Buying a first gen tundra, need opinions

[slomoe]

I have been looking high and low on autotrader, craigslist, and pretty much anywhere else there might be one available. Yeah I would prefer a private seller, but at this point I will entertain any first gen that meets my criteria. Waiting patiently in the meantime.

Although I have considered the dbl cabs, I'am not really into them. Besides it's just me, the girlfriend and the dog so not very necessary. I can handle the suicide doors on the access cab no worries, since it'll be better than having no doors in back like my 2000 tacoma ex cab I had a while back.

I have also considered the second gen tundras as well, but like one bored clerk mentioned, they are big. I just sold a pretty sick f250 superduty that I had setup quite nice for that very reason. I loved it, but the thing was huge and a bit over kill for my usage. Not to mention the expense and amount of general maintenance required.

Thanks for everyones input and soon I hope to be posting a pick of my new tundra.

The sooner the better too. I need to start building this thing asap for my trips out west coming up in Feb and in mid June.

AJ

 

[jim65wagon]

Not knowing your future intentions, but I will add:
.
boyfriend + girlfriend = husband + wife == children ===double cab. I do prefer my Access Cab, but I will tell you that if you are planning for any sort of family in your trucks future - take another look at the double cabs. Once you wind up with kids of any decent size the complaints about legroom begin - and don't end until they get their own cars.....
.
good luck on your future purchase, you really can't go wrong on a 1st gen......

 

[john101477]

i rode in the back of my grand fathers 1st gen access during deer season and it is tight. i would be looking for a double cab

 

[slomoe]

All good points, but quite sure the access cab will be the call. I don't have many passengers ever and if I do at least I will be in the drivers seat.

Oh and bout kids, though I love them they are not for us. Beside's that's what having a
kool niece and nephew are good for.

 

[Petrolburner]

I had to search quite awhile to even find a 4WD Tundra in Florida, but be patient and you will find the right one. New trucks get listed everyday.

 

[Falkon]

I love the space of my DC, but one nice thing about the AC's...the WB is almost two feet shorter. Makes a big difference in turning and getting caught high centered.

I put 35k miles on mine in a year (almost 100k now) and it is just a solid truck. I just did all the Scheuled Maintenance becuase I know I can easily get 200k and more out of it.

The 1st Gens are classsics, I don't care for the 2nd gens, didn't even look at them. I would not mind having the 5.7l but the 4.7 works good and for a long time.

If I were to do it again, I would probably get an 05 above the 04 I have. 40 more horses and a five speed transmission.

 

[slomoe]

I came across a 03 limited access cab last night for $16500. It's a 2 owner trk with 46,000 miles. Now my only hesitation is the older motor and trans. Like Falkon mentioned about the 05-06 trks having 5spd trans and extra 30 hp, should I focus on those two years only or will there not be much of a noticeable difference between the two motors and tranny's?

Just curious what you fella's think about that?

 

[Falkon]

Thats a good price for 46k miles. I think only the 05 had the extra 30, the 06 dropped back down close to the 04 for some reason. Maybe a change in the way it is measured or something.

I drive slow, so I am not really missing the HP. I came from a Sierra that was close to 330 HP I think, so It was noticeable however. I dont tow alot so I am not missing it there either. The 4 speed tranny I have can be annoying TO ME when I am puling out or need to speed up in traffic because I have to get on the accelerator a little harder to make it downshift. And because I have the Borla exhaust, it gets loud when it downshifts.

All that being said, if I found an 04 or prior that had been taken care of w/low mileage at a good price, I would not hesitate. I am not looking to sell my 04 for an 05.

I guess the real question is, how bad do you need wheels right now?

 

[Petrolburner]

I like the body colored grille and bumper of the limiteds, and that is really nice that it has low miles. How do you feel about spending 16k on an 03 though? If I were willing to spend up to 16k on a Tundra, I would trade an 05 with the 5spd and higher miles vs the 4 spd and no VVTi with lower miles.

 

[slomoe]

Thanks for all the input. Sounds like not having the vvti and 5psd tranny is not enough of a deterrent for anyone not to get the pre 05's. I especially like the low miles on this one. We will see how things work out for the weekend and checking it out.