Frame Rust 03 Tundra Continued

Just wanted to update on what Toyota is offering on my 03 Tundra and its rust issues. They have had it for the last 2 weeks. Found "multiple holes" in the frame after initially telling me it looked good. Will not recoat the frame. They are offering a new frame, replacing associated parts for free but not those parts that might break or have rusted not related to getting the frame on and off. Possible additional costs for those parts/labor around $2-4K. So I could have an 03 with a lot of fresh parts and new frame for under 5K. OR....they are offering a check for $7300 buyout, no strings attached .

love my truck and I don't really want payments but the buyout is more than fair and I would probably buy another Tundra, probably used.

If I take the check, is there a year or model that I should stay away from? Maybe look at the Tacoma? Any thoughts welcome.

 

Posts like this make me want to work for Toyota. Only company in the world that would offer reasonable compensation for a 16 year old manufacturing mistake. I don't remember the specifics of your truck, mileage, body rust, interior, ect, but $7300 would be close to the retail replacement cost for a 2003 AC under 200k miles in good to very good condition here in the mid-atlantic. I'd probably take the money and go shopping for a 1st gen replacement.

 

As someone with a truck with a replaced frame, take the 7300 paycheck and find another truck. You can easily find one with a replaced frame for less than that, especially if you’re willing to do some work on it.

 

Normally, I'd say keep the truck because you know its history. If I remember correctly, the rest of the truck had bad rust too(suspension parts etc). In this case I would probably take the payout and buy another first gen Tundra. I wouldn't buy a Tacoma. If you're willing to chip in another $2-3K you could probably find a really nice used Tundra.

As for which years to avoid, I would probably shoot for a 2004-2006.

 

I guess it depends on the condition of the rest of the the truck to me. If the body/interior is still in good shape I'd let them do the frame and throw a bunch of new parts on it, they shouldn't charge you for any additional labor since the parts had to come off anyway.

 

My vote is 2005-06 so you get a 5 speed auto and more horsepower was somewhere around that year.

 

Take the money and run

 

ya, as a guy who has more rust that I care to admit, take that money. I am dumping loads of money into mine because I already have it and didn't get a sweet buyout offer like that, mine already had a new frame.

Go on, take the money and run!

 

take buyout, add couple Ks and get a gen2

 

Take the money & buy a rust-free late model 2005-2006 1st Gen. or an early 2nd Gen 2007-2010.

 

Toyota replaced my frame on my 2004 Tacoma with 225,000 miles about a year ago. They didn't offer the buyout and said they weren't offering the buy back anymore. I told them I would spend the buy-out money on a used 4Runner on the spot (already had the Tundra). They said the technicians make about $6400-$7500 per truck and since I am a working man, I thought that was a great deal for the technicians.

They had my truck for +/- 3 months and gave me a GMC Canyon for that time. I looked at the bill and the total damage to Toyota came out to around 18K with about 3k of that being rental fees. I had them print the invoice for me when I sold the truck.

That being said, take the $money$ and never look back.

 

They will charge for swap parts and the dealership will try to up-sell you on stuff like changing fluids, clutch, brakes, etc. I declined everything and told them mine ran perfect when I brought it in and I just want it to run the same when I pick it up.

 

The upsell I get that's part of their money making on anything, but if they're trying to charge labor for say changing shocks that's not right because they need to be removed for the replacement anyway.

 

You can find another 1st gen for less than $7300.

Problem is, if you do like I did to my 02’, you could spend another 5-6k just getting it back in top shape.

With that said, it might be advantageous to have your existing truck recalled while you drive a free loaner and hold your ground on not forking ANY money for said recall ‘incidentals’ OTHER THAN you buying and providing the upgraded parts needed. They eat the labor like Fester is stating above. This is a win win for you.

Tough call. Maybe negotiate back with a higher buy out like say $10.5k. That would be worth it to walk with a check.

The stealer is trying to arbitrage your buy out for a win win on their side at $7300. You get a win lose (check plus have to go searching and reinvesting).

Keep us posted.

 

I wonder what Toyota would do with the truck after purchase? Scrap it?

 

sounds like the dealer would be buying it and putting the frame under it and likely selling it for 8500-9000.. never heard of toyota corporate offering buybacks on trucks getting new frames. only 95-00 tacos

 

Jakbak, If I was you I'd be at that dealers office the moment they unlock the door give them the keys, walk out with the $7,300 buyout and here's why:

The frame replacement has been discussed in dozens of threads on this site. Lots, and lots of posters saying dealer won't do anything, escalated to Toyota corp and they said no. Rust hole formed a couple years after Toyota applied frame goo, now Toyota is saying truck is disqualified. Literally like 8 out of 10 posters are bad news for every 2 that got a new frame.

You somehow lucked into a winning ticket, dealer offering you market value replacement cost, not wholesale, on your truck. Which by the way has already had the frame goo applied. This alone makes you a unicorn on this forum and other websites. Never heard of previous goo fix being offered a buyout.

Lastly, who know what is going on with your dealer. They could be idiots, mistaken paperwork, super nice people, but remember, you don't have a contract yet, just an offer and I don't think you said it was in writing. The dealer can rescind or lower the offer at any time.

Some food for thought.









Or follow hand models advice....

 

Yeah I'd be out of that truck if I were you. $7300 is fair money.

 

Take the money.

 

I would let them know I was not at all impressed with their offer, and 1.) letting them know that everything worked when you drove it in to be checked, 2.) it is not your fault that the frame needs replacing, and 3.) should they break stuff during the repair it would be on them to pony up for those parts and labor. Speak nice and polite, yet staying firm without burning any bridges in the process. Then take them up on their next move should they offer in the $10k range. If no counter offer is advanced, work the local market aspect - where are you going to find a comparable vehicle replacement for $7300? Then and only then take what's offered before it is rescinded.

 

My man.

 

This thread prompted me to check the local market for prices the other day. If I was looking for an access cab Tundra and wasn't too concerned about it being an 05 or 06 there were quite a few options. I found a couple fixer uppers for around $4k that made me want to sell my desert truck and start a new project. Nonetheless I found some pretty nice tundras for around $8k and under.

 

Mine was a fixer upper to the tune of $6k.

Last year, I almost traded her in (blasphemy!). Was resigned to $4-5k selling price based on ‘Cregggsliss’ pricing. Maybe $4k stealer trade-in?

Right now I’d not sell for less than $11k due to the top shape and amount of love and money invested. Would I fetch? Probably not, but she is paid off. No monthly $600 payments plus $2k personal property tax a year.

This year, the Cregsliss prices have doubled around here compared to last year. Also, the selection from private sales are very rare. The few for sale lately are from used stealers wanting $6-9k (plus their nice guy financing which yields them another $4k in interest) for their polished turd.

I did see one 2002 exactly just like mine and its a private party sale for $10k. It has a goofy leveled look with factory sized tires. 140k miles. Probably needs mucho mechanical work.

 

This guy spoke to Hand Model and Marbleville before listing his car for sale...

 

That $35000 is 3181.00 pesos hombre. Hahahaaha

The OP vehicle is not For Sale as far as I know.

He was Offered $7300.

We are helping him negotiate with the sharks (stealership) who obviously would not Offer to buy anything unless it suits them.

Doesn’t hurt to Counter-offer. Whats to lose? Either way he gets a new frame OR $7300 (weak) or more$$$. He is is the drivers seat on this one. No less than $10k! Or new frame!

Win win!

 

PHM...That's my Trixie's twin you have included in your comment, with mine priced about $18,000 USD in my grubber's book (meaning not interested in selling her). She's mine, all paid for and runs very well at 125,000 miles, and in fact, I still think of her as new (but needing a thorough wash).

 

Property tax on an island?

 

You really think $7,300 for a truck that’s basically worthless due to its rusted frame is weak? I say take it and run.

 

Yes for that truck. Ask yourself why is the dealer offering to pay that much?

The stealer will make money on both sides of the ledger. They will make money on the 1) frame replace/save money on no free loaner and 2) the resale on the new(er) truck with new frame.

Again, if it was me I’d counter higher. Try to at least get a couple more grand.

If you are weak then fold and take the money. Its easy to take the money. Its easy to negotiate a better higher counter offer, too. Its easy to get a new frame and have a free loaner for the duration. Its easy to hold your ground when stealer tries to nickel and dime during frame replace.

Just an opinion.