'05 Tundra - 210k miles - Smart buy? (newbie looking for help)

Hi guys,

Total newbie to Toyotas but have always wanted either a Taco or Tundra. Currently driving an '11 Wrangler 2dr manual and though it's great and I love it, it's time for a change. It's pretty much one cage above an ATV.

My next door neighbor is selling his beautiful black '05 Tundra. He's been the sole owner but it does have 210k miles on it. We just talked today very briefly about it and here's what I've got so far:
- SR5, 4x4, 4dr
- King shocks
- timing belt replaced at 160k
- water pump, radiator and thermostat replaced 10 months ago
- maintenance records in check
- CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN
- $9,600 but he'd come down to at least $9k maybe more (KBB seems to price these anywhere from $7k - $11k so that's no help)
- *my Jeep is worth $15k and I could finally NOT have a car payment woowoo!


That's about all I got from our brief talk. The truck is beautiful as you can see from the pics and I'm pumped on it. But I could just be doe-eyed. That's a lot of miles. And we live in San Diego 5 blocks from beach.

What do you guys think?

Thank you for the help!

 

It has obviously been maintained so 200k is nothing on those trucks....I have an 04 with 197k and it drives like a new one. 9k is a good price for an 05 4x4....I would by it, I have had 3 1st gens and they were all great trucks. Just my 2 cents

 

I don't own one but 9k seems fair. Especially if nothing major comes up upon further inspection. If it was up north i would take a gander at it.

 

Thanks, Bigdawg! You've owned several of these trucks - what do you think about overall drive-ability? I'm coming from a super short Jeep Wrangler and can whip it around town easily. Have you found it's just something you get used to pretty easily?

 

I am used to them so it very normal for me, only thing that you will struggle with is the turning radius coming from a jeep but you will get use to it. Those trucks are smooth driving, everyone that has driven my 04 say how nice it is to drive. You won't be disappointed

 

Check frame for rust. If frame looks good go for it! My brother-in-law has an 05 with over 250k miles, and still runs like new. Oil still looks clean every time he changes the oil. Great engines that will do a million miles easy.

 

Awesome, love it. Thanks, guys. I know a pretty good Toyota mechanic down here (shoutout to the Truck Shop in San Diego, they do great work) - anything I should have them look over in particular? I imagine they'll know what to look for, but knowledge is power kinda thing...

 

Would probably get a backup camera and new receiver for it - thoughts? Love older cars, and new cars are overly sterile IMO, but would probably want a backup camera for this big guy.

 

Good looking truck! Like ^^ said, check for frame rust. Hopefully your neighbor has changed transfer case/ diff fluids and done a couple drain&fills on the transmission.

 

Take it to a mechanic you trust and get a buyers inspection, especially for frame rust (west coast isn't as much of a concern as other parts of the US, and SoCal even less so, although close proximity to ocean might leave minor surface corrosion). I paid $13.5 in Seattle for my stock 06 DC w/ 100K miles last spring, so $9K w/ higher miles isn't a bad price if it's in good shape.

As long as a larger vehicle fits in your daily routine / commute and you aren't dealing with small parking garages, it looks like a great find!

 

I had a 2000 that was hit and totaled last fathers day. Owned it since new. I ran flawlessly and was as tight as the day I drove it home. If you live in an area prone to frame rust have it inspected, otherwise I'd go for it. The Gen 1 Tundras are the sweet spot for size (unless you want the towing capability of the 5.7)

 

i bought my 05 after it was rolled over with 192k. caught up on the maintenance and shes been good to me.

these old yotas dont die if you show them the bare minimum in terms of maintenance

 

Seems pretty fair if it's in good shape and up on timing belt services. Plus the soft topper is really nice. I'm wanting one of those for my truck pretty bad.

Backup cameras can be done for under $100 if you don't mind an external screen or have a head unit that takes the video input.
These are pretty solid trucks all in all. I think the 4.7 v8 is like the v8 equivalent of the i6 4.0. They run a long time and make pretty good power. They aren't rocket ships, but they are respectable. Just exchange the needed valve cover, oil pan, rear main seal, and oil adapter gaskets on the 4.0 for the timing belts on the 4.7 every 90k.

 

Call your Credit Union and ask them what they would loan on one and that would be a good price. Sucks overpaying for something that the real value is not there.

NADA book Value is what you want to go on. KBB is an absolute joke!

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, 1 owner well-maintaied is way more important than miles on these trucks. I would snap that up if I were looking for one. No harm to have your Toyota mechanic buddy check it out first though.

 

You only have 210k for miles, that's nothing, it's still like new. $9K is the going price for a 05-06 in the New England area. Looks like a good buy to me......and it's Black.

 

I bought my 06 Tundra a couple months ago and so far pleased with it. It handles and rides comfortably. I paid $9500.00 and had 158k when purchased. This article helped me decide when considering the purchase. https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/tundra/2006/review/

 

Survey says...

Do it!

 

I give it the BMF seal of approval.

 

As people have said.....Since you know a mechanic, have him check it out. Also tell him what has been done and find out what now SHOULD be done. As mentioned above, transfer case / diff fluids and transmission might need service. Also check the suspension for wear and shocks. Get and idea of needs and cost to bring it to a point where you get another 200,000 out of it. These needs can also help with the price negotiation.

 

Damn! Thanks for the help guys! Definitely sold on the Tundra community haha
I got to drive one that's the same model this morning - a lot more nimble than I thought it'd be

 

This. This is your answer.

 

Hey, would you guys mind checking out the report the mechanic gave back to me? What he said needs attention sooner is highlighted in yellow.
How nit picky do some of these items sound? For example, when I looked at it again, I could not find anything major going on (no shaking in the wheel from ball joint, no oil on the ground leaked, no shrieking sound from brake pads worn out, etc) so I’m wondering how much of it is really a concern. Seems like you could find something that could use some tuning up with pretty much all cars if you wanted. Overall, he did say it was a great truck and a good buy.
Thanks!

 

Ball joints are a must on these. At that mileage. Get oem. Don’t skimp on those. (Assuming you buy the truck)
Don’t know how he saw the trans fluid, there’s no dipstick, but it is likely due for service
Shocks leaking? Not uncommon at that mileage. Won’t kill you if you wait a bit.
Valve covers leaking? Try tightening the bolts, they can come loose. But replacement doesn’t have to be done right away unless oils pouring out


Definitely do front brakes if there’s nothing left.
All in all for the mileage it sounds like a decent buy for 9k

 

T-belt has another 40k before it’s due. According to what you’ve posted. This is a service I wouldn’t recommend skipping, because if it breaks, your in for a bad day. But at least you’ve got
Time


Oh and do both Lower ball joints, not just one. Oem.

 

since I haven’t bought it yet, how easy is it to check this without taking off the wheel?

 

You can peak through the spokes and get a visual on the pads with these calipers closer to the hat. (Hard to explain, but poke around with a light and you’ll see)

 

I believe the only issue they had was the Air injection system. 1 or both of those years also had a cold start issue, when it's extremely cold.

 

OK, you already got some great advice. I would total EVERYTHING up, show it to the seller and use it to negotiate a lower price closer to Kelly Blue book. Looking clean is fine. But you want Tundra that will last another 200,000 miles. That is #1. He may stand firm, in which case you could walk away or sell you Jeep for the $15,000 and eat the cost of repairs.

One thing you didn’t mention: How handy are you? Can you do some of the work yourself?? Some of us can do oil, plugs and filter changes, others can’t and some can break down the entire truck and rebuild it. You have to honestly know where you fall.

This is important: See if he has any maintenance records. If he doesn’t ask WHERE he had his car serviced. I can go to my mechanic or Toyota and get my entire maintenance history. If he can’t PROVE anything, and his records can’t either, to me that is an issue that the truck may not have been well maintained. I can tell you from experience as I have had two 2005 Corolla XRS: One was trouble free for 275,000 mile until someone totaled it. The next one was NOT maintained and is a bit more problematic. Toyota make great products, but even Toyota’s need maintenance.

Going through them (If someone disagrees, please correct me)

The oil change is nothing, regular maintenance.

The coolant reservoir empty and cap leaking is again minor. Buy some coolant and buy a cap.

Spark plugs no history: Not sure about this one. If the truck runs well, the plugs usually last 100,000. If never changed, then get another set and go worry free for another 100,000+ miles. Not a biggie.

Electronic fuel injection: See above, if the truck runs well, you can put this off (anyone disagree?)

Timing belt, no sticker: As Empty_Lord said perfectly, if that breaks, your engine is garbage. Unless this is a non-interference motor, the pistons will come up and slap the valves. New engine time.

Brake fluid dirty and the other brake issues: I give this some attention. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs water. The moisture will rot the inside of you calipers. Especially if you do short hops and do not get the brakes hot enough to drive off moisture. If your front brakes are at ZERO, do the entire brakes system. Brakes are important.

Power steering fluid Dark: Unless someone disagrees, this can wait.

Valve covers leaking: I am sure the gasket is old and brittle. It makes the engine messy but isn’t a must do now.

Bulbs out: At $4 each, no discussion needed.

Lower control arm bushings torn / Shocks / Ball joints / Steering rack leaking: With 200,000 on the suspension it is not unusual for the suspension to need work. Was the truck driven off-road or driven roughly? As others have mentioned, have it done.

Trans fluid: This is a one where opinions differ. If it hasn’t been changed in 200,000 some say leave it, but top it off if low. Others may say change it. Tough call, see what other say.

You already got some good advice. Don’t be afraid to walk away or negotiate a lower price. It may look pretty. But issue and getting stuck will sour how you feel about the truck. But if it is to become your truck, it will need work. Again, not sure how much of this you can do to save $$

 

With those Kings leaking, you would likely have to send those off to a specialty(4x4) shop to be rebuilt. I don't know what that would cost but you wouldn't be able to drive the truck for a week or two.

I would still buy the truck and learn how to do the maintenance yourself. Definitely use this list to get his price down if you can.