Newlyweds considering our first Tacoma. Good buy?

My wife and I worked out of our company's 2013 TRD as field ecologists this previous summer and loved it. Now we are considering a Tacoma of our own. Our current consideration is a 2001 3.4L Xtracab with 153k miles. It is priced at $8000 but I can get it for $7500. The dealer picked it up on trade-in for $5000. A mechanic is taking a closer look at it today but here are the issues that we know of so far: oil leak, transfer case leak, clunking associate with control arm, and significant hail damage. I hope to have some more details on the condition soon. We are excited because Tacomas rarely seem to come up at this relatively attainable price.
What do you think? Should we pull the trigger or pass?

Bonus photo of our work truck:

 

Pass

 

Pass, keep looking. You might have to drive to find one but you'll find a better one for the price

 

Walk.....

 

No matter what Tacoma it is, you need to look at the frame. The frames on these trucks fail like no tomorrow. If you see any hint of rust run.

 

You can get a cherry first gen for that price. Just look for the old man w/ OCD maintenance tendencies selling privately.

 

That’s your work truck
Let’s trade jobs

 

I bought my 98 extra cab with hail damage, doesn't bother me. It had 75k miles and I paid 9k. Just get full coverage and claim it when the first hail storm comes through. Problem solved

 

1st gens are a fair bit smaller than 2nd gens, if you liked the amount of space in your previous truck you may be unhappy with the closer quarters of the 2001. Especially with the xtracab instead of double cab, interior space will be at a premium.
Also that price is pretty high unless the dealer will fix and warranty all those problems as part of the price.

 

Find a 2nd gen dude

 

The first thing to check on these trucks, is the frame, especially if it's from a cold climate area, where they put salt and chemicals on roads during winter. Toyota frames have a tendency to rust and rot pretty bad if not properly rustproofed. If the frame is rusty, test it by banging it with a hammer

Also, watch out for frames that were painted or sprayed over to hide rust issues

Then, if the frame is good, you check if the truck is mechanically sound.

I'd pass on the 2001 you found. You can get a way better truck for this price, with no leaks and damage

good luck on your search!

oh and welcome to tacoma world

 

definitely look at the frame. the hail damage would bother me as I lived in oklahoma for a few years and that was a quick way for insurance to total a vehicle.

 

Ummm who owned that work truck?!?! Did it really need a rtt and all that stuff? Lol

 

well he did say they were field ecologists. to me, that translates to "I get to offroad and camp in some pretty sweet places and get paid for it"

 

Should we have them over?

 

my 98 leaks all kinds of fluids. tried fixing some but couldn't. doesnt bother me any. just check it more often. no way I would pay more than $2000 for it though. even if the frame was more solid. yours may be better than mine though. mines got about 169K on it and at least 50K of that, it was used in place a F450 or farm tractor. if the owner of that one was anything like me you really want to pass on it. look at the frame and try to find rot, rust, peeling undercoating, or lots of mud. if you see any of those issues I would pass. unless you like fixing stuff.

 

You definitely need to test drive a first gen before pulling the trigger.

If you are set on a first gen, i'd consider a 2001-2004 double cab, 3.4L in 4x4

 

More pics of wife, oh shit i mean work truck!!!! Hahaha looks like an awesome vehicle to work out of!