New guy here, in the process

of purchasing my dream truck - a new(ish) Tundra. I realize it's bad timing as far as the market goes and I do have a cap of about $40-45K, so I'm looking for something from '18-'20 with lower mileage. I want this truck to last me for at LEAST the next ten years, maybe more... so I wanna choose right. For my needs I want the CrewMax configuration too - the truck will be used for long trips with my wife and so I want the bigger back seat for coolers, luggage, etc... also am looking at the SR5 or Limited version, but LOVE the Platinum. I have a couple of questions to help me choose - #1, Would something a little older with higher (up to 90K) mileage still be reliable? What safety features would be missing pre-'18 that are helpful? And #2, I 'll be towing a boat, up to about 22ft max - do I need 4wd for launching or will RWD be okay? I've always had a 4x4 for use with snow and hills in NY, PA, AZ, but I'll be in Florida mostly with the boat so not too many hills etc... thanks in advance for any help/advice you can give, I'm glad to have finally arrived at the point to get my Tundra!

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

Welcome

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome from NNY. Here are some basic guidelines/ highlights of the Gen 2.5 life cycle to get you started (not a complete list):

2016+ has the 38gal tank. A must if you’re towing or traveling. “Sr5 upgrade package” necessary for this option.

2018+ has radar adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and Toyota safety sense (collision prevention).

2018+ OEM LED headlights- other than the 38gal tank this is probably the best update Toyota offered for our trucks. Halogens are turds, and the LEDs can be added to any of the 2.5 gen models with a harness and varying degrees of know-how.

2018+ updated dash display

2020+ apple car play and android auto


As for limited vs sr5: parking sensors and a sunroof, and a dual zone climate are about the only features separating the 2 trims.
Most will say to add katskins or other leather to an Sr5 seat for a more comfortable leather seat than the limited has (I did this and will concur). Auto up and down controls for all 4 windows can also be added easily after market for the sr5 (limited you’re stuck with only the front 2 windows as auto up/down).

Don’t worry about sub 100k mi trucks. Unless they’ve been beat all to pieces or submerged or wrecked.
Obviously check maintenance records or know what you’re looking at yourself if they’re unavailable.

Happy hunting

 

Thank you all! And much thanks to PermaFrostTRD for the options rundown. This really helps with choosing the perfect model trim package for me. It looks like 2018 is a big winner all around for what I want, and definitely an SR5 CMax.

 

2018 would be a good choice since you plan to tow a trailer, I believe it was the 2019-21 models that they removed the dedicated transmission oil cooler and replaced it with an integrated puck transmission cooler which doesn't keep the temps down when towing.

 

Welcome from So Cal

 

Welcome from New Hampshire

 

Welcome from Nevada

 

Thank you all very much again for the warm welcome everyone. I now expect to up here a bunch because my daughter and son(-in-law) just told me they pulled the trigger on a 2019 Smoky Mesquite 1794 Tundra with 24K on the odometer. Wow. Still has a few months of factory warranty too, so they're probably going to drive it out to me from California. I'm pretty jazzed to get my lifetime truck - I expect it should last 30 years down in Florida. It'll be a part time 'work' truck carrying supplies to my construction project house, so I'll probably put some seat covers on the front seats for now to protect them for the next couple of years. I'm stoked.

 

I was trying to remember when the cooler went away. I was thinking it was 19 or 20.

This looks like a good one.

 

Thanks! I’m not sure about the tranny cooler, I’ll have to look it up. Personally, I’d prefer one but I remember seeing a video by that YouTube car guy named Scotty who mentioned the tranny cooler delete done on the tundra. I can’t remember what year he said it was initiated, but he didn’t think that made much of a difference - mostly I believe, because he trusted Toyota engineers.

 

Welcome! I was scrolling down to tell you the 1794 is the best trim. Everyone will say whatever but it’s pretty easy to see why 1794 trim is the cats meow. Nice color

 

I would agree, not a big deal if you found a great truck without one. I suppose given two that were both great and one had a cooler, go with the cooler, otherwise, people have been adding coolers to trucks for decades. I’ll sure it could be done if you wanted to later.