New guy looking to buy dc with questions

Hello everybody,

I'm new here and looking for a first gen dc. I have found a few limited 4wd in excellent condition and no rust but in my price range they seem to have 200k of more miles. On a few I have not been able to verifying maint records but the condition shows somebody took care of them. One has some "other" damage reported in carfax but is flawless.
Are miles an issue with these? Is a small amount of damage back in 2003 an issue if it looks perfect? I don't want to make a 8-10k mistake.

 

200k is just a babe. Don't worry about miles if the engine sounds good and trans shifts good and the fluid colors are right. You really need very little maintenance other than oil changes and a set of spark plugs to 200k. See if the timing belt has been done before. I've had original timing belts at 200k+ so it's definitely possible. It's a non interference motor so no worries.

 

The advantage you have is the wealth of information available here and on similar sites. You know what you're getting in terms of reliability and maintenance costs. At your price point, expect a lot of miles. That said, it's not unreasonable to think a well-maintained first gen Tacoma will get you to 300K miles.

If you want average miles or lower on a clean 4wd double cab, you're going to pay a premium for it. Saw a dealer the other day asking $23K for a DC. That's insane, even for a dealer.

One of the top concerns is frame rust. At around 200K, the timing belt should have been done. If not, then it will need it soon.

 

All good points thanks.
I plan to do the timing belt as soon as I get one anyway even if they said it may have been done. The trucks I've seen have been flawless underneath with little to no rust. I did see one yesterday where a small dealer had undercoated the whole frame and all I could see were rust scales behind it. I'm not taking that chance. They also wanted 13k for it because 126k but is wasn't near perfect.

 

Good to know thank you. I come from American cars mostly so the mileage is a real issues for most of them.
I will say the best car I've ever owned was a 1997 Corolla with 200k when I got it.

 

It kills me that I know my frame needs some repairs within 5years. Seriously be vigilant about rust. The boxed frames are a blessing and a curse.

 

Would either of you be held back at the fact that one may have had some damage at some point in its life but it wasn't bad enough for that owner to sell it? Carfax says that was at 30k miles in 2003 and they kept the truck for almost 10 years. I've never gotten a vehicle with a semi bad mark on a report before but then again I don't plan on selling it.
I figure if I can't tell it should be fine. I usually find somthing wrong with everything and I'm a mechanic.

 

I would try to find out where the repair was. If the repair is good, then I wouldn't worry about it. I can't stand bad body work though. If I saw bad orange peel on the paint, you know it was a cheap job. If it's undetectable, and the owner has driven it 10 years and 170k I wouldn't care.

 

That's pretty much exactly how I feel. This truck appears that the original owner had it for 9 years and 130k.
I found a repair made to a truck I saw yesterday and wasn't impressed.

 

Not sure where you're located, but there is a nice DC Limited 4wd with diff locker and a topper in Philly for $8500. 200K miles. Arizona truck with no rust per seller. Fly out, drive back.

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/d/2001-toyota-tacoma-4-door-4x4/6261669751.html

 

Another option that involves some work, but might be worth it in the long run, is to find a PreRunner with everything you want and convert it to 4wd. PreRunners are cheaper and way more common.

 

Thanks. I'm trying to deal with this guy now. He's a huge asshole. This is the truck that has "other" damage on carfax. He also has zero proof of timing belt and and service history. I got records from Toyota, there are none lol. If truck is clean I may pick it up

 

Good luck. Looks like a good truck.

 

Thanks Jason. I'll post up tomorrow if I end up bringing it home.

 

Frame rust is my number one concern. I wouldn't consider any truck with an undercoated frame. Many will spray with some kind of protectant, thats cool as long as you can see the frame metal.

Accident repair isnt a big deal if done by a respected shop, I choose to stay away.

My personal criteria is: no snow belt vehicles, no Carfax/Autocheck accidents unless damage can be verified by you or someone, no modifications other than simple bolt ons.

I had paint work done to my bed top edge. PO dropped large pipe on bed side. I took pics before repair and filed in maintenance log.

But everything comes down to what its worth to you. If I were to wheel it again, twist and beat the thing offroad, criteria would be much different.

 

Well 3hrs drive to fine this truck has been completely painted by what looks like Maco. Poor paint work and masking. Frame is flawless though. Interior is an 8-9 idk if I can pull the trigger for 8k

 

I say wait unless you need a truck right away. Patience will pay off.

 

I will end up doing this I'm sure.
I found one in Nashville I may check out as well.