Opinions on this 2001 Tacoma TRD Off Road?

I’m looking at this 2001 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road tomorrow. It has the 3.4 liter 5VZ-FE engine, R150F manual transmission, rear e-locker, and manual J-shift chain-drive transfer case. 158k miles and looks really clean. Also, priced aggressively.


The downside is that it’s a rebuilt title. Supposedly it was in an accident and sustained minor damage to the front right fender area.


I am told that insurance companies are totaling a lot of these trucks with minor damage because body panels are getting hard to find.

Seller is buying these trucks from IAA auctions with minor body damage, repairing them, and flipping them. He said he used to ship them overseas, but COVID-19 has put a damper on that market, so he is now selling them locally.


The auction/salvage photos just show the bodywork removed, but I don't see much actual damage besides the flat tire. Seller said the body parts that were removed were included with the sale (you can spy them in the bed), and he only had to add a few cosmetic trim pieces and reinstall the bodywork in the bed. Does that make sense to anyone? I'm not familiar with the insurance industry, but I do know they total the majority of cars out if they're over 10 years old for minor stuff. If the airbag deployed, would they total the car?


Regardless, what do y’all think? Anything I should look out for?


Craigslist Link

 

Has all the goods I'd want.

Hate the color.

Damage like that isn't anything to run away from, but I would steer clear from that title.

If the loss of value (possibly resale, though many people still buy these trucks with salvage/rebuilt titles) is ok with you, then go for it.

Treat it like any other Tacoma and fully inspect that frame.

 

Worked at a body shop for many years. Damage must exceed 70% -80% of the book value before they will consider total loss no matter how bad it looks. No way it was totaled for a fender and bumper. I bet it has frame damage and was repaired. If it was properly fixed no issue but if not who knows. Check for new or mismatched tires, that usually means the old ones were worn oddly indicating a problem. Where that truck was hit most likely the frame bends easy. Measure the tire to pinch weld on both sides, should be exactly the same. Most insurance only lets you carry liability on salvage title vehicles and banks won’t finance them. There are some good deals out there but you need to be educated so you don’t get boned.
Best of luck

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I’m going to pass on the truck.

 

Just remember pretty much all the states have different polices .

Here in Pa I have bought a Toyota 4x4 with a Salvage title for a failed clutch slave cylinder .

anything that the owner cares to junk the vehicle for could be anything .

One does what one will every case is different.

Laws are forever being changed as well.