Walking away from a 2001, 124k miles, $7.5k (odometer roll back)

So I found a 2001 Tacoma PreRunner V6 on craigslist listed for $7.5k. I figured it was a decent deal considering I can't find any crew cabs under 9k. I went to check out the car with my mechanic and let him do his thing (1.5 hour inspection including a test drive).

He later and mentioned a few potential issues:

• He believes that he heard a specific noise while driving, which paired with nearly black transmission fluid, could mean that the transmission is at the end of its life (noise could also be wheel bearing) Transmission repair: $2,600
• Engine rear main seal area was leaking. Repair: $1,100
• A little rust in the engine, loose hood, noisy window, corrosion on battery terminal...

Things got really interesting when I pulled up the Carfax, which I probably should have done well before I hired my mechanic. In a span of two years (2009-2011) the 4th owner put on 100k miles. 5 emissions tests in 2 months (several failures) recorded the milage at over 250k. A year later (under a different owner), and emissions test recorded the odometer at 120k miles, triggering a roll back notice on the Carfax.

A 100k+ roll back is a deal breaker for me. I'm not prepared to buy a tacoma with over 250k miles and at the very least I'm not sure how I'll be able to explain the roll back to the 7th owner when I decide to sell it.

Thoughts?

 

Hard pass

 

Right choice is to walk away. You dont want to be the guy holding that bag.

Could be that the odometer or cluster was replaced but the dude hasn't been upfront about it.

 

Walk away. There is another truck in better shape out there.

 

It would have to be WAY cheaper before I would even consider it.....HARD PASS

 

Walk, no, RUN away from that one!

Welcome to TW!

 

I don’t even see this being a question.

 

That sounds like a basketcase, run far away.

 

Run away.

3-4 owners MAX. Ideally you want 1-2

Once you get to 7 owners who knows what that thing has been through

 

Pass