I Am Trying To Sell My 308,000 Mile Toyota Tundra With a Known Transmission Issue and Cosmetic Problems

Two days ago I came across a discussion in the Toyota Tundra FB group, in which the owner was trying to sell his truck, but the truck had several known issues and 308,000 miles. How much do you think he can get for his truck and who would want to buy his truck?

He wrote and said the following:

Hey guys I’m Just looking to see what I could get for my Tundra so I can get a newer one.

I’ve got a 2007 Toyota Tundra 4.7L V8 4x4. It’s a regular cab long bed. I’ve got 308k miles on it. I’m the second owner.

Repairs that have been done on my Tundra are valve cover gaskets, tranny flush at 290,000 miles with a new pan, gasket, and filter. Ebrake, alternator, timing belt, thermostat, pulleys belt, after-market CarPlay radio LEDs all around. My Toyota Tundra also has new after-market rims, a light bar, and a bull bar. It does have a tranny issue, but it’s been like that for 12 years. It’s just a valve body solenoid. The rear driver's side axle seal is leaking. It looks bad on the outside as it was used as a logging truck, but still runs powerfully, and more basic repairs are being done to it now. But I’m just looking to see what’s out there. The frame is great, all just surface rust. About $4,500 worth of work and around $3,000 in aftermarket parts and accessories.

The 2007 Toyota Tundra trucks have generally done very well, as some of them have reached million miles. But first, let's look at some of the undisclosed problems, the truck's high mileage, and cosmetic condition.

The transmission issue on this Toyota Tundra has been there for 12 years and isn't being addressed. This can be a major repair and potential buyers may not be convinced by the seller's claim that it runs powerfully.

Second, 308,000 miles is very high mileage for a truck, even one that is well-maintained. This can make buyers question the overall reliability of the vehicle.

The truck "looks bad on the outside" because it was used as a logging truck. While the seller mentions the frame is good, this can be a turn-off for buyers who are looking for a truck in good condition. However, to tell the truth, I think his Tundra looks pretty decent, considering it is the 2007 year model and has 308,000 miles on it.

How much can he get for his truck?

It's difficult to say definitively how much the seller can get for his truck given the condition he described. Here's why: the truck needs work and the high mileage is a significant drawback.

The general consensus in the comments is that he can get around $5,000 for his truck. 

"I second the $5k valuation... You could try starting at $7200 and drop it down a couple hundred every week until it sells. I just bought a 2008 SR5 with 200,000 miles in better shape (no aftermarket stuff) with 5.7 for $6500. They started their listing at $8k," responded one of the group members.

The transmission on this Toyota Tundra is a concern. If I were going to buy this truck, I would take it to a Toyota dealership and ask them to diagnose the transmission and quote me to fix it. If a potential buyer feels that transmission is a significant issue on a test drive a proper valuation with transmission issues is $2,000-$3,000. If a dealer or transmission shop diagnoses it as a standard characteristic of that transmission (as we all know transmissions always feel weird ) then the value of this truck will go up significantly.

There are resources online, such as KBB and Edmunds that can help estimate the value of a car based on its condition, mileage, and features. You can check them, but please click the red link below and write your comment. How much do you think this owner can potentially get for this truck?

While his Toyota Tundra has known issues, what are the strong points of his truck? Who can potentially want to buy his truck?

While high mileage on this 2007 Toyota Tundra (308k miles) can be a negative for some, it can also be a positive for others who value a truck with a proven track record of longevity. This could be attractive to someone who needs a reliable work truck and appreciates that the engine has lasted this long.

Having repairs like valve cover gaskets, timing belt, thermostat, and pulleys replaced recently indicates the engine has been somewhat maintained. This can be reassuring to a buyer willing to address the transmission issue.

The fact it was a logging truck suggests a strong frame and suspension that can handle heavy loads. This could be attractive to someone who needs a truck for towing or hauling.

The aftermarket radio and LED lights might be appealing to some buyers, especially if they're looking for a more modern feel to the interior.

So here's who might be interested in this truck despite the issues: mechanics or DIY repair enthusiasts, truck buyers on a budget, or buyers looking for a heavy-duty truck.

Someone, like a mechanic who can fix the transmission himself or doesn't mind getting it done professionally, could view this Toyota Tundra as a project car at a good price.

For someone who needs a basic, functional truck for work and doesn't mind cosmetic issues or can handle minor repairs, this could be a viable option.

If the frame and suspension are truly in good shape, someone who needs a truck for hauling or towing heavy loads might be interested, especially considering the lower price point due to the transmission issue.\

Thus, it's important to be upfront about the problems (transmission, cosmetic condition) while highlighting the strong points (potential engine longevity, heavy-duty build, aftermarket features) to attract the right buyer.

How much do you think this owner can get for this 2007 Tundra? Also read about Joe Denver, who is conflicted about trading his reliable 2018 Tundra Limited with low mileage for a new 2024 model.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.

Image source: Izac Robinson's truck from Toyota Tundra FB group discussion. Used under Fair Use close of the US Copyright Law.