Is this worth it?? Found a gem!

I've found a 2005 SCLB V8 4WD with 25,000 miles. Yes, 25k miles.

I'm mainly wondering, does $16k for an 05' Long Bed with 25k miles sound worthwhile? Here's more details for those interested.

The owner is 90, and quite difficult to deal with but I've been trying to make it work considering what's at stake. After trying to navigate many hurdles to get it to the mechanic this Friday, he's offered me a narrow window between hearing back from the mechanic and the banks closing to drive 4 hours to him so he can deposit the cash before the weekend.

I decided to bring up price to gauge his flexibility, and he's firm at 16k. He claims it has the same tires it was bought with, so I'll need to replace those before I drive home, much less the timing belt and anything else aged out. I was hoping to get a much better price, or a point of discussion for the price at least, but I don't think I have much option than to just buy the car (pending mechanic review) and rush out there, or pass.

I'm leaning towards buying it! Figured I'd get some feedback from you knowledgeable folk

 

V8 4wd? 16k is high even for low miles like that if 2wd. If 2005 the v6 is a 4.0.. still plenty of power.

Generally, lower mileage trucks tend to have more problems like oil sludge, and dry rotted vacuum lines. Small tedious stuff. @shifty` can tell you more about it. He's got a 2006(?) With 75k(?) Miles.

 

My bad. Left out that very key detail. Yes, its V8 4WD.

 

Here’s a decent SCLB 4.7 4WD that was (is?) for sale recently. 100k miles for 10k. https://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/d/fredericksburg-low-miles2004-toyota/7583253937.html

 

Still a touch high. See if you can get him to cone down on account of the tires, and timing belt. The TB will be about a grand minimum +/- 400 or so in parts/labor. Would you tackle that on your own or have a mechanic do it?

Check the frame for rust. There's a thread here that's at the top of the 1st gen section titled something like " FAQ frame recall" read that.

 

Super rad! But on the opposite side of this wide country for me. Also pretty close to the rust belt.

 

I already mentioned it, but we will see post-inspection. He said "that's what I was told it worth" and basically seems to careless if I screw off at any point in the process.

Always fun to buy from old guys. No offense nice, old guys.

 

I’m stressed on your behalf. But looking forward to some photos of a pristine interior.

 

I don't have any tools, much time, and zero space. It'll be my mechanics job, and I thought it cost about $1000?

 

It's kind of one of those "is it worth 16k to you". If the mechanic's report is good, and you trust that report, it's probably okay in today's market. What does 16k buy you in today's vehicle market. Not much, but sitting around a lot isn't always a good thing. It would be way too much for me, but if you're comfortable with the price and everything else pans out, do it. You'll be sinking more $$$ in it just to make it drive-able, IE timing belt and tires right away. Things to ponder.

 

Depends on who you have do the job. A reputable shop, using quality parts, or skeeter under the shade tree putting shit together with a "fuck it, ain't mine" attitude.

 

This, all the way.

 

Totally. It's getting off to a rough start financially in regards to my build, but my hopes are that it'll be my gem with less than 100k miles in 2030. I expected to be spending money and time throughout the years on it, and I WANT to feel more confident in doing that to this car, than the 100-180k mile range $16k is getting me in California.

I wish I could shake off a few thousand, especially considering anything that wears notable with age is almost certainly done for. It's been super tough searching for this rig, and this feels like the only decent truck I've found that doesn't sell in 6-48 hours to someone with deep pockets.

 

Would love to hear from @shifty` . This thing is definitely on the wrong side of the hill for low miles of its age. I know idle time can be just as tough on a car as driving.

 

Where are you looking?

 

Northern California, by San Francisco. I don't have much free time for day trips, prices are tough, and anything good is gone in a day.

Welcome to the west coast.

 

If you don’t snag it, I will.

 

This is why the post is vague hahaha

But I'll let you know if I don't. I'll have a carfax and mechanic report to share.

 

Don't under-prioritize Tunda2's caution about an old truck with very low miles. As you are not comfortable doing a lot of wrenching to restore this, I suggest you pass. And maybe it was "worth" 16k last year but no more. Too many miles, too few miles for a vehicle that age, and inventory on trucks has been improving.

 

I'd fly to Raleigh to Che k that one instead.

 

My tired brain didn't put that together until I read your post.

@Nick244, I suggest you pass also. I know what it's like to get hooked on a vehicle. Fall in love, day dream about it and then buy it only to be hit with a stark reality of it not being what you thought. Actually, being a bit of a nightmare at times.

No offense to you, but you will be paying more than anything in shop time to get that truck road worthy again. You have neither the time, nor the skills by your own admission.

This 16K truck will probably end up costing you 24K plus down the road just for things that pop up due to the low miles.

If you wrenched on your own, my above statements would be different.

 

I'm pretty sure he means the Raleigh truck.

 

Naw, the NorCal one.

 

Hell, if I could swing the 10k and the time to get that truck I'd have already bought the Raleigh truck. Shiiiit, I wish crackie was half that clean!!!

 

How many miles do you plan on driving it a year? If it is a desirable color and has been garaged, its worth it. It would probably grab 25k on bat in a soft market and easily over 30k in a fair market. Leaves a lot of room for tires, LBJ's, valve cover G's, and T belt kit. Just because it's worth it, doesn't mean its the best one for you. This obviously depends on your financial situation. If you are going to stack miles on one and can't keep it garaged, I would say this is not the truck for you. I would buy a 200k+ mile truck that is clean and has been kept up, for one that is going to be used and made a daily. These are 3-500k mile trucks, easily.

 

FYI Toyota's current book/shop/flag time (i.e., the standard time allotted to a Toyota mechanic to perform that particular service) for the TB/WP job is ~7.5 hours. (And a lot of solid guys on this site take two days to do that job.) So if your mechanic's rate is $100/hr, you're starting that job at 750 plus parts. Most mechanics, especially good ones, are going to be north of $100/hr.

 

Check out this guy's. @Katana29

 

This is correct. The first time I ever did a timing belt on anything was crackie, and that took me the better part of a month, working 1-1.5 hours a day after 12 hour shifts, and waiting on new sensors to show up.

 

I finally found this damned link, @Nick244 here is @shifty` s valve covers.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/wha...-gen-tundra-today.2558/page-1294#post-2692222

 

What others are saying about too low of mileage rings true, that being said maybe wait it out and see if he’ll come down on price if it doesn’t sell soon, and if it does sell no loss.