“Downgrading” to a 2017-2018 Tundra..

I’m kicking around the idea of “trading down” from my 2021 Pro to a 2017/2018 SR5.

Basically - I could sell my truck today for just over 50k - I could pick up a 2017-18 for half that.

I simply do not drive much and if I go back to having a company vehicle - even less need. Having a truck is great - but when you drive it 2k miles a year - could put that extra 25k into another investment and still have a truck that’s as reliable. Also should be able to pull off everything I added to my current truck that a dealer wouldn’t pay much extra for - and put it in my new/used truck.

Any good reason NOT to do this ? Aside from not knowing the history of a used vehicle and the higher chance of an unknown issue popping up?

Im not 100% - just kicking the idea around. If I think I can justify it financially - likely will keep what I have. I know financially it’s not “smart” loving a vehicle - but I do really like this truck. Sometimes you just have to go with what makes you happy - not what puts the most $$ in your bank account - it’s all about balance - as long as I’ve got a little coin in the bank - then I consider things that make me happy smart investments too. Money doesn’t make me happy - it just makes acquiring and keeping said things easier.

 

Sounds like an upgrade to me. Only fools buy new vehicles. You could buy a $3k 80's ford that you could ignore for years and would fire up with fresh gas. Insurance is cheaper, maintenance parts are usually cheaper. Its a real truck and not a sedan with a bed.

j/k. You bought a new truck for a reason. You wanted 20 years of toyota reliability. Might as well make it last.

 

I mean, to me it makes sense if you’re just looking to put some money in the bank instead of sitting on a depreciating asset you don’t use a lot. 2017 is the best year anyway… Pre-nanny BS. Spend 5k of the profits if you want making the truck what you want with some mods. There isn’t much received for the Pro moniker for what you pay IMO, but I’ll give it to you the stamped bedsides are cool. You can also mod guilt free since there is no warranty to worry about.

 

It's the same exact truck with 4 years of additional miles.

To me - 20k isnt worth the hassle. Unless there is something your dying to buy with that money, or paying off high interest debt I'd just keep what ya got.

Not sure your finance situation, but with the rate you probably got on it during the covid years (low 4s, or low 3s), you probably aren't saving anything if you have to finance the new one.

Keep whatcha got.

 

I just want to know where you can find a 2017 for less than $35k, lol

Personally, I’d keep what you have, unless you’re buying and selling private party and can for sure avoid all the dealer BS.

 

It really comes down to personal financial goals, your income, savings, future plans ect.

Seems the move would solely be for an financial change.

$25-$30k will buy you a really nice used truck no problem. I have been considering this as well.

I also have been driving an 05 F150 I paid cash for 7 years ago and have easily gotten my moneys worth from. Living with 0 debit, especially car payments is really nice. It has allowed me to save enough to pay cash for a brand new Tundra or whatever, however I won’t do that. The 3k miles I drive a year in a personal vehicle might justify a $30k 5-6 yr old truck because I want something nice. This is strictly a want, not a need. It makes no sense to me to have brand new. I work in an office and don’t need a truck for hauling/travel/job.

I have family and friends who drive brand new cars because they like them. They have also accepted they will basically have a car payment forever and restart on a new vehicle every few years. They can afford it, then enjoy it, so they do it.

I personally want to avoid the “paycheck to paycheck” lifestyle as much as possible and have much more of a delayed gratification lifestyle. I also hate being in debt so.

What is your balance between happiness, nice, affordable, smart. A lot of people have different outlooks.

 

That's what I was thinking as well..

 

Several 2017 ish SR5s crewmax in my area for $27-$32k yea they all have 60k-100k miles but if he only drives 3,000 miles a year he could go 10 years and only have 100-130k miles on it. Truck would still have a lot of life in it if previous owners took care of it.

He did say go down to an SR5, the older Trd Pros are obviously higher in cost.

He could get into a used SR5 for $30k including TT&L if you shop hard enough. Is the extra $20k worth it, up to him.

 

Aside from what has already been mentioned above, another factor for me would be where or how the truck is/isn't protected/sheltered during non use or severe weather. Is there adequate rodent protection, natural element exposure, high risk of flood or tornado, risk of theft or vandalism. In other words, if the goal is to keep the truck in great shape for a number of years, are other factors likely to interfere? What is the cost of said preventative measures? Will they be in place when needed? For example, I'm spending a fortune on uninsured expensive mods that could be lost if caught up in a twister, however I'm almost always with my truck and pay attention to the weather. If I was working across town or out of state often, it would be a big concern and I would have different thoughts. Good luck with your decision making.

 

Only 17's i saw at 25k had 150k on it + and were not in the best shape. You spent the 50k for a reason, don't turn around now.

 

me to…gotta have some miles on it for 35k

 

Like I said - I’m torn.

20k isn’t pocket change to me - but it also isn’t life changing. I could win 20k on a lotto ticket tomorrow - and d still have to go to work the next day - well maybe not the next day or that week / but eventually.

Im leaning towards no on the change. I mean they are basically the same trucks with exception of a 2017 has a trans cooler and less features. Yes - I could make a 2017 a faux pro if I wanted for a cost and still have cash in the bank - but I’m partial to what I have guess.

If I had to ditch it to get a mortgage approval or something- guess I would - again it’s just a vehicle. But I waited 20 years for THIS vehicle - so why not enjoy owning one while I can. Probably won’t feel the need to buy a new Tundra for at least 4 or 5 years - if then. The new ones have some great features - but overall I prefer the 2.5. Not a fan of iPad sized radio screens - don’t like the new seats and aside from the 6.5 bed - not enough there to make me want to drop 20k MORE on a new truck.

 

I hear you bud. I'm blue class and bust my *** for everything. They will never have a 2.5 gen again nor the iconic power train. Vehicles are obviously heading into a different direction. My 2 cents is keeping the truck and enjoying it for the next 15 years as people plug in their battery. Wish you the best man.

 

Keep what you have. There is a reason you didn’t buy an sr5 from the get go and went right to the top.

 

I don’t know, if you could find one that suits you and the price is right, I’d go for it. I almost pulled the trigger on a Pro in 2017, just couldn’t get the right deal, got the SR5 instead, and did the upgrades myself, pretty happy all in all, but just all the sensor crap would make me trade for an older one lol, wife’s Camry constantly wants to steer for me, hate that crap,
I plan on running mine till it dies, not sure what direction I would go if I had to replace it today, I’m not all that impressed with all the new junk they put on vehicles nowadays, too much to break

 

I didn't read all the comments, just wanted to say that I was thinking along the same lines when I picked up my 2019 SR5 for $28k. Has the SR5+ package or whatever they call it so it has the automatic OEM LED headlights/highbeams. Being a few years old, the previous owner had added bigger tires and a minor lift, so it's already set up in some of the ways I would. Added a carplay/android auto head unit setup for about 500 bucks.
As long as whatever used truck you look at has been maintained and washed and isn't getting rusty, you would still get 20 years out of it.

At the same time though, you already have it, and are enjoying it, and driving it so little you'll really benefit from the lack of miles and it will likely still feel new 10 or 12 years from now... mine at 100k miles already doesn't really feel new.

 

Sounds like it's paid off and you love it...trust me keep it

 

You sound like you are in the same situation I was. I purchased a new ‘19 Platinum in early ‘20 right before Covid hit hard. I bought for almost $7k off with rebates and dealer discount. I traded it in ‘21 on a new ‘21 Platinum for less than $2k difference between the 2 and pocketed $5k! I put less than 2,000 miles on the ‘21 in a years time so I sold it to a dealer for $1,000 less than I paid for it and bought an ‘18 SR5 2wd Dbl Cab for half of what I got for my ‘21 Platinum. I have not regretted one minute. I mainly use the Tundras for towing my travel trailer. 2-3,000 miles a year. I paid cash for the ‘18 and took the difference and paid off my ‘21 Miata. IMO, I would do it in a heartbeat. Just go over your next purchase with a fine tooth comb and if it’s clean then whistle all the way to the bank.

 

Two things:

1. '21 Pro will always be worth a premium as the final year of the 2.5 gen Tundra. If you keep miles low as you have been, it will likely keep much of it's value over the years. The same could not be said of a higher mileage SR5.

2. Don't forget to factor in the additional cost of maintenance/wear and tear of the higher mileage SR5. It will likely cost you more to keep over time than your low mileage Pro.

I'd probably keep the Pro. You have a truck you enjoy, so why mess with that? Besides, you would probably just use that money to buy more land that you don't need, lol.

 

Keep the TRD Pro. If you can exercise some patience in 15 years that will be a classic.

 

This is true and something to consider….but I am the guy that has previously owned 4 different Honda S2000s and sold them all. I made money on all of them but could have doubled it had I kept the last one. But I am 71 so 15 years from now my mode of transportation will probably have 2 small wheels in the front and 2 very large wheels in the back….lol!

 

You mean this one?? Right? RIGHT?!

 

@iantung….you got the color right..lol!

 

Close enough.... turbo? SC?

 

Magnuson SC for sure… 0-60 feet in 2.7 sec.

 

My idea: Put the truck completely back to stock, park it in a barn, buy a 2k beater truck for now, and wait 40ish years. See what it goes for at Barret Jackson then

 

Take a look at the all terrain power chairs nowadays. Just wow!!!!

 

One word-Rodents

 

Take a hammer to the oxygen tank valve!

 

The payment far exceeds the cost of maintenance. My 2007 has 200k miles and I have spent maybe $500 on it in two years. Oil changes, belt, brakes ect.

It’s a Toyota, they both would run forever.


I have been driving my old F150 for 7 years. The yearly avg cost to me (oil changes, tires, registration, a starter, insurance) over 7 years is about $700 per yr. I know people who spend more than that in a single month on a car payment, I get by on the same amount of money for a full year.

Driving an older truck paid for is dirt cheap compared to monthly payments and interest.