What’s it worth now

Wife’s cousin buys brand new Platinum CrewMax flex fuel 5.7 in 2015, she has them put 6” lift, tires and rims at dealer. Here’s where it gets messed up
She gets oil changed regularly until 29k miles in 2017 and then forgets to have the oil changed for 2 years. Takes it into dealer where she bought it in Nov 2019 ( truck at this time has 60k miles on it) and says it’s smoking a little. Truck still in Pcs at dealership and the guy calls her and says we can put a used motor in for $10k ( $7k for motor $3k for labor ) or we will buy it from you for $14k as is. I was just advised of what’s going on yesterday, in all fairness her husband passed away suddenly just before all this happened so I couldn’t fuss at her too much.
I told her even with bad motor I think the truck is worth $20k but she has been making $700 per month payments for 6 months while it sits at the dealer. She owes $15k so if she pays $10k for a used motor she will have $25k in it.

What say you guys about motors, truck value, etc....

 

So she drove for about 30k miles without an oil change? I honestly don’t think that would cause a dead motor.

 

Hopefully they aren't taking advantage of her. Just doesn't sound right.

 

She said when she took it to the dealership no lights were on in the dash and it just smoked a little when she started it up but then would quit. That’s when they dismantled it and told her the motor was bad, she bought extended warranty from dealership as well. Toyota rep said warranty people need to cover it , warranty people said she needs to prove she did oil changes. She said she showed them receipts from Auto parts stores but they said that doesn’t show she had it done????

It’s been sitting at the dealership since Nov. so it’s tough for me to get involved. She is a widow in her mid 50’s that will ask your advice and then do what she wants to do anyway. I am being somewhat vague on purpose with respect to her.

 

Sorry I forgot to say if there is anything you guys need to know that’s more specific pm me.

 

There needs to be more. A 5.7 won’t have that much issues unless it ran out or had a pressure loss.

This feels rather suspicious.

 

I concur.... something fishy in Bangkok

 

If she didn’t have the oil changed in 2 years and 30k, did anyone check the oil level? That would be my concern.

 

To answer your question. The truck is what it’s worth minus the repairs. Research the KBB fair value and subtract the cost of repairs. I would definitely get a second opinion from an independent mechanic. Or she could sell it as is minus the cost of repairs.

The key is to try and get her to look at this as a business transaction. Take the emotion out of it because she is dealing with possible sharks

 

Hey Guys,

you know me I am a straight shooter but this woman is kooky and I am being kind, was well off before husband passed and after that she has never been the same. I have known my wife’s family for almost 50 yrs and only been around her cousin 3 or 4 times. So with her the sky could change from blue to green to red in the same conversation. She did at one point say she just checked the oil in the questionable 2 yr period and have to add a quart or two.

My wife told me she just needed advice on a truck purchase last week I thought okay easy enough. Well that’s when I suggested Tundra and then that’s when she started this 30 min conversation that ended up into four 30 minute conversations.

I think the only way I will get the entire story is talking to the dealership.

 

I think your instinct is correct. If you want to know what is really going on and get engaged, YOURE going to have to get involved.

I don’t envy you that... good luck man!

 

Here is the latest, she sent me a text this morning that said she found a motor on www.gotengine.com for $5k and said they want $2700 to install at dealer. That sounds high when most of us on here with an engine hoist could do it in our driveway in a couple of days. I have done one in an s-10 blazer 4wd 100% by myself in one day ( popped hood with blown motor at 7am in the morning and drove it home that evening)but that’s when I was 20 yrs younger.

 

To me it sounds like she can get 1k less than what she owes on it and be clear of it, regardless of engine needing to be replaced or not. The other scenario is continuing to own the truck with dumping a bit of money in it. If she likes the truck, spend the money. If she can't afford it anymore or wants out, sell it and be done with it. Dealer will turn around and sell it for 27k afterwards anyways

 

I obviously don't have all the details but it sounds like the only observable issue while driving is a bit of smoke on startup. If I were her, this is what I'd do:

1. Change the oil
2. Drive it until it dies but remember to do the maintenance
3. If she's still concerned about possible issues or more problems crop up, take it to a reputable independent mechanic she can trust to get it checked out.
4. Chock it up to an expensive lesson
5. When it dies, buy another Tundra and treat it right.

 

I would stay well away from the situation altogether. Finances and family never mix. Unless you can get an engine dropped in there for free, chances are the family will hold it against you either way (if they sell it to the dealer and get ripped off it’s your fault; if they sell it private party they’ll feel they’re getting ripped off; if they put a motor in they’re getting ripped off). You’ll always hear about it. Send some flowers or something to make them happy and run the other way.

 

I’m with ditto- advise her of the possible options and the consequences of each and then get out of the way.

 

My dad drove a 4.7 landcruiser for 60k miles without an oil change. Ran fine


If the truck was running ok, i do not know why the dealer would take the motor apart

 

Dealership it’s at has the motor torn apart, the comment they made to her was you brought it in for diagnostic and repair. If she wants it reassembled it would be at her expense.
They encouraged her to sell it to them or they would tow it to anywhere she wanted within 30 miles for free.

 

As always guys Thanks for the comments considering it was the third regurgitation of info.

I felt sorry for her but the family kind of shielded me thankfully from getting involved for the last 6 months. I am out of it all together at this point and there isn’t an outcome that would surprise me.

 

Sucky situation all the way around. Sorry that you, and your family, have to deal with it. Wishing all of you the best of luck

 

Sounds like you are better off being out if it. By the way... swapping a S-10 Blazer motor is nothing like swapping a 5.7. A biit more involved....

 

I am sure that was 25 yrs ago so I am sure things are much more complicated but its not rocket science either. Take tour time take pics and out with the old and in with the new.

Back in the the day we would get off work Friday build a motor bottom up, install Saturday morning and race Saturday night. Sometimes it was much easier such as pull the 2:56 gear limited slip posi rear end out and swap with 4:11 12 bolt posi Friday evening after work, Street race Saturday night swap rear ends back out Sunday and drive car 30 miles or so each way to work.

Again those were easy peasy, to work on, I guess where I am going if you are mechanically knowledgeable you can get it done if not it could become overwhelming quickly