure how much longer I'm gonna be able to drive). The frame was swiss cheese in 2018, and I got the free frame replacement. Where has this thing been living? The frame is the thing...

 

Woops, didn't list location

East Texas
No salt, etc.

I'll climb under and look at the frame. Should be obvious I spose?

 

Where are you located? That thing looks sweet for 4k...just check the frame like everyone else is saying

 

I totaled my "98", reg cab, 4X4 appx. 2 yrs ago & ins. paid me way more than $4K & let me keep the Taco. Seems like a deal per frame.

 

If the frame is not shot, I'd buy it. 4x4, - It's worth throwing a couple grand into.

 

Yep, if the frame is decent and in Texas, I would expect it is, I'd take it. You could even spring a few hundred for some paintless dent removal, polish the headlights and you're in business!

 

I'd also plan on going through the brakes. Sitting for a year doesn't do the seals on the calipers and wheel cylinders any favors. That's not a big deal if you can do the work yourself.
I'd jump on it.

 

Snatch it up before someone else does, you won't regret it (assuming the frame is okay, mine had to be replaced). Can't go wrong with a rc

 

Seems a little high to me for what it is. The guy was getting ready to donate it, I'd have offered $2K for the shape it's in and maybe gone as much as $3000. Letting one sit for a year does more damage than driving it another 20,000 miles during that year. That is the part that concerns me. That isn't good for the engine or transmission. The trucks true value where I live is about $3500 according to KBB and that doesn't account for the body damage and sitting for a year. If you get it home and have to start throwing money at it you could easily end up with twice as much in it as it's worth. Which won't be a good thing if someone hits you and totals it. The insurance company will give you what it's worth, not what you have in it.

 

Looks good. Any service records? Welcome to TW!

 

Not too worried about it sitting (other than tires). I just picked up an 09 Mustang that sat for two years and have it back up and running fine. Tacoma would replace it if it works out.

In this area he could probably get 6k as is. Truck prices, especially Tacomas are bonkers. My last vehicle was an 08 Sport Trac. Guy ran a stop sign and totalled it. Got 8,600 for it from insurance. That's more than $2k over what I paid for it 3 years ago.

He was going to donate it to the non profit his daughter runs. They could use a truck. He wasn't actively looking to part with it (she asked me on swapping from a manual to an automatic, how I found out about it).

He had all the service done at a local shop I know. I don't personally use them (owner is a friend of my dad) but they do honest work.

Should get with him in the next few days once he has it drivable and I'll hop under and look at the frame. Looking online it should be pretty obvious if there are frame issues. I knew a the replacements, but yikes some of those pictures...

 

And it’s manual. I’d buy that no problem

 

Not much of a deal for a Tacoma with high miles, cosmetically beaten, and with heavy usage as a service truck. Tacomas usually sell fairly quickly so for the owner to donate versus selling it tells you the condition it is in. Personally, it's worth in the $2500 range. Reality is, the 4WD is the only thing that makes the truck even worth looking at. If your plans are to run 33s and adding armor, the 2.7 will fail miserably as a DD. It's likely the suspension will need an overhaul and hope the engine doesn't start having issues. Changing all fluids would be the first thing I would do if you end up buying it.

 

Try for $3,500 and after checking the frame make sure (if you can) that the 4x4 Hi and Lo work too. I have the same truck but 08 and its fairly bullet proof. P.S. I have bigger Ko2's RCI armor, camper shell with rack and sleep platform AND lived in the Colorado Rockies (7% grades everyday) for years. The 2.7 is stout enough and likes to be in the high revs. Also iv done my fair share of wheeling with some big boy rigs and always did just as good as them (short wheel base does wonders). Toss in some Bilstein 5100's all around and your good to go.