Looking to purchase a 1st or possibly 2nd gen Tundra

First off, this will be my first truck. So any input is much appreciated. I am 17 years old. I want a truck that will be reliable for me for years to come. Looking to spend 10k or less. I would also like to have either an access cab, or a double cab. 4WD is a must, I live in Michigan. V8 would be great too. I currently drive my parents 2016 or so? Toyota sequoia, it’s an awesome car but I would like to buy my own truck, and have room for dirt bikes. What year tundras should I be looking for? What trim levels are worth the extra dough? Should I spend the extra money and get a 2nd gen tundra? Thank you all!

 

Since you’re asking- for the price- 2009-2013 Tundra ( they say don’t get the first year of any generation- haven’t worked out the kinks yet) - if you want to haul, I’d recommend a single cab or extended but not crewmax (only 5.5 foot bed)
Gas mileage is poor in the 5.7L (even tho the power is tempting)
If you were my son- I’d be pushing you towards a Tacoma (better mpg, easier to work on, etc)
Good Luck and remember- buy with your brain and not with your emotions

 

Thank you, Steve!

 

07-08 is fine, if looking at a 1st Gen tundra or 2nd Gen with the 4.7l V8, make sure the timing belt has been done (or if not be prepared to spend a good amount of money to pay someone to do it if it needs it)

you should be able to find a 2nd Gen for that price, it will probably be higher mileage though (which isn’t bad, but lower the better); since you’re more north look out for rust on anything you’re looking at.

Just be patient and you’ll find a good deal. I will warn you, mpg with the 4.7/2nd Gen is terrible, even on 33s and leveled I got about 12 mpg, on 35s it’s pretty much only 10

 

Buy a 4Runner and a trailer for the bikes. You can look for a rust free 4Runner and Fluid Film the chassis when you get it home. If you go enclosed trailer, you can even make a toy hauler/camper out of it too. Easier and safer to load bikes on a trailer. Have fun while you are young, but be wise so you don't hurt too much when you are old.

 

I’ve been reading about the timing belt. We do all of our car work ourselves, it doesn’t seem awfully hard to do. I’m not scared to turn a wrench, but sounds like roughly 1k in parts to do the belt, as well as the water pump and other parts? For the price if the 1st gen’s, I’ve kinda started to wonder if I should just spring for a 2nd gen, even if it has 50k+ more miles. Thanks for the reply!

 

I’ve been doing that for a little while, we have an enclosed trailer that’s perfect for bikes. I guess I didn’t really think about that option much. Thank you!

 

Yeah the job isn’t overly terrible, just tedious and there’s a good amount of parts to get; if you do end up having to do it make sure you get the kit from Toyota, all other after market parts are going to sh*t and isn’t worth risking the belt snapping

 

You can get a aisin kit from rock auto, along with other parts for well under 500$ for the tb/wp job

 

Aisin isn’t as good anymore, not worth the risk

 

Where does the dealer get their parts?

 

I would go with a 2nd Gen personally, the price difference between them and a 1st gen isn't much. A lot more power and less shit that needs routine maintenance (no worry about LBJs or timing belt). With that said a 2nd gen feels like a lot larger vehicle, for good or bad. I would mainly focus on something with no rust, mileage I wouldn't be concerned about frankly. For sub-$10k you should be able to get a truck in good shape with 200k on it I would think.

 

I call b.s. The Japanese have a pride in manufacturing that does not allow them to churn-out inferior products. It's cultural and has been for thousands of years. What example do you have to offer to support your statement?

 

“My sisters boyfriends brother got a kit from Bigurl and it was garbage”

 

OP, if your choices are strictly between a 1st & 2nd gen, I would choose a 2nd gen just based on parts availability alone. I say this as a 1st gen owner who bought one as a project. Many parts of quality are becoming difficult to find or NLA. The 1st gen is a fantastic truck with a lot going for it, but there is a downside to keep in mind. Having said this, the 2nd gen has a higher price of ownership (e.g. insurance, fuel costs, etc.).

Listen to what 2nd gen owners are pointing out about the various trim levels and maintenance, as well. Some of them have already stated things to be aware of.

Welcome to the forum!

Oh, if it were me, I'd buy a 2nd gen. Lol!
Edit: and I'm only saying this due to the power differences in the engines. I'm 58 yrs old and can afford the higher fuel costs. Can you at 17 yrs old is the question?

 

I work at a shop and pay attention to what parts we use

 

Not the same aisin thats available to the public; same thing with Denso, the level of manufacturing that gets offered to Toyota (and then stamped Toyota oe part) is higher quality and tighter tolerances than Denso etc that’s sold at parts stores or rock auto

that’s not to say that Toyota oe parts are perfect either, perfect example, just did plugs on my truck and didn’t wanna get Denso through XL, ordered from Toyota through the shop and 3/8 plugs wearnt gapped correctly; that’s small but quality isn’t what it used to be

 

Probably, I won’t be driving it every day, probably 1-2 times a week. I’ve got a good job, so I’m not terribly worried about it, but I don’t want to spend a ton of money. I’m sure I’ll get a better idea of figures I’m looking at with more time researching. Thanks for the reply!

 

I cited an example a couple comments later; aisin in the past was very good, I’d still get it for things that are easy to replace and not reliant for the life of the motor, but a timing belt that will ruin the motor if broken? I don’t think so

sorry I don’t have examples for you, I work on a lot of cars in the week and so do my coworkers, I don’t remember every single time we’ve had problems as it blends together with other car brands we’ve worked on and their parts problems; I’ve also heard the same aisin issues from a Toyota parts distributor… granted he could have been trying to make a sale but he seems like a relatively honest guy

and I don’t just mean aisin, I mean Denso too, same things with lowering quality if it doesn’t come direct from Toyota