2005 Toyota Tacoma... $8k should I buy it?

Different generation Tacoma, my 2003 Tacoma has 238,000 and runs like new.

 

8k isn't really a lot any more for a used car. Is 8k your budget? Or are you looking for a deal? The mileage wouldn't worry me at all on these trucks. I thought its been well documented that this is generally a 400k truck before things start to get iffy. And being an AZ truck, you shouldn't have to worry about rust. I actually bought my 08 from Camelback Toyota!

 

I bought my 2005 Prerunner from a small dealership who took it trade. 140K mi., SoCal truck, no rust. Matching ARE shell. $10K. Obviously well maintained with Toyota parts. The head gasket issue is a concern, but it's a small percentage. Don't overheat it, change the oil. I wouldn't recommend towing.
My personal opinion is that $8K is a bit high for the truck you describe.

 

Here's the way I look at high mileage cars and trucks... if it got to 250K with me, it's a great vehicle.-- I got my money's worth and the rest of the vehicle's life is gravy. Now the next 100k miles... maybe it will be great, maybe we'll start seeing some expensive problems. Whatever, like I said I've got my money's worth.

Now, if I see one for sale I think "Someone got a lot of life out of that thing. That's amazing". And then I ask myself... why's he selling it now? Getting nervous about something failing? Is it starting to seem worn out? Getting out while it still has a little value? Are the things it needs more costly than it's really worth? Just not loving it anymore and knowing there's a better car out there? It could be any of those reasons, but I'd prefer not to roll the dice on the next 100K miles.