Need Opinions: 2004 Tacoma Xtra Cab Salvage Title

I found a 2004 Tacoma Xtra Cab V6, 5 speed, TRD Off-Road, 109,000 miles for just under $10k, it all sounded great until he told me it had a salvage title, it was hit on the passenger side front fender. It looks straight, no excessive body gaps, no visible damage, however the paint isn't 100% as most repairs turn out. I can tell that the fender was replaced, which being a nit-picky Taco owner, kind of bothers me, but I may be able to get over it. The question is, is the price to high on this? And what risks am I taking by buying a Taco with a salvaged title? Is this a good enough deal that I should trade my 98 Taco Xtra Cab with 211,000 on it? I'm just looking to upgrade at this point to something a little newer with a little less miles, but my truck is flawless, so it's not something I'm going to get rid of easily.

 

Salvage titles are really tricky. Sometimes a vehicle will get totalled out by the insurance company for minor damage, and it will get a salvage title. You need to look real close at the truck and see what else could be wrong, was the frame straightened, etc. Just remember, buyer beware. Will you have trouble selling it down the road? Probably not, but will you get as much for it as you would with a clean title? No. Take a look at prices on similar rigs in your area and surrounding states on Craigs List that have clean titles. That should give you a good idea on if the seller is asking too much. If you really like the truck, go for it, but me personally, for a salvage title I wouldn't go higher than 7k. Good Luck.

 

My 99 just got totalled out for a rear ender. When I began to work on it I realized it wasn't even that bad. A tiny frame tweak, new rear bumper and tow hitch, new front bumper parts a little pushing and shoving and off we went. I would buy mine in a heart beat. However, that's because I KNOW what happened. Salvaged titles are a shot in the dark. If the guy had pics of damage and receipts then maybe, other wise, it's your gamble.

 

Thanks for the help guys, looks like I'll have to do a little more research and see what I can find out. Really appreciate the information.