Buying a 2nd gen Tundra - Seeking advice

Hi guys, I'm looking to purchase a used Tundra in the $10000-15000 CAD range. Ideally, I am looking for a double cab with 5.7L engine (but reg cab is a possibility if it saves me a lot of money)

Background: Work truck: landscaping and plowing. Truck cap required (new Leer caps seem to go for $2000+tax CAD).

I have two ads, hoping you guys could offer your opinion.

https://www.kijijiautos.ca/vip/5052783/?authEvent=UserLogin

The first is a 2008 with 280 000km (174000 miles). Asking price: $12500. Has some nice upgrades, looks to be in great shape (well maintained too) and it has a truck cap. Maybe I can get it for $10k-10.5k?

https://www.kijijiautos.ca/vip/4682759/?ll=43.634688,-79.4361856

The second is a good example of a lower mileage Tundra at a fair-ish (slightly high, private seller) price for comparison. It is a 2007 with 160 000km (99400 miles) asking $15000 CAD. Seems to be in excellent shape, no truck cap.


Which would you guys choose, if any? I could imagine the 2008 Tundra runs very well, but if it was used for plowing and what not, it may be a risky purchase? It looks spectacular and I would love something I can drive (and rely on) for quite a few years for $10 000 (if I can get it to that price).

I talked a dealership down to $21000 CAD for a 2013 141 000 km (87600 miles) Tundra, but I can't really go that high, plus get a truck cap, etc. But that is an example of the value for a newer Tundra with low-ish miles.

Thanks for your input

 

Truck caps can be had on Craig's list for like $500 so i wouldn't worry about that, tons of them available used, check CL and FB marketplace.

The 5.7L is a strong motor, if it has been maintained right, it'll go to 500K miles no problem, the 08 was less prone to the cam tower leak issue. Test drive it, bring a mechanic with you, and if all checks out, that's not a bad price.

 

Thanks for the response. If it was used as a plow truck, is that a cause for concern? The seller said he changed the transmission oil once

 

Oh hmmm yeah i'd check for rust, salt trucks are gonna be bad for the bed area. Using it commercially do raise some concerns about drivetrain reliability, i'd get someone that really really know these trucks to come with you and check it out. Personally, if it was me i wouldn't buy it if it has been used to plow, who knows what that truck has been through. This is my commute, camping/offroading truck so our usages are different.

 

Just for reference, I bought my 2007 TSS 5.7L CrewMax for 15,200 USD with 99,200 miles. In CAD that is right at $20,000!!

So that example of the 2007 with those low miles is roughly $11204 in USD, which I would have killed for. Great price to me.

2nd Gens had issues with the Air Induction Pumps going out. They make bypass kits to eliminate these and they are not expensive.

Also, 2nd Gens are prone to having the water pumps leak, mine is doing it right now and I am replacing it this weekend ($85 USD / 4 hours self-labor). So if you inspect them, climb up underneath the engine bay and look for pink/white "powder" stuck to the front of the engine block, and you'll know it's leaking.

Toyota issued a recall for frame rust, so even if you see a lot of frame rust, they will either coat it or replace the truck rail if your truck meets the recall criteria.

 

Great to know, thanks. The 2007 seller hasn't returned my message, so I'm assuming it's sold or it's not a priority for him (asked if he's selling certified). The 2008 I have decided against, although I have no issues with the amount of KMs, just my suspicion that it was used as a plow truck and worked hard (he claims though, of course, that he only plowed for one season to do his own drive lol).

I am plan on seeing this today: https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks...r5/1398351846?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Their website: http://carsinmotion.ca/inventory/tundra/

He's going to email me the car history. He mentioned on the phone, 1-year warranty on all major components.

 

So just reviewed the Carfax report: 1 owner, no maintenance or recalls recorded, just registration renewals every year. 1 collision claim, $0 in 2007.

 

Updating this again. The green 2007 Tundra w/ 190k km has been inspected by a Toyota dealership (at my expense), after deciding it was worth the investment since it looked good and drove well.

It needs, according to Toyota: battery clamp (nothing stopping battery from flying upward apparently), new coil spring, fastening both front flex line brackets (apparently just floating), replacing rear calipers, pads and rotors, and the biggest cost of all: replacing both rear parking brake cables and brake shoes. Also tires are wrong size.

Apparently, all of these are needed to be fixed for safety certification. Dealership selling Tundra said they will certify it (meaning, these SHOULD be fixed, however, none of these issues were addressed by the salesman). Sale also comes with warranty, which should cover all of these.

So, is it sketchy there is no maintenance history on this vehicle and something like a coil spring was broken? Or if these things are fixed, I'm good to go? Mechanic said it was fine otherwise, but was concerned about the kind of (or lack of) maintenance it may have received.

Opinions greatly appreciated.

 

Lift up on the bed liner look.under it for bed rust. My truck was sold to me 3 yrs ago and just found bed rust on my truck it's going to a body shop next week for repair.

 

I would trust your mechanic. I would also make certain you understand what the warranty will cover, parts and labor. If that list gets addressed then it sounds like it would be in good shape.

Might also have Transmission, diffs., & transfer case fluids checked and or changed.

Good Luck!

 

Thanks. Overlooked potential bed rust, but just checked and the Toyota 160-point inspection includes checking that the bedliner is in good shape. It was quite a rust free vehicle, surprising for salt-heavy Southern Ontario.

Fluid levels are also apparently checked for being clear and uncontaminated as well as filled to the appropriate levels.

My only concern now is if they agree to fix these issues, how am I to be sure they're fixed and to the proper extent (e.g. brand new spring coil is put on, rather than a used one for instance)? It seems I would need to, like you mentioned, verify 100% that the warranty will cover these issues, and ask for enough off the asking price to cover another Toyota inspection to guarantee everything is up to par.

It's just weird that these used car places in my area at least are willing to "sell certified" but sell you on a vehicle in an uncertified (unfit to drive) state, then fix it up after you've purchased it. /shrug

 

Not posting to scare you off at all I love my 08 tundra. But this is the rust I only have 82k miles on it right now.

 

Just from water sneaking through the liner? Have you had the liner off for any length of time? I meant to say above that they inspect the bed itself, but there's no way they took the liner off to inspect the top surface right?

 

That is a weird scenario with the process.

Seriously doubt any used parts get used, but anything is possible. I would expect aftermarket parts which is fine in most cases; better than existing anyway.

 

Rain, condensation accumulating - yes. I would doubt it was removed, it can be lifted side to side and not completely removed to inspect.

 

Actually it starts from under the bed and you cant see it under their because their is a support brase their. Just want you to check it out. I know I never thought my truck could have rust but here we are going to the body shop

 

Haha, damn, I will definitely check it out.

Do you guys think the lack of maintenance history is a cause for concern? I think the general lack of rust on this thing (the body underneath was in great shape to a layman anyway; salesman took me over to their shop and their mechanic hoisted it up for me to inspect). The nice interior cloth, lack of scratches and dents outside makes me think it was taken care of (just not at places that report back to Carproof).

I think you're correct @Trooper2 that they wouldn't use used parts, albeit aftermarket (which is acceptable if it's from a reputable company imo). The rims are now black, which I think are just the ones shown on the ad but painted (my wife mentioned at the end that she thought a couple of the caps said Toyota and others didn't lol), and they said new-ish tires on, but it's odd they'd put a tire size that wouldn't pass safety according to Toyota (it has 275/70 R18, needs 255/70 R18).

Pardon the paranoia, big decision for me

 

It's an investment paranoia is in all of us even the rich dont want taken. I think your on the right path. Really Toyota in general is a great brand just check it over really well maybe again just to make sure and drive it on a free way for at least 15min to see how it does.

 

The fun part of buying used, always uncertainties. Would think the Tundra (Toyota) would be better than most.

If mechanic mentioned was at dealer, maybe get 2nd mechanic opinion or second set of eyes; friend or coworker that has some mechanical background.

Our 2007 2wd with 133k miles has been very great & reliable over last year,

 

Bought a 2nd gen at the end of last year - silver '09 DC base model w/ 98,000 miles. One owner, clean Carfax, etc. Paid slightly over $13K out the door with dealer warranty, TT&L.
Other than a ton of the plastic retainers than need replacing (which I'm doing as I come across them), fogged headlights (which I cleaned), what appears to be a replaced tailgate (no Tundra markings at all) and a bad plastic top that I replaced on it (Toyota wanted $147), a loose rear bumper cover (fixed with a couple of screws), and some minor cracking of the driver side front bumper plastic, the rest looks brand new.
Spray-on bed-liner but not on the tailgate, which leads me to believe it was replaced at some point - as I mentioned above.
No SWC and factory non-JBL audio, with a 10-yr old Bluetooth add-in. Replaced the HU with a Pioneer AVH1440NEX last month and removed the extra Bluetooth gear. Did not upgrade speakers. Audio is still spectacularly better.
Also added a backup cam while replacing the HU.
Single owner appears to have looked after it.
LOVE this truck , BTW.

 

To me, if a vehicle's exterior/interior has been taken care of then chances are the maintenance was most likely done, probably a DIYer. On the flip side, if a vehicle looks trashed, then the maintenance probably wasn't done as needed. My .02

 

This https://www.tundras.com/threads/not-mine-2012-rcsb-low-mileage-16500.42975/#post-1100163