On the hunt...am I crazy?

Downsizing from a CrewMax 3rd gen and looking to go back a 1st gen. Is a clean first gen 4x4 tundra for 17~ crazy? I understand the current market and I've adjusted for a budget for around 15K but even then, they're rare to find. I'm located in the panhandle of FL and willing to travel/ship for the right one. Someone talk me out of spending 17k+ on a 1st gen.

 

Gonna work on it yourself?
If not, stick with something newer.
If so, spend less and build it right.

 

A clean 20 year old truck? I wish you the best of luck friend. They are out there. I love mine because it's modern enough and without all the extra dodads that can cause problems down the road. If you find one with a replaced frame, great. Some will say the frame has been replaced but that doesn't mean the whole frame has been replaced. Beware of rotted frames, bed mounts, fenders, and rocker panels.

 

the 4.7 is a grate motor only down side is its a timing belt so should be changed every 90k . my tundra 2nd Gen. is a 4.7 and I bought it for this engine
if you do go this route look at the 2005/2006 they came with a 5 speed AT
the 2000 /2004 were all 4 speed AT

 

Personally I wouldn’t spend that kind of cash unless all long term maintenance items have been addressed and it’s a 2006 double cab limited 4x4 v8, but that’s me. I would want worry free driving for the next few years at least where all I’m paying for are tires and fluid changes.

 

What's sad is that I wouldn't sell mine for $16,900 cause I couldn't replace it with anything better without another $20K

 

You are not crazy

 

Thanks for the reply guys. Sounds like I may have to up the budget.

 

After you buy the ‘92 t-bird super coupe on the panama city craigslist, then you can find a truck to do truck things.

 

Nothing wrong with a gen 1. However what are you gaining by selling your 2015 and buying another similar but far older truck? Seems like you’re just flushing money for no reason

 

I wouldn’t spend that kind of money on a first gen.

 

Are you looking for regular cab, access cab, or double cab? Double cabs were only 2004-06, so you have fewer years to search. And they were high before the surge in truck pricing.

Are you doing this to get rid of payments? If so, that's not a bad thing, just have to be careful and buy one that won't have the equivalent of monthly payment in repair bills.

$17k seems high though, unless it has low mileage and is really clean.

 

The first gen trucks will have more payload than your current truck. 10-15k will get you a cleanish example around here. Toyota seems to always do their best work with the last couple of model years. I thought that was worth paying for.

 

This. If you are not gonna be the one wrenching and maintaining it, financially it makes no sense.

 

People(especially my wife) called me crazy when I traded my 2015 RWD 4Runner with 110k miles for a 2006 4WD DC with 50k miles from the original owner. Mainly because a buddy of mine took me off-roading up in the mountains and I was hooked at the first water crossing. I have only owner Toyota’s all my life and had spent the better part of my life in my parents 03 Sequoia.

I got cash on top of my trade and I don’t regret it one bit.

 

It just makes sense for me financially since I’m buying a car as a daily, but I still want a truck to haul around gear/kids.

 

How much do you owe on your 2015?

 

Definitely looking for a DC. I would be getting a good amount back from selling the 3rd gen. Figured having a paid off older truck + my daily commuter would be smart for me financially and practically.

 

Buying 2 cars is probably not more economical

 

$10k will get you a good 200,000 mile example here.
$15k will get you a good 125-175,000 mile example here.

If I were shopping I'd pay $20k for a excellent 100,000 mile example with no issues and all maintenance done timely and records.

These prices are on the fair to high side given the market forces now. I don't know if that will improve. It may get worse. Who knows.

I know they are great trucks. I would not part with either of mine for current prices.

Biggest concerns are rust, maintenance records, and making sure key things have been maintained like timing belt, water pump, everything in that area, rack and pinion, lower ball joints, fluid changes, etc.

 

Selling the 3rd gen would provide enough to have a paid off 1st gen. The car is more of a toy rather than for practicality reasons hence the reason to replace the 3rd gen.

 

I also think it's a smart idea and practice to have a inexpensive daily driver car, and keep the special purpose truck for truck duties. This is what I do. I keep the truck maintained and used for truck duties and then daily drive the car and SUV for their specific duties.

With the cost of trucks and relatively poor MPGs, I don't understand why people daily drive them into early graves. My goal is to keep the daily miles OFF the trucks. Cars are cheap and easy to replace. Trucks, well they're quite valuable and expensive. Short trips, daily driving, idling in traffic... not in my trucks!

 

where are you located if you don’t mind me asking? Those prices seem to be about right where I’m looking as well. Looks like I’ll be in the 15-18k range. I come from a toyota background so I know how special these trucks can be just wasn’t sure how much I should be looking to spend for a clean example. I’m an aviation mechanic and do 95% of vehicle maintenance myself so I’m not afraid to wrench but I also appreciate a clean, well taken care for vehicle.

 

I'm in a western state. We get lucky b/c most vehicles are generally rust free. I'd suggest focusing a search in a western dry climate state for the best chance of a rust-free model.

 

Ok so this makes more sense, the toy is the priority vehicle so then buying a truck with just your 3rd gen’s equity.

if it were me i would sell the toy car and pay off the truck. But maybe it is less replaceable?

 

Exactly . . . I know I've said this here before, I picked up my neighbors 'garage queen' 2006 2WD DC with 56K for $15K last November. It's like new and I think i stole it. It was the exact truck I was looking for, blue steel metallic ,tow package, grey interior, snug top shell, he just did brakes, timing belt, new tires, trans fluid, new stereo/ speakers/ & back up camera, weather tech floor mats front & back. I did a few things, added fog lights in the stock bumper location, tinted the windows w/ 3M crystaline film, installed Carhartt seat covers front & back, full tune-up and rear diff, fluid change.
With todays market I think I'd be in the $40K range to find something comparable, and I just don't make that kind of money.
I know it would never happen, but if someone offered me $25K for the truck, I wouldn't take it, only because I would have to 'downgrade' into a Tacoma with 120K + miles.
Even though it's a 15 year old truck, it was garaged it's whole life before me. If things break because of age, well, it's a gonna be lot cheaper to fix a few things than a $40K equivalent , and even then, there's no guarantees. I'll take my chances on Toyotas quality reputation.

 

I say yes, get the FGT....(solely because this forum is so much more fun than the 3GT forum).

 

The 1st Gen Tundra's have a great track record once you find one without rust and has had basic upkeep throughout it's life. The DBL cab has plenty of legroom, front & back for a family while still providing a full size bed. The V8 provides plenty of power for what 1/2 tons are designed for. Updating the truck with reverse camera, BT, LED's etc. are easy tasks with plenty of help and how-to's on this site. And all of this is wrapped in a perfect sized truck that most likely won't get a lot of attention (just from us 1st Gen lovers).

So yeah, you should get one!

 

You make it sound like "Crazy" is a bad thing?

 

The one thing with this entire idea. If OP can’t afford the 3rd gen, ok i get that.
However it is a little misguided to say i should sell my newer truck now while the market is hot.

Yes you are getting a crazy amount on your 2015. You’re also then gonna pay 17k for a 9k gen 1 because that market is insane too