Help....Looking at 89 SR5

[schlegel]

Hi...
I am looking for a hand from the pros! I am going to look at a 1989 truck Thursday. I am wondering if you guys could guide me on things to look for....rust on frame, specific issues, etc.

Here is a link to the one I am looking at..
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?paId=273268710&recnum=7&leadExists=fals e&numResultsPerPage=50&pageNumber=&certifiedOnly =f alse&recNumber=&sortorder=descending&searchType=21 &rowCount=&criteria=K-|E-|M-_47_|B-5000|N-N|R-30|I-1|P-PRICE%20descending|Q-descending|Z-46013&tracktype=usedcc&sortfield=PRICE%20descendin g&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&cid=&dlid=&dgid=&amid =& cname=&ppFilterOn=&aff=national

I think the price is high, but other than that, I don't know what the heck to look out for. It's a one owner. He said on the phone it had a little rust on the bed behind the drivers cab, and a little more on the tailgate? Rusted body I'm not too concerned about, but the frame I am. The tranny was replaced ~70k....should I expect it will go out again? I'm really not looking for a daily driver, just one that's not going to fall apart the week after I buy it.

Any help is appreciated!

[junior3382]

Welcome to the site:
I have a friend who owns a similar truck, his is a 1992, he just spent the last two years rebuilding it. Rust was a big problem with those trucks. Mechanically though, never an issue. When buying a used truck though, regardless of if it is a one owner or not, the first things to look at are the wear of the U-joints and the front ball joints. These will tell you how it was maintained. Drive it, listen for exhaust leaks and listen for unusual noises from the suspension and the driveline.

The truck does look clean, and taken care of. The price may be a little high, but those trucks get better gas mileage then most of the same class. Kinda a valuable thing right now.

Ask some important questions too, like why did he replace the tranny? And was it replaced with a new, used or a rebuilt one? Why is he selling it? What did he use it for? If he towed with it, ask how much and how often... Questions like these can lead you to understand the history better then a carfax report will ever lead you to believe.

As far as bottom line prices go, what they ask for is never what they will take.... if you decide you want it, then ask him what his bottom line is... then offer 500 less on the spot, they will usually take it. But do not seem overly interested, meaning pick the truck apart. You do not nescesarily have to bad mouth the rig, just while you are walking around it, point and/or touch at dents or scrapes, do not say anything, he will tell you right away what happened. Make him nervious like that. He will talk himself right down to a price you would like to pay, trust me. I used that trick all the time when appraising a customers trade at work. Take notes, write down how much it will cost you to repair or replace anything in need of it, make sure he sees you do it.

Anyways, on the subject, Toyotas are strong trucks if trated right. Here is something else though. Those late 80's v6's in those trucks tend to quit after about 160k... not sure why, personally, you will get plenty of tourqe and plenty life out of their four bangers.... might be the better way to go.,

I am not sure if any of this helps you, but I wanted to offer my advice here. Good luck.

[schlegel]

Thanks for the reply and insight, and advice on the bartering....something I don't enjoy.

[junior3382]

No problem, anytime