Should I buy this 2003?

Found a dream truck for me. It's a 2003 with very low miles (~60K), no mechanical issues. But I know that frame rust is the real killer on these first gens. This truck was used as a snow plow in the NE for most of it's life. It would appear that it suffered some rust damage, and someone welded plates at some point onto the frame to attempt a fix. It seems like the undercarriage was sprayed with some kind of sealing spray as well. Is this a lost cause? Probably would cost around 14K. Unfortunately it's in a different state so I can't go in person to check it

 

NONONONONONONONO

That frame is fucked.

 

Oh hell no!

Welcome to TW!!!

 

No, go west young man. Go west.

 

You can see on the front rear spring perch that it's cracked thru.
All that under coating is clearly hiding problems, and given the amount of rust on everything else it is pretty clear that the frame in no good either.
In that fourth photo it has already been poorly patched.
Not worth buying....

 

That's a hot mess and $14k is mad money. Depends what you want -- if you're looking for a forever truck, no this wont work. If you're looking for a truck for a few years, or a beater, offer $6K.

Besides, snow plowing is tough on trucks... take a pass.

If you have $14k budget you can do a lot better. Have a look..

https://bringatrailer.com/toyota/tacoma-n1x0-1994-2005/

Also, looks like bondo or something on the body in the last photo...

good luck -

 

Hard pass on that one.

As @BatteredTaco says, go west. When I sold my midwestern 2001 DC (living in Missouri then) it was for a 2003 out of rust-free Colorado that I have no plans to ever sell. When I added a 2015 DC to the fleet it was a southern California truck that might never have seen rain. As a native Ohioan I’d never consider a Rust Belt or northeastern used vehicle again.

 

Bro..


And that's one of the better pics??

 

Yikes

 

The welds scream half ass repair, 14k American? Like others have said, go west and south and find a clean rust free Tacoma for that money.

 

this is just a joke.....you're just messing with us.....right

 

That's from the "How to attempt disguising a rotted out Tacoma frame" handbook.

 

Looks mint bud. Trucks up here in the Northeast always stay in great shape as they get older. It's also a known fact that plowing with a truck keeps the frame strong and straight by repeatedly putting a sharp load on the front just like doing sit-ups will get you six pack abs.


No go west and/or look on Bring a Trailer. BaT is usually pretty thorough (both in the ad and in the comments section) and paying a premium for one of these trucks that's in good shape will pay you back many times over down the road in terms of avoiding costly maintenance. I've bought four 1st Gens from outside the Northeast (SoCal, Spokane, SLC, and North Carolina) and they were all better than anything from around here.

 

Thank you all for making me see the error of my ways lol. I wish the best for whoever ended up bidding on that truck. I've instead looked west and decided on a low miles 4x4 single cab 2011 that has lived its life in rust free Arizona.

 

There is a steady supply of these.

Some here have waited as long as couple years....
but they always get their truck

the frame is the main deal maker/breaker

 

Not even for fourteen thousand pennies.

 

Nope, Nope, Nope

Where are you located will mean quite a bit for looking for a Tacoma. If you're in the rust belt, I'd be looking in the SW states and even the SE states. There are lots of Toyotas for sale. Do a Nation wide search, but look in areas without severe rust issues. Don't be in a hurry, take your time, and you'll find a good deal.

You could always buy a one way airline ticket, and drive your new truck home. I know a couple of people that have done this. Just a thought.

 

Will you be traveling through New York on your way to buy this?.
I got a bridge in Brooklyn I'd love to sell you.

 

Have a mechanic perform a PPI.