Which 2014 would you buy?

I am brand new to Tundras, we don't even have one - yet. We had a 2001 Chevy 1500hd which was great but then someone decided to run a red light and totalled it. After pricing and researching and looking around at all makes, it just kept coming up Tundra. We do some light off-roading, some hauling (mostly light ATVs and construction supplies but the occasional heavy load of mulch on a tandem axle trailer) and a lot of people hauling. The latter may be the most important. We also need a good value. Can't do new, so we are looking around at used.

We've missed a couple of good ones, but have found some possibilities. Both require driving several hours in opposite directions. Both look clean in pictures and have clean carfax. I've pre-haggled the price down on both of them. I'm going to pick one and if it drives well and passes inspection will buy it. If it doesn't, will try to bring down the price more but that is unlikely. We'll just have to walk, and drive to the other one if it is still there, ugh.

Both are 4x4 crewmax with moonroofs. We like the color equally on both. The first is a 2014 Platinum with 100K miles. It is 5 hours away. Running the vin I can't see that anything else was added to it. The second is a 2014 Limited with the TRD offroad package and 115K miles. It is $1500 less than the other and is two hours away.

Given this and our usage, let me know your thoughts on which you would lean to. I have my thought and we're going this afternoon, but I'm interested in any opinions.

 

Welcome from SoCal....

If Im in your shoes, I'd pick the Platinum - more bells and whistles than the Limited (ie: Dual Climate, Memory Seat, Power Folding Mirrors).

 

The offroad package should have upgraded the suspension if that matters to you, but you can always upgrade the Platinums suspension in the future. I personally wouldn't worry about distance away, that affects you for day of purchase but has no affect once it's yours. Look at the options between the 2 trucks and see which one had more of what you want. Doesn't seem like you have a bad choice with either. Good luck!

 

Welcome from NY.
I'd pick the Platinum.
Good luck with your decision.

 

Platinum. Better options and 15k less miles For only +1500

 

I personally would look at the platinum first. More bells and whistles and less miles for only 1500 more sounds like a no brainer. Turn that 5 hour drive into a fun little road trip and enjoy your badass new (to you) truck

 

Sorry, looking back at the miles it is actually 105k for the Platinum and 114k for the Limited. So a difference of 9k miles. Not that that makes much of a difference.

 

I'd go with the limited personally probably. Have both of the trucks spent their lives up north? If one was from the south (less rust) I'd probably take that one.

 

ok, you are all bringing up really good points. My wife looked carefully at the pictures and concluded that the limited was in better shape - interior wise. They both look perfect on the outside. Also, the Platinum was originally in Canada before coming down to Ohio. The Limited was in Texas most it's life. I asked the dealer to look underneath of the Platinum and take pictures for any rust. They said there wasn't any and I couldn't see any, but - you know, its the dealer.

 

Once you’ve decided on one, I’d recommend asking for a pre purchase inspection before you make the drive. That’s what I did. I had the sales person drive the truck to the closet Toyota dealer where I paid for an inspection and got the results prior to making the 3hr drive to pick it up. With all the photos and video walk around, I knew the truck looked great and just needed the PPI for my peace of mind.

 

That's a good idea, how much did that cost?

 

Unless it spent it's life on the beach, I can't see any way the northern truck will be as clean underneath as the southern truck. But who knows, maybe the owner up north was OCD about keeping the undercarriage clean. Based on what I've read here, I'd lean towards the Limited. It's only a half day trip to check out - if it's not perfect, go see the other one the next day (or maybe even same day if you get up early). Best of luck!

 

The inspection was $150, but that may vary a bit by dealer. They look at everything and email you a complete report. I also asked them to drive the truck to check for any vibrations or noises.

Especially on a higher mileage truck, I would recommend the pre purchase inspection. I’ve had my truck for about a month now and am super happy with it so good luck!

 

Possibly the biggest factor is that my wife has chosen the one she thinks is better. I'm not going to reveal that but it certainly influences my decision.

 

Decision made! Happy wife, happy life

 

Now she just threw a wrench at me! One of our friends is selling their 2010 SR5 double cab (with 5.7L and tow package). It has 75k on it. It is $7,000 less than the 2014 Limited Crew with 114k miles. We (she) had decided against it because of people space, but I originally did want the 6.5 bed to haul more stuff (including an ATV). She also didn't like the idea of cloth. But now she suggests that the others aren't worth the extra money and she trusts their maintenance more than some random person. I can't argue with that because I know he maintains his stuff.

I think the Limited or Platinum Crews are worth the more money. Thoughts?

 

Crew cabs have acres of room in them. Worth it in my opinion.

 

I'm going to push for the Crews (mostly because they're newer and have more bells/whistles), so if anyone else has thoughts on those, let me know. But you all have really helped!

 

I would personally go for the SR5 but I generally like to save money by not getting fancy features I don't typically use.

 

OP - where in NY are you located. Maybe there are some members here that wouldn't mind letting you look at/compare different trims and cab sizes.

 

I prefer a crewmax (family of 4) but the double cab has a pretty decent sized backseat. If you can save 7k and it was taken care of by somebody you know personally I think I would go for the double cab. 74k is very low miles for a 2010.
What is their asking price if you don’t mind?

 

Thank you so much to everyone who helped me. We are the owners of a Tundra. We went for the Limited TRD. I didn't have to talk too hard to get her back to the Crew. And it seemed much more of a sure thing compared to the Platinum. I've never had the cooled seats so I don't know what I'm missing - but I love this thing! It is a beast! Compared to our Chevy, which had a bigger engine and heavier suspension, this thing just feels so much more solid. It is beautiful inside and out. The bed coating is super thick and is untouched! When we got there it was just sitting out front like a big present. I called them ahead of time and told them it better be clean or my wife will turn us back around. It drove and accelerated amazingly. The only thing I noticed was a slight shake when braking, right through the brake pedal. I just changed out my wife's rotors so I knew it was that. Also the tires were more worn than the pictures let on. I came back and told them about it, and the owner went and drove it and agreed. They knocked $500 off the price which I though was fair. This was a great mom and pop Ford dealership and they had a bunch of old (running) model T's in the showroom. It was awesome, and I felt good spending my money with them. It is Alexander Ford in Kenedy, TX.

So that brings me to my location to those who asked. I'm in San Antonio Texas, not NY. I had NY on my profile this morning because I am super paranoid. On a different forum (AVSforum) a few years back I was asking a similar question about 2 projectors on craigslist. I had my city info and all in my profile. When I went to get the one I wanted, it had just been sold. A couple days later some user was on the forum talking about this great deal he found. Same projector, same city, same price. Maybe it was a coincidence but
I swear it was the one I wanted and he got the info from my question. Anyway, I know that is super paranoid and sketchy but I just didn't want to take a chance.

It drove home great. I am really happy with our choice and know we will get many good years out of this truck. Thanks again for your help. I'm looking forward to continued work on it as I upgrade the sound system, shocks, etc.

 

Congratulations! Great looking truck.
What was your social security number?

 

nice truck. i bought a 2014 sr5 double cab 4x2 w/ 112000m 3mo ago. curious what you paid.