What is Fat_Man doing in the Toyota forum? Advice..?

[Wanderlusty]

Well, unless it is gone already, I am going to at least check it out over night, and check some fluids, etc.

I have always wondered about the K&N filters. I bet they are pretty decent brand new, but beyond that...maybe not so much...

I only had about 20 minutes to crawl around it and drive it yesterday during lunch, so I did not get to closely inspect all I would want to.

I think the real tell will be crawling underneath. If it shows signs of being dragged along stuff and what not, then it has been used. If it looks good and the fluid looks good, with the fact that the tires are cheapies and I only see a few 'pinstripes' it may be no more serious than having lived on a dirt road, and a few trips in the brush. I can't fault a vehicle for that alone.

On the TRD thing...yeah I am not sure I have ever seen a DC that was not TRD. They may exist...but....

On the price, that is just the walk up and ask price. That is with zero negotiating. Based on what Flyingwil gave for his, a couple of years ago when his truck was similar age as this one is now, respectively, and comparitive mileage wise, I think if I can get it down to 18K or lower, it would be ok.

I bought the Jeep in Dallas, so I have travelled for vehicles before. But, I have routinely cruised E-Bay and local dealers inventories and DC Taco's just don't show up very often. Well, lots of Pre-Runners do...

The smoking thing...I honestly did not notice. My wife did. I personally can deal with it, especially if I can use it as an angle to negotiate.

I will know a lot more when (if) I get it home and check it out more thoroughly.

The price to me is high right now but not far off. I have seen MORE expensive ones with HIGHER miles. What would you think would be a good price? If people know where Taco's are going for cheaper...clue me in...

There was an extended cab Taco in the paper private owner lately, but I really need the DC if I am going to go to the trouble of changing vehicles.

This is literally probably the 2nd time I have even seen a used Taco on the local lots in 6 months or more. Nobody wants to get rid of them!

Oh, and as an addendum, it tracks straight on the interstate, so I think it is sound there.

Again, thanks for the advice...

 

[longbed]

Fat_man,

If you do end up getting it I have some stuff that you clean the inside of the car with that really helps get rid of the smoke smell. A friend used to work for the company and he gave me a couple bottles. When I bought my 99 Tacoma the po smoked cigars and it got rid of that. I still have an unopened bottle that you can have, I would just need to ship it to ya!

Anyway good luck with the decision!

 

[crawler#976]

check the Kelly blue Book for your location - in my area the 2003 DC TRD lists at $20,000 at that mileage.

http://www.kbb.com/

 

[Wanderlusty]

Well....

There is an almost 100% chance I will NOT be getting that Tacoma. Right now I am so angry I could spit nails.

I called the salesperson this morning, arranged for the overnighter. I get there during lunch.

The salesperson and I are literally finishing the paperwork for the overnight test drive. She goes to get the temp plates. WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING....some dude who came in AFTER ME walks in, grabs another salesperson, who grabs the keys while my salesperson is grabbing the plates in another room..

NOW as we speak, that guy is working the deal and even though I called first, was first to the dealership today and HAD PAPERWORK IN HAND for the overnighter, per the sales manager:bigbossHL:...ITS ALL ABOUT WHO GETS THE KEYS FIRST.

:ar15: :violent-smiley-031:

I said before that the last vehicle I bought from them, they screwed me....and THEY JUST SCREWED ME AGAIN!!!!!

If that deal falls through...I will ponder trying to deal, but boy will I rake them over the coals to make that deal....

If the truck is sold. I will NEVER EVER EVER set foot on that dealership's property AGAIN!

But...who knows...maybe it is a sign....but that still does nothing for how I feel right now....

 

[DaveInDenver]

If that deal falls through...I will ponder trying to deal, but boy will I rake them over the coals to make that deal....

Dude, that stinks. What a sleazy dealer. Personally, that would be enough for me never to buy anything from them anyway.

 

[Wanderlusty]

Dude, that stinks. What a sleazy dealer. Personally, that would be enough for me never to buy anything from them anyway.

You are probably right. It's hard, though, because these trucks don't grow on trees around here...

We will see what comes of it. No call yet from the salesperson. The longer it goes, the worse it looks, so guessing I will probably not have to worry about it....

 

[Wanderlusty]

Not that it matters, but I sent the owner and general manager an e-mail voicing my displeasure on how I was treated.

 

[tacollie]

That sucks about that dealer. As far as your delema of a Tacoma or a Jeep. You kind of have to pick the lesser of to evils. When I bought my Taco I was
also looking at a sweet wrangler. It was a 2000 with 5K miles on it, warn 9000, MTR 33x10.50, front and rear arb lockers, 3" terra flex lift, top of the line rancho shocks, and rock ware sliders and bumpers. It was sick. And to top it off it was owned by family and I had put half those miles on it. He wanted 22K. I ended up with the Tacoma because it was better all around. But I do lots of snow driving and things like that. I also got my truck from the dealer with the TRD package and 1k miles on it for 20K. So my point is you know which vehicle is better for you. The jeep handled like crap above 60. My truck is lifted 3" and I can still do 80 very nicely. This is important to me because I can only afford one vehicle. If you do decide on a Tacoma, think about what you want it to have and then look online. Auto brokers are awesome and if you can save 4k by buy away from home then even after you fly to wherever and drive home you will still save a ton of money and have what you want. What ever you do don't settle on a crappy truck or bad deal because it is close to home.

 

[Wanderlusty]

Well, the GM actually called me to apologize and say he would investigate. Again, if the vehicle is sold, isn't much they can do now, but I do appreciate the effort on their part to apologize.

I think I may have overstated the condition it was in. It was not 'pristine' but it was a good looking truck. Felt pretty solid. The price...seems pretty debatable how good or bad the price is. It is not too far off KBB value. And it was pre-negotiation price at that.

 

[calamaridog]

Don't take this the wrong way, but maybe it was for the best. K&N filters scare me and dirty ones are even more scary.

You may need to broaden your search area. Try Atlanta maybe.

Private party sales are a good bet or Certified Used of a Toyota dealer IF the dealer is legit.

Another (better) one will come around eventually.

 

[Wanderlusty]

Don't take this the wrong way, but maybe it was for the best. K&N filters scare me and dirty ones are even more scary.

You may need to broaden your search area. Try Atlanta maybe.

Private party sales are a good bet or Certified Used of a Toyota dealer IF the dealer is legit.

Another (better) one will come around eventually.

Dallas would be closer. Though I had already searched a couple dealers there. Would just need to keep my eyes open.

On E-Bay, there is a sweet looking one in Indiana. A year newer to boot...but also pricier....and farther than I would like to go.

So I have heard several comments about the K&N filters being not only not up to the hype, but actually detrimental...I have to say this surprises me.

All I know is that when it comes time to trade, I hope I don't forget to swap out my Optima battery.

And definitely right it may be for the best. I believe in "signs" and this may have been one...

 

[Maddmatt]

Here's my advice: Sounds like you want a Taco (good choice by the way), so get an auto broker. You just tell them what you want and they find it for you, the one I used when I bought my Taco (2002 dbl cab TRD, $25k brand new in /02, and they threw in LineX in the bed) charged her cost plus $400 for her time. She actually specialized in used vehicles, but I really wanted new at the time. Even took tradeins. The only downside is that you need to know what you want, but the one I used had a "satisfaction guarantee". If the vehicle showed up and wasn't in the condition you thought, you don't pay - no harm no foul.

 

[Wanderlusty]

Here's my advice: Sounds like you want a Taco (good choice by the way), so get an auto broker. You just tell them what you want and they find it for you, the one I used when I bought my Taco (2002 dbl cab TRD, $25k brand new in /02, and they threw in LineX in the bed) charged her cost plus $400 for her time. She actually specialized in used vehicles, but I really wanted new at the time. Even took tradeins. The only downside is that you need to know what you want, but the one I used had a "satisfaction guarantee". If the vehicle showed up and wasn't in the condition you thought, you don't pay - no harm no foul.

Recommend anyone?

 

[Mlachica]

Recommend anyone?

You may also try www.carmax.com. I've never personally dealt with them but you can search their nationwide inventory and have a vehicle delivered to the store nearest you.

And for FWIW my 02 DC TRD had the lower ball joint recall and fuel line recall. And I think the dash rattle can be addressed with some foam tape. You can call toyota direct to see if the vehicle you're interested in has had the recalls fixed, if not just make an appt and they'll take care of it for you. The number is probably on Toyota's site, if you can't find it I probably have it somewhere.

And buy the TRD, it's worth it.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Dallas would be closer. Though I had already searched a couple dealers there. Would just need to keep my eyes open.

You know that you can search dealer inventory for certified used Toyota's website?

Toyota CUV

Also, don't forget CrazedList for multiple Craigslist searches.