How do I know what I am buying? TRD Pro Impostors!

If you believe the dealer didn’t know exactly what he was doing, well I’ve got a bridge here in NY to sell. I’d be running, not waking, from that dealer. Old school, underhanded used car tricks. The old bait and switch.... they’re dirt bags. I worked at a car dealer for years. I’d go to the auctions and watch them bid and then drive the cars back. The appraisers would do the bidding and let me tell you, they knew every model and every option. If we know about the TRD PRO stamping, you better believe the guys who buy cars / appraise trades know it. Plus, they run the vin, they put the car in a lift and they call around to get wholesale numbers before they take a trade. There is no world where the dealer didn’t know exactly what they had. Shady...

 

TRD Pro's do not have any chrome. The Tundra letters on the front doors are always black.

No indented bedstamp, not a "Pro". Sometimes the indent is filled with stickers but it's a clear indentation like "Tundra" at the back.



2014-2017 TRD Pro Grille



2019 TRD Pro Grille and has an additional hood scoop, fog lights are square:



You can also research what suspensions and wheels they should have based on year, as well as the interior seating.

 

There is a solid YouTube showing the differences in the 2017 Pro models. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0WxFKl9iCo That helped me ID the main upgrades included with the PRO package vs the regular TRD OR upgrade.

 

Considering that the dealer has not lowered the price on their site or advertised on the vehicle doesn't bode well with me. I am however getting close to agreeing on a different Tundra. I could be a new and first time owner of a 2017 SR5 TRD by the end of the day!

 

Nice - hope you find a great truck and an honest seller. I love mine! And I’m glad you didn’t get snookered by those greaseballs.

 

For $42k you could drive a brand new 2019

 

I got mine almost a year ago for $37... dealership was initially asking $43. 2015 Platinum 4x4 with 21k miles. You can find a better deal

 

Getting closer. Looking like I might walk away with this thing mid 30s. It only has 11k miles and comes with added warranty. Here are the extra features... still negotiating but getting closer

• 2T All Weather Liners/Door Sill
• EE Entune Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite
• FE 50 State Emissions
• LB Spray-On Bedliner
• OF TRD Off-Road Package
• SP SR5 Upgrade Package
• SZ Safety & Convenience Package

 

What year? Is it 4wd?

 

2017 4x4

 

You have a photo of it? When I purchased my pro, pro’s where hard to come by. Now I see them on a lot of dealers lots. Might be able to swing a deal at the right stealership, I mean dealership. If you buy an older Pro get a 2016 or 17. They have the bigger gas tank at 38 gal. 2015 came with 25 gal tank. To small for these trucks.

 

The only used PRO model in the state is listed for $47.7k with I believe 18ishk miles. https://www.anchoragechevrolet.com/...CrewMax_5.5'_Bed_5.7L-Anchorage-AK/3469802563

 

I hate it when dealers do this crap. Toyota dealers do the same thing with 4Runners and Tacomas. They list an SR5 as a Trail or a TRD Off Road for what would be a great price for the higher trim level but is actually a terrible price for an SR5. They’re hoping that buyers don’t know what the higher trim actually entails and will think they’re getting a good deal.

They call TRD Off Roads models on their lots Pros for the same reason. It’s slimy

 

Truck looks good and clean, they want a lot for it. 47K is what I paid for mine new. But being in AK there always a premium in buying goods. How much would it cost to buy a Pro from WA or OR and have it shipped up?

 

I was in the market for 3 months before I finally bought my Platinum and I saw exactly what you're talking about over and over and over again. Usually it was an SR5 with the TRD off-road package. At best it was out of sheer ignorance, at worst it was intentional deception. Either way, it was frustrating and inexcusable considering how little time/effort is required to get it right.

...and the overall experience sucked. The car sales business as a whole has changed very little in 30 years. Most (not all) are still shiesters.

 

I don’t know what the market is like in Alaska, but I paid 37,900 + tt&l on my 2017 4x4 brand new. MSRP was 42k. It had a few extras already on it also. (Wheels, lift, tires, nerf bars, fender flares.)

 

Unfortunately the market price is high matched by demand up here. I found a few in Oregon that had some upgrades, but the mileage was higher (30-45k). Prices are definitely lower in Oregon. I also have a buddy at a dealership in Texas. Those prices are even lower, but the cost to fly down and drive it up is $2-3k. Flight down is almost $1k to that town... I can get it transported from WA but the cost is $2.2k to use that service...

 

I think at this point the PRO is out of my price range. I worked out a fair deal on the 2017 with 10.9k miles. I am just negotiating 'extras' at this point... 2-years of oil changes, studded tires (fingers crossed), and parts credit.

 

Last truck I owned was a manual 6-cyl 93 Yota pickup. I'm looking forward to ripping into some of the stock parts and making it my own. This go around I have a 3 year old son to help! This will likely be his first car 13 years from now. Pretty cool. Thanks again for all the replies! I'm glad I joined the community and look forward to digging around for some advice and tips on upgrades.

 

Congrats on the new truck. The 5.7 w/ the 6 speed will last a long, long time. It’ll just be broken in when he gets behind the wheel.