03 Tundra SR5: Good Buy?

Stats:

• Seller asking $8000
• 2WD V8 212k miles
• Clean title/Carfax
• Repairs needed:
  • Brakes need an adjustment (~$250 avg. repair cost)
  • OBD sensor picked up error code P0031 HO2S Heater Control Circuit Low Bank 1 Sensor (needs new O2 sensor, $45-80 part)
  • Bed liner in poor shape (cracked, chips, major sections missing)
• Mods from the previous owner:
  • Newer Toyota 20" wheels
  • Alpine stereo w/ amp
  • Cold air intake

 

Rust, no rust?

 

Great question. No rust.

 

Timing belt up to date? At 212k miles you're due for a suspension overhaul.

Also, do you live in a climate where 2WD truck is adequate?

 

Overpriced at least $2k, IMO. I paid $5k for a 2000 2wd AC 4.7l with 175k miles from a dealer in California 18 months ago. One owner, all service records, and new tires.

 

Sounds a little overpriced, but better to pay a premium for a clean truck than take on someone else's problem for a bargain, assuming it meets all of your needs.

 

Unfortunately due to the used car market, people are selling for higher that what they’re valued at and people are paying these costs due to demand. A good place to start is Autotempest to get a baseline of what similar trucks are selling for, then get some maintenance history and have the truck looked at by a trusted mechanic. Then take it from there. 8k for 2WD seems a little on the high side....

 

The timing belt is due. 2WD is adequate where I live (Alabama plains).

 

budget around 1k for the t-belt replacement if you dont plan on doing it yourself. and get it done ASAP. the job is a good haggling tool for getting the price down.

 

AC or regular cab? $8k is a little high for 2wd models. Without pics, hard to make a call on good deal or not. Really depends on overall condition. 20's, cold air and stereo updates, but no timing belt or brake service done makes me worry about it's overall mechanical condition. Priorities may have been misplaced. You may have a hefty number of maintenance items coming your way with this one and having it looked over by a mechanically inclined person familiar with these models will go a long way in helping you determine what needs to be done and what the vehicle is really worth.

 

No rust is a huge selling point and something to look for on older Toyota trucks. Always check that the motor and tranny are strong and responsive.

$8k is a bit high. If it hasn't had it within the last 25k miles w/ documented proof, it's going to need a timing belt and associated items (water pump, idler pully, seals, gaskets, serp belt, coolant flush, etc.) in that area, so plan on $1200 parts and labor. At that age, it probably needs some suspension or ball joint or CV boot work, so plan on that, and $1500 or so.

A year ago I bought 2 Tundras, and both were excellent deals each for less than the OPs. Haggle a lot on this one.

 

I recently bought an ‘03 AC 2WD w/ TRD Off Road (LSD rear diff) and paid $8k.

206k miles and no frame rust. No CEL and passed smog. Previous owner was the original owner. He had 10 years worth of service records and the original window sticker off the lot.

Most notable (expensive) repair he already did was the A/C: new Denso compressor, receiver drier and evaporator. A/C issues are a total PITA so I’m glad I won’t have to deal with a 20 year old unit.

Cosmetically in fair to good condition. Dings and scrapes here and there. Rear bumper has a sizable dent. One patch of faded paint; looks like something was “vigorously” scrubbed off the passenger side door. Paint on the roof and hood shines!

I just did the valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, Mitsuboshi timing belt, TB tensioner, idler pulley, Aisin water pump, thermostat, etc. ~$300 of parts and about 3 days of my slow, home mechanic skills.

I wish I paid $7k instead of $8k, but the market for old Tundra’s in my area (SoCal) is pretty hot. They get snatched up very quickly unless the price is unreasonable.

 

Little high. Should need nothing at that price for 2wd
Last year my 02 with 290k was 3500.
one owner Cali truck with 7 pages of dealership maintenance records. Newer suspension, timing belt, pump, etc.
it’s an inflated market but

 

That’s in insane price! You “stole” that truck.

Clapped out, 15+ year old dirt bikes are listed for $3500 nowadays.

 

Last summer was an excellent car-buying time. Inventory was high because everyone was scared to come out of their houses and test drive cars. I scored two incredibly good deals on used Gen 1 Tundras...

 

A week after I bought my 2002 for what I think is a great deal this one was available near me.....Seems pretty clean and way less than what you mentioned. This was last week
And 4x4....seems good deals are out there

 

And immediately sold apparently!

 

Here's another one..Deals seem to be out there. Pics don't tell the whole story as we know