Opinions needed for new Tundra purchase

Hi All,

So I am going to look at two trucks tonight, and hopefully leaving with one of them. I posted yesterday about turning in my 2016 Platinum lease because the buyout is outrageous. Tried to get an SR-5 2016 last night but no BSM/RCTA or option to install it made me walk (and they wanted $581 for 84 months. No thanks).

So now I am faced with the following:

1. An SR-5 TRD 2013 Gen 2 with 42,000 miles on it and pristine car fax, for about $440 a month asking price from a Mom and Pop dealer that I came across last night. I would try to get it for $400-$410 a month. Slightly jacked up, fender flares, mesh grill, oversized tires, bed cover and flashy rims. Although I prefer Gen 3 aesthetically, these additions definitely blow my skirt up, and the price is great. Catch is, 1. Although the car fax are pristine and the previous owner had it serviced like clockwork, it is uncertified since it's a Mom and Pop shop, and 2. No BSM/RCTA because that didn't start until Gen 3, so if I want BSM, I have to get an after market system that installs "onto" the truck instead of "into" the truck. Not sure if those are reliable compared to Toyota's system. I drove for 14 years without BSM and was fine, but after having it, I'll never go back. Should be standard on every vehicle, but money is more important than lives.

Pics below. I'll reserve my final opinion of the interior until I see it in person, but my first impression is it's straight out of 1996 aside from the screen, but money is money, so I'll probably deal. Gen 3 interior looks way sharper.






2. An SR-5 TRD 2016 Gen 3 with 27,000 miles on it with BSM/RCTA. Certified by Toyota, clean history, with asking price of $540 with $1,000 down. Needs running boards and a bed liner, but otherwise has everything I want. My plan is to try to get it for $500-$520 a month if I go with it. I do prefer the Gen 3 look to Gen 2, but I'm never going to have the money after market to jack it up, put flares on it, oversize the tires, get nice rims like the Gen 2 above, which again, definitely a fan of. So if I do the Gen 3, it's probably going to stay stock with the exception of changing the muffler to something more aggressive.

Pics below:






Opinions are greatly appreciated.

 

When buying used, I want an unmolested vehicle - no lift, oversized tires, exhaust work, etc...

Also, I never buy payments - I always look at the out the door price.

Of the two, I like the CPO truck - good luck with your search

 

I would go with the Gen 3 option. It is certified and I am sure you can have them throw in a few goodies like a spray in liner and maybe running boards.

 

Don’t know your situation but shopping around for monthly payment is the #1 Do not do of car buying.

If you really want to know what the better deal is then you need to calculate total cost at the end of the loan. Cost, interest, etc.

But if you can swing it, get the gen 3.

 

Maybe you can find a nice used 2nd generation Tundra that you can buy for cash, or with a low down payment and low payments for 36 months.

 

So for out the door price: The gen 3 is $35,000 w/ 27,000 miles. The gen 2 is $27,000 with 42,000 miles.

Can I ask why you guys prefer the 3rd gen? Is that just personal preference or is there a reason that stands out? CPO is a big selling point I'd imagine?

 

you’ll be paying over 30k for that gen 2 by the time the loan is finished.
Tundras hold there value really well, but not that well.

I sure wouldn’t pay that for a truck that’s 6 years old going on 11 by the time it’s paid off.

 

Hey guys. I have 374,000 miles on my gen 2 I’d buy what ever your going to be happiest with. I bought mine with 125,000 miles on it and have no regrets. Yes I have made a few repairs but not many.

 

Gen 2 not as many issues as the gen 3 electronics are having. Just do your research on the price and get it down.

 

I know it’s already been said, but shopping based on monthly payments is the worst thing you can do. Get the best total price you can, and the payments will take care of themselves. Dealerships love a customer who talks monthly payments.

Check TrueCar.com to see what is available in your area. It will give you a good idea of what the market is in your area.