Think of some of the things we spend the most on: a house, college tuition, weddings, and vehicles for the vast majority of us. After it became obvious that brother-in-law’s Dodge Charger would need constant, extensive maintenance at only 86K miles, he decided to sell it and buy my husband’s 2017 Toyota Corolla LE (a significant upgrade). My husband and I got to go car shopping! You can read more about my in-law’s decision to “Repair or Replace”[coming soon].

Knowing how reliable the Toyota brand has been to him, Josh wanted something specific: a reliable, single-cab Toyota Tacoma with low miles, one or two owners, a good maintenance history, and within a budget of $11,000. Trucks like these are rare gems, but we knew if he found it he’d have another incredibly reliable vehicle. We prayed throughout the process, to not buy a lemon, for God to give us discernment, and patience because we trusted Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Our search started on Facebook Marketplace. Despite the negative stories we’ve heard, we had a plan and prayer.

The Checklist

Knowing that the vehicle would be used, we had to ensure that what we were getting wouldn’t need more work than we wanted to pay for. So, we put this checklist together. If the listing checked off all the boxes, it would be time for a test drive.

1. Is the seller a real person? (Checking out the seller’s Facebook profile)
2. Does the listing include a Carfax report or at least a VIN for the vehicle?(We had money set aside to pull Carfax’s)
3. Does the Carfax report show regular maintenance, no major accidents, or red flags?
4. Will the seller allow us to take the vehicle for a comprehensive diagnostic?(This was a mandatory stipulation for buying the vehicle. The owners were welcome to come.)

The First Attempt

The first listing we found was a beautiful 2004 Tacoma with 121K miles, a clean interior, and two minor accidents. The asking price? $11,500. We completed our checklist and were ready to move forward. After checking out the seller’s profile, we saw that he worked at a Toyota dealership as a mechanic; that was a big green flag for us! We then conducted a quick phone call with the seller to verify his identity and ask some initial questions about the truck.

• When you bought the truck, what work was needed, and what work does it need now?
• What work have you done so far?
• Can you tell us everything the first owner told you that made you want to buy it?
• Why are you selling it after purchasing it?
• Are there any aftermarket parts on the truck?
• We would like to take it to a shop before purchase—is that okay?
• What did the original owner tell you about the accidents?

The answers seemed promising, and the seller appeared honest, so we scheduled a diagnostic inspection at a highly rated local mechanic near the seller’s home ($80). Now for the rundown of the diagnostic.

Josh and I had never been to this mechanic shop, as it was in the next town over; we chose it purely based on its rating and the seller’s convenient proximity. After an hour, the inspection revealed some issues the seller did not mention: a new water pump and lower ball joints were needed, the computer board was damaged, and the gasket seemed tampered with (despite the seller stating he had done no work on the truck). The mechanics at this shop said how it was, despite the seller standing in the same room, which we greatly appreciated. From now on, this will be our go-to mechanic shop. I then called my dad, a mechanic for 30+ years. After discussing the cost of repairs, he advised us to keep looking. Disappointed but determined, we returned to Facebook Marketplace, trusting that God had something better for us.

The Second Attempt

A backup truck was lined up for another test drive the next day. This time, it was a 2003 Tacoma with 57,000 miles, a clean interior, and no reported accidents. The asking price was $9,500. I know, that sounds too good to be true, right? Before meeting the seller, we asked the same questions as we did with the first. We found another highly rated mechanic near the seller and brought the truck in for a $75 inspection. The results were much better this time: the truck would need new tires in about eight months and a new battery, but that was it. The mechanic was impressed, and so were we.

We then offered $7,000, and after some back-and-forth, we purchased it for $7,500. Afterwards, Josh took it to our go-to mechanics in the next town over for another diagnostic, because their assessment and transparency last time impressed him. They found nothing wrong with it whatsoever. Even after telling them what was pointed out at the first diagnostic, they said we had found a “diamond in the rough.”

The whole experience reminded us that God’s timing and provision often exceeds our expectations. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Through faith, persistence, and preparation, we not only avoided a lemon but found a gem.

Key Takeaways 

1. Set Clear Expectations Before Searching
   • Define your needs and budget beforehand and ask God to help you every step of the way (e.g., specific brand, model, mileage, maintenance history).
2. Research and Verify Sellers
   • Use platforms like Facebook Marketplace with caution – there are lots of scams and if it looks too good to be true, it is!
   • Verify the seller’s identity through their profile and conduct a preliminary phone call to assess trustworthiness.
3. Use a Checklist for Initial Screening
   • Ensure listings include critical details like a VIN or Carfax report.
   • Check for regular maintenance records and lack of major accidents.
4. Always Schedule a Diagnostic Inspection
   • Find a high rated mechanic for a comprehensive diagnostic before purchase.
   • Be prepared to walk away if the inspection reveals costly or undisclosed issues.
5. Be Patient and Persistent
   • The first attempt may not always work out; stay determined to find the right fit.
6. Negotiate Wisely
   • Make reasonable offers based on the vehicle’s condition and market value.
   • Be prepared for counteroffers and hold firm on your budget.

Here’s the winner!

At the mechanic on the rack.