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Daily driver - will 00-04 work or must I get 05-06?

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by HOOPSboy, May 1, 2020.

  1. May 1, 2020 at 10:50 AM
    #1
    HOOPSboy

    HOOPSboy [OP] New Member

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    Looking for a daily driver 4x4 access cab or double cab. Access cab really fits me better but double cab is tempting. Truck will stay with me in Texas or SoCal.

    Found this and checked it out already:

    03 4x4 with 150k miles. No rust. Whole stack of papers and maintenance receipts. Interior pretty good. Exterior 8/10, few minor dings. Older couple has owned it from day 1. LBJ recall done. Timing belt and water pump at 90k.

    Of course I join the forums and start reading about how much superior the 05-06 is, so I start to 2nd guess my decision on buying this 03. For a guy like me though that will barely use the 4WD and it will mostly be driven around town and on the highway with little to no towing, does it matter that much? Is the real world MPG a big difference?

    Thanks for any opinions!
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2020
  2. May 1, 2020 at 11:01 AM
    #2
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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    I'd shy away from the taco solely for the rust. Who knows what could've been covered up. Is the tundra 4x4 as well?
     
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  3. May 1, 2020 at 11:36 AM
    #3
    TundraJake

    TundraJake New Member

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    I came from a 2010 Tacoma double cab to my 2016 Tundra Crewmax and I love it much more. Both are great trucks, the rust is not great. I would go with the tundra, depending on the mileage on it. Much more interior space too for everyday driving. Either is a fine choice.
     
  4. May 1, 2020 at 11:44 AM
    #4
    MrAristo

    MrAristo Hounty Bunter

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    Coming from a recent purchase I’d probably talk both down regardless. What’s the mileage on the Tundra? Big part you left out. Both are beauties but rust is something to avoid when buying any older Yota truck. Based on what you said and if mileage is give or take within 15k miles or so, i’d say Tundra. Stronger engine, larger truck, maintenance history and no rust worries.
     
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  5. May 1, 2020 at 11:54 AM
    #5
    HOOPSboy

    HOOPSboy [OP] New Member

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    140k miles on Tundra
     
  6. May 1, 2020 at 11:59 AM
    #6
    MrAristo

    MrAristo Hounty Bunter

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    Tundra all day. offer $6000, expect they come back around $6500 and call it a day. Make sure you inquire on when timing belt/water pump were done. Normally needs to be replaced every 90-120k miles at the most. Good luck.
     
  7. May 1, 2020 at 12:26 PM
    #7
    TundraJake

    TundraJake New Member

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    Tundra for me too, upgrade those wheels and tires to newer Tundra wheels and it would transform the look of that truck too
     
  8. May 1, 2020 at 1:02 PM
    #8
    imDementeD

    imDementeD New Member

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    That's an easy one. Tundra allllll day...
     
  9. May 1, 2020 at 1:05 PM
    #9
    revtune

    revtune New Member

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    Tundra.
     
  10. May 1, 2020 at 1:24 PM
    #10
    rock climber

    rock climber New Member

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    I'd avoid the taco due to rust also. Even with the new frame, there are many other rusted bolts that will be a nightmare when trying to do any work on it.

    Buy some take off new rims and tires from a newer Tacoma or 4runner for $600 and the whole look of the tundra will be changed.
     
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  11. May 1, 2020 at 2:07 PM
    #11
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    Tundra.

    If you posted the same on a Tacoma forum, don't listen to them because they're giving biased opinions. :D we don't do that here.

    I do like that red but same as what everybody else mentioned, painted undercarriage on the Taco scares me. I too wanted an 03 Taco back in 2008, back then they cost 2x what a Tundra of the same year cost so I went Tundra and been happy ever since.
     
  12. May 1, 2020 at 2:35 PM
    #12
    revtune

    revtune New Member

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    You like red?:eek2:
     
  13. May 1, 2020 at 8:29 PM
    #13
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    its the quarantine talking.



    @HOOPSboy i posted on your post on tacomaworld. seeing the tundra i do believe its the better deal by far. that tacos frame looks like it has been undercoated. i would never touch a truck thats had the frame undercoated in a rubber-like coating. The gas mileage is worse on the tundra. but that ones got TONS of life left
     
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  14. May 1, 2020 at 8:55 PM
    #14
    HOOPSboy

    HOOPSboy [OP] New Member

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    I went to check out the truck again today, and it hit me hard after I finally put two and two together.

    The rough texture of the paint and orange peel is due to the WHOLE truck being repainted my Maaco after the accident.

    Being the particular truck guy I am, it’s going to bug the crap out of me. I really feel bad for the owners because they were probably duped into thinking a $600 paint job was a good idea due to fading paint.

    It’s really just ruined the whole truck for me unfortunately.
     
  15. May 1, 2020 at 9:00 PM
    #15
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    theres plenty of other ones out there.
     
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  16. May 2, 2020 at 6:47 AM
    #16
    Wsidr1

    Wsidr1 New Member

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    Hey, I resent that remark (says the 2 Taco owning spy)! :) Just kidding.

    Even though I do own two 1st gen Tacos, I'm on the Tundra bandwagon here. Can't beat a one adult owner, with maintenance records, and low miles 1st gen Tundra. I am an access cab guy, so that's another reason I'd pick the Tundra here.
     
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  17. May 2, 2020 at 7:06 AM
    #17
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    I’ll play the opposite argument here and say do like my friend did and go buy that used Taco. He rationalized himself into thinking the size is about the same as Tundra. After 6 months of the used Taco, he ended up in a new Rock Warrior 2013 which had ‘squeaks and rattles’ per his complaints about it.

    He really wanted a 1st Gen Tundra, but never made the move due to who knows what reason?

    I have a other similar story from another friend who in now in a 2018 Turd Gen. He just put on a stubby antennae and ‘leveled’ (see:butt sag) the front with new Bilsteins. Told him he needs a red sway bar to complete the look.
     
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  18. May 21, 2020 at 2:14 PM
    #18
    HOOPSboy

    HOOPSboy [OP] New Member

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    Bump!
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2020
  19. May 21, 2020 at 3:08 PM
    #19
    Johnsonman

    Johnsonman New Member

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    LED headlamps/fogs; interior footlamps.
    I can't easily tell what the heck you are trying to compare, title and intro don't even match....

    the 4.7 got vvt-i in 05 good for an extra 40 ponies/#s of torque and a 5 speed auto vs an older 4 speed.
     
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  20. May 21, 2020 at 3:53 PM
    #20
    HOOPSboy

    HOOPSboy [OP] New Member

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    I had an older post that I just edited the body and changed the title instead of starting a new thread.

    What I’m asking is does your 05 make a world of difference over 04 or previous......to the point that you would have passed on a great deal in an 04 or older to get your 05.

    Hope that makes sense

    Thanks
     
  21. May 21, 2020 at 4:14 PM
    #21
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    05-06 do have another 30 buff ponies, but that comes with a secondary air injection system which can be a pain to fiddle with.

    05-06 also have the 5 speed trans which people either love or hate. Some say it searches for gears a lot when going up hills or towing, on the 06 I drove I never thought it was bad. 05-06 also have stronger lower ball joints. 05-06 also can have weird nannies.

    04 is the best and worst in many ways. It has a good 4 speed trans, good front brakes, and the very dependable last make of the non VVTi 4.7 motor. It also can come with nannies that the 03 and prior years didnt come with.
     
  22. May 21, 2020 at 4:27 PM
    #22
    HOOPSboy

    HOOPSboy [OP] New Member

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    So 04 is that much better than 00-03?

    05-06 seems to be in a class by itself.

    I’m having a hard time justifying saying no to this well taken care of AC for the price I could get it for.....close to $5k
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2020
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  23. May 21, 2020 at 4:29 PM
    #23
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    An 03 is a fine truck.
     
  24. May 21, 2020 at 4:37 PM
    #24
    revtune

    revtune New Member

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    Got any pictures of this 2003?
     
  25. May 21, 2020 at 4:42 PM
    #25
    HOOPSboy

    HOOPSboy [OP] New Member

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    Nah, I didn’t take any. Owned by a couple at my church.
     
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  26. May 21, 2020 at 4:43 PM
    #26
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Yeah, but the 2000-02 has the sweet front bumper design with those sexy Fog Lamps that light up like real fogs. The 00-02 is lighter and the engine not hampered by the air thingys and nannie bobs.
     
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  27. May 21, 2020 at 5:01 PM
    #27
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    Not much difference between the two. Early 03 has the smaller front brake calipers, 03 had a ball joint recall. 03 has no nannies so that's a benefit. I have an 03 and love it, but I had to update to the newer calipers. Not a big deal really.

    00-02 have subtly different styling and allegedly a weaker planetary gear in the trans, but many guys with them drive and tow and rack up high miles with no problem.
     
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  28. May 21, 2020 at 5:46 PM
    #28
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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  29. May 21, 2020 at 6:17 PM
    #29
    Dog

    Dog sit!

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    The sole reason I looked for an '05-06 was the 5-speed transmission. While I really liked my '04 Sequoia and my '00 LX470 with the same 4.7L engines, the 4-speeds in those rigs were a problem for me.
     
  30. May 21, 2020 at 7:11 PM
    #30
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    Yea I like the 5 speed..


    Even if I have the degrading valve body that causes a shift flare.. I’ll replace it with a sonnax hd valve body eventually
     
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