thanks to all that helped, but I have made my decision and...

[peterdaniel]

Its not a Tundra Just simply could not justify the expense right now and even though the rebates and deals are truly outstanding, I am reminded of a wise saying, that just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

Instead, I am going to purchase a 1996 Toyota T100 5 speed with 65K original miles ( extra cab 3.4L V6) It has to have one of the best shifters I have ever used next to my Mitsubishi Ralliart and certainly the best ever truck transmission)

I find that the T100 is a perfect size for me and the back seat is more usefull and comfortable than the Tundra. The back of the seat actually reclines about 15 degrees which they were very boastful of back then ( So what happened with the Tundra's access cab back seat??)

The power is there for me and the 3.4 has a great proven reputation and it looks pretty darn nice

Thanks to all that helped in the Tundra dillema.. I will still be around to say hello and chime in some thoughts here and there.

Regards,

Pete

[Ragin Cajun]

Good choice. Personally I try to stay away fron older, low mileage cars. in my experience I have had worst luck with a truck that's 10 years old with 60k than a truck that's 4 years old with 100k. Be sure to check those seals and crankcase for signs of neglect.

[SportRallyFiveSpeed]

Originally Posted by peterdaniel

Instead, I am going to purchase a 1996 Toyota T100 5 speed with 65K original miles ( extra cab 3.4L V6) It has to have one of the best shifters I have ever used

Regards,

Pete

The shifter in my '98 Limited V6 X cab 4x4 was FLAWLESS...could be -10 degrees out and still shifted quiet and smooth. I miss that truck...

[CanadianTundra]

That's why I kept mine. It is paid off and still runs great with 265,000 kms on it! It also gets pretty good gas mileage. Good luck with yours, sounds like you found a good one!

[Tennesseestorm]

I came within an inch of buying a 96' T100 SR5 ext. cab 4wd automatic w/184K for $6500., before I bought my 00' Tundra.

It drove perfectly, the engine was smooth and the transmission was flawless and it was still 100% squeak and rattle free and I thought it had a good ride. Body was excellent (white w/blue interior), but the interior was very, very, very, very, very dirty and stained (seats and door panels), but nothing new seat covers would not have fixed. They wanted $5500 when I originally inquired about it.... a week later, the timing belt broke (when someone was test driving it). They (the dealer) called and said I should forget it, because it had broken down.... he (salesman) called me a week later and said it was the timing belt and it was perfect now and they had fixed the "CEL" issues. It still needed a muffler, rear brakes, shocks (they were rusted - despite being a 100% rust free truck) and CV joint covers. He said they had to go up $800. on the price, because of the repairs done (timing belt and CEL light). I thought that since this was a Toyota dealer, that they could have done me a better price, but I guess not. I thought about it for a couple of days and decided I wanted it and was ready to get the loan. I called and told him and asked him again- "you said $6300- right"? He said, yeah, and oh, I forgot to tell you there is a $200 processing fee. That really ticked me off- especially after the $800 increase. He should have told me before that there was an additional $200 charge. I thought about it and thought about it for a couple of more days and was about to go ahead and buy it anyway, until I looked once more in the latest edition of the trading post and saw this ad:
"2000 Tundra SR5, 4wd, V8, automatic, extended cab, tonneau cover, loaded, towing pkg.,100K, VGC - $9900". It was not exactly like that, but close. I called and went within the hour and looked at it.... test drove it and loved it..... asked him what his bottom $ was and he said $9500. I think I could have got it for $9000, but I wanted a Tundra so bad, I did not even bicker anymore- despite him saying that it had a timing chain when I asked him when the timing belt was last changed. . Needless to say, it is due....

I love my truck, but my only regret is that I wish I had of bought a 2wd- as 2wd is not necessary here and this truck is a gas guzzler. I love it though. 102K, runs excellent and still squeak and rattle free.

Enjoy the T100 - they are excellent trucks!

Anyway- I bought this instead..... (Hey, Canadian Tundra- did you steal my truck? LOL)

[99Runner]

Its a Toyota--so you did well!!

[peterdaniel]

Drove it home tonight and man, let me tell you.. I have NEVER had a truck so nice before. That shifter is a dream and its smooth take up with the clutch is about as smooth as a baby's butt.. WoW!! Great power too! All servce records, and so quiet.. I forwent the other ones I looked at as they all had power windows, locks etc.. Just more stuff to go bad. I almost bought an Automatic and what a mistake that would have been! I thoroughly enjoy this stick and with only 64, 400 miles on it, it should serve me well for many many years

What did you guys and gals get for your gas mileage in your T100?

[LTrain]

Peterdaniel -

I used to have a 97 T100 2wd XCab with 5 speed manual, and I have to say that I miss that truck everytime I see one! Mine was black and had nice wheels and tires. It was soooo smooth and quick! I totally agree that the shifter is awesome! No other truck I have seen has a comparable manual shifter. The T100 shifts like a sports car with a tight gearbox and short throw. I used to love hot rodding my truck, and have embarrassed a few people with it. The automatic doesn't have nearly the acceleration of the manual.

I don't remember exactly what mileage I got, but it was definitely over 20. Enjoy your truck!!!!

[Tennesseestorm]

Sounds great. I prefer an automatic myself, but I have heard that the manuals in these trucks are amazing.... as you mentioned.

Do you know if the headgasket had already been replaced under the recall? The early 93-94s had the 3.0L, which was notorious for head gasket issues, but some of the 3.4L's from 1995-96 did as well, but it was something different that caused them to leak. I am pretty sure there was a recall- where Toyota would replace for free. One of the 95's I was considering w/the 3.4L was a 1-owner and the owner said he had his replaced at 5400 miles when it blew, shortly after, Toyota issued a recall, because so many were blowing out. You may want to look into that. Other than that- these engines are bulletproof! There are still times I wish I had of bought that local 96' SR5, but like I said, the dealer had pushed me away.

Enjoy!

[rcwebb]

I just traded a 97 T-100 with 200k miles for my 03 Tundra SS. That was a great truck and still going strong. Mine was an automatic and I got 19 mpg in the summer and right under 18 in the winter. I ran larger tires on mine and it really made the truck look a lot better. While my T-100 was nice, my Tundra is better. Mostly because I have a 2 year old son and it is a lot easier for him to climb into the back seat with the extra doors. Enjoy your truck and may it give you as much joy as mine gave me!

RCWebb

[peterdaniel]

From what I understand, the old 3.0L V6 had design flaws in both the material and design characteristics of the head gaskets.. In the 3.4 the issue was that the gaskets were being put in upside down.. I have also heard that they were over torqued so I am not sure which it is. Thanks to the excellent servce records the man kept, the head gaskets WERE done quite a while ago ( 1998 I think)

Just drove it this morning and for once in my life, I think I have found THE truck to just drive and enjoy.

For many years, I have driven Nissans and never did the ride like this or shift like this. Actually there was only one truck that had a shifter like this and it was my 97 Nissan single cab. That truck was and is amazing as well. I bought it with 112K on it and sold it to a friend who cracked up his by hittng a Deer at 55mph. The shifter was really nice in that truck. My frien d abuses that truck to no end, and uses it like a courier would.. all day and night. He put 50k on it in a little over 1 year!! he never changes the oil. I changed it for him and put in synthetic. If there was ever a person for whom synthetic oil was made for, it was him!

But I have driven litterally 100's of sticks/manuals and this Toyota is at the top of the list.

I have also driven the Tundra's stick and I am confused. It is nowhere near the same. Now why didn't they just use the same set up?

Many manufacturers do the same thing. They have a perfect set up and then they change it due to a new body style or engine.. I mean, come on! How hard is it not to touch what works so well?

[Buttfly]

I had a 1993 T-100 2wd regular cab. I drove it 12 years and sold it and bought my 2005 Tundra. The T-100 had 113,000 miles on it and didn't have a rattle. It was a great truck. It was made in Japan, very dependable and the 6 cyl. engine had enough power for me. It set tough standards for my Tundra to live up to.