2019? Or is better to go with a '18 or '20

Probably going to go look at a 2019 SR5. Dealership just got it in, 2 owner, 70k miles, asking $36k. It of course has 1 accident, minor according to carfax, seems like a lot of them have something.

I plan to tow our camper, so am thinking a 2019 doesn't have the trans cooler (2018 and before) and doesn't have a CarPlay stereo (like the 20+). Both of those things are important to me, realistically what would I be looking at to add these two things, maybe $2k?

 

The factory Carplay on the 2020 and newer is total crap. Many of us have gone aftermarket. The addition of the trans cooler is easy. @Genuine Cooling Systems sells the kits. He can give you a more accurate price since he has different setups. He is highly recommended.

 

I sold my 2019 Cement Limited CM TRD OR 4WD with 80k miles, Camper shell and full bedrug for not much more than that to a member here. What's your location?

 

Michigan. I see a lot of trucks for sale that were originally sold in Canada. Not sure if it makes much of a difference, I would imagine road salt is road salt. But they seem to be sitting for sale longer than others. This one isn't at least.

 

Bummer. Need to look south.

 

For me, Id go anything built before Feb '20 (pandemic) and never look back. A trans cooler or an aftermarket head unit can be added for cheap money in the grand scheme of things.

To be clear, this is not me saying 20/21 built 2.5 gens are bad. I'm just saying personal preference for the timeline provided is to take one before tue chaos began.

 

I believe I heard the Canadian vehicles have no way to turn off the Daytime Running Lights. Not a huge concern for most.

Also, my 2019 Limited 4x4 Dualcab with 102k miles was $32k just over two years ago (one owner, no collisions), for comparison.

 

18

 

I went and looked at it today. Im going to keep looking. It looked nice from a distance, but it had some scratches in the paint, the headlight had some deep scratches, the rear seat when I tried to fold it up basically fell off, the other side the metal was all green with some type of corrosion on the seat bracket. It looked like was used pretty hard.

 

17 or 18 with a aftermarket head unit.

Make sure to get the 38gal tank whatever you decide!

 

I bought a 2018 because. first year with new gouge cluster and last year of factory trans cooler.

 

Buyer beware, vehicles from Ontario are notorious for having excessive rust due to the longer winters and use of salt and brine. As the other person suggested, need to look South. $36K sounds high given the mileage.

 

If you want something clean, you're going to have to get out of Michigan. It's a drive but Colorado has clean vehicles. That is where I went to get mine. It was a slight PITA but now after 3 years of NW Penna. salt and brine it still is as nice as the day I got it. I bought an 07 with high miles and have yet to look back........

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2020-tundra-sr5-dc-4wd-in-pa-34k-miles-37k.149557/

Didn't see what exactly what you were looking for. Check this one out.

@ThatGuyTheCooler good dude. Sold him some stuff.

 

I thought I read somewhere here that the 18s have weak AC due to the refrigerant change that year. Someone hypothesised that was the reason the trans cooler was dropped the following year.

 

My 2019 is phenomenal so far. Beast of a half ton trucks. I've added a trans.cooler, yes. And sprayed the frame with Noxudol while it was brand new. Yes, zillion of bush scratches, but this is all good memories =)

 

I’m hoping to come across an army green one. Missed out on one when I first started looking that would have been perfect.

 

I wouldnt let the stereo dictate the vehicle. Can alway change out to aftermarket stereo.

I hate toyota carplay. No maps at all unless you go through carplay app function. No phone connection = no maps.
Carplay cuts out often, picky about cables, generally annoying to operate.
The normal factory GPS in my 18 Tundra is nice. Wish our newer Highlander had normal stereo with GPS instead of junky carplay.

 

Mine blows consistently between 30-32 degrees, I'm happy with it, no issues

 

After 6 - soon 7 years I can say go with a 2018 if you can find one.
Add aftermarket head unit for Carplay/Android Auto if you want like others said.
Toyota Nav is not great and the time to arrive for some reason is always 20% more than Android Auto.
Have played with all the settings - quickest route, alternate route, etc...

Lower the spare tire to see how bad the rust is. Thats where all the Salt and Water gets trapped.
Its the simplest truck of the newer 2.5 design and gets the job done. Have no intention to sell mine.
And the funny thing is the people I know with newer trucks - 3rd gen Tundra included, keep warming up to mine more and more.
They really are fed up with the recalls on the newer trucks.
Honestly after 6 years with mine the only real complaint (so far) is the terrible moonroof drain system.
A complaint for my 4Runner as well for different design reasons.
My AC still works good and I am on the original battery still.

 

Only had my 2019 since this summer, but 2018 seems to be the pick of the litter. A few members already covered what I'd say: look for little to no rust (may have to travel... it's worth the time), add CarPlay/Auto yourself, 2018 has trans cooler (can add to '19, I probably will in the future), new gauge cluster, pre-nonsense build (before spring 2020).

I got a 2019 because Voodoo Blue wasn't a thing in 2018 and I've badly wanted the truck I have since I first saw one nearly 6 years ago. Can attest 2020 CarPlay head unit is rather trash only 5 years later.

 

I'd go with the best maintained one you can find in good condition that meets your budget.

Mine is a 2021, so I added a transmission cooler (I tow) which was easy and a fun project.

CarPlay in mine has been excellent. Very reliable, easy to use, etc. I bought a wireless connector and it's worked well. With that said, you could always go aftermarket if you needed it. I'm in the process of adding it to my 2020 Lexus GS350 that did not come with it.

 

This still makes me sad

 

Never had any of those issues in my 21. Ran it with a CarLinkIt wireless adapter and it was great.
But then I tore it all out for an alpine 11” because I like big screens and I cannot lie…

 

Buy the cleanest, low mileage, one owner, zero accident one you can find. I was fortunate finding my ‘21. PO off took it in the mud a few times, as evidenced by the stuff I found in all the crevices when I was cleaning the undercarriage. But the truck, including interior, was super clean. As much as California drives me crazy, the weather makes for some really nice cars on the used market. Recently visited some family in the MidWest, and so many cars/trucks only like 10 years old were rusted to the bone!

 

On my second 2018. This one spent it's first 6 years in Texas. I looked for this year specifically. I wanted a 1794/ Platinum or Limited. I got a limited. I didn't want black again or white. I got mgm. Hold out for what you want or you will second guess yourself to death

 

I have a 21' with 30k trouble free miles. I will add the trans cooler soon, but otherwise 0 complaints and really love the truck. I listen to FM so don't care about carplay.

Something of note. People mentioning that build quality went down during covid. For most yes, but Toyota held out longer than most by having correct parts and supplies stocked up. Their quality concerns seem to have kicked in more around 2022 or the very end of 21'. This is evidenced by all the recalled new vehicles from the engines lighting on fire in their sports cars, to the tundras blowing themselves up.

 

After getting parts over time and selling my old parts, I spent around 1000 changing my head unit in my 2015 1794 to the 2021 with CarPlay. I wanted to keep the OEM look, the aftermarket head units never age well. The CarPlay unit was huge improvement except for the fact that it was not wireless. I added a magic box 2 and I love it.

 

This is not COVID issue, this is new generation entering work force and demanding "no blame" culture. If no one blames you for your failure, you are not really motivated to check your work and think what may happen two steps further ahead. I think this all starts with parents, who say "it's OK" to any demolition or screw up their little ones do. Mine are kept responsible for any shit they do. I grow adults, not bearded toddlers. They will be good, responsible workers.

 

Did the same for wife's last year V8 Sequoia. Wireless Android Auto, wireless charger pad in the watermelon compartment lid, and it looks stock and is functional. HU size is perfect to wife, she admires large flat TV on the wall in the living room, not in the dash of her car.