Looking for advice and opinions on buying a 1st gen

Good afternoon everyone. First and foremost, I'm a new member to the site.

I currently own a 99 taco with 200k+ miles on it. I'm looking to "upgrade" to a first gen Tundra for many reasons. From the research I've done, I've narrowed my search down to a 05-06 Dbl. Cab.

For my area, they are priced around 10-14k averaging 150K+- miles. I however found a 2006 with 83,000 miles on it. 2 owner, clean history, service records, etc. etc. etc. It has the TRD off road package and a color matched ARE cap. After negotiating with the dealership, I have an out the door price (tax, tags, title fees) of $16,250. It seems steep, but its still within the KBB fair purchase price.

I'm looking for opinions on the price. Would you all suggest I buy it, or jump ship and look for one with high miles and cheaper. Any feedback is appreciated, Thanks!

 

Pics

 

Sounds like you have done your research, and I agree with everything you said. My personal opinion is that the mileage doesn't matter (to a certain point) as long as the truck was taken care of cosmetically and mechanically. These trucks can handle the miles.

16k puts you pretty close to a 2nd Gen higher miles price I think. Something to consider if 2nd Gen is even an option for you. But that price is not terrible with tax. I assume your other private party prices are with out tax.

Any sort of warranty with the dealer one? Timing belt done? That's an 800 dollar job right there.

 

Where are you located? Is it 4x4? Has it had the timing belt and water pump done yet? If it is 4x4 that OTD price actually seems pretty good.

 

I'm located in PA. The Carfax doesn't list whether of not the timing belt or water pump was done. I will check with the dealership. I know they are replacing the rear axle seal, oil change, air filter, etc. And yes the other prices are without tax, tags, etc.

I go back and forth about the Gen 2's. I have trouble finding a Crew max with decent miles for under 20K. Plus I like having the 6.5 foot bed on the Gen 1 trucks!

 

Seems like the axle seals are a somewhat common issue. Good they are fixing it. See if you can work the timing belt and water pump into the deal, and I'd say its a decent deal.

Also, if there is some sort of warranty.

 

I didn't see any under 100k miles when I was looking six months ago, but if I my budget was 16k I'd be looking at a Gen 2. More power, same mpg, larger cabin, relocated starter, relocated air pump, and no timing belt. Not that the belt is a huge issue every 100k, but it does have the 1% chance of breaking between intervals. Not so much with the 5.7 chain. I'd make sure to go climb under or get that truck on a lift and really inspect the frame for rust. Low miles sure, but rust is time related not so much miles. Plus you guys in PA must spread acid on your roads in the winter. I'm in Baltimore and have purchased two PA trucks in the past, both rust nightmares underneath.

As for negotiating the timing belt and water pump, I've always been leery of letting Joe Bob's used cars do the job. The 06 I purchased I negotiated on this very point as it had 160k with no sticker or Toyota.com service record. I said I wanted $1,000 credit for the the belt maintenance, used dealer said his "guy" would do it for $500. So my choice was to let them install the cheapest azz timing kit they can find on Amazon.com, or take $500 off.

 

That’s a pretty fair price for only 83000. How’s the frame? I hate PA vehicles very scary! For reference I just picked up a 2006 Tundra OR 4x4 DC for 15800 out the door. It only has 98,000 miles and fairly clean. Stereo and speakers don’t work though. And unknown on the timing belt. This is in CO by the way. Oh, they also put new tires on it.

 

This is the frame. It looks okay, but I might not know what I'm looking at.

 

Looks like it might be on the edge of no return. I’ve seen way worse. I’d need tighter pics inside and down the box frame at front tires and ones of the rear cross-member where it ties into frame.

You could be eligible for a new frame if not already sprayed under the ‘recall’.

Semper Fi.

 

So I bought a Tacoma from PA a few years ago. The frame was worse then that but solid. I cleaned it all up and made it look halfway decent. The problem was all the bolts were so rusted it made it a pain to change anything. Brakes, shocks, rear leaf springs and was going to cost me an arm and a leg to get just the brakes fixed. That frame doesnr look terrible but how are the small components.

 

Check out the frame really close for any serious rust issues.

 

Small components look okay other than a few rusty bolts pictured. The rest of the frame looks good with minor surface rust. I'm calling Toyota to see what the recall status is.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

 

You won’t be eligible for a frame recall unless there’s holes in the frame larger then a pen size.

 

Looks like the layers could be starting to delaminate. If like mine the frame has overlapping layers here. Rust builds from between the layers bulging them out. Depends on how much you want to either work on it yourself or pay someone to clean it up. One thing I think most here will agree on is you will be chasing rust issues the day you buy the truck. I firmly believe the powertrain and most other components are good for 500k with DIY maintenance, but you need to keep up with the rust to prevent frame from rotting away long before you hit 500k. That's just the life of a Tundra in area that see salted roads. Like I said, my budget was 10k, otherwise I would have gone Gen2.



I'd want to see more detail here as well. Is that a hole that has started? The box sections rust from inside out so the rust along the weld seam would give me pause as well.

 

Thanks a lot for the input. And like yours was, I want my budget to be in the 10K range. I was having trouble justifying 16K for a 1st gen.

I am probably going to air on the side of caution and either wait to see if they drop the price, or find something else.

 

I knew other parts of the country had rust issues, but I'm only starting to realize how bad it is after joining this forum. I've only frequented SoCal based forums in the past when I was younger. I've seen quite a few threads with pictures on here and I feel really bad for you guys. I'm in California obviously and my 200k mile 2003 1st gen looked perfect underneath. Not even the exhaust was rusted. It would kill me if my brand new truck started to rust after a year or 2.

It sounds like the market price is about the same here on California for the truck you're looking for. It might be worth looking around here on CL, then buying a plane ticket, then road trip!

 

Wow is all I'm going to say. Hard to believe these trucks are still going that high. I'm a cheap bastard .