Purchasing Used 2011 Tundra - Advice

First Post!

Short Version: Looking to possible buy:

2011 Toyota Tundra CrewMax RWD 5.7L
148,085 Miles
For Sale by Ford Dealership
Clean Interior
Leather Seats
Back Up Camera
AM/FM Radio
Sprayed Bed Liner

Concerns:
Door Locks did not work (1st Test Drive).
CarFax 2 Owners: Commercial indicated


Internet Asking Price: $18,880
Trade-In: $2000 offer
Total Price +Tax/Tags: $17,880

Call to Action: First car purchase. Any advice or feedback is appreciated.


Long Version:

I’ve owned Toyota’s all my life (27yo). First was a 2001 Sequoia then a 2000 4Runner.

Always dreamed of purchasing a Tundra and I have my eyes on one.

It’s a 2011 Toyota Tundra RWD 5.7L V8 CrewMax SR5 with 148,085 miles. (The miles don’t scare me.)

They are asking $18,880. Also offered $2k for my trade in (2000 Limited 4Runner - 277k miles - interior is shot but runs good), making the final out the door price of $17,480 (taxes and tags- no doc fee). ($16,880 before taxes and tags)

Drove the car and it shifted well. Love getting back to a V8. Issues I saw were the locks didn’t work properly (dealer said they would fix it before I leave) and there was damage reported on the CarFax for the front although there is no visible anymore (getting more info Monday). Also saw that one of the owners on CarFax was Commercial other was Personal. Only 2 previous owners. Interior was pretty close to excellent.

Checked Edmunds, TrueCar, and KBB, and they put it around 16,500 to 19,500 in price.

Since it’s got higher miles I’m going to be inquiring about a timing belt replacement and if that hasn’t been done trying to get it thrown in for the price. Altogether I want this car for $16,500 or $17,000 at most.

Dealer is Ford, but they own a Chevy dealership right down the street too. It’s a podunk town and the dealer has great reviews and the salesman was respectful and straightforward.

What y’all think? Good deal? Worries? Advice? Pricing suggestions? Advice for 2nd test drive? Should I get it inspected by toyota dealership before buying?


Link to Vehicle (Free CarFax also): https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/780055048/overview/

 

For reference, I looked for about 2 months before buying one last weekend. It’s a 2008 double cab SR5 w/TRD package, super clean inside, very clean outside (minor dings etc). Has 5.7, 130k, and I got it for purchase price of $14k. Things hold their value something fierce. My buddy just bought a ‘17 TRD Pro, sent me a text last night and his had actually gone UP in what it’s worth, about $450 lol.

 

5.7 have timing chain not a belt

 

There is a guy on here selling a similar but supercharged truck with less miles for not much more....

I would be very concerned why the deal hasn’t fixed the locks yet? If the can fix it, why havent they?

 

Some dealers are stupid about cars with over 100k. I called about one that had 111k, noticed the CEL was on. I inquired about it, he literally told me he didn’t know but I was welcome to drive it down the road to Autozone to see why it was on. Lmaoooo. I called him an idiot and continued my search.

 

Sounds way high. Keep looking

 

My 11 has 220000 miles never had an issue with the timing chains. but my rear main seal leaks about 1 quart between oil changes. I would check that out

 

I would hit them on the price a bit more

 

I’m curious, how low do you recommend?

I really want to throw up $15000. But I’m hesitant to scare them off.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2nd-gen-bed-rust.52085/

I would check out this thread and do some additional research and then thoroughly check for yourself on the truck. Otherwise the trucks are solid and I don't think you would be scaring them off with an offer of $15k.

 

Trust me, you won't scare a used car salesman off.

 

Without knowing the area but here in North Idaho like most places Tundras hold value like a son of a b. Last summer July 2018 I scored my double cab 2011 ( Base or Grade model ) with 145k on it, single owner all maint records. I was a bit nervous of the miles but the truck drives damn near like mew and had been fantastic.

Over the past year the money I have spent on it has been all wants, not needs. I am very happy with the truck and the fact it fit in my budget ( no payments )

This post is kinda rambletron and mostly useless, if you like it buy it.

 

It has a sprayed in bed liner, but will definitely check for soft spots/flex and the wheel wells.

 

Scare off a dealer? I would try going even lower. Most buyers wont be looking at a truck with that kind of mileage. They might have taken it in as a trade just to make a deal selling a new truck. They want to get it off the lot

 

Just want to thank everyone again. I’m a first time car buyer and appreciate all the feedback.

 

You can always go up, start super low. Focus on the mileage

 

Don’t worry about the trade in yet. Negotiate the out the door price in the truck first.

 

Man, if you can swing it, don't do the trade. You will likely get a better price on the one you are buying and I think there is always a market for those, interior hammered or not!

 

The KBB on the 4Runner is low ($700-$1845), but you’re completely right some country folks will pay more than the Trade In and throw some big tires on to bog.

 

Now that I’ve been getting some feedback I’m thinking at coming in super low at $15k and working up to no more than $16k.

If they can’t do it then I’ll just walk.

Been stalking AutoList, Car.com, Autotrader, and Craigslist for a couple weeks now. Hopefully, another one will come up.

 

As mentioned, negotiate price excluding trade-in. Do not be afraid of offering a very low offer, they will not get offended or quit talking with you. They are asking a higher price to see what happens; they can come down a bit. They may not come down too much if it is new to the lot. The longer it sits the more the price will be negotiable. At those figures, it seems you are just giving them your trade-in.

Great for doing comps with the other sources.

Good luck!

 

Great advice! The Sales guy, when I first visited told me it’s been on the lot a little while. I was shocked when he told me “most people round here don’t go for imports; they like their Chevy/Fords. Especially since the vehicle has high mileage.”

Been keeping this in the back pocket for negotiations.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/new-here-please-review-this.28389/

Some good info inpost #3 & #4 for vehicle shopping.

 

You bringing cash or what is so start 14000 cash in hand they will not let you leave with cash in hand

 

Already have financing set up and approved. All I have to do is call the bank and the money will be routed to them same day!

 

Show dealer your bank paperwork or loan verification as you make the offer.

 

Also, be cautious of adders or services being added if they agree to lower price. Dealers can agree to a price but try to add things back in to recoup losses. Various services or Ext. Warranties, road hazards, interior protection, asteroid protection, etc. Things that are very profitable for them and rarely used by the buyer.

 

I bought it! Kept my Trade In and got it for $15,500 taxes, tags, and registration included. Appreciate everyone’s help! Promise to return the favor!

Pics soon... once I do some mods.

 

Yasssss!! Well done!!!