First Tundra purchase

Been driving 4 Runners for years with no issues. Seriously considering a Used Tundra. Everything I read says DO NOT BUY a 2022 or 2023 due to engine recall. Are the problems really that prevalent? Thinking of a 2024 SR5, don’t need all the limited options, but want softex seats, not cloth. I’ve read SR5 very hard to find without cloth seats. Any thoughts on these issues?

 

Rethink your options. Can you get by with a 4Runner and a trailer for when you need a truck or rent a u haul truck or trailer?

 

There are just not enough advantages to a gen 3 that would make my buy one over a gen 2.5. Which is why I bought a used 2.5. Of course, this is at least partly because I was coming from a first model year and the amount of advantages over it were quite significant. YMMV Good luck.

 

Is "no issues" a priority? Gen 2/2.5. Car-like handling, full torque in low RPM range, plastic bed, waiting weeks/months for engine replacement, $36k in plastic-only damages after hitting a deer? Gen 3.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

A minor point of contention: "Car-like handling"
After a mild >2" lift in front and 35's, mine handles like no car I've ever had. Or when it was stock for that matter. But, I've never had a ~6K# car..... I definitely know I'm driving a truck.

 

Helpful, thank you. I’m just wondering if the 2024/25 have most bugs worked out yet over the 2022/23’s. All full sized trucks, a year or 2 old are expensive, I’d hope Toyota Tundras can start living up to the Toyota dependability I’ve come to expect. Are you saying to stay away from gen 3 or just the 22/23 years?

 

Welcome Birddog.
Most SR5's I have seen in my area are optioned up with Softex. Probably region/dealer specific. Maybe look in a wider search area for what you want.
Limited's can be had "de-contented" down to almost SR5 levels, but they are hard to find.

 

Honestly, any reply you will get will be opinion as there aren't enough high mileage Gen3 examples out there for any long-term dependability assessments.
There are several (roughly 3? in this forum) of 100K+ mile 3rd Gens still on original engine, transmission and turbos. That's not much of a data set.

My 24 has been flawless. None of the early release quality issues. Leaky window seals, broken seat panels, radio knobs falling off, rattling door panels...none of it.
Granted, it only has 12K miles.

Personal opinion: Stay away from the '22. Look at a '23 that has had the engine replaced under the recall. Or a '24.
Whatever you end up with, get a warranty.

 

That’s sound advice. Thanks for reply

 

Honestly, I have a 5th gen 4Runner and a 2.5 Tundra, the Japanese built 4Runner is superior to the Tundra in both engineering and quality of parts and workmanship. If you need a truck, I would look for a used 18-21 unmolested rust free (SW located) old man owned and driven Tundra.