$15k-25k for 2006 4WD V8?

Hi there! I've been lurking these forums quite a bit and have been looking to buy an 05 / 06 Tundra V8 4x4 Double Cab SB. I feel lucky to see these for <$20K in CA...

Apologies if this vague or has been answered already in another thread, but looking for some general buying advice... would you be hesitant to buy a ~200K mileage in decent to good shape for $15K-$25K? Or is this getting too high up in mileage for that type of money? Be patient and keep looking?

I've read a good amount about what to look for to make sure it's in decent shape (timing belt, rust on frame, ball joints, etc.) but having trouble being able to tell if I'm getting a good deal or if I should be patient ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Thanks in advance for any advice.

ex: https://slo.craigslist.org/cto/d/morro-bay-2006-toyota-tundra-sr5-4wd-v8/7646667347.html

 

I know this isn't really relevant to your situation but I bought my 02 sequoia limited 4x4 with 207k miles for $3500 November of 2019 (right before covid skyrocketed prices) and in my honest opinion I don't think these trucks are anywhere near $15k-$25k with over 100k miles let alone 200k. Now to be fair, those trucks are known to be more "bulletproof" than my older Sequoia but honestly this Sequoia has just become my hunting/daily driver beater. I've had it for a while now and have fixed it up a little bit and haven't had any problems whatsoever. I know how in California prices for everything have gone way up, so if you can afford to I'd consider waiting. You never know when a hidden gem like mine can pop up but it's always worth waiting for. In every market whether it be houses or vehicles I've learned, patience is most rewarding.

A picture of the sequoia the day I bought it incase your interested:



My sequoia now:

 

I think that's about $2k high. But I'd tell you, please read this thread: https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

 

That truck is about 30 minutes away from me. I think it's priced a bit too high at that mileage, but the market has really jumped on these in the last few years, and you're going to pay more for a double cab. Just take a look at any of the recent Bring A Trailer auctions on 1st Gen Tundras, and they're starting to command big money. I've wanted a 1st gen for awhile, and I really should have pulled the trigger a few years ago, but the timing just wasn't right.

I've now been on the hunt for the past few months for a first gen, Access Cab 4x4, primarily 05-06, but starting to entertain all years..Hoping to find one with 100-150k miles. I've been religiously watching FB Marketplace, Craigslist and CarGurus/AutoTrader/Cars/Etc.. From what I've seen, if that ad has been up for more than a day, the asking price is probably too high. Most of the good deals are gone the same day, if not the same hour. I was a couple hours late on an 06 Phantom Grey AC 4x4 w/ ~50k miles, and it sold for either $19 or $19.5k. I think seller was asking $20k originally. I saw it posted on CL at a dealership the next week for $26k. An 04 AC 4x4 w/143k miles & camper shell was on CL last week local to me. I messaged the guy an hour after it was posted, and when he got back to me it was already sold. Was listed at $10.5k firm. I'm a little bummed I missed that. A few weeks ago I saw an 01 AC Limited 4x4 w/ camper shell on FB Marketplace with 153k miles listed at $13k, and it was marked sold later in the day. I messaged the seller to see what the sold price was, but never got a response. Deals are going to be harder and harder to come by as the time goes on. The cats out of the bag on 1st Gen Tundras.

So, if I were you I'd be patient. If your local maybe go look at the truck, and see what kind of deal you can strike if you're not concerned with the mileage, but i think there are better deals to be had if you can wait it out, and be vigilant with your search efforts. Set up email and text alerts for CL searches, and refresh FB Marketplace constantly.

 

Too much money for that many miles, but the real issue I see is all these barnacles. Doesn't bode well for the frame being in good shape.

 

Good eye. Morro Bay is right on the coast, so even if it's been in CA all it's life, if it's been parked outside in that salty air, there's bound to be surface rust elsewhere. Doesn't help that those pictures are extremely low quality.

 

For what it's worth (you did come here for advice, thoughts and general expectations) my daily driver is 1997 Toyota T100 truck with 275,000 miles that is rock solid and steadfastly reliable. I would drive it across the country today without worry.

 

$15k sounds just fine, even if there is some SURFACE rust on the frame. For $25k, it needs to be in perfect condition, with a stack of receipts/proof of maintenance.
Don’t fret about ‘high’ mileage, Toyota gives a much higher priority to mechanical design/build quality than most. My old 60-series Landcruisers all had over 300k miles, the last one approaching 500k. Rust is what kills them, so buy the cleanest one you can find.

EDIT: $15k is fine if maintenance was good and is up-to-date, meaning a record/receipt of lower ball joints (hopefully OEM, if not factor in a few hundred to change them, pronto), timing belt (ditto, and if it needs it done, knock $1500-$2000 off the price if you’d be having that done at a reputable shop). Also ask when the last alignment was done - worn out bushing in the lower control arms and/or seized cam bolts seemed common when I was searching for mine.

 

I miss the SLO area but, to give you some perspective, i just purchased an 05 with about 109k with topper and rails. Paid 20k from OR. The one for 17.5 is a but high. From my experience (ive been searching for about 2 years) 15-18k is generally the 130-175k range and below that its getting close to 20k. Also purchased a limited with every options (LSD).
They are hard to find but they are out there. Also be selling my 08 V8 4runner with 145k around the 17-18k mark. Might get a little less than that but, the true unicorns are pretty much gone. My 4runner has been meticulously maintained and wouldnt hesitate to spend that with the proper maintenance intervals. Hope that helps, GL