Can I vent for a minute?

I’ve been after a Tundra for the better part of a year now. I just simply cannot find a decent truck for a decent price.

How is it this hard to find a Tundra? I would take higher miles, too. I’m just at a loss. Facebook marketplace is full of rebuilt garbage and scammers, and Craigslist is a trash heap.

 

What exactly are you looking for and how do you plan to pay for it?

 

Essentially I want a crew cab 4x4 under $25k cash. I don’t really care about trim, miles (within reason, sub 200k), or even year (although I’d like the 5.7). As soon as I hit that $25k filter, everything disappears.

 

Try 27K, 28K or even 30K and negotiate it to 25k. Simple as that. People always leave room to negotiate, right?

 

Part of it is Tundras seem more popular on the coasts (but still not that common) and the big three have a huge share of everything else for half tons. You may need to expand your radius. The average F150 transaction price in May was 68k so 25k is a deal for a reliable used truck to normal consumers.

 

what search engine? Autotrader had more than ample supply near me in that requirement. I had 7 within the country of that same search with under 100,000 miles..

 

This country is a mess and an overwhelming amount of people are in financial shambles.

You aren't going to find an exceptional truck for $25,000 especially if you are looking for something new.

Just saying.

Edit: And you live in Tennessee, you are getting the pick of the litter for the best prices there.

 

how old would you buy?

 

My local sales tax is crazy, plus dealer fees. I figure with a $25k asking, I could probably negotiate $25k OTD.

 

Not looking for new by any means. I’d take anything well maintained, sub 200k miles, and ‘08 or newer. Just can’t find any.

 

Old. Year almost doesn’t matter. I want good maintenance, CC, 4x4. My 4Runner has 240k. I don’t care about miles as long as it was maintained.

 

Autotrader has a grand total of 4 within 100 miles of Nashville under $25k.

 

Be willing to fly to get one. Search CA and florida, big states more selection

 

I can find multiple nice trucks under that 25k around me. And tundra’s aren’t even popular around here. Must be your area. I wouldn’t have a problem replacing mine. You will obviously have to expand your search due to your locations lack of tundras

If you are looking for a perfect maintenance history that can get tougher

 

I found my Tundra on cargurus.com.
That is another option for search engine

 

Do you even CarGurus, OP?

50 mile radius
4wd
Crewmax
5.7L
<$25k price

5 results is more than 0.
If you allow for delivery, you get a lot more results.

Personally I would not buy a used truck I haven’t taken to a trusted shop for a pre purchase inspection. Good luck.

Edit: some of those results suck. You might have to expand your search radius to find something under 200k miles.

 

LOL, I will sale you mine, for 25K, 2013, 126K miles, one owner, dealer maintained, full record But I am in Texas

 

Tundras are outsold by the big three about 10 to 1. They can be hard to find if you want something specific. Lucky for you, almost all of them are "crew cabs". You didnt specify double cab or crewmax...

What exactly are you looking for in the maintenance records? Most people tend to neglect maintenance. Aside from the models with the 4.7 timing belt, a 4.6 or 5.7 will easily go 250k with no maintenance at all besides oil changes, brakes, and tires. If you want thorough records good luck. If the carfax is clean without any red flags like a wreck, a new motor, or 3+ previous owners that's about the best you can hope for.

You may have to expand your search to a major area like Atlanta. There are tundras that fit your requirements, just not in Nashville apparently. The last tundra I bought I drove 3 hours to buy, for a high mileage 2010. The dealer thought i was nuts, but it was the only one in Florida that fit what i wanted after looking for months. It was fresh off the truck from an auction in Oklahoma, one owner.

 

thats not a bad drive home

 

If you were anywhere close I’d have money for you in the morning!

 

With higher miles I like to at least see one or two diff changes, a trans fluid change, and regular oil.

 

100 miles is your problem. Open it up amigo! Where I’m from 100 miles will be well above 3-4k if I drove another 100 (Colorado Toyota tax) more than worth the extra 2 hours to extend to 300 miles

 

Without trying to pry, how hard and fast is this "25k cash" budget. Perhaps you can get pre-approved for another 5-10k used car loan from a local credit union? Increasing your budget just 5-10k I believe will really net you far better trucks.

I was in a similar boat as you and looked and looked and looked and everything sub 30k was higher mileage, lower trims, salvage title, multiple accidents, multiple owners. All of the sudden start looking at the > $30k trucks, and beautiful, well maintained, one owner trucks, were everywhere.

Ended up with a 2018 Platinum 4wd Crewmax with 70k miles, and immaculate service records for $36k.

 

The market softened up a bit for a short while, but now w/Toyota sorting out its Gen 3 issues I'm guessing the Gen 2s and 2.5s are going to be difficult to find and come at a premium price... Supply and demand

 

Road trip man. This Tundra drives like a dream. My son moved to France for school so it is just siting in my driveway. It needs to go to a good home for sure.

Or have it shipped. I meet you in the middle with the shipping

 

thats a 2-300$ flight and a full day drive home right

 

Better hurry. Before the 3rd gen recall goes out.

 

I feel like some pictures are in order…

 

This.

 

I was searching for one in your price range for a while as well... Everything looked good online until you went and looked in person. I was at the local Toyota dealership just looking and started a conversation with one of the sales reps, they did not have anything in my price range. After talking to the guy for awhile I figured I would roll the dice and give him my number...

He ended up calling me a few days later, a one owner vehicle just came in on a trade. It was very clean... I ended up with it before it was ever posted on their site.

I think a lot of the really good ones never make it online because they are sold quick.

Might try giving your number to a few dealer sales reps, I know I probably paid a few thousand premium for mine... But it was difficult to find one that appeared to be well taken care of down here.