New owner: Gears and springs?

East TN here..

I've always wanted a 1st gen, I'm test driving one tomorrow.

1999 Tacoma 4×4 auto w/ 218k, 2.7L, clean frame for $8300

The guy said tranny runs good, but when put into gear the truck will kinda rise or squat depending on Drive or Reverse.

He says the leaf springs are visually flat, need replaced, and that's the cause. Is that locical?

Also, with the 4.56 gears, how bad is the gas mileage gonna be? Mostly highway driving.
Opinions?

Thanks, glad to be here!

 

The leaf springs could be the problem, as the truck might be getting axle wrap when shifted into drive/reverse. Also could be motor and/or trans mount needing replacement.

The fuel mileage should be okay, and you wouldn't want to adjust the gearing to taller gears to improve mileage anyway, as that 4-cyl will likely feel pretty gutless already with an auto trans behind it (and taller gears like 4.10/3.91 would really exacerbate that). Personally I'd bargain that price down a bit if the truck has some deferred maintenance