Purchasing help!!

I’m looking at a few different tundras. Help me choose. I have $20k cash

2003 TRD 4x4 extended cab with 33k for $14,500

a

2015 TRD rwd, double cab, with 90k, salvaged title for $16k (I’d offer $15k cash tops)

and

2000 sr5 rwd, regular cab, 48k for $12500

or

2019 TSS, 4x4, double cab, 50k for $39500 (I’d finance).
Thank you.
The truck is for work and play. I’d live out of it a few months at a time when I travel for work.

 

Welcome to the forum. Abit of a blunt first post. Not near enough info here to help
You out. No idea why or what you need or when you need it. No idea what’s going on with any of those trucks. They’re all over the place.

 

I’m just cautious. I guess I want to know if I buy an older tundra with low miles will it be worth the investment. Or should I go with a newer model that has higher mileage and a salvaged title, or should I just bite the bullet and finance which I hate doing.

The truck is for work and play. I plan on living out of it when I travel for work, upwards of a few months at a time.

4x4 is important to me, but not a deal breaker.

 

The 2003 TRD 4x4 extended cab would be my first choice that's a good deal in this market as long as everything checks out (maintenance history, clean title, no rust, etc). You'll own it outright and could probably make a offer a little below asking, maybe $12k and go from there?

2019 would be second choice if you are okay w/ monthly payments depending on down payment you could have nice savings for rainy day fund/future mods..

I wouldn't get a 2wd but it depends on what you need the truck for at the end of the day. I just think if you're getting a truck it should be 4x4, rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it..

At the end of the day don't rush into it there are always other opportunities, and if you're mechanically inclined and don't mind salvage titled vehicles(which I'm assuming you don't since you listed one that is) you might look into fixing up a copart truck.

 

Thanks,

I was initially blow back when he told me the TRD off-road wasn’t 4x4. Why would Toyota even offer TRD without 4x4?
I do like the idea of lay out owning. I may see what apr the dealership will offer me for the 2019 and then make a decision.

 

2019 would be my pick! Personally, I'm not into salvage titles and 2WD pickups are just not my thing. Good luck!

 

I think toyota, like any business, will capitalize on a money-making opportunity when they can- tacomas have been offered with the trd off road package as a prerunner(2wd). They have the locker but still doesn't make up for 2wd, to me it just appeals to the buyer who cares primarily about appearances and doesn't know any better.

There's a lot to consider since you have the option to go either way-financing or own outright. I needed to build up credit hence why I financed my current truck and moved away from trucks I had the pink slip for. It's all based on your needs..considering you want it for work, play, living out of I would probably lean towards a truck you will own since you can have more peace of mind w/ any mods and even potential battle scars/repairs that may come along. Plus the 1st gen tundras are a bit more nimble off-road than the 2nd gens and I think parts may be a bit cheaper. Definitely look through the 1st gen threads there are a lot of good builds/resources, but I would say they are just as solid and you can't go wrong with either generation.

 

The 2019 isnt a terrible price in this market . Low enough Mile’s, long enough bed for sleeping.
The 2003 doesn’t have many miles. I’d assume it sat a lot and may need rubber and bushing a replaced. Great year, and I still think has the best truck/cab/bed proportions of any model. Upgrade the headlights (they’re dim).

 

Well, I put in an app to finance the 2019. I’m waiting on the dealership to get me a good APR. My credits not all the great, but with $20k down I’d think I should get something under 10% minimum. I make decent money and would pay it off as soon as I could. But, owning flat out and having extra $$ for mods, piece of mind, and extra money for adventuring is ideal. Ill be making a decision by the end of next week and will post an update. Thanks for your advice! Much appreciated!!

 

Go 4wd or regret it later…

speaking from experience

 

4wd and CrewMAX 07 and up gets my vote

 

I'd recommend against buying a vehicle with a salvage title.

 

Welcome to the forums from TX.

You mentioned it would be for work. Do you plan to tow? I'd recommend the full sized rig in that case. If not, go with the older model as the low miles is a huge factor and you could most likely talk him down and have money left over for some mods/upgrades.

 

Welcome to the forum.

I just kinda skimmed the thread, so apologies if I repeat anything previously said. First round of elimination would be the 2WD. I just personally don't see the point in a non 4x4, but I live where it snows every year. Next, I'd check histories on all of them, and if any but the 2019 they lived anywhere in the rust belt I'd pass. It's too much money to worry about rust. Even if they pass this part of it, an in person rust inspection would be a must before any money changed hands; even on the 2019.

The 2019 will have way more room in it, so if you are going to live out of it when travelling for work this is something you should consider. The 2019 won't have an external cooler for the transmission and for some this is a huge deal. How much it matters is up to you, but there's a member on here that sells a cooler kit that can be added for less than $1,000.

Final thing to consider is going to be the financial side of it. Owning outright is going to mean no payments and that is a great feeling. On the flipside, if you can get a low interest rate when financing you can keep the $20K as an emergency fund, or you may be able to invest it. If you got say a 5% interest rate financing but could invest that $20K and pull a better than 5% return then you are essentially not paying interest at all. It just depend on which school of thought you subscribe to: Debt is the devil and you should always pay outright, or financing to build/repair credit is good and having your lump sum work for you to earn money is even better. Choice is yours.

 

stay away from any salvage title. Will only bring you regret.
Also would not consider any that are not 4x4. It is there if you need it and those trucks are more desirable when you go to sell.

Which year/model fit depends on your need and what you will be doing. Commuter, tow and haul, everything truck? A first gen is not going to haul and tow as well as a 2nd or 2.5 gen.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama), if I haven't welcomed you yet. I would stick with 4x4 and avoid salvage titles. If you're going to live out of it, I would look for the roomier cabs of the later models. Good luck!

 

If youre planning on driving it into the ground i’d jump on that ‘03 personally. My husband has an ‘03 SR5 RCLB 4WD w/ 4.7 and is at 300k miles trouble-free and only regular maintenance. Currently having an issue finding the damned stock exhaust to replace, his has recently shit out and thrown cat codes. Not unfixable though..