Perfect 2001 except frame worry...

A 2001 Xtracab showed up on Craigslist just 15 minutes from my house for a price I can currently afford. It's exactly what I have been looking for. The only issue is potential frame problem (what else is new...) and the ad says that work was attempted on it at one point but is likely going to need more work to really fix it.. 2 of the pictures are of the trouble area. What do you guys think? Should I even bother looking into this truck or not consider it? It's what I've been looking for and almost 8 months without a vehicle has my patience tested...

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5029197029.html

 

I wouldn't touch it. These frames frequently rot from the inside-out, which means you probably can't see how bad things really are. The fact the previous owner didn't disclose the frame repair to the current "senior owner" also speaks volumes. The price two years ago was too good to be true, as is the current one. All of that tells me you should keep looking.

Side note: This thread belongs in the 1st Gen. Tacomas section, since you're not advertising the truck for sale.

 

My thoughts exactly. Rust is usually worse than it seems and since it covers a pretty big area, that could be a major issue. And if work was done to it, why is the problem still so widespread? Too much uncertainty. The price isn't bad, though. Still too high, but bluebook's Fair price is set at $5600. Even so, no price is going to be too good to make a bad truck worth it. If only....

Oh alright. I wasn't sure, since I have seen some posts like this on this section. I was going to post it on 1st Gens general. Should have, it seems.

 

Frame probably is toast. I'd buy it for the project, surely could beat him up a bit on price for the repair

 

If I had the know-how and tools to do the kind of work it would probably need, I would jump right on it with that intent. Sadly, I have neither. It just sucks that a truck that great is just another victim to cancer.

 

I agree with your "no price is going to be too good to make a bad truck worth it" premise.

I'm not sure what "bluebook" you consulted but I think your $5.6K value us a little low.

 

KBB goes from $5.6K to $6.7K for me,with it as it (4cyl, 4wd, auto, SR5, 85Kmiles). Perhaps it's because I am in NJ.

 

Maybe it is a geography thing.

KBB tells me a base model '01 4WD Xtra Cab should be $4.9K - $6K, while NADA says it should be $5.9K - $10K. In my experience, these trucks (in decent condition) go for well-above KBB (usually closer to the high-end of NADA), even when purchased from private sellers. Again, however, your premise of "no price is going to be too good to make a bad truck worth it" is spot-on.

 

Yeah I think geography plays a pretty big part. Some of these trucks from the south and closer to west coast seem to sell for a lot more than the average one here. Even the high end trucks I see here aren't reasonably priced above $9K unless they're exceptionally good.

Thank you, though. I pretty much knew the answer before I even asked, but it is still good to see others' input. I guess I was just hoping I was mistaken and it was actually totally fine. But I knew otherwise.

 

I thought all tacomas were covered under the frame warranty?

 

What do you mean exactly? The "safety campaign" for frames is over, if I recall what I read. And there is that 15 year warranty on frames but if it were treated by Toyota with an undercoat.

I could be wrong, so please correct if so.

 

Frame rust.Stay away from it even as clean as that Tacoma is!

 

I was looking at buying a Tacoma that was just approved to have the frame replaced so they are still doing it. The truck was an 02

 

You are correct. Only those that were inspected and undercoated by Toyota are covered by an extended warranty. Based on the photos, this one was not. Moreover, Toyota's fix for the problem is frame replacement. The fact that this one was welded to "fix" it would probably negate warranty coverage, if it had any.

If it was approved for frame replacement, it was previously inspected and undercoated by Toyota (during the "safety campaign" to wihch sente3 referred above) .

 

Good information, Norton. I wasn't sure about it, so it's nice to have some confirmation.

 

Maybe get the VIN and ask a dealer? What's the worst possible outcome--they hang up on you?

 

Haha the logical way of doing things. It would be a great idea but shortly after posting this thread, the posting was taken down. So either it sold or who knows what.