Recent 1st Gen sales?

As we contemplate buying into a used 3rd Gen, selling our trusty '03 is something I'm thinking about. Never thought I would. My truck is in great mechanical shape heading to 500,000 miles. I've searched for what's out there and mine is exceptional, save for the paint glaze cancer typical of one that hasn't been repainted.

Of course, my sht looks prettier than anyone else's, but still I've made big investment in longevity maintenance, extra wheels and tires for summer and winter. I've planned to drive it to 500K and believe it will.

I've been looking at Craigslist in CO. Any tips on what actual sale prices you're seeing or have had gotten from a very well maintained one owner 1st gen? How would one get a good price without a repaint?

 

How many miles are actually on your truck? Nvm I see it now.

At a certain point, probably about ~200k, the price just falls. All the trucks approaching 300k are the same perceived value , 1 owner or not. Your premium on that might be a few hundred to a grand more than another truck of seemingly similar condition aesthetically.

Not trying to offend, as all my best vehicles have been purchased from the first owner with great maintenance records, but at the milage you seem to be taking about, the margins are slim.

 

No offense at all, it is what it is. I'll bet you've found some some great vehicles from guys like me. I do appreciate your input.

Fwiw, the last vehicle I sold was an '89 Jeep Comanche that I kept like new and sold for 3 times book value after I bought the '03 Tundra.

 

Ya I bet so too! Cept the guys I bought from got rid of their nice trucks at 130k!

I'm in western WA which is a pretty hot Toyota market, and tundras over 200k miles are pretty common. Most sit around a while if listed for 10k, even the nice ones. I've seen the same for a really nice 1 owner 3G 4runner, it's just sitting at 10k.

Buuut if your truck is a nice one for the miles, it'll probably go for more than the junkers that sit on Craigslist forever at 5k. A 271k 1-owner is not a common data point.

No harm in listing on the high end and bringing it down as you learn what the market will tolerate.

 

My advice would be to have a record of the work done. I kept apple notes of everything done on my last truck (2003 tundra ac) and had receipts to backup most of it. Made a big difference to the buyer (local) to be able to look at when everything was done maintenance-wise. I was just shy of 250k miles and sold it for $10,500. But I had done a good and roof repaint so only the finders were peeling a little. But that price probably only covered what I put into the truck. I got a crazy good deal and knew it was well cared for maintenance wise. 1 owner truck, and the son put some dents into it which made it look bad, but meticulous maintenance. I fixed all the cosmetic and that got me to my selling price; which was 3-4 times suggested retail price.
Best of luck, but the market is different everywhere. Patience will help, but only so much. Good luck with the sell.

 

If I were to list mine with 335k, I'd start at $7500. Damn near everything has been replaced at this point.

 

When people ask to buy my truck:

 

A 2003 first gen to 2022 3rd gen upgrade has regret written all over it.

 

*spoiler alert*

 

Do you need the extra space or higher towing capacity of the 3rd Gen? If not, why "upgrade"?

EDIT: BTW, nice 80s pickup with the Meyers plow!

 

Yeah I second that, what's your thinking with going to a 3rd Gen? Just want something nicer/newer?

 

Im a little south of you, but I wander into your craigslist now and then. A big factor in CO is rust. There are always a handful of Toys for sale in your area but a close look reveals their poor condition. If your truck is rust free- cab, frame, suspension- and well maintained, I wouldnt sell it for less than 10k. There are a lot of factors to consider. If youre as remote as your picture suggests, it might be harder to finder buyers willing to make the trip without a lot of pictures.

 

I'm buying a 2021 Lance model 1985 travel trailer, but the weight and tongue weight are at the upper end of what the '03 Tundra should pull, and Gen 1 brakes, while new, aren't strong enough for towing a heavier trailer. So, I began looking for a later model Tundra, and what a grim search it has been!

I lucked into a 2022 Tundra with 29K miles, with a new engine incoming. Made the deal yesterday, $42K. Photo below. It's a base model, comes with tonneau but I'll replace it with a new Leer 100QX Sport cap, Bed Rug, etc.

The '03 is in great shape mechanically and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it to Alaska tomorrow. No rust. An old friend has expressed an interest in buying it. It's never broken down or left me stranded.

BTW, the 1985 pickup has the Meyers 2-meter plow I bought new in 1985. Starts 1st crank in sub-zero temps. The pickup has the works, extended cab, bucket seats, skylight, electric windows, air conditioning, cruise control....

 

Imagine how cool a best gen would be if you threw $30k at it.

 

Congrats on the new truck! Hopefully it serves you as well as your 1st Gen has. Now let's see more pics of the 85!

 

That 85 is one of those unicorns. Newer body style, fuel injection, Xtracab, and a solid front axle. I had an 86. It was probably still my favorite truck. That was also the year they went to IFS. I actually preferred it, but I know for a lot of people, the EFI + SFA is where it's at. Of course there's the bed rust...but at least those years didn't have so much of a frame rust problem.

 

Yeah I'm familiar, my brother used to have an 85 22r pickup that looked pretty similar to the OP's, and I used to have a pretty built 85 22re, sfa 4runner. I want another one someday