Dumb idea or no?

If I was to buy a brand new Tundra sr5, lowest trim. Not the trd off road or sport, just the most basic truck they make, and then put my own suspension, wheels, tires, etc on it, would that be a wise choice? And I’m really just wanting a basic truck without all the fancy crap in it

 

Very common for people to do!

Make it your own and do what you want that will make you happy with the truck!!

 

Buy a used truck for half the price. Buying new is the dumb choice, not the trim you choose.

 

How much do you think it would cost to do all that? Basically I would just level it out and put some nice wheels and tires on it with a good off road suspension. I’ll be using the truck for daily driver and out in the mountains doing crap

 

I've done this on previous Tundra's (2011 and 2014), if you don't want the features offered on higher trims, then I think a SR5 with only the SR5 upgrade package (center console, bucket seats, and mainly the 38 gallon gas tank) is a good spec for a truck. All you are really missing is the OEM LED headlights, which you can do for ~$850.

Personally I don't like the 14+ SR5's due to the lack of dual zone climate control, so I traded my 14 SR5 for a 16 Platinum. A loaded up SR5 TRD Off Road/Sport can have a MSRP near $45k, IMO for $5-7k more the Platinum/1794 is worth looking at if you can afford it.

 

It really all depends on the parts you want to use and wheel/tire combo. Lots of folks on here have daily drivers and go off-roading!

 

I’d prefer to go used if I can, that’s always an option

 

I would decide what creature comforts you really want if any. The base sr5 doesn’t really offer much. If you are buying new you can likely find a higher level trim for roughly the same price as a new sr5. Don’t rush into your purchase take your time do your research

 

Good luck with that. Toyota’s hold value like nothing else. You would have to find one pretty used to accomplish this.

 

Toyotas hold their value so well, that this simply isn't the case. You aren't finding $25k Platinums with less than 100k miles. Then given that you can get 0% interest for 5 years, it makes it an even better deal to buy new compared to a used late model with a higher interest rate.

 

half?
have you looked at the used market?

 

Got my Platinum with less than 70k on the clock for less than $25k.

 

30 seconds on Craigslist and I beg to differ....

2012 Toyota Tundra

https://fortcollins.craigslist.org/cto/d/mead-2012-toyota-tundra/7133973821.html

 

You said you're open to buying used, you'll saved a lot of money going that route and end up with a higher end truck too. To each their own, but I wouldn't be worried about 100k miles or more, these trucks run forever.

 

Knowing what I learned from this forum, if I had a chance to go back i would go with basic SR5 package and build from there .

 

I think ,mine is below even the SR5 package but I am not sure that they even sell them like this anymore?
On the other hand it is a 2015,4x4 and has Carpet,Windows and Tow Package but this is exactly what I wanted too.
I added Intermittent Wipers and a newer Radio with Sat. which again is all I really want.
No one else seemed interested in a Regular Cab and I got mine with 40K miles for 5K cash and traded my 2007 LC100 with 200K on it recently.

It seems like a pretty decent deal to me and I can upgrade it now as I want.

Oh and it was already Blacked out and debadged too!

And its not even White!

 

$30k for an 8 year old truck proves his point.

 

I bought my used 2007 SR5 for cheap, and then I set it up the way I wanted it.
Even after almost 3 years of ownership I continue to change & upgrade the truck.

 

my point exactly

 

I did this exact thing... bought the lowest price 2019 SR - just needed 5.7L with 4x4. It had no chrome and was de-badged. Then I upgraded as I needed, new wheels, tires suspension, headlights, LED bulbs, and even a leather steering wheel! I call it my “Poor Mans TRD Pro.”

 

Your point was that it must be “well used”. It has 52k on the clock.

 

Pretty sure his point was that the truck must be “well used” to get for half price. Second owner, 52k on the clock, doesn’t seem anywhere near “well used” in my book. It’s asking price is $28,900, not $30k, and if I were in the market I’d go down there with $25k in cash and that’d prolly get the truck. Just sayin.

 

1. almost 9 years old is well used even if it only has 50k miles. Age is just as bad (or worse) than miles IMO. There is a reason banks won't finance 10 year old vehicles.

2. He might be able to get that 8 year old Platinum for $25k or he could spend $35k and have a brand new SR5 with a full warranty that will still be worth $20k 9 years from now with 100k miles on it. How much will that 2012 be worth in 2030 when he is ready for another vehicle?

Everyone's situation is different and there is no right answer. I was convinced I would never buy a brand new vehicle until I tried to buy a Tundra that was less than 5 years old and had under 50k miles. I couldn't bring myself to spend that much on a vehicle and not get manufacturer warranty out of it. If I would have found a CPO I would have gone that route as Toyota extends the warranty to 7 years and I think 125k miles on those.

 

I looked for about 6 months for a used Tundra. The ones that I found priced low enough to justify buying used were in shitty condition. Rust, accidents, etc. I was seeing used Tundras priced higher than what I paid for my 2019 brand new. Even if you get there seller to take $25k, an 8 year old truck with 52k miles is pricey!

Tundra resale value FTW!

 

^^^This! You beat me to it! I looked at a 2011 with about 30k miles on it and the amount of rust it had was unreal. I wish I had pics...seller was boasting about the low miles but wasn’t aware of the rust.

 

You make very valid points, minus the “age is just as bad or worse than mileage”, that’s just ludicrous. The only argument I have to this is, what will that $35k brand new tundra actually cost himafter financing for 5-6 years? Oh, and tundra warranties are useless, they don’t break down...

 

It all depends on the OPs financial situation as others have mentioned. He also said he wants a basic truck, no fancy crap.

I've always bought new, looked used but prices were crazy and will likely continue to buy new. I don't like to buy into other people problems.

We went SR5 (basic truck, no fancy crap), paid cash, own it outright. So it costs us what we paid, after taxes etc, the same as the day we bought it. I hate paying interest and we are smart with our money. You can do that if you don't upgrade every part and replace the truck every time a new model year comes out.

 

I have a destroyed motor out of a 300ZX with under 40k miles on it that would disagree.

 

You’re right. I think my initial post came off as calling people who buy new tundras “dumb” and that couldn’t be further from the truth for obvious reasons. It was more my intention to question that; if you have to question whether you can or cannot afford it; it’s prolly not a smart move to buy new. There has to be a world full of dudes who buy new and sell after 4 years for a world full of dudes like me to enjoy pristine, used Toyota’s for half price.

 

Lol. That sucks. I only buy single owner pre-owned vehicles (and boat), there’s smart ways to be cheap, it just takes patience.