2003 Tacoma Low mileage purchase advice

I just put money down on a 2003 double cab with 42K miles on it. It was owned by an elderly man that traded it on a new one. I agreed to pay 17K, since it was very clean. I am feeling a little uneasy since I'll have to finance at used car rates. I suppose I could have purchased something else with new car incentives with close to 0 interest rates. When I look at the purchase in this way, I'm feeling a little guilty. I'm tempted to call and cancel the sale, so I will sleep on it.
What do you guys think of the new (something less desirable) vs. used at higher rates?
If I decide to go ahead, is there any other service I should request done at 42K and 7 years old, while they have it in the shop? The frame looked ok, and they will treat it. I asked for alignment and tire rotation.
Thanks for the help.

 

I would go for it! with that low of miles. its barely broken in! just get the frame done and you should be good.

 

x2
Tacoma motors and drivetrains are good for AT LEAST 200k. That truck will treat you good

 

gman88,
Is it a V6 4x4 auto? It's hard to say if it's over priced without more details.
It shouldn't need any special service with only 42k miles.
The first gens are proven vehicles so if the truck fills your needs then go for it.

 

Yes, the truck is 4WD with Off Road package, dual cab, tan, no visible sign of body rust except for one little spot along the back bottom of the tailgate. The rims show some signs of wear, but not horrible.

 

7 years old...time breaks down the fluid even if the milage is low. I would do the main fluid flushing like oil, coolant, tranny & differential...then if the power steering and brake fluid looks bad, do those too. IMO 17k is on the high side but then again, if I was selling mine, I would want the highest price too so it goes both ways as a seller or buyer.

 

could still have been abused / used improperly during its 7 years.. make sure all the 4WD components are in good working order, such as the diffs, transfer..

I purchased my 2003 with 73K on the odo and it has a failed front diff bearing that took me a few weeks to realize the symptoms and a bit longer of reasearch online to see others with the same symptom. It's a very tricky issue since the local specialist couldn't detect anything wrong short of taking the diff apart... I'm anticpating a $2K repair bill to replace the diff. Yota quality ftw!

 

I've been shopping for them - that price is in line with what I'm seeing. I'd jump on it.

 

I was in the exact same boat as you, in a pickle between something new or spending mucho $$$ on a 6 year old truck. The new Tacos in my opinion are horrid looking so that was out the window real quick, and there really isnt anything else in their class. I had a 00 Taco for 10 yrs with zero issues, so I wanted to stick with the same. Found me a *Mint* 04 Double Cab with 30k miles for 17k in Nov. 2009 and didnt look back. In my opinion these are the last quality built trucks in its class. Good luck on your choice.

 

Seems high to me. I picked up a 07 DC 4x4 V6 auto with 39k for $20k from a dealer awhile back.

 

Yeah but that's a dime a dozen 2nd gen...

 

I picked up my 04 xtra cab, prerunner, SR5, 2WD, with 77K on it for $12K. The interior is close to mint, paint is in fantastic shape, exterior is damn near ding free, all fluids are new, frame already treated, etc. I could totally understand a lower mileage 4x4 going for a bit more.

I think it comes down to this. Do you feel happy with that price and think its a good deal ? What does KBB say ? Been shopping around ? are there lots of other 4x4 options available for you in your area ? Have you looked at local toyota stealership's used inventory to see if there are newer, lower mileage 4x4's available for around the same price ? Are you stuck on the first gen body styling? Is this the persons asking price or have you haggled/negotiated to this price ? etc..........

 

wow, what were the symptoms? you can PM me so we don't hijack this guys thread

 

My situation is similar, I bought an immaculate 04 D-cab in July 08 with 36k miles for $18,000. Luckily the previous owner had the 30k mile service done, they did everything from trans service, coolant, even new spark plugs. And the guy just put in a nice spray-on bedliner.

Most people that don't know Toyotas thought I got ripped off, they just don't understand that Toyota trucks (esp. the 1st gens) just hold their value like no other, you pay for what you get.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to go with the truck. It was a owner in his 70s that traded on a new tacoma. One owner, local service. It got through the toyota service shop. Dealer is putting new rear brakes, turning the rotors, calipers, some other minor work, alignment, tire rotation, and even changed the wiper blades. I'm getting a new rear bumper that they will install at cost. I drove it dirty, when just traded, so it should look great after the detail it. I don't know what all the Off Road Package had back in 03, so hopefully, a lot of bells and whistles. The radio seemed acceptable. Something like 6 speakers? My guess is that if they are down to replacing wiper blades, they have gone over the vehicle pretty well. I'll be at 18K, out the door with the new bumper. Should I ask them to change the transmission fluid and radiator as one comment said. Maybe they do it at cost.

 

Its the stealership man. Haggle for the best price possible. almost 20K for an 03 ? My local dealer has an 07 with 32K miles 4x4 access cab V6 for 22,900.and its toyota preowned certified.

Dont let the dealership take you for the asking price without even ATTEMPTING to haggle.

 

Yes, the truck was one owner, a guy in his 70s. Local service and trade. Dealer is doing the following after getting the truck in the shop: rear brakes, turn rotors, new calipers, oil change, new wiper blades, alignment, rotate tires, and some other minor work. They frame is fine, but they will treat it. I'm buying a new bumper at cost and they will install. I probably overpaid by $500-$1000, but they have about $500-700 into repairs. Based on some of the comments, I might ask them to change the rear end fluid, tranny, and radiator.

 

The price was 16.9K, plus the taxes, plates, etc. that I would have to pay on anything, so really not near 20K. I figure that I'm still $4K less than an 06 or so, similarly equipped. I did pay for a new bumper, so 17.2

 

KBB has it at 16,800 which doesn't take into account the market and popularity of the vehicle. These trucks are selling for top dollar so I think you did pretty good. However, I would have gone to a junk yard and purchased a bumper and install it myself. 17.2 for a truck that'll go 300k miles, not bad. Plus your frame is warrantied until 2018!

 

Yota, Thanks for the comments. Just talked to dealership. The Services totaled $900 on their side. Obviously, it's not a real $900 to them, but brakes and new calipers can't be cheap. They replaced something called a bell crank, whatever the hell that is.
I'd rather have all the work done that have beaten them down a few hundred bucks.
I asked them if there is "anything" they would suggest, if the mechanic were to buy the truck themselves. They said possibly a tune up, change radiator and four wheel fluids. They said that all are easy to do, so my local guy could easily do it. I'll do that stuff before winter.