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Considering purchase

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Emily.shipp.214, Aug 15, 2022.

  1. Aug 15, 2022 at 8:15 PM
    #1
    Emily.shipp.214

    Emily.shipp.214 [OP] Member

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    Hey y’all!
    I’m looking at buying a 2012 Toyota Tacoma 5-speed with 253k miles on it. Asking price is just under 10k. I hear Tacomas live into the 300k mile range but I’m a bit ambivalent to pull the trigger on it. Thought I’d ask here about peoples experiences with high mileage Tacomas. Ideally I’d like it to live another 5-8 years but I don’t know if that’s realistic. What kinds of running problems can I expect, what should I look out for when I test drive? Really any advice y’all can offer I’d really appreciate it!
     
  2. Aug 15, 2022 at 8:26 PM
    #2
    daluvian

    daluvian Well-Known Member

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    They can last much longer depends on how much maintenance was done. I’d image this is a 4cyl?
     
  3. Aug 15, 2022 at 8:31 PM
    #3
    Emily.shipp.214

    Emily.shipp.214 [OP] Member

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    It is! The listing says Tacoma base but I’m unsure what that means. Is there anything you suggest specifically asking about?
     
  4. Aug 15, 2022 at 8:31 PM
    #4
    CraigF

    CraigF Well-Known Member

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    what part of the country, road salts = frame rot
     
  5. Aug 15, 2022 at 8:37 PM
    #5
    CraigF

    CraigF Well-Known Member

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  6. Aug 15, 2022 at 8:47 PM
    #6
    Gen3TacomaOBX

    Gen3TacomaOBX Well-Known Member

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    Get underneath it and check the frame for rust.. that's the biggest factor and can be a very expensive to remedy.
     
    Gunshot-6A likes this.
  7. Aug 15, 2022 at 9:16 PM
    #7
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    When you say 5 speed are you talking 5 Spd Auto or 5 Spd manual.
    I ask because this will help us identify the engine and possible things to look for.
     
    Gunshot-6A likes this.
  8. Aug 15, 2022 at 9:54 PM
    #8
    Emily.shipp.214

    Emily.shipp.214 [OP] Member

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    It’s a 5 speed manual 4cyl and that’s all I know as far as the engine. I’m buying in Washington State, but I’m from Minnesota which gives me an awareness of salt induced rust problems. But honestly I likely wouldn’t have checked so I appreciate y’all that mentioned it!
     
  9. Aug 15, 2022 at 10:00 PM
    #9
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    The 2.7 can run a really long time. 300k isn’t unusual.
    Knowing the prior maintenance history would be a BIG plus.
    It’s not unusual for the 2.7 to burn oil if the oil wasn’t changed as often as it should have been.

    The 5 Spd. manual transmission is good. Not many problems I know of with them.

    Your biggest places to look are the frame and for leaks. Both engine oil and coolant.
     
    Gunshot-6A likes this.
  10. Aug 15, 2022 at 10:06 PM
    #10
    Emily.shipp.214

    Emily.shipp.214 [OP] Member

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    Thank you! I checked out those vin search sites suggested above and found a recall having to do with “accessory” tires, which i’m assuming means the spare. Sounds like I should ask about maintenance records if there are any available. But given that it’s been well maintained, would it be unreasonable to think it could live beyond 300k?
     
  11. Aug 15, 2022 at 10:29 PM
    #11
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    No, 300k isn’t unreasonable.
    But things wear out. Alternator, starter, pulleys, ect.

    It’s still hard for me to grasp the used car prices today.
    $10k seems like a lot for a 10 year old truck with 253k miles on it.
    But everything is expensive these days. New and Used.
     
    Gunshot-6A likes this.
  12. Aug 15, 2022 at 10:42 PM
    #12
    Emily.shipp.214

    Emily.shipp.214 [OP] Member

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    No kidding! But the market is totally bonkers right now, I guess…
     
    TnShooter likes this.
  13. Aug 16, 2022 at 5:51 AM
    #13
    TacomaMike37

    TacomaMike37 Well-Known Member

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    10K for a 250K mile truck. No thanks. Tacoma or not, that is a shit ton of miles and the truck is nearly 11 years old.
     
    2015WhiteOR likes this.
  14. Aug 16, 2022 at 6:16 AM
    #14
    tacobp

    tacobp Well-Known Member

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    Installed a Pop n Lock,,That's it !..Bone stock
    Prior maintenance is the critical factor here. I am confident my 2.7 Taco will go 300k because I trust the maintenance I have done and will continue to do on the truck. But I would be very leary of buying a truck with 250K on it because there is no way you can trust that all of the prior maintenance has been done correctly AND you don't know how the truck was driven for 250K....I would pass...
     
  15. Aug 16, 2022 at 7:24 AM
    #15
    spitdog

    spitdog Well-Known Member

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    Sure the engine and tranny no problem, its the other things that need replacing and adds up if you have to pay a mechanic. That’s probably why it’s being sold anyway.
     
    Gunshot-6A likes this.
  16. Aug 16, 2022 at 7:58 AM
    #16
    Leomania

    Leomania Well-Known Member

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    All stock, baby!
    Emily, if you’re not in a hurry to buy your truck, you’ll probably be well-served by keeping an eye out for the Tacoma you want on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, etc. and buy from the owner, not a dealer. If you find someone who has owned it for a good number of years and they have all of the service records from that time, you will have a more confidence in being able to get the extra years out of it. Get it inspected before buying, and do plan on havng a couple thousand dollars in reserve to pay for any repairs that are needed in the first year or so.

    Good luck with your search!
     
  17. Aug 16, 2022 at 8:18 AM
    #17
    wi_taco

    wi_taco My skid plates give rocks taco flavored kisses

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    As others have said, $10k for any truck with 250k has it's risks. Maintenance goes a long way to prolong it's life but it's still rolling the dice.

    If you are set on getting this one, definitely check the frame (especially the inside near the catalytic converters). Search around on the forum for examples. If you can punch a hole through it the size of a dime, or if the multiple layers of metal are swelling/separating then it's bad (this is an oversimplification). Frames have extended replacements 12 years from first operating date so you are cutting it very, very close to being outside that period. Costs $7k+ for a new frame if not covered.

    2012 was also a unique year because it was the first with secondary air injection (SAIS) which were known to have problems. It may have been replaced already by a recall/service campaign.

    Personally I'd keep saving your money and look for 2013-2015 with lower miles. Good luck.
     
  18. Oct 12, 2022 at 9:50 AM
    #18
    hewitt-tech

    hewitt-tech Dont Replace SAIS, Bypass It!

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    @wi_taco I could not agree more the Secondary Air Injection failure prone. The question is not "If" it will fail but "When" it will fail. I wanted to provide some additional resources for anyone comes across this thread in the future.

    What Does the Secondary Air Injection System Do?
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-does-the-secondary-air-injection-system-do.780847/

    What Do My Secondary Air Injection Error Codes Mean?
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-do-my-secondary-air-injection-error-codes-mean.780848/

    How to Fix Secondary Air Injection System?
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-do-you-fix-the-secondary-air-injection-system.780849/
     
  19. Oct 12, 2022 at 11:55 AM
    #19
    MSgt O

    MSgt O Well-Known Member

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    So? since someoine revived this, did you buy it or no?
     

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