07 190k miles for 7k worth it

V6 extra cab 4x4 auto. 192k. New alternator water pump and brakes. Original trans. New frame 2019. Has some rust on bumper and some small dents. Older couple friend of a friend. Drives nice to me but I’m no mechanic. Didn’t see any leaking in timing chain cover I read that’s an issue. I’m confused on head gasket though is the 07 good on that? Any specific things I should look for? Suppose to purchase next Sunday. Appreciate any advice. Thanks

 

Pictures?

 

The factory head gasket issue was resolved by 07, I would make sure to get the vehicle looked over for rust, new frame 6 years ago is a nice bonus. Did the 4x4 system work correctly when you test drove it?
I would make sure to get a mechanic to take a good look at the engine/transmission, if the engine and transmission are in good shape its a good deal, the mileage is high but if its not been abused then it will last quite a while longer.

 

4x4 worked as it should. To me the engine and trans worked as they should also. Frame almost zero rust some very minor surface. I’m really just worried about mileage I drive about 15k a year.

 

I wouldn't worry about the mileage to much if the engine/transmission check out.
Any vibrations when driving or at idle? How does the engine oil look? If everything checks out and you buy it I would drive it for two weeks/one month max to determine if there are any issues that need to be resolved and then do the preventive work I listed below.

I would recommend replacing spark plugs, engine and cabin air filters, accessory belt(if it is over 5 years old). clean throttle body and maf sensor. flush all fluids - transmission fluid and filter, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, transfer case oil, front and rear diff oil, and motor oil change. grease U joints if they are greasable.
You can do many of the fluid flushes yourself, transmission fluid is the only one thats semi complicated, make sure you don't get air into the brake system.

 

is the interior well-kept or roughed up a bit?

 

Open the oil-filler cap, take some clear, well-lit photos down the inside. What does the timing chain look like? Any sludge or gunk on the chain or the sprocket/bolt that is visible there?

Open the radiator cap (when engine is cold, of course) -- is the coolant full, and what does the coolant look like? Clean and a good color like red or pink?

If seller will let you pull the passenger-side spark plugs, pull them and inspect for excess oil fouling -- or excessive cleanness, the latter possibly indicating an internal head gasket leak.

 

This is a lot of great advice guys I really appreciate it. I like the idea of driving it for a month. Some of the things are over my head I’m really thinking I’m going to ask them if I can drive it to a shop close by and have them look at it. Interior is surprising clean especially for year and being a truck. I’ll see if I have an interior picture I’ll post. Again really appreciate all the responses.

 

? plastic trim boards are all properly mounted and secured?
gauge cluster lens not overly scratched?

 

Yes

With 5 years on the frame, and the rest in decent shape, yes

probably only get another 200k out of it tho..

 

Cluster clear all plastics intact. With all these responses I’m definitely hoping to take to a mechanic just to be sure. Man I’d love to get another 200k out of it, probably will be a third vehicle around 275k

 

seems like a good price to me.

Like others have said, I'd open the oil cap and see how tarnished the inside looks.
That will give you an indication of how well it was maintained.
I'd try to put a scanner on it. You can usually look and see when the last time any codes were cleared.
And if any are pending.

 

I do have a scanner so I will run that. What do you mean by tarnished?

 

Random engine pictures from google showing internal engine tarnish, the tacoma 4.0 will physically look different but this gives you an idea of what color is good.
Basically after 50K+ miles the oil is going to change the color of the internal metal parts and you can get a idea for how often the oil was changed based on how the color of the tarnish and if its really bad there will be sludge/gunk buildup. Its not a science but if it looks very nice its a safer bet the vehicle was well taken care of.

Good tarnish


Bad tarnish with slight gunk, see how it looks kind of burnt, indicates it probably did not get regular oil changes and maybe used low grade oil(that last part is semi speculative)

 

Thank you for that research I will definitely check that out.