Buy used, buy a 2018, or order a Pro

I'm about to buy my first Tundra and would greatly appreciate any advice. I was in the market for a Tacoma or Tundra and chose a Tacoma in 2012, largely because I could fit it in the garage and could add the TRD supercharger and stay within budget. We then bought our travel trailer and since then, the Tacoma has been my daily driver and tow vehicle. I love the truck and my trailer.

It's been six years and I want a new truck and would love to have a Tundra for towing the trailer. It still won't fit in the garage and will be a pain for city driving and parking, but I'm trying to get over that. My wife wants to take a long camping trip to Idaho next summer (2019), so she sees the benefit of the Tundra. She is open to the idea of buying a used Tundra as a dedicated TV and allowing me to keep the Tacoma. But, as we have both realized, 3rd generation Tundras aren't that much cheaper here than new. Given the cost, I'll probably have to hold out until we get closer to summer 2019 if I buy used and keep the Tacoma. She thinks I should get a new Tundra and trade in the Tacoma. Yesterday, I was convinced I should order a 2019 Pro, but today I think I should wait it out until she feels bad and then I'll get to have both trucks. These are my first world problems. Here are the options:

(1) Buy a used 2014-2015 as the tow vehicle. Keep the Tacoma in the garage to drive to work. Have the Tundra for towing and weekends. This option requires the most waiting with no guarantee I will find the right truck for the right price and my wife will agree if and when that happens.

(2) Buy a 2018 SR5 with the sport package. Get a Pro grill and have the same dealership master tech install the Magnuson supercharger, when it becomes available. I priced out this option at the dealership on Tuesday. This is the quickest new truck option and the only one where a supercharger is immediately possible. But I have to give up the Tacoma.

(3) Order a 2019 Pro. It's a sweet truck and if I have to give up my Tacoma, I might as well get exactly what I want, minus the supercharger. When Magnuson releases the 2019 kit, that could be an option later.

What would you do?

 

1 if you can swing it. If not 3 and get what you want.

 

I don't see the reason to keep 2 trucks personally. I get the idea but in reality my tundra doesn't get much worse mileage then my 4runner did plus has way more benefits. Commuting in a supercharged tundra (depends on distance and drive i guess) would be terrible on gas i think. I'd do option 3.... then supercharge later.

 

Gas mileage isn't a big factor. Driving and parking around town and fitting into spaces is my biggest concern. People dinging my truck and scraping it against stuff in the underground parking garage at the office and then getting pissed I gave up the Tacoma. And shoveling off snow in the winter instead of pulling out of the garage.

 

Wait until end of 2018 model year and see what discounts Toyota offers. Best deals come when buying at end of model year. Might be tough to find a Sport then. If so you can always go with a '19.

 

Why not a used Land Cruiser if it's within budget, if not a used Sequoia. Both will ride better then a Tundra and tow your travel trailer. Fit in your garage as well. Is there a need for two trucks?

 

I almost bought a used Land Cruiser. I borrowed it for the weekend thinking I would buy it. The problem was the wheelbase. My trailer is 22ft. I'd inherit a new problem. The Sequoia is rated at 7400lbs, which isn't enough to make a change. It's also pricey and not very attractive. I don't think it will fit in the garage either.

I'd rather have just one truck. Both ideas are good ones, though. I thought a used LC would be perfect and solve all the problems. The Sequoia has great space and isn't bad to drive considering how big it is, but 7400lbs stinks.

 

I love having a trail rig. My dad's 07 Tundra tows everything great. Maybe look at older tundras?

Or if that's not an option buy the tundra and supercharge it. Don't waste money on the pro unless you like the stickers.

 

I was in the same boat back in February. I was choosing between a white 2017 Platinum, '18 MGM Sport, and ordering a '19 Pro. My wife only had two requirements:
1) Shut up and buy a truck.
2) Had to be "dark grey" (MGM). Which was my first choice as well.
That made my decision pretty easy, especially after MGM wouldn't be available on the '19 Pro.

For what it's worth, I really enjoy my 2018 Sport. It came with everything I wanted except seat warmers which I'll add when I install my remote start. The front/rear sway bars and 20" wheels definitely help with the truck's handling. I have a 66 mile round trip commute to work, 62 of which are 70+ mph on I-275 and the truck rides like a dream.

 

If the Pro was available in MGM, what would you have done?

My wife just bought a MGM 4Runner. I want a black Tundra.

 

I probably would've waited for the Pro. The Pro is overkill for me, but it is sharp.

 

This is what I'm going to do.

 

There is an additional problem that I now want a 2016 in black or MGM. And there's that other problem that they're about $10k cheaper than buying a 2018, which makes you wonder if you should just bite the bullet and get something new.

It's all just wasted hours until the wife is consulted anyway. I am getting my numbers together. Two local dealerships have the truck I want, which is nice. I'm going to see if I can get my wife to drive one tomorrow. It's possible it could work out wonderfully, or not work out at all.

 

I vote for 2. Get it now and supercharge it. Get rid of the Tacoma and if needed get a beater daily driver thats good on gas. I commute 140 miles a day and would never do that with the Tundra. I have a little Ford Focus that I bought for $2500 to rack the miles on and save on gas.

When I was buying new used was so close in price to new it was a no brainer. Plus saved $5000 off sticker. Shop around and do your homework.

 

I'm keeping the Tacoma to drive to work and around town. I commute 20 miles a day. My Taco has 49k miles and is way too sweet to give to someone else.

Between the two dealerships, I'm at just under $41k for a sport/sport convenience/SR5 upgrade package 2018 SR5. That's pretty close to used around here. And I would get 20% off the dual exhaust, which I could beg for if this was to work out.

 

Well it didn't work out. My wife yelled a bunch and got pissed I wanted to keep the Tacoma. I have to trade it in to get the Tundra. If I want two trucks, I'll have to wait it out. I think she'll come around.

Which brings me to my next question: I'm in CO and we camp at altitude. The local market is full of 2015-2017 FFV Tundras, although I haven't found a dealer in the state that sells the FFV Tundras for 2018. What's the deal? I've read what's out there on the forums. Is there an altitude issue or something specific to CO?

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

I have the opposite problem. My wife wants me to get a new truck, but I’m attached to my 2002 Tundra of 16 years. Its an almost perfect mid breed cross of the Taco size and the 3rdgen Tundra capability. Prop taxes are low and she is paid off and broken in nicely. Having a hard time paying $40k for new.

 

I waited it out and it worked. We camped at a couple new spots this summer and had some moments I thought the Tacoma's s/c would explode. She gets it now.

With the $2500 rebate on a 2018 v. a 2016, the upcharge for a new truck has really narrowed. I'm hoping to have a deal done today or tomorrow. I appreciate the advice here. I would have regretted giving up the Tacoma.

 

3

 

Never buy a used Tundra or Tacoma. They sell for almost as much as new anyway, so just get a brand new one with a full warranty and a better finance rate (if financing).

 

Patience is a virtue...make sure to post pics and goodluck.

 

2018 Sport. It's actually the one I was considering when I started the thread. It's been sitting a long time.

 

The hardest part was convincing my wife of this. It naturally doesn't sound right. I spent a lot of time showing her local 2016 Tundras online. A really nice 2014 MGM CM with low miles was listed at $37k and sold immediately. After that, she conceded new with the rebate and warranty made more sense.

I bought my 2012 Tacoma new and they were willing to give me a lot of my money back in trade. No way. My son asked for it this morning and I think that's the way it will go. He's eight.

 

Save a little money and buy a new 2018 with the year end rebates, buy an SR5 and use the saved money to mod the way you want it! Best of Luck to you!

 

Do the pro.
Trust me get what you want exactly...spending that kind of money get EXACTLY what you want and enjoy it
Plus the gas mileage difference between the two is nothing. I was averaging 17-17.5mpg in my 14 SR5 and 17 1794 no problem. Both 4X4...parking on the other hand I understand your concern but I don’t think it’ll be a problem! Visiting San Diego with my tundra I parked in those tiny spots with ease

 

Absolutely. It's too large an investment to not get EXACTLY what you want.

 

Option 3. It’s what you want. I placed an order on a 2019 Pro. Don’t regret it. Resale value is insanely good, and it’s the best looking stock tundra.

Hold off on SC you won’t need it towing with the tundra. It’s going to feel like a different animal after towing with the Tacoma.

 

I towed my boat for 2years 400 miles round trip in the Tacoma once or twice a month. The tundra was like I was pulling air. Tacoma labored. It’s really really nice upgrade

 

Truer words have never been written.

 

1. if you can do it. Tundra drinks a lotsa gas so Tacoma can be your daily driver. I don't know how some members here are getting 17mpg. Guess I am failing miserably.
3. If you don't need a Pro till summer of 2019, wait till Feb-April 2019. Prices will be lower than what they are asking now.