Looking to buy 2001 Tacoma few questions

I've never owned a tacoma before but I'm looking at a 2001 Tacoma Prerunner TRD 2wd 162k miles v6. I'd say it is average condition, some clear coat peeling bunch of light scratches all over (was used for hunting) and one good sized dent.

I'm looking at it as a work truck so the condition is fine but it seems like the asking price is a bit high for the condition, $7,500.

Also, are there any gotcha mechanical things on this year/mileage to really look at?


What do you guys think?

Thanks a bunch

 

Price seems within reason, maybe $7000. Those trucks are solid, can't think of any gotchas, but look at the frame well and ask about the timing belt.

 

Guy said the timing belt was done about 5 years ago, what mileage can you typically expect out of them?

Were there any issues with the transmission on those that were common?

Due to condition I was thinking about $6,000 is that low?

Thanks

 

Timing belt should be done every 90,000 miles. The transmissions are pretty good, not many have had issues. Can't hurt to offer $6000.00. If you get it for that price, better for you. These trucks hold their value.

 

Here is the way I look at it. If the truck has paint peeling off, than the paint has been neglected. Plain and simple. If you take care of the vehicle, and properly protect it the finish with regular wash and maintenance, than you shouldn't have paint peeling period. I live in Texas, and I've seen some bare metal roofs from our 110+ August summers and mine is a 2003 and my paint looks great. The point I am trying to make is that if the owner doesn't even care about the look and upkeep of the outside, what makes you think he cared about maintenance on the engine? Also most hunting trucks are beat to hell on the trails, I wouldn't touch the truck with a ten foot pole.

 

Thanks for the input, definitely a good point. The guy says that the places the clear coat is peeling is where it was painted by a body shop. Had a fender bender and had to have some paint work done. Definitely wasn't taken care of as diligently as I do. He is the third owner for what that is worth.

 

ok, my 01 has been beat, the truck has over 200k miles. There have been no issues with it that I have not caused myself. However, just because it gets beat, doesn't mean it isn't taken care of. look at the underside, if it has scuffs on the frame, dents on the skids, and scuffs on the rear diff, then it was probably beat pretty good. check to see if the rear diff locker works. you said yourself it was going to be a work truck, so a little clear coat and dents are not going to make much of a difference. not for what they are asking, but 65 would still be good.

timing belt was mentioned and frame condition. those are the two important things I look at. the difference is that it has cosmetic damage and that can happen to anyone. OP, if you can talk them down and want the truck after looking it over, then get it. just my .02 though.or keep looking till you find what you are truly looking for.

 

If its 2.7 check the exhaust manifold for cracks (they went to a header sometime around the year your looking at, headers dont crack like the manifolds did).

3.4 ask about timing belt

ifs its automatic check the fluid and do lots of driving (i think mine slips every so often, it had dark fluid)

Good luck

 

other thing to look for if its got a 3.4 v6 is the valve cover gaskets. Mine leak and they are expensive to replace so i keep checking the oil to make sure it dont get low instead.

Also consider a t-100 if you can find one. They are sometimes cheaper than tacos. I paid $5000 for my 97 2wd in november of 2010 from a private seller in Santa Rosa, CA. Had 120k on it at the time. Replaced t-belt and water pump and all the other belts .. paid a lil under $300 for parts and another tw member who is an ase certified mechanic and works for the ford dealer in Napa, CA installed everything for $150 in his driveway.

Truck now has 160k on it, only maintenance to date ive done is new clutch bracket (t-100 specific manual trans problem, doesnt apply to tacos), new battery (still had the one from 1997 and it was cracked in the back and leaking) ... then when it still wouldnt start sometimes figured out it wasnt the battery and replaced the starter too.

 

Thanks for all the input guys.

He agreed to $6,200 pending I test drive it and check it out and everything is in good shape.

So sounds like valve cover gaskets (3.4 v6), frame for rust, and transmission fluid (auto) are the important things to check. The timing belt was done at 90k so it'll probably need to be done in another ~18k miles.

The cosmetic stuff definitely doesn't bother me any more than making me a bit worried that the same level of attention might have been given to mechanical care too.

What is the easiest way to determine if the valve cover gaskets are leaking?

Thanks for all the input.

 

pop the hood and look for oil coming out of em.

 

The bolts have been known to loosen on their own over time... if there's a little oil check for tightness.

 

Good luck and let us know how it works out. don't get desperate cause its the first truck you see. If something doesn't look or feel right walk away... Another area to check ESPECIALLY if it was a hunting truck is the steering rack assembly. They are notorious for leaking around boot jackets.

 

I've been looking on and off for about 6 months. A few times I've found something I wanted to look at but they were gone quickly so this when I didn't want to drag my feet.

I test drove it and aside from being a 12 year old vehicle it seemed fine. No odd noises, decent power for a v6 truck, no running hot, didn't feel the transmission slipping. The brakes were a little odd...you had to push the peddle further than I anticipated to get it to start slowing down but they were smooth and didn't grab. I might just be used to my current DD.

I didn't see much rust underneath at all, the transmission fluid was basically perfect and aside from the engine compartment being dirty and there being some "gunk" around the valve covers I didn't see any leaks while it was idling or recent leak evidence.

We agreed on $6,200 and his wife is going to bring him the title this afternoon to sign over. He had a receipt where at 92k he had water pump, timing belt, transmission flush, ball joints, and some other stuff done. It appears to be in working order aside from looking a little beat. Which is fine, I'll put a little elbow grease into it and use it as my work truck and save miles on my other car.

Thanks for all the input guys!