Did anyone here own a T100 before the Tundra? If so, did you like it?

[Tennesseestorm]

Sorry for asking about a T100 here, but the forums over there are DEAD! Its like the T100 does not even exist. I am assuming that there are probably alot of Tundra owners that once owned a T100 before the Tundra came about. Hopefully I am right and would appreciate if any former T100 owners would chime in.

If so, here are some questions I have. What did you like about your T100? Dislikes? Trouble spots?

I have read that the T100 is a very reliable truck, which is no surprise. As many of you may know, I am really looking for a Tundra, but finding one locally in the range I want has been impossible. I found a T100 and thought I would give it a whirl. I am really impressed with it, but is has some issues. First of all I love the size. Not too big and not too small. Comfortable ride, especially for a 4x4 truck. I have had cars that rode worse than this truck. Features- it is the SR5 model, with power windows, power locks, cruise, tilt, AM-FM cassette (no CD- darn), A/C, power antenna, alloy wheels, ect. and everything works. It is also extended cab, 4-speed automatic, 4x4, with the 3.4L V6. Exterior is excellent condition and a nice color combo- white with blue cloth interior. I like the driving position, controls, gauges, handling, smooth transmission shifts and good braking, interior still 100% rattle and squeak free and the price- I think I can get if for about $5500- maybe less. My dislikes.... it has 184,400K miles, with no records, CV joint covers are busted open, exhaust leaks, check engine warning light illuminated, occasional and slight miss at idle when in park (smooth on acceleration - perhaps needing new spark plugs?), a rattling from the exhaust, a rattle sound (like a loose heat shield) from the engine compartment, or somewhere near the front and finally, when engine fully warmed, the oil pressure gauge is very low.... its near the 1st line when in gear and idle- which really has me concerned. Is this normal? I know that the Tundras gauge is supposed to be fairly low, so I am wondering about the T100 as well. Also, the interior is pretty stained- not terrible, but not nowhere near new either, but is servicable. Nice dash, hole in driver seat, some carpet stains and passenger seat and door panel stained. If the engine turns out well, I think it would be a good truck for me for a couple of years.

Any suggestions/advice on the T100? Any info on the questions on the one I am considering? Would I be better off getting a near 200K mile 2000 Tundra for $7000? I have found a 2000 Tundra AC, 4x4, V8, 99K, 1-owner, for $9900, but I have to drive 2 hours (one way) to see if and not sure if/when can do that. OR, I can buy a 2006 Ford Five-Hundred SEL, 13K miles, with slight driver side doors damage for $9900 and have my moms cousin (who owns a body repair shop) to repair it for $1600? Not wild about Fords, but seems like a good deal on a practically new car.

Thanks again!

[cookiemech]

I had a 1993 T100 4 x 4 with a manual transmission, so my experience isn't terribly relevant to your questions. You are looking at a later model T100 with the 3.4 V6 (mine had the 3.0); the 3.4 is a much better engine and I think most everyone was happy with it. My opinion is that the T100 was built better; no surprise, since it was built in Japan (read all the posts lately about engines in Tundras blowing up). I loved everything about my T100 except for the lack of power, which is why I bought a Tundra. The 3.4 makes 190 hp as opposed to my 3.0's 150, so you would likely be satisfied with that unless you're planning to tow much.

Obviously the T100 you're considering has some issues that you need to have fixed. $5500 is not a lot of money, so if you need to spend another $2K to bring it up to snuff, it's still a reasonable proposition.

My opinion on the Ford is that if you want plenty of headaches and low resale value, go for it.

Have you tried posting at 4x4Wire.com's TrailTalk Forums: Viewing forum: T100 & Tundra Forum for T100 questions? That's the most active forum on the subject that I've found.

[T100driver]

Had 97 T100 ext. cab 4x4 automatic with 3.4 V6 with 137,000 miles sold it for 5,500 back in january. Build quality is way better on T100 than Tundra. That is a cracked heat shelid on the manifold you are describing mine had that I just learned to live with it. If you are talking about getting it for reliability hands down that is the truck to buy. It will last you 100,000 more and then some. The oil pressure gauge you are concerned about that is normal. It reads low or all the way down on idle and maybe half way under acceleration. If you want to talk reliability my Dad had a 94 T100 reg. cab 3.0 V6 5 speed he used it for his construction business. The truck had over 500,000+ miles had to stop counting due to odometer finally giving out. My Dad did not maintain this truck at all he went one time without changing the oil for an entire year! The only thing that was done to the truck was a new clutch and breaks. Ever since he owned the truck he has overloaded it and the engine light was always on.