Hopeful Triumphant Return!

Hi Everyone.
Been a long time since I made a post here. I haven't had a Tacoma in some time but I think there might be a return here very soon. I found a 2003 Access Cab 4x4 5 speed 3.4L with only 108,000 miles on it! I wanted opinions of how much do you think I should (or not) spend on the vehicle.

What I know (that wasn't stated above) is that there's a small dent in the chrome bumper, the clutch pedal needs adjusted, there's a small small amount of rust in the bed and the rear passenger wheel well. Also rear bumper is rusty (assuming why no pictures.) O2 sensor needs replaced.

THE GOOD: All recalls have been performed on the vehicle! Low miles! No frame rust!

What do you guys think would be a good price. I think they're asking 6k. I may be able to negotiate!

 

Man buy that now or let me.

 

So it's not on marketplace or CL. It's a friend of a friend that hasn't listed it for sale yet but wants to sell it. So I think I may steal it lol.

 

Yea man if it truly has no rust that’s a good deal. I bought mine with a little rust on the body. But the frame and all the undercarriage had been replaced by Toyota. Mine is the exact same truck but a 2.7 with 127 k on it. I paid 5 grand for it.

 

$6k is a steal

 

Buy that shit.

 

Was the frame replaced?

 

He said it was undercoated several times and it looks great. All maintenance intervals done at toyota and they said it's in great shape.

 

If you pass on that please let me know. I am looking for one for my son for his first truck. Thanks!

 

Tread carefully.
Undercoating can be used to conceal just as easily as it can be used to protect.
I'm not into body rust or undercoating, so consider me skeptical.

Timing belt been done?

Go in with your eyes WIDE OPEN.

 

Yea that frame still warrants a hammer test, given the fact that body rust is present. If the frame checks out $6k is a steal. That being said I'd budget another $3k minimum to get it caught up on preventative maintenance.

In my experience trucks with really low mileage like that are some of the worst culprits for having everything still original (timing belt, vacuum lines, spark plugs, plug wires, most fluids, coils, every bushing, shocks, leaf springs, etc). Time and the elements wears many parts out despite mileage being low, and that list of things needing a refresh can add up quickly.

 

I paid more than twice that for mine, why isn't your bank account emptied? GO!

 

$6k is a steal, even if it has a few maintenance items to perform (like new OEM lower ball joints).

But yes, I’ll emphasize what others said. Undercoating WILL hide potential BAD rust, so throw on some work clothes, take a creeper, spend 30 minutes underneath inspecting the frame - tapping with a hammer and prodding at it.

another sign of hidden rust is if the frame looks “great” but every bolt, other parts on the truck have rust. Maybe the frame was replaced and is great, but if you have to torch/sawzall off any bolt to perform maintenance, it’s not a truck I would personally deal with these days.

 

I'm going to go look at it Sunday. I'm looking forward to it. I learned to drive stick in a 1997 Taco and I can't wait to feel the nostalgia climbing back into one!

 

Yeah, don't buy that truck. Let me know exactly where it is and I will tell the owner personally that you don't want it...

 

That truck would be worth $6K if it was on fire. Seriously, if the bumper and wheel well have rust I would look long and hard at the frame.

 

Hopefully you bring the entire $6k when you look at it
DEAL.

 

As a lot are saying... $6k is a steal!

 

Ok so the seller called me before I went to go check it out yesterday and said the clutch needed adjustment bad and he and his buddy are gonna do it and I’ll go check it out next weekend. He also has never privately sold a vehicle before so he needs to find a notary for the title. Said he wants to be fully prepared for an easy buying/selling process. So that’s fine with me. He’s 75 minutes away from me so I’d rather not make two trips trying to buy this truck!

 

Sounds like he is changing his mind about selling, or will be selling it to someone else for more.