New member with questions

I learned about this forum from Toyota Nation This is my first post here.

I was thinking of a Tundra TRD PRO. But then realized I probably wouldn’t use it for it for its intended purpose. I don’t off-road. I wanted something more reliable to tow the car and boat. Also use it to haul items too big for the car like stone, appliances, etc.

Background: I have a Ridgeline. But the auto trans went at 100,000 and at 209,000 it is starting to slip again. So, while I was thinking of the Ridgeline Midnight edition, I am thinking I may be too close to the 5000-pound towing capacity. Especially when towing the car.

So now that I changed my mind, I went to see what Toyota offered. I was asked if I needed leather seats and a moon roof. Both of which I DON’T need. The dealer recommended the Tundra SR5 TRD Blackout.

I am coming here to the experts with questions. I am considering new only because this this isn’t available near me used. The new 2020 seems to have some new improvements, Like the 38-gallon gas tank.

1. Anyone go to the dealer and negotiate? Are they taking off the list price? The difference between Edmunds dealer cost and MSRP is $4,000.
2. How well does you truck tow?
3. Any known issues? Reading around I see the cam shaft tower seal issue. Any others?
4. Your gas mileage? Real life is sometime different than stated specs.
5. Competition to the Tundra that is reliable. Remember I don’t “off-Road” so I don’t need a Raptor or Chevy Colorado ZR2
   
   Any comments welcome

 

There’s a thread on pricing generic standard is I believe 12.3% off msrp plus rebates plus whatever u negotiate on top of that. Good luck to ya

 

Welcome from NY.

Good luck with your decision, you will not regret buying a Tundra. I was a big GM guy until I got fed up with the recalls, and all the issues. I tow my Camaro's with no issues.
I don't care about gas mileage, I care about reliability.

 

I have a 13 crewmax SR5 with the towing package.it has 4:30 gears so I get between 14-15 mpg with regular driving and 13 towing a car or truck. I have 85,000 miles with no issues.these trucks are very stout! I have a 2000 access cab TRD with the 4.7 v8 and 383,000 miles and the 5.7 is much stronger.plus the 2007 and newer have bigger brakes,stronger suspension and so on.I like my 13 because it has a better interior and less computer controlling.of course that is my opinion.If they weren't good trucks,then I wouldn't have bought another one.

 

Your needs sound similar to mine. Salesman is upselling the bling if you don't offroad or need 4WD. The 5.7L with the towing package is the better towing engine if you tow heavy a lot. All your questions have been asked and answered, or at least debated...pick a question, do a search. If you can't find the answer, a lot of helpful people here.

Welcome from the Texas Hill Country!

 

Says pretty much every Tundra owner. I certainly didn't buy mine for mpg.

 

I thought this was strange. They said they would have to order (build) the truck and that would take 3 to 4 months. That's fine. But they said they can't give me the $2,000 cash back as it is the rebate at time you take ownership of the truck...NOT when you purchase it. That sounds very strange to me.

I am reading the Cam short Tower leak thread right now.

 

BTW: I am a long time Toyota owner. I had a Corolla that is sold with 225,000 to get a Corolla GTS. At 275,000 it needed work and a tree fell on it so I got a 2006 Corolla XRS that someone hit from behind and totaled.
I now own a 2005 Corolla XRS. Wonderful cars. They handle, brake get 26 to 32 around town and 38 to 40 on long trip. That is why I am looking at a Tundra.

 

There is a thread here asking if ALL TRD PROs are priced over MSRP. Beginning to see the salesman's web yet?

 

Welcome from southern NJ.

T

 

Buy whatever you want. The truck won’t divorce you and take the house if you don’t offroad.

Having said that, the PRO does get lower mileage than the other trucks. I think it drops the average by 1mpg. And dealers are not negotiating much (if at all) on the PROs. They are too limited in production and in high demand.

Any Tundra model has the stones to cover everything you are doing with a Ridgeline. Buy whatever you want. I do recommend getting the larger tank because these trucks do drink. I drive a lot of city miles, including hills and idling and I’m getting about 12mpg.

Good luck

 

Welcome from Maryland

 

First, the Ridgeline is a "Unibody" construction. The Tundra is a "Body on Frame" construction which is much more stout and able to easily tow more weight. If you intend to tow then don't even think about another Ridgeline. They (Ridgeline) are fine for what they are ... but no comparison to the Tundra. If it helps, I looked at a Ridgeline but ended up with a Tundra.

Second, the 38-gallon gas tank is not new to the 2020 model. That has been around for years and is offered on certain models.

Now, my thoughts on your questions:

1. Used tundra's tend to hold their value very well so don't expect to get a "deal" unless you happen up on one that someone is really needing to move. New models ... well you might get a manufacturer rebate or financing deal but don't expect the dealer to come off much (at least in my area). This is especially true if you are looking at a TRD-PRO model. Here, you will pay MSRP or higher for one of those.

2. Tows great!! It tows my dual axle trailer without a problem. Almost don't even know it is back there.

3. Some have reported the camshaft tower leak. Mine is bone dry. I spoke to a Toyota service writer about this issue before I bought my truck. He said they have only seen that issue a couple of times (in my area). While I am sure the problem does exist ... I don't think it is a problem that should sway your decision to buy a Tundra.

4. My truck is 4x2. I get an actual 22.6 (hand calc) miles per gallon on the highway. (unloaded and not towing) Your actual mileage will vary based on your use.

5. Tundra has no competition (other than maybe it's little sibling ... the Tacoma) Personally, I wouldn't buy or own another Ford. As far as Chevy is concerned ... I would own one but GM quality and reliability is just not there any longer so I guess I wouldn't buy one of those either. Dodge or Nissan ... no way.

I hope this helps you make your decision.

 

I may have mis-spoke. Not looking at the TRD Pro as they do not discount that. I am not looking at the SR5 CrewMax with the TRD Sport package and the SR5 upgrade. I didn't need the leather seats and Sunroof and I will not off-road to the extent the TRD Pro was designed for.

 

Sorry, actually I misunderstood about the TRD Sport package.

A truism of car buying is the cheapest deals are on the lot. That doesn't consider the forfeiture of the $2000 cash back in your case. Dealers make their money by causing stock to flow through their dealership...it costs them money (floorspace) every day a stock vehicle sets there. If they order a vehicle, there is zero expenditure in cash (30 days net) or floorspace on their part. That should improve the deal they can offer, but you have to be aware; if the customer is naive, that simply increases their profits. Generally, the longer a vehicle that meets your needs has been setting there, the better the deal you're going to get on it.

 

Welcome from NE Pa

 

Hey there from Virginia!
Get the Tundra. You won't regret it as long as you realize you're buying it for its reliability and towing ability and not for gas mileage.

 

The dealership I just ordered a 2020 from said the opposite. I'm supposed to have the price we agreed to - including a $5k discount - locked in, regardless of whether or takes them 10 days or 3 months to get my truck here.

 

Well, here is my take:

I have a 2018 DC 2wd SR5 TRD off-road 5.7L. I have never needed 4wd so I searched for 2wd only. Here are the advantages:

1) Better mpg. I get 16-18 measured consistently. I have 43,000 miles on it and have owned it for 1 year and 10 months. I cruise at about 75mph and would probably get much better mpg if I was down around 65mph or so.
2) Less expensive.
3) Tighter turning radius.
4) Lower maintenance.

One disadvantage is they are harder to find. The vast majority of Tundras are 4wd. Mine has had zero issues (no cam tower leak) and it tows wonderfully. I have the LED headlights and 38 gallon tank and highly recommend both. No leather, sunroof or other fancy gizmos.

I wouldn't trade this Tundra for any other vehicle on planet earth. I love it!

Dan

 

WELCOME

 

Welcome from NCal

 

Welcome from TEXAS

 

Thank you for all the great replies!! I am new here and this site is great.
A few replies to all the comments:

Gas mileage was more of a question as what to expect from real users. The 15 mpg is what the Ridgeline gets. I use my Corolla XRS for most of my day to day and it greats great gas mileage.

I will go for the 4X4 for two reasons. One is weather. We can get some heavy snow from time to time. Having said that, there have been times when the Ridgeline with 4X4 was the only one I could get around in. And in some storms, even that wasn’t enough. I test drove the Tundra. The salesman showed me that it is read wheel drive and showed me how to engage the 4X4. He said only to use it in slippery conditions. That again is like the Ridgeline. It is front wheel drive, but you can lock the diff and go into 4 wheel. But it was meant only when you were stuck. The fact that the Tundra is rear wheel drive makes the 4X4 useful with the boat. Anyone pulling their boat off a ramp at low tide knows how slippery the ramps can be. Having 4X4 is a big help getting off the ramp.

I have to check as I am figuring what options to get. I want the

Convenience package with blind spot monitor and Cross over traffic alert (you young guys will understand as you get older)

The TRD Sport package and the SR5 Upgrade package (the 38-gallon tank is in there).
A few others I have found useful on the Ridgeline were the Deck rail system that Toyota offers and the TRD front skid plate. I ripped the bottom plastic off the Ridgeline in snow. A few things I do not care about is a sunroof and leather seats.
I never use the sunroof in my car and I find leather seats hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Cloth seats are fine for me, but you do have to keep them CLEAN.


As far as concerns, I have had Toyota’s most of my life and reliability is tops. The only concern is cam shaft tower seal leak. How https://www.tundras.com/threads/cam-shaft-tower-seal-leaking-please-read.20102/page-72

The only things I like in the Ridgeline that the Tundra does note have is the tailgate that swings down and opens like a door. They have had that in Station wagons since the 60’s. But I realize that is just me and I am probably in the minority or Toyota would have offered it. The other is the Ridgeline trunk under the bed. But them again, with the Tundra, I wont have to put in a new Transmission every 100,000. BTW: I understand these boxes are sealed? You don't have to change the transmission fluid and filter? He said at 100,000 Toyota looks at the color of the transmission fluid and "may" do a fluid change. I know I am old fashion. I still rather have a manual transmission. My Corolla XRS had over 200,000 mile on the original clutch.

Thanks guys for you welcomes and comments. I read them all.

 

Thank you for this. I have to look into this. What month did you get the $5K discount if you do not mind me asking? Open question to all who purchased new or may know. Do the manufacturers rebates follow a pattern? The point I am getting at is sale may drop off now and in the winter. But sales may pick up in the spring (assumption that may be totally false on my part). I would think rebates drop off in spring and summer.

But thank you for this. I will check this out with other dealers and see what they say.

 

100% correct. Right now, no truck is configured the way I want it. The dealer did look and said I would have to order. If he had the truck I probably would have it by now.
Thank you!

 

Welcome from Ohio.

 

Honestly, if you don't have to have the apple and android car play or push button start and fancy handle entry, try shopping for a 2019 that has what you want in it. Tundras are decades old in the tech department, even in the 2020s, so you won't be losing anything but the higher tag for the "latest greatest" bit. Also, payload isn't the best, and it's worse if you do a CrewMax.

I picked my truck up in June, so 2020s weren't on the lots yet, but I got a solid deal. MSRP was 47K and change on my truck, Toyota was offering 2500 off all Tundras at the time, and the dealership had "internet pricing" if you provided an email. I provided the email, and the price was at 41K and change. From there I went in with my trades, and said "This is what I owe on my vehicles. If you can get me that truck at close to the same total out the door, we have a deal." Told them I didn't care if they over or under valued my trades or the truck as long as the out the door was close to what I wanted. They got within 200 bucks. For the test drive they put $115 of Chevron fuel in it, so for I increased my total debt by $85 and drove home happy. All in all, I was out the door at about $36,800.

Get VINs off the dealer site and enter them here https://www.toyota.com/owners/my-vehicle/vehicle-specification to see if the salesman is lying to try to get you to order a new one. You can check dealers withing your region too. Most will do inventory swaps to get a sale. Mine did. Below is the info off of my truck. I would recommend the TRD off road package to get those sweet LED headlights. They are fantastic. You can get an after market skid plate instead of the TRD one too. Plenty of options.

 

Smart thinking. Good deal. Car buying, house buying, in fact all of life, is like politics...the best outcomes require compromise.

 

My understanding is Toyota is offering $4k off for November and my dealership threw in an additional $1k off because the 2019 advertised on their website that I went there to look at had actually been sold. I'm in Canada, though, so deals may be different in your area.

@AzureNightmare makes a good point about trying to find a 2019 as they are about $10k off right now but there are only Platinums left in my area, which are still $10k more than a 2020 SR5, even with the $10k discount.

 

I only see $2000 on their site. $4000 is a lot of money. Where did you see that?