2003 tundra 4x4 worth 4k?

Is worth it? He is asking 5200. Told him 4500. He agreed
Has 231k on it. Smogged and registered
Guy said put a used engine
Salvage
Blue paint in peeling
Going to go see it tomorrow morning

 

according to how the frame is will determine what a good starting point is price wise

 

Check frame for corrosion thoroughly.

And make sure your insurance company will actually insure vehicles with a salvage title. Some insurance companies in some states won't.

 

I wont buy anything with a salvage title unless im using it for parts.

 

Why not?

 

Used engine and salvage title, keep shopping.

 

Look under the rear, where the spare tire is/should be. You should have no rust holes in that X shaped cross brace above the spare.
Also, up towards the front of the frame, where the Anti Sway Bar mounts. No extra holes is a big plus..

 

Because you don't always know what you're gonna get. It got salvaged for a reason, but you don't know the reason. Was one of the critical pillars like the A- or B-pillar crushed, potentially spelling instant death should you ever roll over? Was it flooded out and you're going to be chasing electrical gremlins the life of the truck? Was it in a frame-bending wreck that's left the frame weakened, cracked, split or otherwise?

With salvage, you just never know. *IF* the owner can provide before/after pics so you know why it was salvaged, and I knew my insurance company will insure it in your state (they won't in mine) then I'd feel more comfortable. Otherwise nope. Not at that price. Not without more proof and details on the replacement engine, salvage title, understand why both happened, who did the work and what was done, etc.

However, if you just plan to turn it into an off-roader, hell, I guess that's alright. But $3k sounds more reasonable, when I think about what @Tundra2 recently paid for his truck.

 

harder to insure, and if you were to get hit, insurance would total it out, and you might get $2k back if your lucky. Sometimes harder to register, but not out here in the sticks.

its just one of my car collecting rules.

 

Even for @$4500, I don't think it's worth. If you decide to sell it in the future, it will be hard for someone else to buy it with the current mileages unless you have the paperwork for the used motor. Also, the savage title and paint condition is really going to work against you.

In the current condition, I am thinking you will need to spend $1k (shady style) repaint of the truck, another $500+ for the lower ball joint replacement + alignment, and other little stuff from buying a used vehicle. So....for $6k, you can actually find a clean title one if you take your time.

 

That truck is the definition of clapped. Pass. On the other hand, My truck is also "salvaged" and I never repaired it. When a vehicle gets old enough, it loses it's insurable value. Mine is 21 years old, got side swiped by a deer that left some dents in the lower driver's front and rear door and bedside. I pulled the bed back out by hand, looks pretty decent. The doors are still dented under the rub strip. Insurance totaled the truck. For some dents on the lower door.

 

My truck has a Rebuilt title as well. I got to see what damage was (tree fell on hood/fender) so I felt good about it. No issues registering or anything in Oregon and it had AZ plates when I bought it. Also I have been hit and insurance paid out 2800.00 with zero talk of totaling it.

If you can figure what was wrong with it may be worth at least knowing and making a better educated gamble if you should choose.