Help Out a Noob: Should I buy this Tundra?

[surlydiesel]

thats a 7K truck. It's clean but it's old and has 150k on it. Don't get me wrong, I drive vehicles around with 250k plus but usually I've put most of the miles on them. I try to buy around 50-70k and do a full workup of fluids, shocks, belts, ect. As the post 2 above mentions, there were plenty of TSB's to check on and the timing belt/waterpump. Also, caps and other "add-ons" excite us but actually detract from the price for other buyers. So make sure those are not used in the initial pricing. Yes, it's money you won't have to spend later but you shouldn't pay full retail for a 1600.00 used cap on a used truck if you know what I mean. 500 is fine.

Good luck. Oh and if I can add 2 more cents. You specifically mentioned your kid, you are looking at a 10k truck. You can find a doublecab with the same millage for that same price if you do some searching. I think you'll be much happier with the bigger cab in the end. Unless of course, if it's always just the 2 of you, you won't need the extra space.

-jorge

 

[7echo]

I drive a 2000 4wd as a work truck daily. Gets about 11mpg around town. Just one other thing to consider.

 

[Stone_Blue]

While the 1st Gens arent the greatest on MPG, 11 sounds a bit low. When i got mine, I was getting 12-13 highway. I cleaned the MAF, TB, changed the plugs (this I think was a big one, the PO had THREE different plugs in it. 4 original Densos, 3 Bosch, and one Autolite......They were ALL pretty beat.). I also did the Seafoam thing in the intake, crankcase, and fuel tank. Also, the brakes were dragging. I replaced ALL the brakes, except front rotors, doing the front caliper upgrade, as well as the rear drum upgrade.
Got my mileage up to 16MPG/tank. Then I put on 255/85-16s, lifted it. I recently did the TB/WP. I'm now getting 17-18MPG/tank, with 20-22MPG highway. I dont do a lot of in town driving, but I'd have to guess I'd get 14-15MPG.
Oh, I got the truck with a hard tonneau cover. I've since switched to a Leer shell...No noticeable change in mileage...At least not downwards...lol
Pretty standard for these.

Oh, another thing that I think helped a LOT, was I bought a Scangauge II about a year ago. It has helped change my driving style. I keep my foot out of it now. I drive more by the instant MPG gauge, than the speedometer. I still keep it right close to the speedlimit, +/- 5 MPH, but with the MPG gauge, I use it to coast down hills, and light throttle up hills...Keeping the MPG as high as possible, while staying within =/- 5MPH of the speedlimit. I also let off the throttle early, and brake less when slowing down or coming to stops. You'ld be surprised what a difference it makes in overall MPG.