First time Tundra buyer. Is this a good deal?

Hello Everyone,
I am currently looking to buy my first tundra. I just put a deposit on a used 2003 Tundra v8 4x4 with 140,000 miles. Clean Title, with 3 past owners. I will be paying $12,000 out the door.

The interior is what's expected with an old truck. I focused more on the motor and under the car. Attached are pictures.

https://imgur.com/a/gMd7Lp3

I would appreciate any advice. Thank you.

 

Frame looks pretty good from pics supplied though a few more might not hurt. Looks very nice just have to make sure it wasn't painted to hide rust.
Other than the shitty rough country lift it's not too bad. Where are you located?

 

I am located in California. What do you mean by shitty rough country lift? lol its lifted?

 

Shock spacer circled.


Rough country shock with leaf spring lift blocks.

Good thing here though is it looks like a very small lift so it may not give you any trouble. The worst ones are the big lifts.

 

oh wow. Didn't notice the the first picture.
Is this Damaged common? Its on both sides

 

Probably from tire rubbing. What kind of wheels and tires are on it?

 

I added more pictures of the outside of the car. Here are the tires.

 

Well with those I'm sure it would never rub. Those may not be the wheels/tires that the previous owner had on it. May have taken them off before sale to the dealer I assume you are buying from. That's really my only guess on that part.

 

The tires seem new. I think that's what they did.

 

What pictures would help most? I can try and get more.

 

Those dents could just be from someone replacing the ball joints. Common tactic is to hit the arm with a big hammer to get the ball joints to pop free.

 

Being in California you're probably good on rust if the truck was owned in that area most its life. If you have the vin number you can make an account on toyota.com/owners and see prior service history.

I think you're probably in good shape. I'm sure the California market is a little different than where I am. I think the market you're in that doesn't seem bad

 

That could be another possibility thanks.

 

That's great to hear. I do have VIN and will search it. Carfax whos all CALI. Market is HIGH, and competitive.

 

I have a question in regards to this area. How concerning is this either moisture or oil?

 

Probably leaky valve cover gaskets, common problem, sometimes just re-torquing them can fix it for a while

 

$12K seems high for a 2003. I just paid $10K for a 2005 a few months ago. See if they will work with you on the price. I live in the Rocky Mountains so ALL 4x4 trucks are market way up above normal value (normal book on mine is $7300). Like the rest of the guys said, normal wear and tear. Looks to be in good shape overall. Dents are a huge deal. I replaced my headlight housings, and 3rd brake light with new since they were all sun faded. Parts are still available. You just have to look a little harder.

 

Its 12k from a dealer after registration and taxes and fees. This why I don't feel so bad. Smog is done as well. I appreciate your response.

 

Looks ok, good luck!

 

The used market is nuts right now, everything is overpriced including used panties

 

I can see how I am overpaying, but i also understand KBB is turn in value or private party sale. This is from a dealer. They also offer 5 day n return policy after i get it checked out.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! Good luck on your deal!

 

Maybe it's not the "best" deal, granted, but it looks to be on the decent side of a used truck. It doesn't look obviously damaged anywhere, and even the marks on the uca would indicate service on the known ball joint issue. So, you're not getting a neglected truck, in the positive sense of feeling good about it and moving forward. Bring it home and make it yours!
Good luck and welcome from CT

 

Thank you.

 

Thank you.

 

Kelly Blue Book prices on Toyota trucks aren’t really accurate to what the vehicles are actually being priced. Most owners or dealers really make up their own prices. In reality, they aren’t worth that much, but our Toyota community marks them up like crazy.

Yeah, I mean that one has pretty low miles. I payed the same price for mine, but mine had 113k miles. A year ago about. Who knows, maybe car prices will continue to steepen.

Seems like a solid truck.

 

Bro, I'm with you. Many here will tell you I'm the 1st one to question the prices people post and then I post way cheaper options. I always say the best place to buy a used truck is Texas and Florida because of the abundance of used trucks and they usually do not have rust and the prices are decent. But the market right now is tuff, if I had a 2nd vehicle I would have sold my truck

 

Yeah, find me a clean Tundra for 5k, not going to happen.

The dealers own KBB.

 

Dealers use Manheim auction for there appraisal value. The thinking is "how much would this car cost me at auction". KBB is a marketing tool to help part consumer from there cash. Oddly they are both owned by Cox Automotive

 

The only problem I see is it's missing a transfer case and front differential.
The oil/moisture on the valve covers could be leaky spark plug tube gaskets.
If you're not comfortable with inspection, have a mechanic take a look and get it checked out. Check the history to see if timing belt, lower ball joints, etc have been replaced.