Question About Experience

Slow down and breath. Good advice given here, I agree these repair estimates that are shocking you are labor expensive. $30K seems expensive to me, but that said, market prices have been surreal the last 4 yrs IMHO. The needed repairs you mention seem relatively reasonable for a vehicle that age, mileage, and with the mods done by previous owner.
Bottom line, I think you have a decent truck. You are in it now, I'd research how many of the repairs you can accomplish yourself; the serpentine belt is an easy DIY from my personal experience. If you have, or can acquire, tools and space to work in, buy yourself a Chilton's manual and see how much of the labor costs you can save. Good luck, I wish you well.

 

For a long time I wanted to replace the last vehicle I was driving, which was German. Don’t want to say too much more than that for now regarding it, but definitely had to go.

Goal was to get something:

• Japanese
• manual
• 6 cylinder (or Turbo 4)
• 4-5 doors
• reliable, durable,
• simple & low(er) maintenance, generally hassle free to the point I could be more of a DIY owner (once all problems were handled) with simple tools.

Initially started a dedicated online search for a replacement vehicle back in May, focused on a mainstream “sports sedan/hatch”. (I came from a German performance vehicle, that I’ll revisit later in life.)

For some reason on June 7, out of fear of more maintenance headaches with those choices and suddenly feeling relegated to lux brands or tuners, I flipped a switch and turned my attention to the 2nd gen Tacoma, a pickup truck.

Didn’t really expect to do that again, but I wanted something versatile I could both enjoy recreationally and also use for commercial purposes.

The TRD Off-Road V6 4x4 trim level often had my interest, but in the past never ever worked out as a final purchase. I always got something else much more expensive or cheaper..

This time, what model year to go with and cab configuration, became a challenge to settle on.

I’d always wanted a pre-2012 TRD OR V6 4x4 ACLB with a stick, but had to let it go and focus on a loaded 4 door post-2010 DCSB TRD OR.

The mileage aspect pretty much dictated it and age concerns with various factors.

I didn’t like the 2.5 dash/interior changes as much as the 2.0 (05-08) & 2.25 (2009-11) interiors, but modern features of 2.5+ won me over.

For amenities purposes, further whittled it down to specifically a loaded 2014-15 TRD OR V6 4x4 DCSB 6MT. Ideally a 2014 (I passed over many nice 2012-13s), because of the clock and standard LCD screen.


I quickly found out:

• There were no manual Tacoma TRD V6 DCSBs available locally within 500 mi of me, so I had to search nationally.

• Unfortunately, most of them were in Rust Belt States or PNW. Didn’t want to buy any 2nd gen outside of Cali, the Southwest, or South over frame rust concerns. Narrowed down options for me.

• The average price for a 2014-15 TRD OR DCSB 6MT at or below 100k miles, was approaching or above $30k in June-July.

• Nearly impossible to find any semi-stock manual TRD OR DCSBs without accident history/salvage/record issue, below the Mason-Dixon line. Too many were significantly modified anyway.

• Seems like stock & accident free manual TRD Sport DCSBs were also much more plentiful than the leftover 14-15 ORs, which proved to be very discouraging for me.

• Most online listings also had the wrong transmission listed, so I had to get crafty and manually filter through all these annoyingly “ambiguous” listings on every sales database, often contacting the dealers for further confirmation:
  • If I couldn’t determine if the VIN was at least 5TFL… (meaning TX built). (3TM… VINs are from Baja MX = 100% automatic.)
  • If I couldn’t find interior pics or window sticker to confirm AT vs MT truck.
  • Got it down to a perfect science within weeks, comprehensively ending up with roughly 4-10 Tacoma choices nationally in late June/July and checking everyday for updated inventories.
  • Pickings were extremely slim and I just about gave up. I wasn’t going to consider a 2023 at $40k+, considering no availability.
    • 2020+ Gen 3 manuals were not any cheaper either, many costing more than new.
    • Wasn’t in the market for 3rd gen otherwise.

Cliffs Notes:

I looked at every possible 2014-15 Tacoma in America for sale from June 7 to July 25, that fit my criteria and wasn’t owned in the Rust Belt. I found the exact results, that I posted below in the photos and bullets.

There were honestly no other choices out there at all for the given year range, unless outrageously $32-36k.

I certainly didn’t find any 20k mile supercharged 2015 TRD Pros for $22k like everyone else seems to, because that was only what was available.

I ended up boxed into a corner with limited market choice and after wrangling with one useless dealer and difficult private party seller, I caved in when pressed for time.

Along the way, seemingly seedy selling dealer gave dumb excuses and told unnecessary lies, which gives me the unsettling feeling I possibly got sold a crap bucket and then sabotaged by them over some sour grapes.

I keep being told otherwise locally, that the truck is great and just normal at this mileage, but I thought what do they know if they don’t even own a Tacoma at all?

Is this actual rust to worry about living in the desert or what?

I’m hoping I haven’t screwed up here with all of these service warnings (threatening recommendations) and repairs. Good to be hearing in here some stuff, on it likely being labor expenses, but my bigger concern is price vs sales condition = scam.

Unless any of you have bought one of these trucks within the last 3 months with the same exact configuration as me, you might not understand the limited choice I had to put up with last summer while vehicle shopping.

I didn’t want a used D40 Frontier, nor a Jeep (too loud) or Bronco ($$$). Had to be another manual, but ideally a 6 cylinder below $30k and suitable for commercial use.

A brand new manual sedan or 4x4 was out of the question anyway, by limited choice.

Had no interest in paying high prices for an automatic (CVT) crossover either. At that point, I would’ve kept my old car then. It was running, just not very practical and demanding.

I’m probably about to leave several horrible reviews for the dealer, because a lot of lies were definitely passed down the river of deceit.

Someone definitely smoked in the truck right before the airport handover and the fresh Swisher Sweets wrappers left behind give me the impression it was the driver who brought it to Hobby, my own sales guy, or another dealer employee at the lot.

It’s an older truck I get and not a new Lexus, but the intent behind it ain’t right, if that is what happened.

They also claimed they weren’t charging any markups with that $30k and didn’t do ADMs. A lot of crap said, that I just wonder.


NOTE: Don’t click-n-read inside the spoiler, if you hate huge walls of text. Just look at the pics then or scroll past.

Spoiler: TL DR Section

My available choices for ‘14-15 on sale were:

• One truck of choice was this nice ASF, stock 2014 T/X Baja in Portland, Oregon at $29,995 with under 126k. Early top choice!
  • 
    
  • No accidents and 1 owner
  • Cargurus said it wasn’t a good deal, plus my budget was originally $15-25kish, so I passed on it due to farther distance & possibly snowy region, plus the shoddily done leather seats dealer later added (I wanted stock TRD cloth) as a last ditch effort to get rid of it.
    • 
  • Didn’t sell for a really long time, plus extremely rude sales guy on the phone put me off of it too.

• Another was a blue 2014 in CA, with under 125k on it.
  • 
    
  • Liked it, really clean truck.
  • Was about to put a deposit & buy a flight ticket to pick it up, when it got sold 7/15.
  • Was at $26.9-27.5k IIRC.
  • Perfectly stock, no accidents.
  • 2 owners.

• This white 2014 at $29,807 w/under 96k in Beaverton, Oregon seemed perfect,
  • 
    
  • Was in maintenance forever & asshat Honda dealer refused to take my deposit to hold it and insisted on first come, first served.
  • With no guarantees to hold it, if flying in out of state from TX nor interior photos provided, I gave up.
  • Zero accidents too, think 1 owner.

• Had seen this one in Louisiana with no price listed.
• Thought it was cool, but could be trouble for me if carelessly maintained by some douchebro. Saw it had some accident history too and 3 owners, but loved the Pyrite Mica and wheels. Kept it at arms length, in favor of other choices. Was a bit leery of anything from Louisiana in the first place…
  • 
    
  • Keeping that tab open for weeks, finally called in on June 27 to get the price and lady said it had been for sale at $33k, reduced down to $29,999.
  • Kept it in the back of my head, but I didn’t want to spend $30k on a 8-10 year old truck (2014-15) ideally. $20-25k was my target or lower.
  • This is the vehicle I ultimately bought begrudgingly, after a long 8 week national online search, including lurking here on TW’s FS section…

• Saw this beauty last minute in mid-July out of a Subaru dealer in Albany CA.
  • It was perfect and MGM just like my old ‘14 truck and ironically got sold same day (by 1st owner) as my truck in April 2016.
  • 
    
  • Called and got told it was sold…
  • Zero accidents, 2 owners, low miles of under 55k at $28,888.
  • I nearly cried, as that was the only mint condition example below $30k…a damn shame.

• This was probably the first one I saw for a good price, on Edmunds in Dothan, Alabama for under $26k at 74k miles.
  • only to call & find out the hard-to-reach dumbass dealer probably forgot to delete the Edmunds listing for a billion years
  • it obviously got sold WELL before 2023, looking closer to stock.
  • (Circa 2016-17 ago at 74k vs 2019 at 105k+)
    
  • I even found newer images from October 2019 of it selling in MA at $24,995 by searching the VIN.
  • 
    Much more built up in Massachusetts at 105k miles. Per , it was sold in late 2019, yet the active Edmunds listing still says 74k with the same VIN and much older photos…a complete waste of time.
    • 

• The only TRD OR example F.S. at a Toyota dealer in Tuscumbia, was this truck near Muscle Shoals, AL. Really nice bunch (over the phone) at Greenway Toyota.
  • 
    
  • Unfortunately too far away from me and flight routes to distant Huntsville or Nashville were going to be a headache out of Texas, let alone driving back with no plates.
  • $27,988, reduced from $28,665
  • Mismatched paint was very suspect, despite no listed accident/damage history.
  • 5 previous owners, at over 102.7k
  • I kept in contact as a last resort, but it didn’t really look good to me paint wise as an MGM owner of yesteryear myself.
  • I skipped it due to distance/travel and fading paint concerns.

• Thought these two trucks in Pennsylvania were interesting, but passed on them:
  • 
    
  • 
    
  • due to Rust Belt concerns
  • TRD Sport instead.
  • No OEM NAV (still pretty handy with updated SD maps off Amazon )
  • Too many mods to the point they’re too flashy and no longer subtle.
  • Accident free Smoky example sold pretty quick in July-Aug, other black one from Ideal Cars is still for sale many months later! Has moderate rust and accident history IIRC, but one owner
    • 
• The one of two ‘15s closest to me , in Austin at Maxwell Ford:
  • 
    
  • I rejected because it seemed tacky overall and high mileage at 139k.
  • 4 owners
  • No NAV either (Texas has data dead spots, updated OEM works just fine)
  • It was going for $24-25k, no accidents.
  • Got sold before I made up my mind anyway.

• Other one in DFW at RPM was overpriced and too many mods to give any serious consideration at $33,991 with 65k on it.
  • 
    
  • 1 owner, with “minor” accident history
  • Cool truck, but too flashy and way above budget.
• Exception to the 2014+ only rule was this 2011 Tacoma TRD OR DCSB V6 4x4, out of a Denver suburb at a Honda dealer.
  • 
    
  • 119k miles priced at $23.7k, zero accidents, and 5 owners.
  • Love these 2011s with single bar mesh grille, but had to let go of it.
  • Got sold before I even made up my mind.
• Another one in Albuquerque slipped through my fingers, one of the best ones I could’ve gotten my hands on.
  • 
    
  • Annoying online listing had no actual photos until the very last day when it got sold and seemed too good to be true, with photoless “false positive” manual trans listings being too jading to bother with.

• Looking on AutoTrader, The last one I found was this 2014 T/X Baja, for sale by a dude in California as the sole owner at $27,800 at under 71k miles.
  • 
    
  • Dude was pretty uncommunicative and kept ignoring any questions or bids I made.
  • The accident damage was concerning to me, per what he showed me here.
    • 
  • It ultimately came down to this exact truck and the Pyrite Mica 2015 TRD OR in Louisiana.
  • I loved the Pyrite Mica much more and the wheels, plus intrastate drive from Houston to back home was easier, so I went with the 2015 instead.
  • His Baja remained on sale for many weeks more, after ignoring my messages to buy.

The issues I had with that dealer in Louisiana are numerous. They seem like a shady Cajun bunch, with mysteriously “good” ratings on Google.

I asked them multiple times why the truck had unpainted or damaged section under the headlights, why the taillights were different from each other, and why it was so expensive?And questioned why it was sitting on their lot so long?

Sheepish excuse he made was, because “no one in Louisiana wanted to drive a manual…”

Plus the truck was great and that he owned an older DCLB, so he could vouch for it. And that they had many inquiries on it…

Unfortunately, Cargurus also listed it as “Fair”/Good pricing wise, once the dealer finally listed a price. Only about several hundred over market value of $29.3k at $29,999. I tried to ask for a discount, excuses were made.

“It has been reduced already by $3k.”

They also kept insisting the truck was a 2015 TRD PRO, probably because the previous owner left some (ill fitting) PRO rubber mats and online tools categorized these 2015 trucks as either “Base”, “PreRunner”, or “TRD PRO.” Fucking badging was on the tailgate saying otherwise.

DA sales idiots refused to reduce the price on that basis, refusing to accept “TRD off-road” 4x4 was a subcategory of “Base” and not PRO.

I had to literally send 2015 PRO press photos to them, from Toyota as proof.

Manager admitted under his breath that online appraisal tools don’t allow them to list it under Trd off-road and that’s why it’s a Trd PRO…

It was definitely valued too high, but CarGurus didn’t think so nor Edmunds…

After my credit union & I poked a hole in that “it’s a PRO” BS, it suddenly became simply about selling at “cost” and making little profit, after reconditioning expenses.

Plus, the modifications allegedly costing them at trade in. I’d love to ask that last owner, how much they actually offered him…

At this point, feeling under pressure from already losing out on those more mint Tacoma examples and being pressured to replace my outgoing vehicle that very week, I reluctantly bit the bullet and signed for this truck on Tues 07/25.

Instead of the white 2014 Baja DCSB I couldn’t reach the private seller on. Both trucks had accident history, 2014 looked cleaner too as you can see.

Went through my CU, because I hadn’t sold my other car yet and couldn’t pay the whole balance upfront. Interest rate was decent enough, compared to every other offer being so high.

Dealer tried to force their higher APR financing on me, but I ultimately refused when I saw the little benefit to me with their numbers and went with my own plans at CU.

After that decision of mine, their disposition changed further and they refused to take $1k off, unless I “helped them out” with going through one of their lenders. I ignored their BS and pushed through, simply for the vehicle only.

I rejected all packages & services they tried to tack on, which further irritated them. The scarcity of what I wanted really ticked me off, to put up with their shit. I listed those trucks for a reason, because there was very little choice out there.

I asked those guys over SMS to send me videos of the truck I requested earlier before I signed anything. They complied, begrudgingly.

Being in such a rush on everything and under pressure, I didn’t have time go back and forth with them anymore, since it involved booking a one way flight ASAP at inflated prices.

I probably with a clearer head and not under pressure, would’ve walked away from this truck over these shenanigans, if not for fucking flight prices being $500-700 one way that week and increasing daily.

I later noticed that Tuesday when I asked two of them if the truck had any stale odors or notable issues, I got tricky lies in response like I was asking a calculus question.

“Does it reek of anything like mildew or smoke?” Simple yes or no. These things don’t bother me in an older truck, but my family members and some friends, most definitely. Different story for me in a mint condition luxury car. He sidestepped it…

Upon arrival at Hobby in Houston 7/27 Thursday morning, I was suddenly forced to meet them in paid parking instead, quite away from the arrival terminal. Walked very long distance.

They picked me up on rooftop and drove further away to examine the truck inside out, with any excitement of mine turning to slight disappointment and muted concern.

I was in some disbelief.

Having made so many expensive arrangements already, I reluctantly handed them over the check for $29.9k with a stern face and gave a stoic goodbye.

Why?

These guys obviously lied 2 days earlier about something as simple as the truck reeking of stale smoke, which I said wouldn’t be a deal breaker (for me) as long it was detailed, so what else did they lie about?

I noticed that lie right away when I opened the door, plus seeing glass cracks and many scratches n dents on body/hood/front bumper.

I expected the former with the truck anyway after 3 owners, yet he lied and tried to pretend that wasn’t the case over the phone before I arrived. Honesty matters, because what else are hiding then?

Days later Saturday night in my sister’s house in Northern Dallas while packing, I actually found a fresh Swisher Sweets wrapper at the top of the passenger floor mat and pieces of it in the backseat door pocket too.

Right there, figured either the guy “J” who drove it to Houston, hotboxed up an SS storm in my truck on the 3-4 hour drive (below) or my salesman “DR” deliberately did that himself at their lot in Louisiana out of spite, after my curious questions on the interior condition.



Yeah, it’s a high mileage used pick up truck with a “certain” aftermarket look to it, so I expected it wasn’t going to smell like sunshine and roses, so why lie about it when asked point blank?

As they were getting out my folder of paperwork to sign at the Houston Hobby rooftop lot and I quickly examined under the truck, I saw a LOT of orange-brown instead of 90% black or gray I’d expect from a truck in the South!



Before they left the rooftop area back to Louisiana, I wondered what fresh fucking hell I might’ve gotten myself into? 8 weeks and thousands of dollars possibly wasted?

Otherwise stranded if I didn’t, I reluctantly accepted the truck and then tossed in my bags and hopped in the driver seat to speed off and leave the parking garage ASAP, which I was already forced to pay for and didn’t even request to meet up inside in the first place.

Truck roof rack was also rather close to scraping the ceiling, due to low clearance areas. Radio Antenna was already hitting.

It was like they did that on purpose and were finding small things to make shit difficult for me. It’s not a 8” lifted 3500 on 40s of course, but the clearance was awful.

Truck thankfully drove great from Houston to all over Greater Dallas and another 10 hours all the way to Western tip of Texas.

Dealer guy understandably added to the mileage by driving it down to Houston from Lafayette, Louisiana, but I guess being pissed off about the lost financing deals, they both found new ways to screw me over.

Finding that Swisher Sweets wrapper in my truck on 7/29, answered my questions about the strong odors.

I found it funny for a sec (to me only, as I expected the truck wouldn’t smell like peaches anyway), but once again disappointing in terms of inconveniencing my asthmatic travel companion (10 hr drive) and their casual dishonesty.

I then realized the possibility either the dude who drove it over to Houston or my salesman, deliberately lit up those cigarillos, after I asked them about any odors. I initially assumed it was the previous owner(s), but maybe not.

How would anyone miss those wrappers while cleaning???

According to them before signing, they were charging as much as they were at $29.9k because of significant detailing and servicing they did, to put it for sale. Then how were those swisher wrappers inside the truck, if it was supposedly “detailed”? LOL

Well, I guess the guys who “detailed” my truck love smoking grape Swisher Sweets on the job and undoing their own work.

Or the dealer detailed nada and it’s the last owner’s trash, meaning all that “servicing” they did likely never happened either I bet.

Plenty of peeps smoke in their vehicles, especially pickups with larger cabins, where it’s not as obvious if they crack open the windows and pay for good detailing.

It smelled pretty fresh to me opening the truck door at the airport.

The only other explanation with my truck is if most of the previous 3 owners really hotboxed it back to back, which I guess is possible at that number over 100k.

Either the dealer lied about detailing and even servicing the truck as they claimed or they deliberately messed up the interior, right after the ink was dry. Simply because I didn’t finance with them and made their manager look stupid to my CU banker for arguing over the trim level appraisal amount.

The message I got upon getting back home, was like the salesguy was shocked I made it home at all. Remember, he owns a 2nd gen Tacoma himself. I asked him about if he actually detailed the truck, he ignored me entirely and talked to the GM about it instead…

GM gave me a defensive, yet jovial denial and apology that rang contradictory. I later filed several warranty claims, which demanded inspection reports from the dealer and salesguy sent those docs without any acknowledgment otherwise. He’s got something to hide…

I’m going to upload screenshots of the dealer’s Pre-Delivery Inspection, when I get the chance to. Plus CarFax.

Both CarMax and Firestone, made some notes about rust while doing appraisal/inspections in August. When I expressed some concerns in response, I think both of them told me not to worry. Toyota dealer as well.?IDK about that, if I intend to make modifications soon and keep encountering issues instead.

I already observed “rust” first thing when I picked it up at Hobby airport in July, but I didn’t bother asking anyone else and kept it moving, in being solely focused on the two long road journeys ahead of me totaling 14 hours.

Not really, I’ve had that convo with myself months ago and some people. There’s nothing in new car showrooms, meeting my criteria at that price point outside of 1-2 cars.

And this is the most basic 4dr 6MT Tacoma for 2023, probably no longer in production (built seasonally). Used 2020s even cost more, well until the dealers noticed by September sales were falling I guess and are course correcting.


I wasn’t going to sell my previous car unless the replacement ticked some boxes.[/SPOILER]

 

Pretty much sums up everything, kind of like a sticky or something.

I love the truck, even more than the brand new 2014 I had. Just want to take care of it right and when the dust settles, do everything myself. Thanks guys!

 

You were forced to buy a Tacoma at the last minute? Or you were sick of your old car and wanted something new and got tired of the search and caved in?

 

Setting aside the purchase experience, I don't see any rust that would concern me. The exhaust has some (normal) surface rust, but the body and frame look really solid. That's just dirt on your transfer case.

You own the truck. It's the configuration you wanted. Prioritize your repairs into must do now and save for later categories. The amount of technical info and expertise on this site is off the charts. Don't pay shop time for simple stuff. Enjoy the truck.

 

Well said

 

It appears from the photos, there is a lot of brown coating (dirt from the desert), on the underside. Have you tried to wipe if off on some areas like the transfer case?

There appears to be a small bit of rust (nothing out of line for a 2015) is on the exhaust and maybe a small bit on the bumper. The frame looks like it is in great shape.

As others have said you can save a great by doing some of the repairs yourself.

 

Had to work yesterday and family stuff, so forgot to log in. Thanks for your helpful replies.

The former.

Nerd in me made some fun out of the research process and seeing the variety of vehicles out there for sale, but I’ll admit I wasn’t solo in decision making here.

Had to settle on another vehicle ASAP, because my beautiful old car was uber high maintenance, even if it never stopped me on the road inexcusably. Didn’t want to sell it honestly.

Got some marching orders from the sidelines because of that car, on the premise of “wasting money” and needing to “get rid of it”.

Probably the highest mileage BMW M car around, so had to replace it after spending 5 figures worth of maintenance in just a few years. I’m not rich personally, so gotta be smarter for once and less impulsive in these rough days.

I ironically tried to get a nearly identical 2nd gen 2010 locally a few years ago, but gave up when it got sold under me and made that dumbass impulsive mistake to get a used Bimmer instead, cuz manual NA V8

A lot of people around me here have frowned on me for buying used once again for the reasons you gave, but I love the truck and all of my alternative choices were older than 2016 anyway. Or much newer, priced above $40k or just “too flashy”.

I was only considering manuals, so that narrowed my selection for new stuff.

New Tacomas were the most low key choices with 4WD, but $$$. Everyone around me spent over $50k on new cars, while I wouldn’t even touch anything $35k+.

It would really suck to be one of the few Tacoma owners who bought stupidly and not fiscally smart & wisely. Essentially taken for a fool.

If that’s not the case (like it sounds), I can breathe a sigh of relief and get ready to get to working on my truck myself, by not paying excessive labor.

Goal right now, is to find & buy a new comprehensive tool kit for Gen 2 DIY work and leave the shops behind.

Still indecisive on what All-In-One set to get, because a number of socket sizes and Torx sets are not bundled together.

450 piece sets I’m seeing seem like overkill TBH, this is what I have accessible to me.



I got other stuff too, but scattered.

Thanks for your help Ted, I really appreciate your advice, if that’s the case, wondering if I’ll cut the dealership a break then on the reviews?

I mean, after driving it home on 7/30 for 10 hrs, I honestly felt that the truck had no issues at all and loved finding something more utilitarian, yet not too boring to drive and still in a slightly compact package (last truck was 1/2 ton). Plus more durable than my previous.

The only difference I noticed was it was driving much slower at home than it did in East and North Texas, because of the higher elevation above sea level, with an older 2000s NA V6 compared to maybe a FI 4/6 cylinder or hi-po V8.

It wasn’t until my steering around town became extremely tight and loud the 2nd week of August (at home).

Plus how I noticed when entering in my driveway it made a weird crunching sound (have these driveway humps) too often, that I thought I should have the truck inspected for any underlying issues.



Having an axe to grind with my local Toyota dealers (and corporate Toyota USA), I wanted to avoid dealerships at all costs. First went to Carmax to check market value for curiosity and have them highlight problems (for free) like a professional buyer would.

CMX didn’t point out much to me, but shocked me with the low offer compared to my old BMW. And the rust notes. I had pretended that “rust” wasn’t an issue, because I was gonna ask TW anyway when I had time to sign up.

Felt like it wasn’t enough info anyway and the weird sounds still seemed suspect, so I went to Firestone (had voucher) to identify what I couldn’t see and check it out for me.

They pointed to the C/V boot or “half-shaft”, later thankfully covered under my warranty.

Then they suggested brake fluid exchange and also commented on my rust too. Mentioned also “transmission hesitation”, like Carmax did.

Now the trans stuff, I’m not convinced one bit. Both CMX and FS failed to realize it was instead difficulty steering at low speed, not the trans.

Had them do the passenger side C/V, in being very dependent on my truck now for business and not having tools yet nor DIY time.

Didn’t occur to me, until the FS manager himself saw it a bit later, that my low-on-fluid & leaking power steering pump was the cause of my slow speed maneuver challenges and not so much the C/V.

I basically was driving the truck nearly dry on fluid, wondering if the 285s and shitty mods were the culprit?

FireS manager topped up the PS fluid for free and I tried to observe for 1-2 weeks if it was truly a leak and they weren’t just trying to nickle & dime me. It had to be replaced, but I paid them instead cuz of no spare time.

Crunching sound that was my original reason for getting it checked out, was now obviously my front right 285 tire rubbing the fender when some articulation occurred, while driving over my driveway hump at 10-15 MPH. Didn’t figure that out until too late. I now take it easy if I can.

I did notice one day with a bad driver, that the horn in the steering wheel wasn’t working effectively and behaving intermittently.

Eventually it just stopped working plainly, unless I turned it beyond 11 or 1 o’clock. I went to Google and saw TW stuff on the clock spring I was suspecting from the getgo.

Lurking on TW once before in early August, I already found out why my AC blew only on HI and I’ll admit, got intimidated by the prospect of taking the dash apart myself, while having an intensely busy schedule much of August and September.

I let Firestone check it out too and they pointed out the exact same thing as TW threads here, plus magically found out that my serpentine belt needed replacing on 9/13 (yet truck had been there often since Aug).

Kinda got pissed at that very point, wondering if I got taken for a ride buying this truck?

I started asking myself what made sense to be paying for a used truck in this condition?

• Horn not working (pending fix)
• Leaning too much to the right (fixed: camber & caster)
• Discolored frame/underbody components and suspension
• Rusting paint & metal screws inside bed
• Scuffs, scratches, WS glass problems (touch up, claim)
• Steering pump (fixed)
• Brake fluid (fixed)
• C/V (fixed)
• Bushings annoyed
• Cigarillos left behind by dealer + lovely after smell
• Smell when carwashed
• Weirdly discolored taillight (left)
• unpainted strip under headlight (left)
• broken rear window visor (left)

I’m feeling like the amount of money I paid would’ve made sense for a mint 2015 Tacoma with minimal blemishes and zero problems to be fixed, versus the stuff that keeps coming up.

These trucks shouldn’t be $30k, unless nearly showroom condition.

Trying to be understanding here, since I understand that you cannot fault sellers for everything on a used vehicle that’s almost a decade old.

But their stubborn inflexibility with the pricing and constant excuse making, like they were selling a pristine gem of a truck at a fair price, eats at me that I might’ve cut myself short by caving in.

Two dudes (salesguy & driver) acted really suspicious at the airport, like they were really nervous and had something to hide. Like I was somehow gonna withhold the check and go back into the airport LOL. I can only wonder…

Not like I was gonna run back to the airline counters and pay $600 for a return flight back home LOL.

Plenty of other Tacoma owners in the 2nd gen sections buy these trucks used, so it sucks to be one of the handful who might have been dumb and too trusting on a truck which should’ve been a few grand cheaper.

I’m going to keep it anyway for a long time and enjoy the hell out of it, because kinda tired of regretting automotive purchases and feeling like Goldilocks.

I wanted one of these trucks badly (2.5 gen TRD OR) to save $$$, now I have it finally. Just not here for any additional surprises, on such a well respected nameplate for dependability. I want this to be a forever vehicle for me and not be another money pit, condemned by age.

It’s a really great vehicle and many aspects of it still feel “new” and acceptable. Toyota designed a good truck, even if everyone else calls these “outdated”. I don’t need anything fancy here and this does the job IMO.

Plenty of unexpected compliments too.

Thanks taco! I didn’t get a good picture of the underbody when I took delivery. I’m trying to remember if I took any video at the airport lot, to compare it to now, after going into the desert in 1 instance to go shooting in August and then 2 weekends ago, when I bent my driverside Bilstein4600 shock on 9/16 at a huge course.

i’m trying to buy a good jackstand and good creeper, but so much budgeting ahead to get a good set of everything. Got a new stand, just sent it back as truck is too tall, but IMO still needs some raising for me to work on it myself.

My last two personal vehicles were just too fanciful/complex to work on, this truck will be much easier once everything I need is on deck.

I think because I jumped right into putting it to work as a workhorse once I got back home, I didn’t really give myself any breathing room to plan & work on it myself and just tasked other entities with doing the work for me, in feeling I had insufficient tools.

What I thought was just checking its condition with Firestone to ease any concerns on the road, just spiraled into a number of things needed to be fixed.

The TW thread on the second GEN recommended comprehensive set of tools, I’ll admit intimidated me a lot with feeling I don’t have enough already at my disposal and need to find a $$$ set.

Definitely gonna do that first oil change myself and just use synthetic, but wavering on the right clockspring part to buy online.

I get that owners take care of their maintenance, especially on TW and these trucks in general. I wanted to make sure that the condition was great overall, so I could take over its maintenance from there.

I already made the mistake of buying the truck as-is from another state, so the best I could do was have someone check it out for me after getting back home.

I didn’t really have time to wait for myself to get stuff together and figure out how to buy the parts and fix it myself.

Under the insecurity it was going to hinder me from driving safely while working, if I missed anything on my end as a rookie mechanic. In other words, a bit paranoid.

The power steering pump and brake fluid business, I really should’ve planned better to be honest. Those didn’t need to be done by Firestone at all. C/V was covered by warranty.

Paper trail was definitely important for a BMW, but this one not so much going forward. Never want to sell it (ideally), so if I do, might be an extremely long time away from now.

4th gen is nice, but not anytime soon.

Thanks 2WD! Good to know I got nothing much to worry about regarding anything unfixable.

Great advice on the blower, as it’s not urgent and waited to ask TW about it for this reason. Thanks dude.

I do intend to install a proper suspension kit ASAP and get rid of the blocks. I really like off roading in my trucks here in the TX/NM desert and consider this lousy RC kit a big hindrance, so I’m taking care of priorities first, before moving onto major mods like a 3-3.5 inch suspension lift.

Will never touch anything 4-6 inches though and had them vet if the frame has not been cut by the previous owners. I’m not familiar with body lifts nor cheap spacer BS, so I do kick myself for not realizing it has spacers.

Unfortunately the serpentine belt already been done by Firestone on 9/15 with a big discount, before I started posting on TW. Could’ve saved even more money by what you’re saying, but it’s only feasible provided I do have the right tools I guess.

Somehow I get the impression I don’t have the right stuff yet or it’s too scattered in my tool cabinets. Now that I’m starting a new job that’s remote, trying to see what I can do with all of this now.

Oh man, wow!

We’re practically in the same boat and it’s partly why I had hoped getting a 2015 would ease any worries.

I really just need to find time to start doing all this stuff myself just like you and your buddy are doing.

I just have to way too much going on I guess and having a Firestone account, made it too easy to outsource to them.

Toyota saying my bushings are weak last Tuesday while REDOING my alignment a second time, has me exasperated.

Seems like it’s one thing after the other and it’s expected maybe for the age, but the price of $30k is a whole nother matter. Oh well, love the truck at least and how it’s helped me with business.

The labor $$$ is an annoyance and I’m definitely going to take all of your advice going forward. Having to fix these many things at all, I just needed to be sure if it makes sense for a 2015 Tacoma at 103k.

I worked really hard to find a Sunbelt owned manual Tacoma with no accident history and little blemishes, but it was impossible, unless a TRD Sport or regular V6 SR5.

Vehicles without accident history tend to fare much better than those with, but I got very unlucky with those pristine specials getting sold quickly or being Rust Belt.

Seems silly to mention this, but I wonder if most of the 2nd gen Trd off-road owners in the Sunbelt just refuse to sell their trucks or were not as careful as 2nd gen (manual) TRD Sport owners? The automatics being less rare, didn’t have this common issue with accident history.

 

And I thought I got raked over the coals. Just bought a '15 DCSB 1 owner with 104k mi been Toyota dealer maintained and southern no rust for 25k couple months ago, and that was from a dealer. No issues at all, just some maintenance needs like plugs TB cleaning. Granted it's bone stock though, I wouldn't touch anything with a spacer lift

 

After reading all of this all I can do is add on to what some others have said. If you are going to own an older vehicle you have to do your own maintenance, Within reason.

All of the maintenance items you listed are doable in a drive way with limited tools. If you don't have the time to do it yourself expect to pay high labor rates.

 

FYI:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ckets-and-wrenches-for-2nd-gen-tacoma.158302/

 

Lucky you, but the pattern I had observed with used 2nd gen manual DCSBs, was the TRD Off Roads tended to be more abused (unironically) and not as well maintained compared to manual TRD Sports and V6 SR5 of the same vintage, plus higher in number.

I was really deadset on a TRD Off Road or T/X for my own reasons, which boxed me in.

This one in California was really special at $28,888 with 54k on it. Narrowly missed it, as it’s just like my old 2014 that wasn’t a TRD. Ironically, both its first owner and me sold our trucks on April 1, 2016.



My old truck from Nov 21, 2013 to April 1, 2016



I’m wondering if I should leave my dealer (Don’s Automotive Group of Broussard) some 1 star reviews for the trouble? Bunch of tricksters for making it sound like it was well maintained for the $$$, but luckily I like the truck.

After the current stuff is all addressed, things need to be done only within reason, whether maintenance or mods.

I’m trying to determine what to replace the stupid spacer lift with TBH. Since it’s had 3 previous owners. Problem is I don’t want to spend more than $2k.

Limited tools can alright? Good to know honestly, because a 450 piece set without everything needed is not a good use of money I’d bet, if I already have some tools at my disposal.

Thanks, as keeping everything under reason is very important now.

Yes, saw it before I signed up here. It’s thee thread in question, I have held up like the bible of maintaining these trucks. Trying my best to make sure I find a complete set which matches the listed tools and pull the trigger.

I think the major thing is learning how to do my own alignments after any work. Thanks

 

man, I think you're focusing too hard on the negative stuff.

As for tool sets, I think the only "set" I ever bought was probably my very first one. After that, I buy things as I need them. I suggest that route. No need for a bunch of stuff you won't use if this is your only vehicle.

You can always get Taco Tabs. They lock in your camber/caster. Then you only need to do toe. I haven't done an alignment in years.

Are you in Broussard? I travel back and forth to Monroe for work throughout the year.

 

OP, take this for what it's worth. You sound from your posts, over analytical about your situation. You now have 2 choices: keep the truck and bring it up to good condition, or get rid of it. Don't beat yourself up about what the situation was. It was what it was, it is what it is. The truck looks fine. As others have said, learn to work on your truck, and take some trips to bond with it. Commit. I used to have the same overly analytical approach to relationships and realized I was missing out in actually being present to enjoy them. I was just killing time.

 

Yeah it happens. I would stress less and just get it where you want it though since it's already bought. I'm a big proponent of show me the carfax as I want to see where it came from, where its been, and get a good idea of service history. Never trust a dealer, even mine was supposed to be serviced and had to wait a week to pick up, but couldn't tell they did anything besides wash it, replace air filters, balance tires, and alignment even though was right at oil change due. Miserable week in the worst vehicle in history as a loaner for essentially nothing, still have sciatica from that POS

 

Did you overpay a bit - probably. Sucks that you had to fix stuff - yeah. Did you get 'lucky' with the truck - no.
That being said, most of the listed problems are non-issue or a simple DIY fix.
You don't have "rust." What you have can be DIY cleaned up if you really want to.
Unless you owned the truck from new or the previous owner(s) documented everything religiously, many trucks don't have a good maintenance history. My truck is well maintained, but you won't see it in Carfax, just a hand written log (which could be fabricated just before listing it for sale). Coincidentally, Carfax doesn't record all accidents ... guess what the cause of that discolored taillight might be ...

 

If i remember correctly..OP sent his truck
https://youtu.be/lVa2waghbUE?si=gojnrFZqc6d16nCX

 

I have a spreadsheet made to buy all the parts to rebuild my entire front end from the frame rails out. Its less than $2500. You could get a set of bilstein 6112 for less than half of your budget.

Man you are being too methodical and way over thinking this.
If you have zero tools and a decent head on your shoulders (sounds like you do). Grab a tool set that as 1/4" and 3/8" drive sockets and ratchets from 7mm to up to say 19mm. A set of wrenches with the same sizes and an assortment allen wrenches , hex drive and some pliers. you should be able to tackle most all maintenance jobs with those tools alone. Then buy the special / less used tools as you get to needing them.

 

This was my first thought on the "rust"

As others have said, a lot of the repairs are fairly easy to DIY. As said in the quote, priorities the must have repairs, save the stuff like the paint chips/dents and other small stuff for later as the finishing touches.

 

Great advice regarding the tools! I will also look into Taco Tabs. Thanks.

Started training for a new remote job in addition to my business, but logged out for a bit until today. I apologize for my late response.


I’m only hard on myself, because of past mistakes with seemingly unsteady vehicle ownership and some others around me shaking their heads with “I told ya so’s”, based on those very past mistakes.

I can personally accept my decision with this truck (itself), in knowing the market selection was limited for the model year range and how I love the truck above it all anyway.

I’m partly more focused on not letting the dealer off the hook so easily, because of the utter BS justifications they gave when I was attempting to haggle it down to $28 flat.

I could see right through it, but ignored all the signals to not be overly combative and unreasonable, in case I was actually in the wrong.

It would’ve sat there for many more weeks LOL, if I hadn’t been an out of towner and instead trusted my gut. I’m REALLY wondering why it sat there and locals didn’t touch it LOL.

I always enjoy driving this truck, provided everything works as I expect it to (going forward). Get a few unexpected compliments too, for such an “old” vehicle.

After I fix everything, I expect it to be at least holding up long term like most Tacomas of the same vintage and nothing major again, unless I cause it myself (ie my bent shock).

Want to be doing mods to enhance the truck for me while using it for personal & business use, with little fuss.

Anything getting in the way of mods, either is standard fare repairs with age or an unwelcome anomaly, any well intentioned owner will question, if other Taco owners don’t have these issues.

All of the answers here, help me see what is relatively normal at least.

My last vehicle (BMW) required so much reconditioning after buying it in 2020, I stubbornly refused to sell it after fixing everything, despite it creating a hole in my wallet. Ended up never becoming a project car like planned, when all of the money was going to unexpected repairs or maintenance.

I never even raced nor showcased that Bimmer, which befuddled many other enthusiasts around me.

And funny enough, other than flat tires or once replacing the alternator, that Bimmer never stopped me once otherwise. Always ran and never had any actual check engine lights. Always able to drive it.

Sold it at under 190k miles (being under pressure), which is rare for them in most cases. You don’t see M cars with such high mileage, unless 20-30 years old.

Pretty much explains why I ditched it (high miles with no warranty or required sophisticated DIY tools) in favor of something that worked for business and personal use, with a trusted name and easy to work on myself. A Tacoma. A lot of other truck choices were a no-go.


I am not from Louisiana, I live in Texas. Per my earlier posts, I met them in Houston after one of their guys drove it from the dealer in Broussard and met me at the domestic airport (Hobby) with my salesguy. I handed over a check. Then took over the truck & drove up to Dallas Love Field to pick up my ride along companion, stayed some time in Northern Dallas and then drove back home another 10 hours west, to where Texas meets Mexico and New Mexico along the Rio Grande. It’s pure desert here with nice off-roading spots accessible to the public.

Taco drove perfectly and I figure it did for the dealer guy as well. Guess it saw a lot of miles between Louisiana and me getting back home, where some problems began to show once at home for some days.

Thanks, I’m definitely not wanting to sell it and ideally want to keep it forever, alongside newer vehicles. My concern is with equity. And yes, I admit my sour grapes is mostly about what I paid and expecting little reconditioning expenses, in thinking it’s why I paid a premium originally.

Not because of a markup, but their insistence it was reconditioned and serviced on several levels. I question what they actually did and how much handsome profit they got?

I overall spent $10k more than I wanted on a replacement vehicle, before splurging on something more aspirational in 2024-25 as a working professional. So, I did take out a low APR loan since this went above budget.

The only exception I made with my budget was for one of these trucks and every other choice was supposed to be below my set budget of $20-25k.

Based on what I’m hearing here, it sounds like the truck is good enough and not as worrisome, so other than side-eyeing that dealer, I can mostly move on and make peace with everything. Specifically, stop beating myself up.

I did take part of the money from selling my other car and pay down the balance of this truck by $10k on 8/28 before first payment due. The low APR loan still needs to be paid, but thankfully it’s decreased in total. Just want to avoid negative equity.

Good points! Thanks.

Many trucks don’t have a great maintenance history? Makes a lot of great sense, that I can live with myself a bit better taking note.

It’s not shocking at all and what I told myself on the first drive from Houston to Dallas. “It’s a (older) truck, stop crying”.

Some stuff the dealer just wasn’t going to notice or encounter I guess, while some other stuff they glossed over. Such as the windshield cracks.

Rust is thankfully not the issue I thought it was, so dealer is in the clear on that one.

I had a history of buying many vehicles I couldn’t maintain within reason (2014-2020) and it probably explains my frustration if “I did it again”, instead of being sensible and prudent for once.

This time, I was supposed to get it right and keep trudging along.

If this vehicle can be the exception (to my past mistakes) and isn’t as bad as I thought, it makes my day and much more.

Yeah, this truck did have accident history and I knew that when buying, as it didn’t make a difference in it being valued as “FAIR” or “GOOD” in pricing instead of “Overpriced”. Even the other truck in Cali I was considering had accident history. The few TRD ORs that “didn’t” have accidents were in the Rust Belt or were a hassle to acquire.

The color, the wheels, year, options, transmission, and trim level sold me on mine. Short of JBL Audio and VIP RS alarm, it has everything. The OG owner got a mostly loaded truck, one of the last 2015s built.

It’s only going to look better when I am done with it. I want to keep it a very long time, unlike the 2014 I ditched too early.

Living out here in the desert, I definitely know a lot of trucks are abused (just cuz), especially secondhand or etc. after the first owner.

It all depends on the majority of the guys who bought them used after the 3rd gen fully took over (in early 2016), especially when this is what happened to my 2014 with the second owner in late 2016 (only a few months).



Anyone care to guess how that happened? Found it years ago doing a VIN check. (Maybe a teenager’s first truck and he rolled it? )

Same thing happened to another truck (old Raptor) of mine I had sold in late 2016, but this time a young enlisted guy totaled it off-roading in Oregon 3 months later.Both my old Raptor and my 2014 Taco were totaled weeks apart, in Texas and Oregon.

A lot of dudes only like the “aggressive” look of BOF 4x4s and beat on these trucks, if depreciation isn’t a factor anymore LOL. That’s why it’s best to buy them stock and not overtly modified (sorry to anyone with builds in the classifieds).

Wasn’t an option here, as after 8 years, fat chance you’ll find these manual Tacomas still stock LOL. Save for retirees with bedcaps, in the PNW or Rust Belt.

Lesson learner, that even if the nameplate is good, it’s still about the last owner(s) and maintenance history.

I did mention before that I didn’t get to jump it, as it would’ve been well worth the damage cost if I had.

I recently found video of the incident (I thought I hadn’t recorded successfully) and it’s pretty ho hum, that I had to keep rewinding it to even be sure.

The desert out here can have some weird spots and mix it in with a cheap spacer block lift, makes for dismal results like my bent shock.

It happened when I kept having issues with getting stuck in soft sand, so I panicked from fear of slidin back and wasn’t braking enough, while trying to desperately push through the thick sand. Didn’t move through one area of sand slow enough and paid for it, but not too much.

I was able to drive it out of the course, stop & inspect, then make it across a huge highway underpass, to a strip mall parking lot… It rubbed heavily and you can hear it in the video.

I’m thankful that’s all it was and no frame nor axle damage or anything else costing thousands to fix. I got lucky it wasn’t worse.

Even wonder if my passenger side C/V & steering pump going bad was from my previous outing in August at another spot? I’m used to Raptors in that desert terrain and maybe need to tone it down on this truck, unless I get a Fox or King setup. Can’t be driving at 15-20 MPH with little articulation.

My last Tacomas were owned in Texas Hill Country and not really the wide open desert over here. I need to rip out that current spacer block setup in the truck, before going off-roading again.

Thanks Hayden, I see your point. It’s great to not need so much to buy and breathe a sigh of relief on that one. I’ll attack it bit by bit going forward.

I can’t wait to make this into the rig I want it to be, sooner than later.

I am curious about the Bilstein 6112s?

I’m looking for something 3” and making sure the truck sits level. I think this cheap one is close to that already. A shop who checked it out, recommended 4” and 6”, I said no as I don’t want any cutting.

I think the biggest relief here for me is the “rust” concern being a non issue and it’s mostly why I created this thread. Another factor was price that I paid and the other was some guidance on how to proceed.

We don’t really see a lot of snow here, except in late autumn or the winter on occasion. Nearest body of water is the Rio Grande, which is dry half the time anyway.

I haven’t been driving as much with my new job training, but I’m trying to figure out some stuff regarding paint work I want to do.

I’ve already bought the clockspring cable part and will hopefully get that settled eventually.

I really do want to get rid of that spacer block kit and I’m pretty excited to put a better suspension kit on it, but priorities come first.

If I move to the Rust Belt ever, I’ll make sure I drive something else during the winter and keep this one parked until spring.