Good Buy?

Hey everyone, im looking to buy my first tundra. I found a 2014 tundra double cab sr5 with a 6.5 foot bed on facebook market place. It has 180k miles. Timing chain was replaced 2020 and In 2021 received all new engine gaskets, drive chain, water pump ect. Its in really good shape, most of the miles were on the highway. There is a little surface rust underneath... They have it listed for 14k. Im just looking for someone else's opinion on it as I am not very experienced.

 

See how big the fuel tank is. If i recall (someone correct me if i'm wrong) the 14's came with a small tank.

Post up picture of what you are looking at.

and welcome

 

Major work done twice in two years? I'd run.

 

Thanks! Heres a picture. 26.4 gal tank

 

You will come to regret the small fuel tank, it eats too fast. A lot done before 200k, think I have to agree on passing. Better deals out there. Visually nice truck otherwise

 

yeah it is the 5.7, do you know what years have the larger fuel tanks?

 

mmmm. Timing chain twice in a year? doesn't make sense. Pass.

 

Sorry I worded it poorly, the timing chain was replaced in 2020, the other stuff listed was done the year after because the dealer recommended it.

 

Oh I read it SLOWER and it makes sense. The price is good for what I see around my area, however that makes me skeptical but it is a higher mileage Tundra. That is a lot of work for less than 200k miles.

 

“Dealer recommended”…

How much of the work was necessary? If the work was done at a dealer, there should be notes on why the work was done, I’d think. Perhaps the previous owner acquainted a timing chain to a timing belt and assumed it needed periodic replacement, and a dealer may have obliged?

IMHO, it’s worth a look and checkout with a solid mechanic that is familiar with Tundras.

If it checks all your boxes, lowball them enough to retrofit a 46 gallon Transfer Flow tank. Unless all your driving is just around town, you will hate the 26 gallon.

 

That, or somebody said timing chain when they meant serpentine belt?

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! I think the previous owner was ignorant and fell for a dealer scam to have all that work done.

 

Did you run a carfax on it? Personally all the work that was done recently would make me skeptical. The price is pretty good. The previous owner probably spent a few grand at the dealer getting that work done. Why did they not want the truck after spending all that money?

 

Pass. No way a 3UR engine would need that work that soon. Something is off.

 

Agree with others, pass.
Is $14k the top end of your budget? If so maybe find a clean 1st gen Tundra. Hard to find a real good 2nd/2.5 gen in that price range.

If you can afford a higher price point, I'd look for lower mileage examples, unless you find a 1-owner, higher mileage example with droves of service records.

In my experience buying cheaper, higher mileage Toyotas, the seller usually drives them until all the deferred maintenance can't be put off any longer, then sells to someone else who's then got to absorb those costs. They buy the Toyota thinking they're so reliable they don't even need maintenance.

Then the vehicle can nickel and dime you to death with small repairs the previous owner neglected for too long (i.e. brakes, suspension, tires, fluids, belts, filters, etc). The couple grand more in purchase price needed to get a meticulously maintained vehicle will save you money in the long haul.

 

Hey everyone thanks for your advice. I asked the seller if there was any wiggle room on the price but he never responded. I'll probably keep on looking for the right truck! I may wait a little bit and save up some more money to get something newer/less miles.