Looking to buy a Toyota Tundra (looking for recommendations)

I am new here so, Hi everyone. I am getting older now and want a truck that I can depend on. I think I want a 2010-2013 Tundra double cab with the 5.7 V8 and 2 WD. I like power everything if Toyota has that, moon roof would be cool but not necessary. First and foremost, I have to have dependability. How many miles should I look for on a used Toyota? I just prefer not to get something that's going to nickel and dime me to death. Tell me what you guys think and how much would I have to spend. My budget is at most $20,000 Thanks for your info and recommendations.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! Whatever you find, make sure you get it checked out thoroughly by a mechanic. Check for rust, even if you don't live in a rust-prone area. You don't know where that truck has been.

 

Thank you, Kelly for the welcome. I am in Lower Alabama also. I am a mechanic and I have been researching what problems these trucks are known to have so I will check it out good. The only thing I have seen that concerns me is the cam tower oil leaks. That seems like it would be a pain to have to address. LOL!

 

Welcome from Texas!

Obviously, you are in the market for a 2nd gen, but this thread maybe more helpful than you might think. It was written for the BEST gen but contains beaucoup information that you may find helpful and resourceful.
So ... you wanna buy / just bought a 1st Gen Tundra, eh? | Toyota Tundra Forum

 

We just picked up a 2008 with 208k on it for my father. We got ride of a 2010 with rust that had 107k on it. The 08 tundra he picked up had a pretty clean frame and it was a one owner local truck here in jersey and was religiously service at a dealer as carfax stated. I would say service history would be key.

 

Where in LA? I'm in Spanish Fort.

And the cam tower leak is annoying, but usually so slow that leaving it alone is not an issue. I'm not sure I would do anything more than keep an eye on it if my truck developed the issue. I would only do something if it leaked bad enough to require adding more than a quart between oil changes.

 

I am north of Spanish Fort on State Highway 225 about 6.5 miles from Rouses. Howdy neighbor.

 

Cool! Look for my avatar in the back lower left window of my silver 1794.

 

Welcome from TN!

 

Thank you, Sam. I am on the coast in Alabama. Don

 

Nice to meet you Don!

 

Thank you, Sam. Nice to meet you too.

 

I'm up here in TN. About an hour between Nashville and Chartanooga. 30 miles south of Murfreesboro.

 

Welcome to the forum.

I'd try to get into a 2014 and up if possible.
It's basically the same as a 2010-2013 model, with a little modification here and there.
They use A LOT of the same parts.
I like the 2014 - 2021 body style over the 2007 - 2013...YMMV

I have 120K miles on my 2014 and plan to keep it until it quits.
Had the tower cam fixed late last year, mine started leaking, it wasn't seeping anymore.
Although they did replace stuff like the water pump, belt, etc...

https://youtube.com/shorts/NOrIW7MQz9I?si=JSqSXUnkG3A9ThQl


Good luck...

 

Check out this thread/info from Wiki:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/history-of-the-tundra.1208/

Gives broad details about the gens and 2007-2013 years, aka "true" 2nd gen, with 2014-2021 colloquially referred to as 2.5 gen. Platinum trim was added in 2010 which has a moonroof like you mentioned so I'd keep an eye out for that trim package.

For a 2010-2013, that's ~12-15 years old, and at say ~10-15k miles it's a pretty wide margin. I personally would be looking for something under 150k and with good service records since that'd conservatively be ~halfway through the trucks life even though there are plenty of Tundras out there with 300k plus on the odo.

Here's a few listings somewhat near you to give you an idea of what's out there:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...ASC&startYear=2010&state=AL&clickType=listing

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...ASC&startYear=2010&state=AL&clickType=listing

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...ASC&startYear=2010&state=AL&clickType=listing

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...ASC&startYear=2010&state=AL&clickType=listing

First two seem decently priced, last two are a bit overpriced but that's kind of the nature of the beast when looking at Tundras. Not saying that you absolutely need to, but finding a 5.7 double cab 2010-2013 that's in good shape might take a little while but they're out there. Obviously broadening your search either distance wise or year wise will yield more results. Anecdotally, 2014-2021 are the same drivetrain wise as far as 5.7L and 6 speed are concerned, 2019 they dropped the trans cooler, and 2014 and 2015 they dropped the 4.0L V6 and 4.6L V8 respectively I believe but don't quote me. Other than that, 2014+ was a mid gen restyle (although I'm sure there are other changes I'm not aware of).

All in all welcome to the forum and happy searching!

 

Great info, How much was the repair on the cam tower leak? Thanks,

 

Thank you, so much. Great info and listings. I may look into the 2014 too. I am concerned about the heat transfer pipes under the manifold leaking too. Is that a regular occurrence or is it rare?

 

I will check out some 2014 s also. Thanks for the heads up.

 

10 to 15 years old moon roof and dependability do not go together. Good luck with the rest. Welcome to the forums.

 

Welcome from the Rust Belt, Pa..

 

Thank you, Don. Nice to meet you.

 

Very good point, this is the kind of info I was wanting. Thank you.

 

Around $5k from what I remember.
They told me for a few years that the cam tower was seeping and to keep an eye on it.
But when it started dripping, I had them take care of it.
I plan to keep my 2014 for as long as possible.
I love my truck, I've done a lot of mods to it to make it what I want..

They put me in a 2024 Tundra Platinum loaner for a week for the cam tower repair.
At least when I run my mouth about the Gen 3 trucks, I did have a little experience in one.
It was nice, a bit noisy, and certainly not worth the $80K price tag..

 

Thanks for the info. That is a lot of money for an oil leak. Does no one offer a gasket for that or are you stuck with the silicone? Between the cam tower oil leak and the heat exchanger under the intake leaking, I'm not sure about the dependability of these Tundras. I have had 2 Silverados a 2000 and a 2002 that went over 350,000 miles with out any problems that big. Just the regular small stuff like the radiator. I'm going to have to give this a lot of thought because if I had that problem and it was going to cast 5000 dollars, I would just be without a truck again as I am on a very limited income. That is why I thought Toyota might be the answer. I just don't know now. Thank you so much for the info.

 

Yes, I have a 14 and LOVE IT!!

 

I've not had a single issue with my 14, I may have stated that already. That's why you take it to an independent mechanic and have them check it out. Anything man made is going to have defects. Anything used (and new) is hit and miss. I've had very good luck with used vehicles from Nissan (this was back in the "import" days. Had an 85 and 88 Nissan Sentra and they were FANTASTIC cars. Bought a NEW 2009 Nissan Versa and within a year the muffler fell off and the paint was fading. Problems with the interior as well. I've also had "buy American " cars and trucks from the big 3 and very few things were right with all of them. Reliability was not good with them.
Now I've had 3 Toyota vehicles and they've all been GREAT!! 2 Lexus IS250s and my Tundra. My son drives a 2011 Prius and it runs fantasticly. Gets extremely good gas mileage just like its supposed to.
I'll sum all of this up by saying keep doing your research. Your chances of getting a good reliable dependable vehicle from Toyota is much better (IMO) than anything else. Sure there are going to be vehicles with problems but I think they are far fewer with Toyota. Anyway, good luck, I'm sure you'll find what is right for you.

 

Thank you, Sam. Good to know. We are planning to get my wife a Lexus RX350 and I will probably end up with the Tundra, it's just a matter of which one. Hopefully, one that the big problems have been fixed already. I can do most repairs that are not too involved. You guys are really helpful with the first hand info that I need to make an informed decision. Anything else you can think of, just chime in and let me know. I always say the more info the better.

 

Sounds like a good plan Don!