I need advice! Which of these trucks?

I've seen and had people take much less than what the list price is. I purchased an 09 XB listed at 5K and drove it home for $3.3K. I offered 3K and he countered at 3.5K and we settled at 3.3K.

Offer $8K cash right now and see if they bite.

 

I recently sold my boat, asked $5k, took $2.5k, would have taken $500 probably just to get it gone. It never hurts to make an offer. I am pretty stingy if I’m not just trying to get rid of something.

 

What is up with the passenger side front tire? Looks like it was curbed severely.

 

Price on the '09 seems really low... I'd take the '09 to the dealership and if it passes mustard grab it.
Otherwise I would keep looking. There is something I don't like either about dirty interiors as previously mentioned. Although seat covers and a detail can work wonders.

 

The 03 was well taken care of for the miles. Had the 09 had as many miles, the interior would be completely trashed. At least by the photos. The 09 was not cared for wile the 03 was. Now that I have said that, I have owned both trucks. There are benefits from both models. I got 21mpg with my 03 and 22mpg with my 06. Then I v8ed the 03 and got 18mpg highway. I do like the extra storage my 06 has under and behind the back seat. I do have to be more care full when parking. There are many pros and cons of both trucks, but from the photos, I would say the 03 is in better shape. Why would I put it in the title not flooded? Does every truck being sold in Texas have to have it in the tittle?

 

Ehem, If I could just bring everybody back for a second...
I forgot to mention that I did look at both trucks! And both do have something that concerns me.

On the 03 the 4wd light doesn’t come on on the cluster. 4L definitely works, could feel it engage and did a little spin out test in the grass. Couldn’t tell if the 4Hi works though(not very experienced with 4wd yet). And there was some slight grinding(bumping) when shifting 4wd knob.

On the 09 there is a drip coming from the driveshaft. Clear liquid, no smell. Wasn’t recently washed. Concerning. Also, there actually is a bit of rust(good call, skeptics) on the rear by the hitch. Not too worried about that. Should I be?

Pictures of the 09:
Drip-
Rust-

 

That tow package looks like .... . and the spare is junk. The drip looks like condensation from the exhaust. Maybe it was flooded. How was the rest of the frame?

 

Ya 03 looks to be in better shape

 

Is that a low quality tow package? The drip was present before I drove it. I’m not sure if it was driven prior to my inspection. The rest of the frame looked good.
What is that part of the driveshaft that the drip is coming from? If it’s not a red-flag component, I’ll be taking it to a dealer tomorrow.

 

My bet is that truck has towed and has been dipped in saltwater with a trailer a time or two

 

It is a rusted out tow package. The drip in the picture you put up is the exhaust not the drive shaft. Unless you are not showing the drip origin. The drive shaft will not have any fluids in it while your exhaust will have condensation and can drip.

 

The 09 Has hard miles on it. Not taken care of or cared for while the 03 has more mile, they are way more easy miles.

 

I don't love the looks of those pics. That is your exhaust at the mid point connection with the drip. That doesn't look like a solid connection to me, I'm guessing the gasket is shot and it might have an exhaust leak. I just replaced this on mine when I put the TRD exhaust on.
Personally my opinion before I go to bed here, is I would pass on both of these. Keep looking. Clean is important..
The '03 seems clean enough but I'd want 2nd gen or newer.

 

The interior of that red one is nasty, looks kinda beat too.

 

I really wonder how many of you who vote 2nd gen have had a first gen? I do like my 2nd gen, but it seems bias to give an opinion of second gen if you have no experience with the 1st gen. One of the things that I miss about my first gen, besides the tundra v8, is the compact size. It was nice out four wheeling. I could fit between trees real nice.

 

I was going to say the same thing but you said it for me. The inside of that 09 is a shit show.

 

My 06 has 170,000 miles and a rebuild tittle. The interior is way nicer and cleaner than that 09.

 

Just saying the 03 appears to be in better condition overlooks a fundamental issue, OP. Have you ever driven a first gen V6 with an automatic? And do yo have any steep grades or wish to carry or pull loads with it? That AT really robs the 3.4 of its power. This alone pushed me to a 2nd gen when I had to sell my 01 V6 manual for a growing family. Make sure you understand what you are asking for, and don't fixate on what are already 2 very different trucks. I imagine this is not an emergency.

 

Also, can't tell on my phone, but those tires and wheels on the 03 may be slightly larger than stock for the TRD, which is 265/70/16, IIRC. If so, this will rob the truck of a little more power, and depending on when they were installed, artificially reduced the apparent mileage.

 

I've had an '04 with a 4cyl 5 speed, gutless. That being said I still like the 1st gen Tacoma's the best. The 3.4 is plenty powerful enough, if towing don't get a Tacoma period, if you came from a full size v8 you'll be disappointed with any Tacoma power train