Tundra-less Newbie, looking for advice

Hi, my name is Carolyn, and I'm an old lady from Utah. But I don' want to act old, I want to camp and haul and have fun and I think I would like to do those things in an older Tundra. Don't want to spend a lot, so I'm looking at 2000 to 2002 models, preferably a 2 wheel drive. I plan on searching your threads, but in a nutshell, is there any particular year or engine or anything I should avoid? Any quick advice? Thanks in advance!

 

Welcome from Texas!

 

Welcome from Ohio!

 

Welcome! I'm sure a current or previous 1st gen owner will step in and help you out!

 

I'm not an old lady!!!
I've never owned a 1st gen and know nothing about them sir...

 

Only because this is a new members thread did i not post my .gif.....just saying

 

Welcome from Colorado (again ). How old is old? You weren’t born in 1853, right?

 

My son and all his friends are Tacoma fans. Sort of think it's silly I'm looking at a Tundra, so no help there. It seems everyone in the world is driving a Tacoma. sigh. I actually owned a 1998 Tacoma, 2 wheel drive, 385K miles. It was a piece of work, I'll tell you. Seat belts didn't work, upholstery was shredded, none of the interior lights worked. The speedometer worked sometimes. The front grill was zip tied on. Looked like it was used in a demolition derby. Ugly as sin, but that thing ran strong! I would really like to try a bit more luxury...nice seats, bluetooth, backup camera, trailer package. Those kids don't get it. I don't want to go extreme off-roading. I have a little vintage camper, I dabble in antiques so there would be some picking up and dropping off furniture, and mostly city and freeway driving. Am I nuts?

 

Some times it feels like that, but no. 1953.

 

Nope. Sounds like you’ve earned it. So get the platinum trim Tundra.

 

Get a PRO!

 

You're not nuts! Do it up!!

 

Did first gen Tundras have a backup camera and navigation? Serious question because I don't know I've never been in one I've only seen driving by

 

I had an 05 Tundra Access cab 2wd that I bought brand spanking new before it got totaled last year. I loved that truck. I wanted to keep it forever. As far as a bit more luxury you will probably want to look to a limited trim. That's the model that has the leather seats if you're into that. You're not going to get Bluetooth or backup camera unless it has an after market one installed.
As far as price, insurance gave me about 13,500 for my totaled Tundra. 00-02 should be a little cheaper.
I believe the brakes were an issue for the years you are looking at.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

So, I'm theoretically looking at a 2000, but I haven't actually seen it, just the ad. 221k miles, 2-wheel drive, V8, towing package, beautiful interior, back up camera, blue tooth...don't know the trim package, but it has everything I could possibly want. I think. She sure is purty. It seems like too good of a deal at $3,500. So, it makes me nervous. Is it because of the high miles? Any advice?

 

Prett sure they did not have those options.

 

Or try Auto trader.com that's how I found mine...find you a 3rd gen Tundy with what you want on it all stock or small lift tires n wheels and bells n whistles

 

Thank you!

 

Utah? PM @Backslider he a Utah member

 

It kind of looks like it is aftermarket. It's sort of on the floor, if you can see it in the picture.

 

He's willing to go $3,500. What do you think? And the brakes? Just wearing out the pads, or failing coming down the canyon with a trailer behind you?

 

I love you.

 

Looks like a deal but who knows? It's 2wd and that's part of the reason it's not more expensive. I had an '01 and I still miss the arm rests. The blue tooth and back up camera are definitely aftermarket, blue tooth wasn't even invented when that truck was built.

 

Sounds like they last so long I'll never live long enough to wear it out!

 

Get a new one!!! come on!!! Do it!

 

Any estimates of gas mileage? I've looked at the government sites, but I'm not sure I really trust those.

 

OK, now I'm really going to sound like an old lady...but do you realize I paid half that for my first house? I couldn't have fun in it if all I could think about is what I could or should be doing with that kind of truck mortgage! And I have commitment issues. I don't want to be under it for the rest of my life. I just want to pay cash and truck off into the sunset. Which means, by the way, that it has to be cheap. Not just to purchase but to maintain. So I have to be smart, and you guys are going to teach me. Because I don't want to be driving into the service garage and have the guy charge me for changing the air in my tires!

 

That's gonna depend on what engine it has. But I'd guess in the 15 mpg range.