Newbie looking for truck buy opinion

Newbie to this site, we own a FJ Cruiser and their site has been very helpful and hoping to be Tundra owner soon. I am buying used, looking to spend under $30k. My use will not include towing, but it will be my daily driver (20,000 miles a year, 50% business use / 70% Hwy) and use for our family of 4, along with general Home Depot runs and the like, mulch, lumber, etc. I also considered the RAM because of the Rambox and V6 mileage, but I have had great success with other Toyota's and am going with the reliability play

Initially was looking at high mileage vehicles but it seemed that there was not much of a break in pricing on the mileage side. I am looking at two vehicles:

2015 Tundra SR5 TRD 4x4 with 5.7L and 57,000 miles. It has the TRD 18" wheels w/new Michelins, Sunroof, power driver seat, bed liner and I think it has navigation. There is no real history on the vehicle as it was a vehicle in Canada and then purchased here in the states at auction. The vehicle if very clean and seemed to drive nice (i have only driven about 4).

2017 Tundra SR5 HSS 4x2 with 4.6L and 23,000 miles. It has the HSS 20" wheels with new Dunlop tires. Tow Pkg, Navigation, Power driver seat, bed liner, fixed running board and remote start.

Both are at the $29k level. Any thoughts on either model? It looks like the 2015 is lifted, did that come with the TRD package? I am considering the 2017 since I think it may produce a couple mpg's better and I like the look, but the sunroof is a nice option. Any other changes from 2015 to 2017 that were taken away or added on the models?

Thanks!

 

I would recommend the 5.7l, with 4WD.

Are these crew max or double cab?

And no, the Offroad package doesn’t give a lift, it just swaps out the standard shocks with Bilstein trail (4600) shocks, and provides normally a couple of other upgrades, depending on the year.

 

Always go with the big engine. It helps get a punch on your man card. If you don’t need 4wd, don’t get it. Plus it brings the price down.

 

5.7L with 4wd. Never know when you might need it. If you're looking for reliability, get the Toyota. If you enjoy visiting repair shops, get the Ram.

 

Exactly what everyone else said. The 5.7 is a beast and never hurts to have 4wd. And at 50k it’s just getting warmed up.

 

they are both crew max

 

Welcome from NY.
Good luck with your decision.

 

photo of each

 

5.7.

 

The silver one has factory 20” platinum wheels, so that’s a plus for that one if you like it.

 

Welcome from Nevada

 

Welcome from Western Massachusetts.

Go with the 5.7 and avoid regrets. I had the 4.6 in my 2017 thinking I wouldn't need the power of the 5.7 since I mostly commute highway miles. The problem is that the 4.6 is so underpowered that I couldn't trust it for normal things like passing and pulling out of intersections, etc.

I went with the 5.7 in my new 2019 TRD Sport and I couldn't be happier. Also, I know you said you don't plan on towing but the 4.6 doesn't come standard with the tow package, just a receiver and light plug. So, if your plans change in the future and you decide to get a camper and go on vacation, you may discover that your truck is not properly equipped for towing.

 

5.7, 4wd, and never buy a used truck that has been lifted.

Add the lift on your own terms if you want it.

Oh, Toyota wont Certify a truck with a lift...doesn’t matter in this case b/c its out of warranty but just food for thought.

 

Where in Canada is the truck from? Salt air east coast or road salted winter areas, look for early rust/corrosion. I’m suspect of auctioned vehicles too if they’ve had unknown collision work.

 

5.7 and 4wd

 

Oh and welcome from Ohio.

 

Howdy from DFW and nice trucks

Go big or go Ram.....5.7 and 4x4 all day. I have neither and wish we did!

 

Thanks for the responses. The Canada vehicle (silver 4x4 5.7) with no history is a little concerning for me but I think I will check to see if they will let me take the vehicle for an inspection to have it checked out.

The 4.6l truck does have the tow package installed, but I have not driven it yet so I cannot comment on the acceleration or power vs the 5.7, of which I have driven a few. Decisions, decisions.

I also looked at a 2015 Limited the other day with 62,000 miles for $32,500. they won't come off of that price very much and after taking it out on the highway it needs an alignment and tires, so another $1,000. That number stretches my budget though as I want to stay under $30k. It seems like there is a lot of inventory in the $25,000 - $33,000 range.

I am amazed at the pricing on used Tundra's and really, a lot of trucks. Mileage does not really seem to make much of a price difference once you are somewhere between 75,000 - 120,000 miles. Heck, even at 150,000 miles and 5 plus years old,\

the majority of trucks are still north of $18k!

 

In my vehicle buying experience, I have never been upset after buying the biggest engine offered and 4wd. You don’t always need it, but when you do you’ve got it.

 

Welcome to the site from Arizona! Be sure to get the truck YOU want. Nothing worse than making payments on something that isn’t exactly what you want.

The 4.6 is a good reliable motor but underpowered for that size truck. It was okay powerwise for the first gen I had but it was still gasping a bit on mountain roads.
The 5.7 doesn’t lack power AT ALL...and I’m getting the same mileage as I was in my old Tundra, 15-16 MPG.
If you already have a 4wd vehicle, you can save a bunch getting a 2wd Tundra but at resale time it won’t have the value of the 4x4 obviously.

 

I believe from the collective responses, you can infer a strong endorsement NOT to go with the 4.6 2wd.

 

One of the trucks is Canadian. I believe the OP is in the states.

 

A vehicle with no history that was sold at auction? Sketchy, who knows what problems it had. Be careful.

 

I agree with this...I live in the mountains in socal and I am blown away by how many 2wd trucks end up stuck or needing to put chains on. I came from an fj and you want the 5.7 in my opinion.

 

all I have to say is, go big or go home...

 

That's why I went new. Get what you want and a warranty for just a bit more.

 

I bought a Titan pro4x from Canada. Please look it over for rust. Mine was a 2013 with carfax spent 15,000 miles in Canada. Rust on tailgate starting showing at 2017. Then drivers door under door sill. Traded that on my current platinum. If you could find anything other than Canadian. Some dealers flat out said they wouldn’t trade for a Canadian truck. Canadian trucks are cheap up there and bring a premium down here. They take a huge hit on trade in. I’ve had 34 vehicles I lost my backside on that truck!