What to look out for in a used 2008 Tacoma XRunner

Hi,

I've been a Toyota Avalon owner since 1995. It is about to give up the ghost. I'm looking for a truck now. A friend just referred me to a older gentleman who is forced to sell a 2008 Toyota X-Runner, with 99K miles, quickly due to a move. The dealer is only offering him pennies, because they got a lot of inventory to move. This gentleman is willing to sell for $4K below blue book. Sound like a dream, but I know that often "too good to be true" is "not true to be good."

Having not had a Tacoma before, I'm not sure what I need to look out for. This give has an appointment to give the car to the dealer before he drives out of town next week. My mechanic friend is out of town. I'm not a mechanic, but I'm not a slouch at understanding mechanical things.

I plan to get the CarFax. I've run the KBB and it is truly being offered for $4K below the Very Good range. I trust the person referring me to this man, who says he is a conscientious man.

Help me out please. What do I need to be asking and checking for?

Thanks.

 

Throughly inspect the frame for rust.

 

I don't know anything specific about the X-Runners but just keep an eye for typical used car stuff. Leaks, rust, paint fading/oxidizing, any unusual noises from engine/chassis. I think as far as a Tacoma goes you shouldn't run into anything unusual at that mileage that should keep you from purchasing.

 

My understanding is that this model has a timing chain and not a belt. Correct?

 

Welcome to TW and Just take it to a mechanic you trust!

 

Listen to the man.

If the truck spent it's life outside the salt belt, you likely have nothing to worry about. Specifically look at the inside vertical boxed section near the catalytic converters.

You will need to get fully under there to see this. Being an X Runner, you will likely need to lift it, to see this area.

 

Correct.

 

If it is clean grab it quick

 

Make sure clutch is good

 

No rust or evidence of serious accident. BUY

 

Please say it's sitting in your driveway, tonight and I want pics!

 

Something that all used car buyers should consider is the engine check light. An engine check light can be "turned off" by a seller simply by disconnecting the battery. When the battery is reconnected, it takes several hours of driving for the ECM to reset all the trouble the codes, which include the engine check light. IN the meantime, the engine check light is off, signifying that all is OK when in it may not be. I don't know how a used truck buyer gets around this, other than plugging in a good scanner to the OBD connection, which will show if the codes are all reset. Many used car lots will not let a buyer plug in anything into the OBD for fear of erasing codes in the ECM by some amateur. I don't know how to deal with this dilemma other than asking the seller if the battery was disconnected. Any suggestions out there ?

 

You could call up a local auto repair shop and see if they'll send out a mechanic to come meet you and check out the truck, most will do it for their hourly rate.