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Looking to buy a first gen, is this a decent deal

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by phog13, May 8, 2021.

  1. May 8, 2021 at 9:56 AM
    #1
    phog13

    phog13 [OP] New Member

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    JoePR1979 likes this.
  2. May 8, 2021 at 10:06 AM
    #2
    Professional Hand Model

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

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    Judging from recent prices having gone UP on our 1st Gens and the amount of work/$ required to bring them back into former status, I’d say from those pics and the low miles that that truck looks like a decent deal on paper. It has most all the mods a lot of the members here have been doing recently.

    Always, buyer beware and don’t listen to strange internet people. You do YOUR work to figure it all out.


    A Thread you may enjoy.

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gens-are-entering-legendary-status.83988/
     
  3. May 8, 2021 at 10:10 AM
    #3
    AL_TUNDY

    AL_TUNDY New Member

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    I would pass on all pre-2005 1st gens. Unless being down 40HP and a gear is ok with you.
     
    wandering_boy likes this.
  4. May 8, 2021 at 10:37 AM
    #4
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

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    Looks to be in excellent shape. The green brake fluid may need changing. If it shifts, brakes and accelerates fine you should be okay. If there’s proof of maintenance I say go for it. The only concern I would have which you probably already looked into is what would be the payout in the event it got totaled. Hopefully not much less than you pay for it.
     
  5. May 8, 2021 at 10:46 AM
    #5
    2006Tundra

    2006Tundra Financially Irresponsible

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    It's a really nice truck but for 18k! :eek2: The dealer is looking for a nice commission
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2021
    wandering_boy likes this.
  6. May 8, 2021 at 10:58 AM
    #6
    Sunnier

    Sunnier Pity the warrior that slays all his foes

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    I agree with all of this. Gotta rush to get anything these days, but don’t buy without crawling under and checking it out yourself.
    I disagree with this. I have a 3rd Gen and an ‘02 1st Gen. Compared to the 3rd Gen, the 1st isn’t impressive on power, but compared to your Taco, it will be. Where I understand you’ll appreciate the difference in manufacturing years, will be if you plan to do serious towing. Otherwise, the early years are fine. And Keith at @dirty deeds can help with that horsepower. Not a good reason to pass up a truck if you feel like you have to buy in this crazy market.
     
    Darkness, N84434 and 15whtrd like this.
  7. May 8, 2021 at 11:25 AM
    #7
    JimboSlice413

    JimboSlice413 Super Nice Guy

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    Man, that's expensive. I have an 03 Sequoia and its the most dependable vehicle I've ever owned. Sometimes I wonder if it'll outlive my Tundra. I would check for the timing belt job that should have been done at 100k, if you can't find proof of it you'll need to reduce the price by 1000 bucks. That price is already high but they know they have a really clean 1st gen on their hands and the used market is crazy. But still, I bet there's a lot of wiggle room
     
  8. May 8, 2021 at 11:36 AM
    #8
    terrward

    terrward New Member

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    Pass at that price
     
  9. May 8, 2021 at 11:57 AM
    #9
    AL_TUNDY

    AL_TUNDY New Member

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    This is one of those dealers that buys up all the local Toyota and Lexus trucks, throws on a cheap lift, tires and a $99 roof basket and asks a premium. On one hand, it's annoying what they're doing, but on the other hand I think it is one ingredient in driving up the resale value of the trucks. There's a few in Socal that do this, the main one is Miramar Motorsports.

    [​IMG]
     
    Darkness and badmotofing3r like this.
  10. May 8, 2021 at 12:07 PM
    #10
    andnyleswillriot

    andnyleswillriot Not Remote Working

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    Toytec 3" w/2.5 Coilovers. SPC UCA's. Method Roost Bronze Wheels. 35" BFG KO2's. SPC Upper Control Arms. 2019+ TRD Pro Grill. LED headlight bulbs. 2020 OEM LED Fog lights. Tech12volts Remote Start. MobArmor Magnetic Phone Mount. Topo Topper.
    With the craze in getting outdoors, they're genius' for doing that. If all these remote worker outdoor newbs will eat it up then that's their problem.
     
  11. May 8, 2021 at 12:11 PM
    #11
    AL_TUNDY

    AL_TUNDY New Member

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    Yup. Not my problem. I already have the trucks I want. If I was in the market though, I'd be a bit miffed. Even still, I find a way to discover some good deals. They are to be had, just have to be patient, always looking, and have the cash on hand to close the deal asap.
     
    Glock 40 and Sunnier like this.
  12. May 8, 2021 at 6:20 PM
    #12
    peanut

    peanut making uneconomical choices about my truck

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    Do you know how or have interest in working on a truck?

    You could fix one up as good or better than that for much less if so.


    Since its in Seattle the frame is probably good/not rusty but because they painted it it'll be harder to tell. You should definitely crawl under it and poke around and check for rust
     
  13. May 8, 2021 at 6:29 PM
    #13
    peanut

    peanut making uneconomical choices about my truck

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    Jack McCarthy likes this.
  14. May 8, 2021 at 6:31 PM
    #14
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    dang those FJ's hold their value so well..and now all the used soccer moms Lexus found a second life with the overland market :)
     
    wandering_boy likes this.
  15. May 8, 2021 at 6:34 PM
    #15
    AL_TUNDY

    AL_TUNDY New Member

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    I'm going to hazard a guess that the dealer gave 7k on that Tundra for trade in. If I were interested, I'd walk in there to the negotiation table with that notion.
     
  16. May 8, 2021 at 6:59 PM
    #16
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    I bought my 2015 last year with 40K miles on it from a Toyota Store for about the same price as that one and I dont care how insane things have gotten since then,there is just no way that I would ever pay that price for a 1st Gen with 150K on it!

    Granted mine is a Unicorn and not one that everyone is that interested in but come on already?

    Also worth noting that I have an '01 with 150K on it too and it is just not worth that kind of money despite the quality and endurance of the Tundras of all vintages.

    There are still deals to be had and I would just wait until I stumbled across another one Local enough to test for myself or be happy with what you have now.
     
  17. May 8, 2021 at 7:01 PM
    #17
    onesojourner

    onesojourner Here, let me derail that for you

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    I would still plan on having a couple grand set aside for maintenance if you do pick up this truck.
     
    des2mtn likes this.
  18. May 8, 2021 at 10:07 PM
    #18
    Diablo169

    Diablo169 ROKRAPR

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    Let some other sucker buy that pile.

    At 150k all the ball joints and steering $hit is starting to go. Find one with 250k on it that still has the factory stuff that looks like it is about ready to break. Save 10-12k

    It doesn’t even have name brand tires on it. Never buy a 1st gen from some scummy dealer, unless it is fresh out of auction and you know what you are looking at. These touched up ones are probably asking 4x more than they got them for.
     
  19. May 9, 2021 at 3:54 AM
    #19
    DanielDD

    DanielDD Too Old to Rock and Roll and Too Young to Die

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    Wow! My $3000 2001 4x4 Tundra I bought last year seems like such a deal now!
     
  20. May 9, 2021 at 5:46 AM
    #20
    Professional Hand Model

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

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    The thing with Trends is they keep going without logic. Lets take a look at Underwhelming Goofy Taco Trucks. Why were those overpriced (before Scary Virus)? Who knows.

    Two years ago people were basically selling the 1st Gens for $3-8k depending on condition or if it was a DC Ridgeline Edition. :boink:
     
  21. May 9, 2021 at 8:45 AM
    #21
    HBTundra

    HBTundra New Member

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    Yeah, I smell a rat with that truck. There's more 'lube' on those tires than a porn set.
     
  22. May 10, 2021 at 1:27 PM
    #22
    Sbrow191

    Sbrow191 Jus Lerkin

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    To each their own but it’s hard to know how dealer trucks were treated especially when they have been modded like that.

    I make it a point to only buy cars from other enthusiasts or old people. Better records, better condition, and better prices. Those “overland” dealers can keep their auctioned trucks.
     
  23. May 10, 2021 at 2:32 PM
    #23
    jcrob33

    jcrob33 New Member

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    Simply put, no. It is not a good deal.


    That being said, depending on where you’re at in life, maybe it works for you.

    I searched across the U.S. for 8 months to find my truck.

    if you’re in a rush, want something now, want the convince of a dealer, etc. if might be a good truck for you.



    for reference. Last year I got my 4-door tundra Limited for $5,000. 1 owner. Dealership maintained. 275k. But like I said, I waited and searched for a while.
     
    Cg13055 and Sbrow191 like this.
  24. May 10, 2021 at 2:35 PM
    #24
    Professional Hand Model

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

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    Its ticking the Cool Bro Boxes!

    Camper Shell, New Big Mud Tires, Rims, Icon Double Shocks, After Market Front Bump, Clean (oiled) Frame, Basket on top, etc. Gotta be worth at least $4-5k in upgrades.
     
  25. May 10, 2021 at 2:41 PM
    #25
    Professional Hand Model

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

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    2005 AC popped up yesterday for $7k with 190k miles in good condition! Had a topper on the side that would transfer. Gone from creggsliss listing today. Sold fast!

    There is a rust bucket that is for sale again. Didn’t sell a few months back. Guy took some newer pics and fluffed it. Still for sale. :rofl:
     
    Cg13055 and HBTundra like this.
  26. May 10, 2021 at 2:53 PM
    #26
    Sbrow191

    Sbrow191 Jus Lerkin

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    Just to piggyback on the last couple comments...I too looked for 6+ months for my truck, and I saw it on cregslist the day it was posted and had exchanged cash and title the next day. And it’s been a journey setting it up how I want and I figure I’ll never be done with it.

    If you are patient you can find good trucks at more reasonable prices and can modify it how you like over time.

    Plus if you buy a truck fully modded like that then you won’t be posting your DIY mods in the forum and that’s no good :)
     
  27. May 10, 2021 at 10:28 PM
    #27
    01tunder

    01tunder New Member

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    I'm thinking of selling my tundra
    2001 with 310 runs great tho

    IMAG0021.jpg
     
  28. May 10, 2021 at 10:30 PM
    #28
    01tunder

    01tunder New Member

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    I bought mime for 1800. Not 4x4 the :(
     
  29. May 11, 2021 at 9:31 AM
    #29
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    It's really dark
    There are some things that I don't admire on 05/06. The brake master cylinder, the sai, the seemingly various forms of traction control, and the missing trans dip stick. The 5 speed is nice but really no no better than the 4 speed, there is no significant fuel economy gain there.

    That said I wouldn't buy this truck. The mods aren't done well in my opinion and wouldn't raise value even if they were. The underside is suspiciously black and glossy, looking at the condition of the shocks tells me there is something hiding behind that paint. Wheels too heavy, bumper is strange, and the price is too damn high.
     
  30. May 11, 2021 at 6:08 PM
    #30
    Diablo169

    Diablo169 ROKRAPR

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    having towed side by side with my buddys 02 sequoia with similar trailers, I couldn’t believe how much better my 06’ performed a cross all spectrums of the trip to Death Valley. He was fully stock, I was lifted with heavy E rated 33’s.

    I lost him on every hill and got 2mpg better than he did. And I had over 100k more miles than him.

    That being said I would still buy a none VVT Tundra any day of the week if it was a good deal.
     

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