Greetings!
I'm looking for your collective wisdom on a possible purchase. I'm usually blinded by excitement, and need a third party to inject some reason.
I have the opportunity to buy a 2000 Tundra 4X4, with 189K miles. Overall, the truck is in exceptional condition for its age, and the motor runs like a sewing machine, though I have not driven it yet. I only had around 15 minutes to look it over the first time around. The gentleman selling the truck for the owner mentioned something about the coolant expansion tank being low, though I could not find a leak anywhere in the system. I assume that wouldn't rule out a head gasket issue. It is a one-owner vehicle. The owner did a lot of his own maintenance, and records only go back to '08. The recall for the frame rust issue was done, and the truck looks very clean underneath. A/C blows ice cold. Oil looks very clean. I can't determine if the timing belt, water pump, or other items have been addressed.
I can likely pick the truck up for $5K, but of course don't want to get into the trap of having to invest another $5K in it. If all else were fine, and as a precaution, replaced the timing belt, water pump and any other critical items, how much would this run? Is there anything else to be concerned with? I've heard of the overdrive in the transmission failing as another possible issue to be wary of.
I just want to make sure I go into this with eyes wide open. I'd hate to sell my car with a known history, for something that's going to bury me financially.
Thanks!
I'm looking for your collective wisdom on a possible purchase. I'm usually blinded by excitement, and need a third party to inject some reason.
I have the opportunity to buy a 2000 Tundra 4X4, with 189K miles. Overall, the truck is in exceptional condition for its age, and the motor runs like a sewing machine, though I have not driven it yet. I only had around 15 minutes to look it over the first time around. The gentleman selling the truck for the owner mentioned something about the coolant expansion tank being low, though I could not find a leak anywhere in the system. I assume that wouldn't rule out a head gasket issue. It is a one-owner vehicle. The owner did a lot of his own maintenance, and records only go back to '08. The recall for the frame rust issue was done, and the truck looks very clean underneath. A/C blows ice cold. Oil looks very clean. I can't determine if the timing belt, water pump, or other items have been addressed.
I can likely pick the truck up for $5K, but of course don't want to get into the trap of having to invest another $5K in it. If all else were fine, and as a precaution, replaced the timing belt, water pump and any other critical items, how much would this run? Is there anything else to be concerned with? I've heard of the overdrive in the transmission failing as another possible issue to be wary of.
I just want to make sure I go into this with eyes wide open. I'd hate to sell my car with a known history, for something that's going to bury me financially.
Thanks!
