Advice from real owners

I have been shopping for a new to me tacoma, and I have come across a real nice 2005 extended cab with the trd off road package, the truck a low 55k on the motor.

What should I look for before I actually buy it? what where the major problems with this year? I know this is the first year for the new design so there could be problems im not aware of, some stuff I have read on google said that there pretty bad and to stay away (mostly due to frame rusting and bad motor) are these true?

I'm sure you get a lot of questions like this so just add this one to the list..lol

Thanks for all responses, I will be going tomorrow to take it for a test drive so I hope to get a good bit of input here.

 

I will put this out there. Sounds like with the low miles this truck may have sat for a while. You may want to check all the rubber pieces to make sure they are not starting to Rot. As for problems with this year/type I do not know any of that so I can not speak to that.

Rich

 

mine is a 2008 so i haven't ever bothered to look into what problems 05's came up with. i'm gonna bet the overhead compass/thermometer isn't working which is a common problem with tacoma's from the start of second gens to at least my year and likely longer. in many cases fixable and in reality a minor problem to begin with. good luck with the drive bud!

 

'05 ...era of rust....check every inch of the frame

 

I have an 05 trd off road.with 157 thousand miles on it. I would say, check the frame for rust (surface rust will always be on most o5s due to age and use) if it looks bad then step away. Also, If you test drive it, do it like you stole it. Make sure the transmission functions flawlessly. Take the VIN number to Toyota Services to check any work performed by them. Also, look at the truck closely for any "new" looking paint (for chips) as well to see if it has been repainted. Just my 02.

Overheard console, blower motor chirping are thing to look for as well as sagging leaf springs.

As for the motor being "bad" , I have not had one issue with my motor. Change oil when you need and keep fluids up to date and you will be gtg

 

Is the truck in the northern climate? Also how much $?

Just remember its an 8yr old truck, I wouldn't break the bank for it.

 

and the frame rust issue affected the 1st gens, not the second gens btw. There has been no recall for frame rust on my 05 taco

 

Wrong. Just take a quick search on the forums and google.

Edit - add link

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...a-2nd-gen-terminal-frame-rot-rust-cancer.html

 

Yeah, Using the search I found one issue. It is generally known that 1st gens have a recall. Find me a recall on a 2005 taco for frame rust

 

Just because there hasn't been a recall doesn't mean it's not a known issue.

Back to the original point, the guy looking to buy a 2005 should check the frame because it is possible that it will have rust issues.

Google.com is an amazing thing.

https://www.google.com/search?q=2005+tacoma+frame+rust+recall&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari

 

Yep- thats the one link with a picture-not a recall.I am glad you are slapping your own face

BTW- can you also try and find the actual toyota recall announcement? Or even a TSB on the issue? And you dont even own a 05. I do, I have zero issues with frame rust.

The comment was to etna who stated that 05 was the era of rust.


OP, look, it is a 8 year old truck, There is going to be a little wear and tear on it, unless you buy it from a grandma.

 

Just wondering why these rusted out so bad? Inferior steel, lack of paint rust proofing?

 

I can see that ones that happened were because of owners assuming toyota would have fixed their frame issues from the 1st gens, and then not properly taking care of their frames after road salt, and water IMO

 

Before I rant about toyota and rust, to answer the question to or original poster. The main issue on the 05's were faulty engine mount setup where the flange welded to the frame collapses into the frame. Try and pull toyota histoy using the vin to verify what work has been done to the truck by previous owners.

Also low mileage is not always a good thing for vehicles since it means they are sitting for longer periods which hardens seals and lets water sit in the exhaust and other areas without drying out.

Toyota just keeps dropping the ball on frames.

Dealers are now getting new lifts to do frame swaps on the sequais due to the size of the vehicle.

The 2nd gen tacoma will likely fall into this catagorie of need frame swaps as well.

All steel rusts with moisture or salt it just depends on how you treat or protect it. A can of 99 cent flat black paint would provide better protection than the joke of a product toyota used.

Some will say yeah my truck is not rusting but they live out in areas where there are still glass topped fuel pumps looking new.

 

I had my 05 Tundra until last year. It only had 51K miles on it. Never sat for more than a week's vacation. I just lived 4-6 miles from work for many years. Didn't have anything wrong w/ it. Wish I still had it for towing purposes.
Just check it out for rust and other issues mentioned above. Just wanted to throw it out there that because it is low miles, doesn't mean it wasn't driven daily.

 

I bought an 05 with 58k on it a year and a half ago and have 66k now. I still don't stack on the miles because I ride the motorcycle a lot in the summer. Things to look for are ticking from the exhaust manifolds, front cover oil leaks, soft rear leaf springs (excessive axle wrap), and a mildew smell from the interior suggesting water has been leaking in. My frame has some surface rust, but I wash it regularly, so I'm not concerned with it advancing out of control. All frames will experience some rust in their lives. That being said, I am really happy with mine and have no regrets. If you like it, buy it.

 

Thanks for all the great replies, here is a link to the ad.

http://www.buddbaer.com/used/Toyota/2005-Toyota-Tacoma-c48167100a0a00e0009b3b0cfeb6b167.htm

BTW do tacoma's use premium fuel only?

 

No way. You can use whatever you want. 87-93 or whatever comes in the pump now days.

 

Nice looking truck man. Personally I'd never spend that money on an 8yr old vehicle, especially if you're going to finance.

 

17K for a V6 is pretty steep. I'd have to get a few K's off that sticker price before I bought it. I didn't do any research but that seems high.