Should I buy 2003 V6 4x4 197k miles

2003 V6 4x4. 197k miles. Decent service records. No lower ball joints. Did have a timing belt, diffs, tranny, water pump, and a bunch of other stuff done recently which honestly says someone was paying at least a little attention. Still waiting for pics of the underside for rust. What do you all think? Going to have to drive to see it so no good pics yet.

Asking 12k which is a lot but where I live there is insane demand for these old Tacomas. Going to try to talk him down.

 

As long as there is no rust I think that’s fair. These trucks are getting harder to find in good condition. Insurance offered me $9500 for my 96 single cab with 300,000 miles and no clear coat when I got hit a few months ago. I think 11-12k for a clean extended cab is fair.

 

Agreed man rust is going to be the kicker here. I can do the LBJs not a big deal and the timing belt is a big win

 

Seems fair for no rust. Fiberglass cap is worth something too. Lbj is no big deal. Both genuine are $250 or so, diy. What state?

 

Colorado. Seller is out in the mountains too. Actually nice anything along the front range gets scooped up almost instantly

 

Generally speaking, comparing to my 2000, which I bought with 200k on like 8 years ago or so, generally comparing just looking at it, looks very clean. When I looked at mine the #1 thing, and the reason I had them put it on the lift was to check for rust on the frame outside of taking it for a quick drive...you can tell a lot about a vehicle on how clean it is under the hood and that looks clean af under the hood...if it runs well and that frame isn't fubar you might have a winner...guess the big question is why is he selling it?

 

12K only if it has been kept garaged and is also close to rust-free underneath.

Otherwise, if it's an average amt of underside/frame rust, $8500.

If it's too rusty, forget it & move on.

 

When I was looking in the 2010s it was rough to find something good. I'd call to set up a visit and even put deposit on one and get a call back next day "sold." So you do often need to move fast, or "overpay." I felt I overpaid by $1500 on an $18k truck but I was happy to get my life back and move on from car shopping. GL~

 

Judging from the pictures I think that tacoma might be an 01 (has the cab charcoal canister and doesnt have the electronic throttle body) so you might be able to drop that price it a bit.

 

Thanks all. It’s quite a drive for me to get to the truck so just need a picture of the underside. If it looks good I’ll make the journey.

I do agree it seems weird to be selling a clean first gen that appears to have a bunch of work done to it recently.

I really cannot rationalize buying a newer one though on a car loan with a bunch of useless tech. The first gen is the perfect truck for me. If it runs good I love working on these things and have no problem sinking time into it

 

New paint? Was the truck repainted?

 

Yup. Def need an answer there

 

If you ask me having an 01 over an 03 is a plus not a minus. Probably no ABS or ETCS-i bs to deal with. My 2 cents.

 

Rear locker?

 

A cable throttle and no ABS, those are pluses in my book.

 

You can't get excited about this truck until you see good pics of the underside.

There are some Tacos out there that look very clean topside and inside, but are rusted beyond recovery underneath.

 

It's a nice looking truck. I have basically the same one, just yr 2000 instead. Also trd off road.

I agree about the rust, check that thoroughly. Other items: I'm on my 2nd set of catalytic converters. I've been getting about 200k out of them. ( I'm at 414k, almost all mine). Are they original on this truck? I was told that only aftermarket were available when I replaced mine at 400k for about $1700 (in CA).

You listed the tranny on recent work, what did they do when that work was done? Carrier bearing or driveshaft support bearing? How are the seals doing after that work. I'm thinking off the top of my head, I'm not much of a mechanic but I know what I've done to mine. But mine is a manual.

I'd be looking for valve cover leakage, look at the transfer case underneath and see if there's oil on it.

These trucks are resilient if regularly maintained, but there will be a steady list of items that will come up at high miles. If it was maintained, she'll treat you well. And you'll like driving it. I can't tell you if 12k is a good price, but I do know there's demand for these. Someone walked up my driveway and offered me 8k even when I told him it has 400k and needs a new input shaft bearing.
Good luck!