Cheers from Bozeman, MT for the wrong reasons

I probably should have been a part of this forum since this past November when I first purchased by 2000 Tundra Limited AC, but now that I am joining it seems it's for all the wrong reasons. I've already made this post in the Tacoma forum because I was originally set on moving on from the accident and getting behind the wheel of a Tacoma, as the first gen Tundras available in my area are beat. But so here's the same post as I'm pretty lost in this buying process and would appreciate as much feedback as I could. Please don't lynch me for mentioning taco's
Yesterday I was going down a mountain trail, lost traction of my 2000 Tundra Limited Access Cab around a corner and rolled her two and a half times. I loved that truck, and have put a lot of time and effort into her. But unfortunately I'm forcing myself to leave it in the past and try to have a positive outlook. My buddy and I both walked away from it with a few bumps, cuts and bruises, but we walked away. Talk about Toyota strong, had a passerby help flip us over in his Sierra, and after I let the oil settle she started right back up, runs and drives great too. It's just that the drivers side roof is totally collapsed, so I got pulled over on the way back from trying to drive it back to my dorm. Hard to miss a guy pulling an Ace Ventura holding his broken driver's side mirror in his left hand.

Just this past weekend out exploring Montana:

But like I said, don't want to dwell on the past, I'm now in the position of looking for a new vehicle, specifically another Toyota truck. Much to my displeasure I'm forcing myself to sell my beloved 04 BMW 330i ZHP, right now she's sitting back home in Chicago being the garage queen she is while I'm out in Montana for school. My brother already has his roommate buying it off of me for $10k to help me fund the new purchase. Unfortunately the Tundra was under liability insurance, so I'm getting nothing back out of it.
I'm a college student, so funding for the new truck is limited, trying to find something under $15k.
As I also mentioned before, Tacoma's have been on my radar, but after driving an 09 TRD Sport AC 6spd, I just wasn't all that thrilled by it. I understand that in my situation it's going to be difficult to get excited about buying another truck after the loss of my Tundra, but I was expecting that once I sat in the Tacoma all would feel right... and it just didn't.
First gen Tundra's in the Bozeman area are few and far between, and the ones that do pop up have over 250k on the clock, mine had just passed 164k I did find a "donor" first gen for $3k, but the amount of money and effort it would take to transfer everything over would bankrupt me. I've began looking at some earlier year 2nd gens, the 5.7L sounds a little more appealing rather than "downgrading" to the 4.0 V6 in the Taco.
Opinions? I personally have started to like the styling of the 2nd gen Tundra's, but I'm worried about the off roading capabilities- I don't necessarily mind pinstriped but I've heard the Pacific Northwest is an awful place to own a 2nd gen.
Hoping y'all can help me out, just looking for a few words of wisdom at this point. Looking forward to meeting ya all

 

Welcome from Washington.

With the right setup the 2nd/3rd gens are more than capable for off roading in the PNW. Like you said a little pinstriping isn't all bad.

 

Welcome from CO! Sorry about the loss. Glad to hear you are ok and ready to move on. Cheap Tundras are tough to find b/c of what you said, they last forever and are lifesavers in an accident. Good luck with the search!

 

Welcome from SoCal. Glad you guys made it out unharmed.

I have never owned a 2nd Gen, but from what I can see on here, they are very capable trucks on and off-road. Finding one in your neck of the woods might be quite a challenge. There are some super knowledgeable dudes on here, so I'll let them offer words of wisdom on the buying front.

Best of luck, brother. You definitely have come to the right place.

Edit: Hopefully the golf clubs made it out okay too.

 

Bummer about your truck, but glad you both are okay and welcome from OK!

 

"DID YOU SEE THE SIZE OF THAT CHICKEN?"

 

Chop the top and make it a convertible.

 

Welcome from Ca. The 2nd gens have more suspension travel than the first gens. Pinstriping? What's that? If you can find a 2nd gen in your price range you should grab it. IMO
Sorry 'bout your truck.

 

I second this.

Even if you have to leave it bone stock for a few months/years. Also.... glad your ok, and how did it happen?

 

Another welcome from CO. I'm thinking you should have zigged instead of zagged!
Good to see you're otay.

 

I would get a used gen 2 tundra. Its pretty much the same as a gen 3 with a slightly different body style.
4x4 and 5.7L. you are set.

 

Some nice choices here. I like the '07 crewmax (other than the MGM color). In college,,,,,,,,, with a Crewmax,,,,,,,=

 

My dad was a Marine aviator. "Any landing that you can walk away from is a good landing". Welcome from CO! @LOTSOFTOYS is selling his fantastic 1st gen Tunny.

 

Welcome from West Yellowstone!

 

Thank you all for the overwhelming support, you have no idea how much it means to me.

Massive thank you for the in-depth findings! I've actually seen most of those on my search, the gray 2nd gen was actually on my radar but it's 3.5hrs away from me with over 200k miles. I've actually found a clean 1st gen thats unfortunately in Indianapolis, IN, but ive got family in IL, IN and Michigan that would be able to check it out for me. Putting a down payment on it tomorrow just to reserve it for my brother to have time to go check it out for me. Like I said thanks so much for all of the findings, if this falls through I'm definitely gonna be milling about more CL ads This one's a 2002, got 150k on the clock, super clean body, and my favorite the bench front seat I'm digging the idea of being able to transfer all my goodies over from my truck to this one, asking price of $6,995 which is only a few hundred less than the list of my 2000.

 

Hey!

 

That's it??? Heh...heh....

 

Anyone know how difficult it would be to swap in my steering wheel from my 2000 into the 2002? Something about this wheel is just throwing me off

 

Welcome from East Tennessee. Glad you and your buddy are ok. I believe you can find a first gen.tundra with low miles.It might take a little time but it will be worth it.I own a 2000 limited TRD access cab with over 300,000 miles on it . I actually (pushed) a Chrysler 300 up the interstate today with no problem (he thought he was going to leave me getting on the interstate.WRONG!!! if you find one close to 200,000 miles don't worrying,it will last a long time.Mine has and I haven't babied it either.

 

Welcome from Texas! Glad you and your buddy made it out ok....sorry about your baby though....that totally sucks

 

If you plan to run trails in the PNW, definitely don't get a full size like the 2nd gen unless you also like some tree bashing. 1st gen Tundras are definitely the sweet spot.

 

Welcome from TX! Glad you are OK

LOL!

 

I'm sorry about your truck. But happy you and your buddy walked/ drove away.

That one your brother checked out looks pretty good, especially for you to swap over. And if it doesn't work out, Colorado CJ jumped in with good options. I understand it won't be easy for you to pick it up out of your area; however... lotta 1st gens in SoCal (fewer with 4x4, but those here are in great condition!) and Arizona, but they'll have no rust and $10k puts you at about 161 - 185k miles. Up to you but, as you see, the support from forum members is pretty high on here. Maybe open your search to a wider area and ask forum members to check local finds for you. Pretty scary to buy out of the area, but if you find a gem, maybe worth the .

I got pretty tempted by LOTSOFTOYS' truck... started guessing how much more money @ColoradoTJ woukd charge to visit SoCal than Montana ... but it's a Tacoma and... I'm a Tundra gal!

 

Oh my god I'm drooling, I'd love to help ya get your $100 finders fee but I think I might be sticking with the 1st gen I found, I'll be able to swap everything over on it. But damn that thing is mint

 

Welcome from Colorado and glad you and your buddy are good

 

Welcome from Ohio! Glad you made it out ok.