Hi all,

So I think I might have found a local guy that's selling exactly what I'm looking for. I don't know who this is and whether or not I can trust him. I haven't set up a time yet for a test drive but what do you all suggest that I look for?

Thanks!

 

For starters, put the windows down, turn the radio off, tell the guy to shutup and make some tight turns, listen for the dreaded CV boot click.

Brake hard and fast, like a little kid jumped out ahead of you, if the truck pulls hard to one side or spins out of controll and crashes, the brakes have been poorly maintained.
(Don't for get to test the parking break on a hill)

If you wanna get serious, pull a spark plug or two, they are great indicators for engine issues.

Hope it helps,
Lamm

 

CV boot click, check - don't know what to listen for though... is it clearly audible? Do the turns need to be fast or will slow and easy work too?

Brakes, good idea - I'll probably end up checking and maybe replacing all of it anyway.

Spark plugs... what am I supposed to be looking for there?

Thanks dude!

 

If you turn sharply, like you would to park in a tight spor it will sound sort of like a machine gun with no ammo. This dumb as dirt blonde girl at my school noticed it on her Probe so it has got to be pretty loud.

The plugs should be slightly black if anything. Corossion, an oily look, a bent elctrode or brown to white buildup all indicate a problem. Check out the back cover of a Haynes manual, they have color pics of plugs and thier respective problems.

Also, the brakes should build up resistance when you pump them with the engine off, if they don't, there is a hydro issue.

What are you looking to get, I could help some more if I knew.

And, you are welcome.

Lamm

 

oh yah... guess that would help, huh :pat:

Looking at an 02 Tacoma 4x4

 

Jeez, with an 02 there ain't much other than the standard stuff. I wish I could get one.... Anyway, just be objective with everything and assume everything the owner tells you is a lie.

The #1 used car buying advice is to not fall in love with the car untill your "Mr. Spock" type logic tells you it is OK. I fell into that trap. I still got a great deal, but I also got a bit of a project rig.

Lamm

 

Take it to your mechanic and have it inspected for flaws and look different parts of the car to make sure vin numbers match up....

 

From experience, I second that spark plug check!

 

Pretty much what everybody else said...with that new of a car theres not much else I can think of.

Be SURE to check out the 4WD system...take it off-road, put it in and out and make sure everything works and sounds OK.

Hope it all checks out for ya!

And do not get that truck without checkin the VIN and definately runnin a CarFax on it.

Fink

 

make sure that little shifter on the left is there... you wouldnt want to make the same mistake again

thats about all the advice i can give you. all thats left to say is you are gonna love the 4x4!

-Casey

 

Does it have a locker?

How many miles are on it?

 

It's TRD and just over 30K.
Thanks for the info guys - I don't plan on even contacting the guy until I can run a carfax. Speaking of which, anyone have an account?

 

take the oil cap off, look below the mysterious black piece of metal,and look to see if the oil has been changed on a regular basis. you should see a shiny silver color if that is the case. if it is brown or black...run. Ask for the maintenance records also. Hope this helps.

 

It wouldnt hurt to ask for service receipts too. Oil changes.. etc..i know its only 30kmiles, but it tells you a lot about the owner.

 

There are a few areas:

1) spark plugs....if he will let you pull one or two
2) check tire wear...will also tell you about alignment
3) look at engine oil and tranny fluid....look for sludge or burnt smell
4) jack the front wheel up and test ball joints, wheel bearings and tie rods
5) listen to engine idle...should be very smooth at about 700 RPM...listen for misses
6) get underneath and look for obvious leaks, ripped CV boots, loose or broken stuff, etc
7) take it out for a road test and test the brakes for stopping power, squeeking, pulling, etc
8) check for engine performance, accel hard, slow accel, hesitation, passing at speed
9) check for tranny performance, shifting properly, downshift under passing, OD button
10) if it has 4x4 be sure to try it out and make sure it is funcioning

That should pretty much be it.

 

Hey Peter,

Its not widely known as of yet, but YT can't allow postings regarding free carfax checks any longer.

 

Ah, okay.
Thanks dude.

I just want to say that PoBoy is really cool for no particular reason

 

Thanks for the advice guys, I really appreciate it!
Any clue as to the easiest way to test the 4x4 and rear locker? I imagine that with the locker it would be driving in a tight circle?

 

Hey Tom,
Just to clarify, this means no soliciting for it too, right?
May want to make a sticky... I've seen people requesting for carfax reports off and on for the last few weeks. This thread probably won't get enough attention to counteract all the people who ask...

just an idea

 

Putting it in 4-LOW, you can instantly feel the difference. First gear will shift extremely quickly.

As for the locker, yes.