Is this truck worth buying?

I’m interested in a 04 Tacoma with 162,000 miles. 15 years it has stayed in MD. The rest of the life in NC. Everything looks good on the truck except for the rust. I just want to get opinions on the extinct of the rust for that year. I think he is asking too much for something that rusted. And I don’t want a headache later on if it’s not worth it.

 

Since the frames rust from the inside-out, this truck won't be structurally solid for much longer. I would pass, and pass quickly.

 

If you’re not scared off by now, tap all around that frame with a ball peen hammer. Anything but a clear metal on metal ring back = run away.

If it sounds good, you’ll have to weigh the panel rust.

You didn’t post pics of the engine bay but I’m thinking that’s got to be toasty too.

 

How much is the seller asking? Definitely has some rust issues. The gas tank skid plate is missing, it likely rusted away. The frame looks like it could be OK and also not, I would get a cheap boroscope to inspect the inside for sure. It is also strange that there appear to be rivets on the frame? I don't recall ever seeing those. The good news is that the frame is not painted so you can see what is there.

 

Izzy says for 99.3% of the population that isn't worth a 2nd look, and the other .7 of the population would only be interested if they could buy it as a parts vehicle for about 10% of the asking price.

 

X2

 

Yep. My old ride failed from rust. I'd never buy into that problem ever again...

 

This is correct….frame doesn’t *look* like a deal breaker, but it needs to be tested. Body rust on the other hand….

You’re unlikely to find a cleaner 1st gen in Maryland anytime soon. For me, if the frame checks out, it comes down to asking price weighed against your willingness to repair the rust.

 

Run.

 

Terminal cancer

 

I would pass on that one. It’s more than frame rust, it’s in the body also. You will never be able to get it under control. You may get it for a good price but you have to consider how long before frame failure and how much you will spend chasing that rust dragon.

 

Unless you want a lot of headaches, this is the best advice ever. I had a 2000 sr5 that had never been out of NC except for a few trips to FL and never in the sand or on a beach. In the picture that you had of the rear wheel well, mine had a small blister looking spot the size of a dime under the paint and a spot in the bed along a seam. When they inspected it with a ball peen hammer, it went right thru much larger on the inside of the frame. It was within a few months of the end of the recall and they bought the truck back from me. The moral of the story is looks are deceiving! Everything else "looked great". The 1st gen recall was not state specific. I don't know why the others are other than Toyota is trying to cut their losses. Good luck!

 

Pass

 

Yeah the initial program Toyota did was to buy the trucks back at 1.5x KBB value and crush them (RIP tacos), but starting with the 2001 years they offered new frames instead. Both programs are long gone now though.

 

He is asking $14,000 or obo. And wouldn’t take $6,000 from someone else’s offer. He tried telling me it’s surface rust. But it looks more than that. Plus the bed and the bumper has holes from the rot.

 

Asking price is $14,000 or obo he hasn’t sold it yet.

 

Definitely not worth 14k with that rust. I bought mine for $5500 and had to put close to 6k into it after fixing the POs f-ups. If you could scoop for a few grand, I’d say fix it and enjoy the project

 

Depends on your definition of surface I guess? LOL
You obviously have serious reservations so I'm guessing you are just looking for confirmation?
If so I think the tribe has spoken.