2006 w/ 142k for $8200 or 2012 w/ 180k for $14000?

Hey everyone, I’m looking to join the Tundra community. Looking at two trucks in south Florida, they’re both Florida trucks so no rust. I have driven both trucks and like both. Would appreciate any feedback!

Option 1: 2006 4.7 Access Cab, one owner, 142k miles. It is leveled with new tires and has been maintained well with all service records. It needs a paint job, timing belt/water pump, and lower ball joints within the next year. Asking price is $8200.

Option 2: 2012 5.7 Limited Double Cab, 180k miles. Engine was replaced 10k miles ago due to the radiator cracking while the owner was on the highway. The engine used in the replacement is a NuTech engine from Autozone. This one is also leveled with new tires and appears to need nothing. EDIT: asking price is $14000, I forgot to include that.

Which option would you choose, and why? Also would appreciate any experience-based feedback about 5.7 engine replacements.

 

Are you handy with a wrench? Do you need a back seat?

skip the paint on the ‘06 & park up front. People dont pay enough attention to spend more than $3k on something that can be ruined in a parking lot. If you look like your insurance is questionable people wont cut you off as much.

 

I would have a hard time trusting the Autozone engine replacement in the 2012. You didn’t say what you were needing a truck for, so hard to say which would best suit your needs.

 

Not too handy with vehicles, but I want to learn and have finally met a couple people who can help teach me.

A bigger backseat would be better, but 98% of the time it’s just me in the truck. I will sacrifice backseat space for reliability, but I do need there to be a backseat of some kind.

 

I work in construction management and use the bed for tools/materials, but never tow. Both trucks suit my needs, it’s more of a question as to which will be more reliable long term.

 

That's easy. The 2006 is your truck.

 

Both of those seem expensive for rwd. Talk em down.

 

I would feel better if they had stuck a used low mileage engine in the 2012.
Knowing issues people used to have with Autozone engine would put me off.

 

The backseat delete would be excellent for toolbags, like myself. But a dog owns my truck.

So tools are stuffed into the front passenger floorboard until i have a passenger.

 

I already talked both of them down over $2k. I’ve been looking for weeks in the FL and GA markets and based on everything I’ve seen the prices are kind of average. Neither of them is a screaming deal but they dont seem overpriced either.

 

I'd keep looking and maybe save up to pay a bit more (will net you a much nicer truck with less mileage, and wont come with a long "To-Do List").

The '06 needing paint and a timing belt job means thousands if you pay someone to do those jobs. And the 2nd Gen double cab interior configuration is far superior.

But find a different 2nd Gen double cab. Go look at the other 99.99% of them that have an original motor.

 

Matter of fact with you working in construction, it would seem a 2nd Gen Double Cab with the 8' long bed would be ideal.

 

I'd go with the '06, and just drop the extra $6k into a CD or savings account, and use that money along the way for parts, upgrades and repairs as they come along

 

06 all day especially if you talked them down a bit. There’s not nearly as many question marks with it. Just some maintenance items that need taken care of.

 

To clarify, $8200 for the 2006 is after talking him down

 

Still too high

 

I agree with that but unfortunately most first gen tundras that are well maintained that I see for sale are over $10k. So idk what to do

 

This.

 

Don't rush and don't settle. You'll regret it. Patience is key. Fear of missing out (FOMO) will kill you

 

BMC?

 

rhodesian ridgeback. Just a big goofball.

 

One consideration on a buying a Toyota with a rebuilt motor: it will no longer be a Toyota engine with Toyota internals, so it will be very unlikely to have the same longevity.
When I worked in engine machine shop we used top parts, many bulk rebuilders then used the cheapest rebuild kits (back then we had a few engines from big rebuilders come through right after warranty was up that were either already worn out, or collapsed rings, bad valve guides etc, and i think one that bore angle was off and caused piston skirt to drop).

I never saw any Toyotas engines come through that needed to be bored out, but when you change the rings out for cheap rings, different pistons etc it’s going to change the internal dynamics.

They may be lot better now, but I’d feel better about an engine rebuilt at a small mom and pop that I could walk through than I would one from a bulk rebuilder.

 

Very helpful response, thank you.