Used 2002 Toyota Sequoia - A Year of Adventures and Mods

00:00 - Intro - Used 2002 Toyota Sequoia

My nephew, Nic Bodiford, returns to talk about the 2002 Toyota Sequoia he bought a year ago. He fills us in on the adventures he's been on, the DIY projects and maintenance he's done and he explains what's great and what isn't quite perfect about this full-size, family hauling 4x4 SUV after a year of ownership.

00:52 - I believe everyone should have something fun to drive!

After introducing Nic, I talk about how it's my goal with this podcast to provide listeners with the information necessary to discover and locate great used vehicles that provide a combination of Joy/Fun and Value. Joy/Fun + Value = A Better Than New Used Car, Truck or SUV

01:52 - What Nic Originally Wanted Before Finding the Sequoia

A 100-series Toyota Land Cruiser or a third generation Toyota 4Runner were originally on Nic's list of target vehicles, but after going through the steps to figure out what was truly important in an SUV, he focused his attention on the first generation Toyota Sequoia, which turned out to be the best option for him.

03:18 - The Family-Friendly Sequoia Has Serious Off-Road Capabilities

In spite of being targeted towards kid-hauling parents in the suburbs, the first-generation Toyota Sequoia is still a rugged 4X4 SUV with a 2-speed transfer case (2-hi, 4-hi and 4-low), a locking center differential and sturdy body-on-frame construction, which is a superior platform for off-road adventures.

04:07 - Why This Particular Sequoia?

The used Sequoia that Nic bought was an original owner vehicle that had been in the same family since new, it was in great condition and it had thorough maintenance records.

06:30 - What Does Nic Like About His Sequoia?

With a large dog, a large dog crate, a need to carry water and food for said dog, along with an array of tools and gear for his adventures, this large SUV provides plenty of interior space to haul everything Nic needs to carry. It also has plenty of room to comfortably carry four full-size adults + dog and crate. And the bonus? Its rugged four wheel drive capabilities make it an ideal platform for Nic's new-found love of 4-wheeling and overland camping.

09:30 - Is There Anything Nic Didn't Like?

Because of the size, parallel parking on city streets is tough (he might install a rear-view camera). Fuel economy is not great either at 14.3 miles per gallon, but that's to be expected with a V8 and 4WD in a full-size SUV. On the plus side it does have a 26-gallon fuel tank, so range anxiety isn't an issue on or off road.

13:00 - Any Surprises?

No major surprises. Only a few minor things, including a slow, minor leak in the power steering system (Nic is keeping this under surveillance, but hasn't had to fix it), a noisy front brake pad (easily remedied) and lower ball joints that will need to be replaced at some point, but this is a common issue on these large, heavy SUVs.

17:00 - What Adventures Have You Been On?

The longest trip was from Seattle to Bozeman, MT, then south to Denver through Wyoming and then back home. While driving through Wyoming Nic hit windy conditions (30-mph sustained winds with gusts to 60-mph) that nearly blew the Thule rocket box off the Sequoia.

Other trips include multiple off-road trail drives around Washington State exploring various back country destinations. Nic mentioned that he has learned that airing down his tires 10-12 psi from the factory recommended road inflation setting really helps with traction in off-road driving situations. He has also enjoyed learning the technical skills necessary to drive more confidently off road when 4-wheeling in his Sequoia.

21:10 - What Modifications Have You Done?

Nic installed a 2-inch ARB/OME (Old Man Emu) suspension lift kit, which was a major installation project for him. He has learned from experience that doing maintenance and installation labor himself is easier than he thought it would be when he first started out, plus it has saved him a considerable amount of money.

24:20 - My Favorite Student

I tell Nic that he is my favorite student to teach car maintenance techniques because he just dives into a project and doesn't over think it. He is also very curious and wants to learn more about how to modify and maintain his Sequoia. It's a joy for me to teach someone like that since I know Nic is actually paying attention, learning and retaining the information, so I'm definitely not wasting my time.

Nic mentions that doing DIY projects has made him more confident in dealing with any problems he encounters. It also saves me from having to answer his car repair questions if his car makes a funny noise or has an issue while he's on a road trip!

27:50 - Save Money Doing The 180,000-Mile Service Himself

Nic mentioned that he saved himself a lot of money doing the 180K service himself. Often times during a major service like this, the majority of the cost is labor. The only "hard" costs are for engine and differential oil, transmission fluid and some washers and gaskets, so if you can do the work yourself, you can save a lot of money.

29:55 - "How To" and "Walk-Through" DIY Videos Are Your Friend

The steps required to do many common maintenance projects can be found in all types of How-To videos on YouTube. Nothing beats a factory service manual for accurate information regarding maintenance, but watching a video to learn a repair or maintenance process can quickly show you what is required and give you the confidence to tackle common DIY projects. Open your browser and start typing in the search bar!

32:10 - Would You Buy a First Gen Sequoia Again?

Nic says "Yes!", both because he loves his 2002 Sequoia's on/off-road performance and interior space, plus he was able to buy it for a great price. I didn't mention it in this podcast, but if you are looking for a Sequoia (or any used vehicle), it might help to review Better Than New Podcast Episode 2 - The 5 Essential Rules To Find a Cool Used Car.

In that episode, I worked with Nic as he searched for a used SUV and I walked him through five simple, but effective rules I use to make any used car search more productive in terms of finding the perfect cool car or truck at a great price.

Nic should have paid a lot more than $6500 for his Sequoia, but because he was willing to put in the time and effort to work his way though the 5 Essential Rules, he was able to save a substantial amount of money on his purchase. If you are in the market for a used car and want to save money on something interesting that fits your lifestyle, I think it would be worth your time to review Episode 2 of Better Than New.

33:45 - How Much Did You Save Doing Your Own Maintenance?

Between the suspension lift kit install, the 180,000 mile service and various smaller projects, Nic estimates he has saved himself at least $5000 in labor costs. While not everyone has the interest or time to invest in doing their own maintenance, it is possible to save yourself a substantial sum of money by doing your own maintenance work.

34:45 - CLOSE

If you're looking for a rugged, reliable, full-size SUV for a reasonable price, the first generation Toyota Sequoia is a solid choice.