Considering a 2006 Tacoma....

Need to replace a truck for my Father in law and am looking at a 2006 double cab long bed (base model I believe). One owner with 100k. for $15k. Very picky owner with all service records. Had the leaf springs done and just today he got a letter from the Dealership stating "frame has minor surface rust but no perforations...".

Price seems right and it's a nice clean truck. BUT - how do you guys feel about these units given the frame issues..? What might you do in my situation...? Is this a problem waiting to happen..? I live in Nebraska and I think they're putting brine on the roads when it snows...he also lives on a gravel road....suggestions (besides a newer model - I don't have that kind of $$).
Looking for insight....thanks in advance.

 

Me personally, I would get a 2nd opinion from a different dealership and get the frame inspected.

 

I agree. I guess my question stuck in my head - are the frame issues always going be a concern...? And knowing what we do now about this...if you didn't already own one would you buy a 2nd gen Tacoma..?

 

This will be 3rd Tacoma that I'm driving, never been a concern for me.

 

If your concerned about the frame, look on the inside of the frame between the converter and the front tire, which is where most of the damage happens, that and where the frame is sandwiched by the trans crossmember, look for rust that pushes the pieces apart.

 

15k sounds a little much for a basemodel from 06.

 

Shop around.

 

I bought an 06' with a decent amount of rust. Lots of bolts break and have to be drilled out when updating to newer cleaner parts. It's not the end of the world but takes your time to clean off the rust and pay for por15 to apply.

 

That's about right around the KBB price for a double cab.

 

With the latest lawsuit settlement you will still have time for the frame to rust through and be under warranty.
The price is too high for that model.

 

I thought I read the "campaign" ended 3/16 on the frame issues.....current owner said Toyota told him that just this week....

 

http://autoweek.com/article/recalls/toyota-will-settle-truck-frame-rust-suit-suit-34-billion

Info on more settlement and dates for replacement. Supposedly after 2010 or 2011 the frames are suppose to built by a different manufacturer. Of course time will tell. Mine is a 2013 with 60k miles now. Live in pa with plenty of road salt all winter and I have very little rust on the frame. Just a few welds have spots of rust.

 

I wouldnt touch it unless frame was replaced personally. My 02 was coated but still developed giant holes. Price seems high to for an 06

 

Toyota changed the vendors that make the frames starting with model year 2009..apparently the courts are unsure if the newer frames are going to be just as bad.

 

It's a shame that with such a great driveline and sheet metal that the truck has such a weak point. Think I'm going to look at something else....

 

I'm no longer concerned with frame rust, my solution is to just lease it. For your situation find a good one where they don't use road salt and has very little rust on the frame, then use fluid film to protect the under carriage.

 

He decided to sell the truck right after having the frame inspected? I would pass

 

No that's not quite what's going on. He's a straight shooter and after listing the truck someone interested was asking about the issue. He then contacted Toyota and was told they wouldn't do anything since the campaign ended. He honestly doesn't want to sell it to someone if it has the problem... I suggested he take it to the Dealer and have it inspected for his own knowledge of what might be happening to his truck. They actually offered to buy it from him (discounted of course).
Anyway - he was keeping me in the loop so I was checking with you folks for opinions.