Used Cars: used truck buying, test truck, 2006 toyota tacoma

Question
Hi Shane,

My question is in regards to buying a used 2006 Toyota Tacoma.  I have been looking for one now for about 4 weeks and came across an '06 Tacoma with 71K miles being sold by a dealership.  My concern is that there have been two previous owners.  The first owner leased it for 3 years and put around 56K miles on it.  Then in 2009, the lease was up I suppose and it was sold at an auto auction.  The second owner had it for 7 months, put 14K miles on it and then traded it to a dealership.  Carfax looks clean right now.  No apparent wrecks, mechanical problems, etc.  Should I be suspicious at all about this?  The truck looks great (means very little I know), and the dealership said it has gone through a 120 point inspection with no problems found.  How can I really know if this is a sound purchase?  What further questions should I ask?  Thanks so much, Shane.  I appreciate your help.

Grady Maddox

Answer
Hi Grady thanks for your question. I wouldn't be to concerned about the second owner. It is common for some companies to only keep a vehicle for a certain number of miles instead of time. If your comfortable with the truck and you feel the dealer is being honest with you, go for it. The Toyota Tacoma is a great truck, if the Carfax is clean and the truck looks and drive good it probably is fine. There are a few recalls on the Tacoma so ask if they have been done yet. Here is a link to that info.
http://db.theautochannel.com/db/usedcarbuyersguide/show_recalls.php

I would take the truck to an independent auto shop and have it looked over. This may cost $30-40 but could save you thousands later. Make sure to ask them if this was a rental at any point. If it were I would pass,we all know how rental cars are treated.  Ask if this Tacoma was used as a test truck. Toyota did a lot of testing their vehicles after that whole accelerator recall(which this truck is part of). If it were a test truck that don't make it bad but it would explain 14k miles in 7 mons. The main thing is buy from a reputable dealer. If the dealer has a history of taking care of the customer than you'll be fine. Oh yeah, ask your sales person how long the have been selling cars. If it has been less than 3 mons they probably wont be there 3 mons from now. Try to buy from someone who has been with the dealership a long time. That way if you do have a problem and you go back you wont be told "sorry he's not with us anymore".  Just make sure to look the truck over very well. You can't be to careful when spending this kind of money.    
Good luck with your purchase and take care, Shane