How much are miles worth? Deciding on two Tundras

Would you guys rather:

A mint 2015 white SR 109 000 km (68k miles) for $30k CAD (asking price, probably can reduce it by a bit). Extras: Tonneau cover.

Located at a Toyota dealership in a town north of Toronto, Canada

OR

A mint 2015 black SR 31000 km (19000 miles) for $35k CAD (asking price, willing to go down to $34k). Extras: tonneau cover + winter tires on rims

Located at a Toyota dealership right downtown Toronto (which usually doesn't see Tundras or Tacos).

Background: it will be a work vehicle, I need the tonneau cover, and I will only probably put about 20000km/year or a bit over. For this reason, I am thinking of purchasing something w/ low KM as I will keep it relatively low over the years, preserving the potential resale value.

I don't want to end up spending so much on a work truck, but I keep thinking about resale value (even though I could see myself keeping a Tundra I love for a very long time lol). The 31000 km Tundra is being sold right downtown in Toronto, which makes me think it is mostly city miles, whereas the 109 000 km Tundra is being sold about an hour north. I test drove both of them.

What is the value of the mileage and its type realistically (city + highway), in terms of both the mechanics and its resale value? I have a feeling the 109000 KM Tundra could even be in better shape mechanically, judging by my limited research on how much better highway miles are than city. On the other hand, the 31000 KM Tundra still has powertrain warranty and quite possibly just hasn't been driven much at all.


Thanks

 

68k isn’t much on a Tundra, but you’re talking about less than a third of the miles for 5k more? That’s an easy decision for me. Mine is a 2017 with almost 35k on the odometer, so that black one you’re talking about has barely been driven at all. Mines still in pretty much mint condition at twice the miles.

The only benefit the other one has is white will be better for a work truck. It won’t show the inevitable scratches and such nearly as much. A black one is going to show every little nick, so in five years it could be looking pretty rough.

 

If money's not an issue, I'd buy the one with lower miles. Although being black and a work truck, scratches!! I don't like black just because of that.

 

And yes, highway miles are easier on the vehicle, but I don’t think the difference is that big. I’m no mechanic, but I think the city miles will affect the brakes and such mostly. I don’t think it makes a ton of difference on the engine. Maybe check the hours on it and see how much difference there is.

Someone who knows better can probably get you a real answer though.

 

Thanks for the replies.

@dhurley I'm getting it financed, so the $5k difference isn't really an issue. The main thing is that $5000 > 77000km? I assume it is. Also, cosmetically, I want the white one not the black (small issue).

@War Machine yes I assumed the same. Apparently starting the engine is hard on it, and running the vehicle can actually be better than it sitting for long periods, but I don't know if either affects Tundras much as they have such quality engines.

 

My work says miles are worth $0.57 each.

Take out the gas at $0.22/mile ($2.60/gallon, 12mpg).

That puts the mileage at $0.35/mile.

Not sure what this means to you for your purchase, but at 1.6km/mile, you should be getting a bigger discount...

 

I would try to get best deal info on both as well.
Also more on the practical side, as mentioned 68k is not much at all for a 2015.And unless you are semipro detailer, the white will look bettet in 5, 10 years.

If price no biggie, get the one you like best.

 

Black SR....

 

I take the one with the best maintenance records (download Toyota owners app and put in the vin number and should give you documented history).
I bought mine with 73k miles, certified pre owned.

 

Ive got the window sticker, 1 owner, Texas truck and 10 pages of Dealer service records, didnt bat an eye at buying a 2014 with 75k miles. My Toyota Service writer even commented on my 1st oil change, that who ever had it took care of it, judging by the service logs.
Been in Lexus and LCs with 300k that rode like new (well maintained).

 

I would also add, don’t be afraid to play the dealers against each other. Tell the one with higher mileage Tundra, you’re kinda leaning for the one down the street because it has less miles and seems like a better deal and see what they come back with. Don’t be afraid to reverse what I said to the one with the low miles. Tell them the $5 isn’t worth the difference in mileage to you personally. The worst they can say is no.