Cost of Ownership including MODs

I could add it up by running through my build list. But I’m not interested in knowing. I drove my 2008 and was very frugal about what I did to it. I also had a good list of all the things I wanted to do to it. I bought the TRD Pro specifically because it checked a lot of boxes immediately, and then I went at adding a lot of the other things pretty much right away. I’m at a different place in life than when I bought my ‘08 (and half the time that I owned it really). So, for me, this is the truck I want to have “just right” sooner than later and then enjoy it for the next 10-12 years that will take me to retirement. But then, we’ll see what the Gen 5/3.5 looks like and go from there.

 

I interpreted he meant that as dry humor.

Huh. I was wrong.

 

So did I. I was just poking him a bit.

 

You were sort of wrong, I actually need a "truck" to use as a "truck". In my my opinion, the Tundra has a decent "truck" powertrain and that's why I bought it. However, to bring it to my standards, it took nine grand in modifications. Truth is, again in my opinion, Toyota is shortcutting on several items. If they didn't leave out things like transmission cooling systems, floor mats that actually cover the carpet under the accelerator, mud sill guards, etc. then just maybe they would have a better chance at repeat buyers and or new buyers. The point is, there is room for them to improve, especially if they want to appeal to "truck" buyers. There are a bunch of people who need and will buy a "truck", many don't care for flimsy bumpers, featherweight shock absorbers, and some of the worst seats in the industry, etc. Agree or not, I don't really care, just my opinion.

 

Similar here. Occasionally I'll go through someone's build thread here and the list gets a lot longer

Other than suspension and tires, pretty much everything I've done has been DIY or sourced secondhand. I think I'm into it for about 21.5k or so
16k purchase price
500 repairs (radiator, damn rock hit a hose)
1000 maintenance (oil changes over 40k, trans drain/fill, brakes)
4k on mods, all documented on my build thread

about to be another 4k on mods...gears and locker. i'm better off not knowing how much the other items on my list will cost lol

 

Since we can’t take anything with us forever… I say spend whatever you want! It’s your ride!

 

Money is well spent if makes your life better.

I haven't regret any mods yet, and looking to do more.

 

This has been discussed widely on here over the years. Essentially, it boils down to:

Tundra sales are consistent in the USA with so many fewer Tundras sold than sales of the Big 3 that it’s not worth a redesign to attract new buyers away from other brands.

Your “repeat buyers” argument doesn’t hold up because Toyota has the highest retention based on return buyers (Big 3 sell more because buyers churn through repurchase more often; longer time periods on the Toyota ownership).

Anyway, it’s true, Toyota doesn’t work to please the luxury-car-but-pretend-it’s-a-truck buyers or the work-hard-and-I-don’t-mind-if-it-drives-like-a-truck crowd. But they last a long time, generally with few required repairs. And haven’t had to invest much in R&D for the last 15 years, so it’s a back-burner product line. Plus, all these are likely why they’re still built where
they’re sold (here in the USA).

 

I'd go along with partially assembled in the U.S.A., "built", not so much. Many components are manufactured and partially assembled outside our borders. Again opinions, everyone has one.

 

Yep, you’re right again, lots of components built outside, but more built inside than most of the “American made” lines. Engines in Alabama, assembly line in Texas. I just smile and nod when my Big 3 buddies tease me about my Japanese truck.

 

They estimate 25% buyers would be first time Toyota buyer during the first 3 years of new Tundra's life cycle, I think they can do it.

on a funny note, did you know the most sold single model in the world is Rav4? last year they sold close to 800k Rav4's across the globe, and they are mostly identical unlike how Ford counts F-series as a whole.

 

I don't really track stuff like this. I have a ballpark idea on stuff, but my accounting practices have always been kind of loose.

When I track stuff to the penny I stress, and I have a bad habit of spending everything I've got! When My paycheck gets deposited I add the number less a hundred or two dollars into my budget app. When I buy something I deduct the number plus a few additional dollars. Keeps me with a buffer, and over time that buffer gets built up to where I can use it to increase my savings account, buy something nice, or take a bite out of anything I am making payments on. Certainly not a system for everyone, but it's the only one I've found that doesn't stress me out and have me living paycheck to paycheck.

Know thyself, and budget accordingly.



I know my truck was $41,XXX but after trade it was $36,6XX. Taxes after trade were just under $5. Plates were $8XX, but transferred the balance from a trade to bring that down to $5XX. RCI sliders and skids were just under $1800 IIRC. Bedliner and lining the sliders was just under $700. Grille and bulge ~$750? Floor mats and ESP storage together were ~$280. Then 5 of the most badass wheels on the market with lugs were $15XX thanks to @scs_vuth @SCSPerformance on those. Registration the second time around was $6XX, and another $5XX is due at the end of next month.

Truck after trade plus the everything I listed with an added $100 buffer puts me to $43,335. Still 3 grand below the sticker on my truck. Take the plates/tags out and I'm at $5135ish on mods. I should add, nothing but the initial truck purchase was made as debt; all discretionary income spread out over 2 years.



***EDIT*** OOPS! Add $1200 to that mod list, as I purchased the Falcon Shocks as well.

 

I keep an excel sheet with two tabs ~ Tacoma / Tundra

I don't put maintenance on it though since I do most all in the garage.

Interesting to see all of the re-do's I've done. Like multiple headlights / tail lights / grille's / interior etc mods that have been changed 2-3 times

 

I use Road Trip MPG for all my vehicles. I keep a very detailed record of EVERY single expense. It records mileage, time, date, etc. If I decide to sell any of them, I can email entire record to potential buyer. You can add notes to each event

 

I enjoy seeing you like-minded guys meeting on this thread.

The true value of this forum is sometimes not the truck mods we’re researching, but the on-line friends we meet on the way.

 

I am up to $2000 in mods..Im a wheeling and dealing kinda guy..

 

This forum cost me 900 per month lol, Like I tell my kids if all go's well my last check will bounce

 

Yeah. I have done all my own mods as well. Otherwise I am scared to think what the cost would have been.

I do the same thing. About once a month I go through the build threads and end up with more mods.