Son's First Vehicle?

What do you guys think? He's about to turn 13...wife and I have intended for some time on getting him a project in this price range for some time (not necessarily a Tundra), and letting him help us make it his own. This is ugly, but tempting... KBB:

 

3 words. CHECK THE FRAME!
Just because they say it's a California truck, don't take their word for it. Frame rot is very common. Also, inspect the timing belt if you can. It's due every 7 years or 90K miles. It seems like a good price.

 

Really would depend on the frame rust

 

My thoughts exactly, I’ve been on here long enough to know…frame rust and timing belt lol. I’m assuming it’s 2WD since the listing doesn’t specify. I bet that paint job will shrink the interested buyer pool a little bit

 

Check frame, and airbags. If good offer $3400 settle on $3600.

 

First thing I was thinking too but couldn't figure out how to say it as nicely as you have.

Like too how the Cargo Strap seems to match the accent color!

It seems pretty cheap for this area with those miles maybe but a good inspection should pretty quickly tell the tale I bet there.

My 2001 with about the same miles runs like new pretty much and if that one is nice under it all it would be a decent candidate I would think.

Dont you think it will torment him for the next 3 years to some breaking point though too?

I like it whatever the answer!

 

I assume it's the grey one and not the maroon one in the pic ?

 

The only thing that looks weird to me is that he says it’s been in the family since it was new, but it has temp tags instead of plates. That seems off to me.

 

"Since it was bought off the lot" could have been two weeks ago.

Frame rust. Timing belt. Heat gun to remove stickers...

 

Very good point…sellers choose their words carefully and let the buyers read what they want.

 

Sounds like a fun shared hobby if he’s into that stuff and you’re set up to work on it. Checking parts availability and pricing vs other vehicles might be a good idea. Quite possible you’ll quickly have more in parts than the purchase price- there might be miles of lawns to cut and hours at the pizza joint in his future

 

That’s pretty much the idea
This might be in too good of condition to necessitate that over the next three years.

 

Keeping a young man busy and tired at night is good thing.

 

These are the years I’ve waited for as a dad. Establishing the mindset and behavior pattern that will govern the rest of his life.

 

Well, does say is from California, now in Kansas gotta get new plates if you move to a different state.

 

I got my son a 2000 5-speed Tacoma and he loves it. If I could have found a Tundra 5-speed I would have gone that direction.

 

Seems like a good deal. Just looking at the engine bay tells me any rust probably isn't that bad though and mostly just surface only. Let us know what you find out.

I'm guessing from the price its a 2wd vehicle.

 

Assuming things check out, YESSS!!!!! My tundra is the fist vehicle I've owned, I bought it at as soon as I got my learners permit and I could not have made a better choice. Except for the SAIS system, it has been nothing but reliable for me. It has been easy to work on and there is plenty of room for his small young hands to get around the engine bay and pretty much every other nook and cranny. Plus he has you and the rest of us to help him. This could be a pro or con depending on how you and the boss feel about it, but after market support isn't quite what I hear it used to be. Otherwise it has a decent amount of power, if it is the V8, but not enough to get in trouble without trying, I've tried and still haven't gotten in trouble *intensely knocks on wood*. It may not be the flashiest first car but hey function over form. Just make sure to see if the passenger airbag has been recalled or already warrantied. Got to keep him or his lady friend safe. I hope this enough to convince you. And if it isn't theres is a reason why its called the best gen. hehe =) Plus he will be officiated by @jImmegart and I as the youngest Tundra owner. He will de throne a 15 year old from Texas. Kid has a good lookin best gen.