Should I buy this truck???

Hey guys,

I'm looking around for a Tacoma and I've found a pretty sweet one, so i call the guy and he told me that the truck as been in an accident and that the box/bumper have been replaced. So I ask him if the frame beams have been hit and he told me that one of them was damged, he said they cut it on the factory joint ( I'm not even sure if there is any factory joints on the frame, always thought it was one channel) and welded a new piece. See pictures attached. The thing is the truck is super sweet and like new but the whole frame damage thing worries. What you guys think, is there factory joints on the two main channels on a frame??

Thanks guys, can't wait to get myyself a tacome ;-)
Here's the link to the add:
http://www.lespac.com/vehicules/cam...-tacoma-trd-4x4-LPaZZ27554755WWcpZZ27WWgrZZ12

 

Hey guys, i want to buy this truck:

http://www.lespac.com/vehicules/cam...-tacoma-trd-4x4-LPaZZ27554755WWcpZZ27WWgrZZ12

So i called the guy and he told me the truck has been in an accident and that the box/bumper were replaced and that the frame was damaged. (see pictures below)






He told me that the left channel of the frame was cut at the factory joint and that a new piece has been welded in under the cab and that is has been coated with the toyota undercoating + antirust. Does that makes sense, i thought the channels were one piece the entire length of the truck (he says the factory frame is made in 4 sections, is that true?)



the truck seems super clean and with the mileage/price combo seems pretty decent especially for a TRD. What you guys think??

thanks a thousand guys.

 

I personally would not touch it, or any vehicle with frame damage. Definitely not for that price.

 

Good looking truck in the link, but for $22K you can go find one that hasn't been smashed in half. Surely it has a salvage title too?

 

no way. move on.

 

correction....computer issues, see other post. dang it.

 

22k can get you a pretty decent used truck even here in Cali. I wouldn't take it unless they drop he price a heafty amount....and even then I'd be apprehensive.

Ask them who did the work? And a this a reputable dealer?

 

So by his pics of it wrecked I can tell he got it from the Copart Insurance Auction, which means he scored it for a decent price most likely.

Personally I wouldn't mind buying a truck with a correctly repaired frame but I'm definitly not paying full price for it. The car fax history will always be bad even if the title wasn't salvage stamped since the insurance company was involved.

Now that being said, you can take it to any body shop and have them put it on their frame machine and get a print out of the frame specs to see if it is truely within factory standards, may cost $50-100 bucks but well worth it.

As for the price, I would make sure I was going to be saving atleast $5k off the price compared to any other identical model for out there for sale.
Have the vin ran by your insurance company first also to make sure they will cover it fully and there is no hidden salvage stamping.

Good Luck with your decision.

 

No dude! Go find another non wrecked for that price.

 

Pass and a half on that crunchy taco.

 

From the pics, I doubt it has a salvage title.(of course that's going off of how we do salv titles in TX)

Toyota (and all manufacturers) have areas in the frame on body on frame vehicles that they will allow a repair section. Basically if the shop follows the guidelines they will section in a new portion of the frame. If done right, I don't really see much of a problem. The section areas are usually within 2 feet of the front or rear of the frame rail.

I would stay away from this truck though, unless it was repaired at a shop you personally know and trust. Even then, I would discount my offer.

 

ok scratch that.... I would definitely not buy it. It came from a salvage auction which means likely a rebuilder did the work. It would probably still have a clear title, but a rebuilder is a lot less likely to follow manufacturer guidelines as they are just fixing a totalled vehicle as cheaply as possible to sell it for as much as they can get

 

I paid that for mine without damage off a lease here in the states. That bumper is wrong too, looks like a sport bumper on an offroad package.

 

I'd pass. You asking for a heap of problems

 

Im probably going to be selling mine shortly if yer interested. Damage up front that im fixing currently. Its a 2012 black dclb trd sport. Replacing hood, grill and rad support. Not sure how much you're looking to spend...no frame damage.
Can see pics in my gallery. I can sell it with mods or without.

 

allright, thanks alot for the quick replies guys, i think i'll look for another one.

Can't wait to get a tacoma ;-)

Is it worth the extra money to get the TRD package with locking diff. I will most likely use it offroad a few times per year and drive it in deep snow during winter, other than that mostly road.

thanks guys

 

I've read it helps...I have also read getting a base 4x4 and adding lockers is a better way to go and costs about the same as an off road package...but that was on new truck.

If your buying used, I would hop on the first one that meets your needs, assuming its clean and nice. If buying new, you have. little more say in what comes with it.

 

Looks like they put "sport" stickers on the bedsides too, when it started with "off road"...

I wouldn't buy it...even if the ad says it in 'showroom condition'

 

$22k don't get rob. Way too much for salvage.