Question about buying an `05

I'm looking for a used 2005 or newer Tacoma 4x4 Crew Manual. I found a 2005 TRD-OffRoad 6spd MT, electronic 4X4, 145K miles. Tow package, bed liner, nearly new BF Goodrich Baja off-road tires, mods include a 2.5 in Total Chaos lift kit and Air coilover kit, AFE cold air intake. Is $16,000 too much to pay for this truck? And how many miles should I expect to get out of this truck seeing that it already has 145,000 miles? That seems like a ton of miles for me, but then again, it IS a Tacoma.

 

KBB has it listed at about $12k for private sale and $15k for dealer sale. Remember mods do not increase the value of a vehicle.

There are guys on here that have way more miles than that on their trucks. It really comes down to how the truck was used and if it was maintained.

 

I didn't know that about the mods in regard to value, thanks! And I was going to offer $13,500 but didn't want to be a dick by "lowballing" if it was truly worth more. Thank you for your input!

 

I wouldn't feel bad about shooting him that offer. 16k is too much with those miles IMO regardless of mods or how it was maintained(unless you know the guy). Have a look underneath and look for rust, gouges/dents on the suspension, frame, floor etc. Looking underneath will give you a good idea of how the truck was treated and what it was used for.

 

Thanks, Ron!

 

You'll find on a lot of used vehicles that asking price has a relationship to what the seller owes on the vehicle, which has nothing to do w value of the vehicle.

I spent 10 years in the car business. Food for thought.

 

I wouldn't pay KBB prices, Edmunds is more realistic. NADA is more than KBB. would not pay near that unless I knew the person well. you could dump some extra coins on that truck with some of the inherent problems these truck have, namely front end problems.

 

Np. I would actually pay more for a stock vehicle vs one that has been modified, again just my opinion. Some other things to look for if you take it for a ride:

If you hear a humming that comes in around 20mph up to 50mph, switch it into 4x4 to see if the noise goes away. If it does the needle bearing is shot in the front diff. The bearings in the front diff do not like lifts on these trucks. Search "needle bearing" and you'll come up with plenty of responses.

See if it has aftermarket upper control arms. Without them and a 2.5 inch lift the alignment might be off, take it over a patched up road with lots of bumps to see if the truck wants to wander. If it does, the alignment is not in spec and you'll need to throw more parts at it.

These are just a couple things I thought of off the top of my head. Ultimately, it's what the truck is worth to you. In my area recently a 2006 DCLB TRD sport sold for 17k with 180k km's. It was scratched, had dents and the undercarriage had never been undercoated resulting in rust.

Elroy is right, but if I could also add it's what the market is willing to pay.

 

Elroy and Al, I agree. Ron, thank you again. You have helped tremendously and brought my attention to some characteristics I would have overlooked.

 

Here are some pictures of the truck if it helps you. Once again, they are asking $15,900 (private seller) and Edmunds quotes $11,669 for clean condition.

 

Everything that the other posters have said is correct.

People seem to think that when they add mods to a vehicle that it increases the vehicles value, it doesn't. Now if it was a classic car or truck then probably. When it comes to the vehicles of today it has no impact on upping the price of a vehicle when it goes up for sale.

It is alot easier to sell a vehicle that is stock compared to modded. When a vehicle is modded then it's going to take that "certain" person to buy it. You're going to be limiting the amount of buying potential from someone buying a modded vehicle compared to a stock one. When it comes to modded you really have to put the trust into the owner of that vehicle that everything was done(mod wise) properly. With a stock vehicle there is a lesser of a chance of something going wrong. Yeah! If you are looking at a modded vehicle and you know what to look for as in for issues if the vehicle has been treated, you're good to go. When adding mods there is more of a chance for use of those mods(lifts, tires etc). There is more of a chance of abuse. I'm sure that not a lot of people are going to put thousands of dollars into modding their vehicles and not use the mods for what they're intended and just be a mall crawler.

When it comes to buying any vehicle, look it over. If you are not sure what to look for then to bring someone who knows what to look for. Get the vehicle inspected by a certified mechanic. Make sure that the owner has receipts for maintenance. mods etc. Usually people who keep track of everything to show what they've done, usually take more pride in their vehicle. Usually shows that it's been taken care of. It's always better that there is a paper trail. I would be concerned if there wasn't.

I hope this helps.

 

12K yes. 16K they are dreaming.

from the pics it looks a bit too whopped to demand top dollar.

Just my $.02

 

Hey OP just as reference I bought my '06 DCSB 6spd last August for $16.5k with 79k miles on it. It had a lift/ m/t's aftermarket stero system, etc. it also had some wear and tear but nothing that bothered me. Granted I was in the right place at he right time, $16k seems to be a bit high for the vehicle you're looking at. I think you are ok offering $12.5, try to settle around $14? Just my .02

 

Looking at the photos that truck has been used well/off roaded. Some things that catch my eye are the staining on the floor, kick panels etc. Someone has been in there with muddy shoes, especially the driver looking at the pedals. Not that this is a big deal, many off road their trucks... some more carefully than others. Something to think about.

To install that lift kit and bigger tires, the mud flaps had to be removed and cutting was most likely done on the inner fender walls. Have a look in there to see how much it has been hacked. It could have even had a "cab mount chop", search that to find out what it is. Point is, if ever you wanted to return that truck to stock, you will have to buy more parts.

Looking at other signs of wear, the headlights, grille has been painted black and is chipping (looks like crap), no antenna, and the bug deflector is broken. Things like that indicate a previous owners pride in the vehicle. If simple things are overlooked by saying "Ah that'l do for now" Have they said that about more major issues? IE drivetrain suspension etc.

Another thing to think about, and someone else might be able to chime in is the front coilovers. How long have they been on? Because eventually those will need to be rebuilt with new seals etc and from what I understand it isn't cheap.

Talking about book prices up here we use the canadian black book. It has 4 categories: Rough, Average, Clean and Extra clean. Some things used to rate vehicles are if it has matching tires, body damage/rust/scratches, interior condition and kilometers. Industry standard IIRC is 24k km's a year.

So for example, starting from extra clean: More than 24k a year, bumps down to clean, interior worn out, goes to average and so on. I'd say the truck you have there is "average".

I'm not trying to sound negative or pick this truck apart, just trying to help you make an informed decision because were talking about a lot of money

 

Thank you, everyone, for the response. Ron, no worries about picking it apart, that's exactly what I'm looking for. As for the truck, I checked everything you noted and it drove/handled great! However, the guy never once told me before my 2 hour trip to look at it, that someone had stolen the tailgate! And the rear L window scraped going up and down, so the window and tint were both destroyed. EVEN with all that, he still wouldn't accept under $14,800. He stated that another guy offered that and I said that he could enjoy his new buy, then. Not down talking the gentleman, he and his wife were very lovely individuals. I wouldn't pay more than $10,000.

 

Good call OP.