Another purchase advice thread (08 factory supercharged OR)

Hey folks,

Ended up unexpectedly moving to CO earlier this year and it turns out that an M2 isn't the proper car for 9 months of the year, so I've started looking around for something that I can take to the mountains skiing in the winter and out on forest service roads in the summer (and potentially hauling a 19' boat from time to time). Found something interesting and wanted to get y'alls opinion.

TL;DR: '08 6MT with factory installed supercharger, 170k miles, plus an Icon 3.5 lift kit and likely a bunch of other things, for 16k. KBB values seem to be lower (10-12k) not including the supercharger. Looked around the FS section here and admittedly couldn't get a good read on prices.

At risk of someone beating me to it, the Craigslist ad is here: https://boulder.craigslist.org/cto/d/boulder-2008-toyota-tacoma-price-reduced/7135499096.html

The other active thread (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/test-driving-this-08-tomorrow-does-this-look-right.671804/) mentioned a few common problems to look for, in addition to the frame recall issue (planning to ask), but any other thoughts, particularly relating to:
- Any issues with the supercharger
- Any issues with MT vs AT
- Any potential issues with aftermarket parts/installation

Would be much appreciated. If folks think it's reasonable, test drive and dealership inspection seem like next steps.

Thanks in advance!

 

My rambling thoughts:

- Superchargers do occasionally require rebuild, I'd ask when the last time that happened. Adding one on is $5K+ currently. I'd also ask if he's modded the supercharger at all, smaller pulley, fuel pump, etc.

- MT>AT Looks like it might have the TRD shortshifter, too, based on the gray shift knob, I'd ask about that.

- Mods with aftermarket parts are always interesting. If they're installed well and they're what you're looking for anyway, it may add value, if it's stuff you're going to take off though then lister's price will most likely be too high.

- $16K seems high to me, given the mileage, but supercharger will probably add $3-4K to any KBB prices. $14K would be a deal, IMHO.

- Being a Colorado truck I'd be worried about the frame.

 

The TRD/Magnuson supercharger needs a rebuild every 90-100k or thereabouts, depending on how hard it was ridden and maintained.

There were no 'factory' superchargers for these trucks, but TRD did sell them as an aftermarket add-on that you could order from the dealership where the trucks are sold. It would be good to know when the dealer installed the supercharger so you have an idea what kind of mileage is on it - if it's got over 100k on it and no rebuild, I would use that as a bargaining chip to lower the price. If it was dealer installed than there should be a record of it, if not then that means it was purchased and installed at home or by a friend, etc.

Rebuilds can be done at home if you're mechanically inclined, but most people send them out to be rebuilt which can cost upwards of a grand or more.

 

Thanks for the feedback, very helpful. The way I read it, the supercharger is a TRD and it was dealer installed when the vehicle was initially purchased. I've inquired about it and we'll see. Looks like rebuild kits are ~$200, and I'm pretty comfortable with doing the maintenance myself.

Inquired about the frame, will check out the shifter when I do a test drive.

Generally agree with mods (I'm fairly ambivalent about the lift kit--I think it looks good and I'm likely to take it on some trails, but IDK how much I actually needed it), and I try to generally discount them to zero, especially if they've been on for a while. Admittedly, as someone who modifies their car, I'd get why I wouldn't, but...

 

Superchargers have very tight clearances and have to be set up properly. The people that rebuild them have very long feeler gauges to check clearances and know how to shim them to get the clearances between the rotors just right. This is not something a DIYer should be messing with. Get any 1 of the clearances too tight and it will destroy the supercharger and send aluminum right into the motor.

 

Just food for thought, but if it has a supercharger, the engine is getting more stress, so it will shorten it's usable lifespan. How much? No idea...

The good thing about the TRD supercharger is that it's a "low boost" device, thus not as much stress as someone pushing 10+ psi.