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Should I buy this 03 with 181k miles?

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by polarisgod, Feb 17, 2017.

  1. Feb 17, 2017 at 2:39 PM
    #1
    polarisgod

    polarisgod [OP] New Member

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    I'm thinking of buying a Tundra. Here are the details...
    2003 extra cab 4x4 limited 4.7L V8, leather seats, new brakes, shocks, rubber suspension bushings. 1 owner, always Toyota serviced, full synthetics since new w/ engine oil lab analysis. Bridgestone tires in great shape. Pioneer 7" touch screen w/ navigation and back up camera, Pioneer replacement speakers all around. Lear topper w/ lighting and locks w/ keyfob! It even has a billet grill... It has 181,000 miles but looks immaculate. He wants $12,000 , but I think he will take $11,000. Has been in Arizona all it's life and mostly highway miles...What do you all think?


     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2017
  2. Feb 17, 2017 at 2:50 PM
    #2
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Since I haven't booked the truck value, I'm going to take that out of the equation.
    The truck sounds like it has been very well taken care of, dealership maintained, and for that price I don't think you will be disappointed.

    Maybe some of the 1st gen guys will get in this conversation.

    @Mike
     
  3. Feb 17, 2017 at 3:20 PM
    #3
    BestGen

    BestGen Free Kyle!

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    Haunted Turnbull Canyon CA
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    Fabtech 2.5" coilovers, BFG KO2 34/10.5/17, 17x7.5 TE wheels, add-a-leaves, 4.56 gears, Rhino-lined
    Any pics? Sounds pretty solid. Does he have all the records? I just recently bought an '05 RC with a binder full of paperwork documenting the entire history of it from day one. It has a bit over 200K miles but then I only paid $4500. IMG_0990.jpgIMG_1031.jpg
     
    Y0TA PR0 likes this.
  4. Feb 17, 2017 at 3:38 PM
    #4
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    check frame for rust.
     
  5. Feb 17, 2017 at 4:01 PM
    #5
    CalzoneCase

    CalzoneCase New Member

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    Frame, rear crossmember, control arms need to be inspected for rust. My frame was just replaced and I am very impressed with my 03 AC. I would also want to know when and if all the recalls were done. Although this vehicle is not from the salt belt I would still get the vin # and call corporate to see what recalls were done.
     
  6. Feb 17, 2017 at 4:51 PM
    #6
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    When a 14 year old truck looks cleaner than mine... probably means the owner took good care of it.
     
    Patriot and polarisgod[OP] like this.
  7. Feb 17, 2017 at 5:31 PM
    #7
    polarisgod

    polarisgod [OP] New Member

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    The guy is very tech oriented and it sounds like he is very particular in his maintenance and accessories. I believe that Pioneer system is pretty pricey.
     
  8. Feb 17, 2017 at 7:02 PM
    #8
    CalzoneCase

    CalzoneCase New Member

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    My 03 looked as good or maybe better than this one. The Frame still needed to be replaced in addition to control arms and related items. If there is significant rust and holes in particular inspection points, you'll be sorry. A G1 with an excellent frame with that many mile is a rare one. I repeat " The Frame Must Be Checked". There is no getting around that issue. Furthermore, what warranty issues were handled? Fleet Maintenance with a business can handle many mechanical services. Not warranty stuff. All it takes is a vin check through Toyota to see what recalls were done. Cost you nothing to check but may save you thousands in the end.
    That's not a bargain in terms of Price$$$$$. You also want to know the last time, if ever, the timing belt was changed.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2017
  9. Feb 17, 2017 at 7:27 PM
    #9
    RR60

    RR60 New Member

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    I still think it is a good buy for 11K. That truck could easy last you another 10 years.
    The leather in that looks better than my 5 year old Lexus LS460.
     
  10. Feb 17, 2017 at 7:36 PM
    #10
    CalzoneCase

    CalzoneCase New Member

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    Your not just purchasing leather and a sound system. You would also be purchasing what a great inspection and minutes of investigation fails to find.
     
  11. Feb 17, 2017 at 8:12 PM
    #11
    polarisgod

    polarisgod [OP] New Member

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    The timing belt was replaced at 75,000 miles and he said the belt looked so good the mechanic thought the next one should go until around 225,000. I'm not sure about rust on the frame or anywhere else here in Arizona, but I'll defiantly check it out...
    How do you check the VIN against the Toyota logs?
     
  12. Feb 17, 2017 at 8:15 PM
    #12
    Joeshaker

    Joeshaker New Member

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    Evergreen, Co
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    Bilstein 6112/5160 trd sway bar and ride rite bags. Black and burnt orange wet okole seat covers.
    I sold my 2000 limited ac with 186k a year ago for $10k, it was a great truck. I bought it new and the only issues I ever had were going through the brakes fast and blowing out the rearend. I put that truck through its paces hauling stuff, hauling ass, off roading. I'd just done a bunch of stuff to it. But it was no mint condition truck. $11k is over book, but finding a truck that old that hasn't been worked over is rare. Check the frame, check the rear end, prone to leaking oil from the axle seal, Check for oil on the rear brakes. Check the 4wd, I think by 03 they had this sorted out. I swapped out the transfer case in mine because of the actuator motor. They changed the design something like eight times in the first couple years. Do some research on the transmission, there are a couple years that had problems. I don't remember which, mine was rock solid as was the 4.7 before vvti. Don't know about that either. Hit the guy up at $10k see if he bites, if not 11's not bad for a hell of good truck! It looks like it's got a nice topper to, those ain't cheap. Here's a pic of mine before I upgraded. I still miss that truck, even though I love the new one. But I couldn't afford to keep it and get the newer one. Good luck!

    20160229_173037.jpg
     
    polarisgod[OP] and MotoTundra like this.
  13. Feb 17, 2017 at 8:16 PM
    #13
    CalzoneCase

    CalzoneCase New Member

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    Great. That's the best thing you could do. A guy on one of the other forums had his vehicle placed on a lift just to get new tires and the frame collapsed.
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  14. Feb 17, 2017 at 8:39 PM
    #14
    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

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    -TRS Mini D2S Retrofit on TRD Pro Headlights (Apollo 2.0 Shrouds, 35w XB Ballasts, 5500k Bulbs) -Baja Designs Squadron R Sport Aux lights. -TRD Pro Grill -TRD Rear Sway Bar -BakFlip VP Tonneau w/BakBox -Dipped wheels & bumpers -Iron Cross HD steps -Undercover Swingcase -SunTek Paint Protection film -Tinted glass -Bedmat -OEM Towing Mirrors
    You seem familiar with the frame replacement thing going on. When is Toyota paying for them and when is Toyota not paying for them?

    Just curious because I see some for sale with new frames and I see some for sale with rusted frames.
     
  15. Feb 17, 2017 at 8:57 PM
    #15
    Joeshaker

    Joeshaker New Member

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    I had gotten bulletins on the frame from Toyota a couple times. Basically it has to be rusted though to get it replaced. It's mostly only an issue in the northeast from salt. If it's been in Arizona all its life it's probably fine. Crawl under it and poke around the whole thing. Rust is pretty easy to spot. Mine had a little above the bump stop, not bad but obvious. Look at everything while you're under there. I did before I bought my 13 with only 9k on it! Always look underneath any used vehicle. If you're not sure what you're looking for ask to have your mechanic insover it. If the guy says no, walk away.
     
    polarisgod[OP] and CalzoneCase like this.
  16. Feb 17, 2017 at 9:51 PM
    #16
    CalzoneCase

    CalzoneCase New Member

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    Mine just was completed last week. It is an 03 and I didn't pay a dime out of pocket. That's how I'm familiar with the replacement. In a dry area one might be lucky. Regardless a frame inspection and recall history is a must for any potential buyer. It's the most documented issue with the G1.
     
  17. Feb 18, 2017 at 1:43 AM
    #17
    RR60

    RR60 New Member

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    So you are saying there is no way for him to check if the rust on frame is a problem?
    I currently have a 2000 and 2003 and both have no problems.
     
  18. Feb 18, 2017 at 3:13 AM
    #18
    tomsinamerica

    tomsinamerica New Member

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    if that was a double cab rather than an access and i had a could good look at the frame underneath - assuming no rust, I'd buy it at that price and probably sell my '16. I was looking for a really well kept 1st gen for over a year and in the end gave up... bought a '16 instead
     
  19. Feb 18, 2017 at 6:44 AM
    #19
    CalzoneCase

    CalzoneCase New Member

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    Where did I state anything like that? There are specific areas that are inspected by a Toyota service dept. on a vehicle in regard to the integrity of the frame and attachments. This is and was done for no charge and at many times when the service dept. handled other G1 recalls - Lower Ball Joints, Air Bag sensor, Spare Tire Carrier, ect.
    If that has not or never took place then who's fault would that be if it isn't checked? This costs nothing....I would look at it but moreover Toyota would be looking it over. Once again, my Frame was just done and that was an 03.
     
  20. Feb 18, 2017 at 9:13 AM
    #20
    polarisgod

    polarisgod [OP] New Member

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    I'm seeing the guy again today and will bring up this issue. I'm guessing from the way he talked , the maintenance records, the condition of the vehicle (you could eat off the engine and he said he was taking it in to be detailed) that I'm pretty safe... But as they say...Trust but verify!
     
    CalzoneCase[QUOTED] likes this.
  21. Feb 18, 2017 at 11:22 AM
    #21
    CalzoneCase

    CalzoneCase New Member

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    Good Luck to you.
     
  22. Feb 21, 2017 at 9:19 PM
    #22
    polarisgod

    polarisgod [OP] New Member

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    Well, I took the plunge... I'm getting to know all the navigation functions and other things associated with a new (to me) truck. Can't wait to start modifying!!!
     
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  23. Feb 21, 2017 at 9:47 PM
    #23
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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  24. Feb 22, 2017 at 3:13 AM
    #24
    k9shag

    k9shag New Member

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    Best of Luck . It looks like it was well cared for and should give you many more years of service.
     
  25. Feb 28, 2017 at 9:45 PM
    #25
    freerider8

    freerider8 Trucks Rule

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    Fuel Wheels. Lift Kit. Duel Exhaust.
    That's a nice looking truck, and does look well maintained. Not very often that you find one with the leather interior in that condition with that many miles. Consider how many times that he's been in and out of it. Sounds like you got a good deal.
     

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