Question about Tundra purchase. Newbie stuff!

A friend has a 2000 Tundra TRD V8 with 235k on it. No rust, everything works, 4x4 etc. He is asking $6,500. My newbie questions are #1 is this a decent price? #2 How long do Tundra last if taken care of? #3 Was this a reliable made year?
Any other info you can give the new guy would be GREATLY appreciated!!! I don't even know how to use the push button 4x4!!!

 

Get some pictures of the underside, and just general truck pictures. We like pictures.

Regarding longevity: there are a few high mileage trucks on here.
500k+ with regular maintenance such as:

1. Water pump/timing belt every 90k.
2. Lower ball joints every 100k?
3. Spark plugs on interval noted on plugs.
4. Oil changes.
5. Fluid changes. (Diffs, tran, coolant, power steering.)

If the water pump, and timing belt haven't been done lately expect to pay around a grand in labor if YOU supply the parts. Aisin makes a good kit you can buy on Rockauto. (Aisin makes the parts for TOYOTA, but doesn't stamp them with Toyota label. Which means cheaper.)

The only issue I can recall with early tundras was the planetary gears in the transmission would go boom. If it hasn't happened yet its probably a safe bet that it's okay.

If you buy it, the common wisdom here is to NOT DO a transmission flush. Instead do several drains, and fills to slowly work out all the funk. Dislodging funk with flush in transmission is argued to be the cause of planetary gears going grenade.

 

Me either.

Regarding price: truck prices are STUPID high right now. There was 2002, V8, 2WD on bring a trailer.com that sold for 20k...


I'd jump on it if more maintenance details can be found out.

 

Awesome advice! Thanks

 

There are others here with better understanding than me, but pretty sure most are asleep.

 

1) Maybe. Rust is one thing. How long until it's due for: Timing belt? Tires? 120K mile service (all fluids, etc.)? Are the headlights cloudy? Does it need a $500 detail to scrub out the old and make it yours? Is the body straight and clean or dented and worn?
$6,500 is an okay staring price. Don't hesitate to add $500 if it's pristine.

2) If rust doesn't kill 'em it doesn't seem like much else will.

3) I don't know.

Buy it.

 

Yeah, how the hell did I forget to mention rust? Me of all people.

 

If well maintained then that a GREAT price. If not, then its ok price.

Rust is usually the deal breaker. Do a search on Frame Replacement here for a better understanding.

 

I would pay that especially if the front end didn't need to to be rebuilt.

 

I just picked up a 2005 DC SR5 (4wd auto - is that redundant?) with ~90k that needs timing belt (and water pump?). Would the transmission concern apply to a 2005 also or is "early Tundras" earlier than that? I was going to do a full fluid flush but I'll hold off on transmission if I should.

I'm not going to hijack the thread, I'll create my own in a bit, but I'm surprisingly excited about the truck being much more of a "car" guy since I was young.

 

By "early" I meant specifically the 2000-2002 years. I should have specified. My apologies.

I would absolutely not do a transmission "flush" on any older car that hasn't had regular transmission fluid changes at engine oil intervals. Too much risk.

Work the gunk out slowly with lots of drain and fills.