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2003 Toyota Tacoma double cab at 155k miles

Discussion in 'Other Toyota Vehicles' started by lmcerva, Sep 30, 2019.

  1. Sep 30, 2019 at 12:10 PM
    #1
    lmcerva

    lmcerva [OP] New Member

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    Lorenzo
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    Hi everyone,

    This may not be the best place to post this. However my main objective is to one day end up with a 4runner. I have now considered to get a cheap Tacoma for the interim period. So I found a 2003 taco for $7500 online. It has 155k miles on it. It seems to be in good condition. However I was wondering if there is anything I should look out for in terms of regular maintenance and services. In other words what parts start to go considering the mileage and year of the vehicle? I don’t want to fall into a money trap and pour hundreds or thousands of dollars into a vehicle that’s going to be completely a gap filler.

    Thanks for your time
    Larry

    Ps: added some pics I was sent. I can’t see the car in person cause it must be shipped to me.

    E4AF0454-4913-489B-A73C-F86138D5BA26.jpg
    66BE3036-016A-4088-AE08-D23808F32139.jpg
    CAA0E689-BA94-4965-89D1-1DA048B440F6.jpg
    A0355AAD-0C5A-4D29-86D7-300A196BA9A1.jpg
    BF40A6D6-1F31-47A4-8382-96CA54383214.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2019
  2. Sep 30, 2019 at 2:39 PM
    #2
    TN_FunRunner

    TN_FunRunner New Member

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    Check the frame for rust, that’s the main thing.
    As far as maintenance goes, see when the timing belt was changed and check the lower ball joints
     
  3. Sep 30, 2019 at 3:33 PM
    #3
    lmcerva

    lmcerva [OP] New Member

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    That’s the kind of thing I’m looking for. Anything else I should beware of
     
  4. Sep 30, 2019 at 4:13 PM
    #4
    TN_FunRunner

    TN_FunRunner New Member

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    why can’t you see it in person?
    That’s a red flag for me, no way I’d buy a used vehicle that I couldn’t check out.
     
    Backwoods likes this.
  5. Sep 30, 2019 at 4:21 PM
    #5
    4Runner_Patrick

    4Runner_Patrick New Member

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    Check the frame for rust.
     
  6. Sep 30, 2019 at 6:54 PM
    #6
    guhner123

    guhner123 New Member

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    Stock...for now...
    Post this over on Tacomaworld too. Tons of 1st gen people over there. Paint job is nice on that! I’ve never seen a cement first gen before!
     
  7. Sep 30, 2019 at 7:01 PM
    #7
    Backwoods

    Backwoods New Member

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    Seriously!! Unless this is from an actual dealership out of state.... it sounds like a scam to me?? ... Person to person sale? Send me $$$ and then ill ship the truck to you?? ... NO WAY!!


    Unless you get the truck before paying, and get a chance to have a qualified technician inspect it, id walk away from that deal.

    Even if its from a dealership, 7500 for a 16 year old truck that could have major mechanical problems could still end up being a regrettable mistake. Best to have it inspected by a trustworthy technician BEFORE you spend any money on a used vehicle.
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  8. Sep 30, 2019 at 8:50 PM
    #8
    lmcerva

    lmcerva [OP] New Member

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    The car is in storage in Calgary. I live in NYC. So I’m asking the seller to send me pictures of the under carriage, ball joints and when the timing belt was changed. Any other suggestions? The person is selling from over seas. He says he’s using a professional shipping company that will protect both us. I like the truck, but are there too many variables that can go wrong? Below is a copy of what he emailed me:


    “Hello,
    I have attached a full set of pictures for you. Please check them.
    Reason for selling is that the truck belonged to my father who recently passed away, I don't need another truck so I decided to sell it.
    At the moment, the truck is in storage in Calgary, AB, Canada. I was forced to put it in storage because of a bad buyer, he told me that he had the money ready and when I shipped the truck he said his loan hasn't been approved. I will not repeat the same mistake, so if you need a loan I don't think we can deal.
    The price includes shipping to any state. Because of the fact that I am quite busy with my job and unable to travel back to the States (at the moment I am located in middle east) I will use a professional shipping company, they act as a 3rd party.
    They will protect both of us in this transaction and will take trucke of the entire sale process from payment, shipping, title transfer service or/and (if needed) returns and refunding.
    There is a 7 days inspection period, once you will receive the vehicle in which you have the possibility to do an inspection to any authorized service of your choice before the company will release any money to me.
    If you are interested I can give you their contact information, you can call them and they will explain you how this deal can be done in a safe manner.
    Please let me know.
    Thank you”
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2019
  9. Sep 30, 2019 at 10:33 PM
    #9
    thirdyota

    thirdyota shouldn't be trusted

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    Seems like a total scam to me.
     
    Backwoods likes this.
  10. Sep 30, 2019 at 11:14 PM
    #10
    mynameistory

    mynameistory New Member

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    It's a scam.
     
  11. Oct 1, 2019 at 3:09 AM
    #11
    TN_FunRunner

    TN_FunRunner New Member

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    Scam! Run away
     
  12. Oct 1, 2019 at 3:27 AM
    #12
    Backwoods

    Backwoods New Member

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    That's a common scam, don't fall for it. You can Google "out of country car selling scam"

    Find something local.
     
  13. Oct 1, 2019 at 6:33 AM
    #13
    lmcerva

    lmcerva [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the advice. I’ll opt out of this. Good thing I asked!
     
    TN_FunRunner and jgcaps like this.
  14. Oct 1, 2019 at 10:44 AM
    #14
    Benny123

    Benny123 Toyota enthusiast

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    2016 Nautical Blue SR5 Premium
    LEDs all around, otherwise bone stock.

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