High Milage Tundra + 6 vs 5 seating

Hi all

I’m in the market (and motivated ) to purchase a “super white” 5 1/2 bed V8 Tundra ; I’m enrolling in this chat forum as I plan to be officially part of y’all real soon!

I’m look’n at two trucks right now …
1. 2019 Tundra SR5 4x4 off-road
• 59k miles ~ one owner, a car rental like why the high mileage
$42,520 *front bench seat

2. 2018 Tundra 4x4 TRD pro
• 15K miles ~ one owner off lease
$43,900 *5 passenger + floor mats covers + bed cover

The obvious choice is #2 however I’m really looking for the “front bench seat” … I’m seeing prices starting to drop as we go into August 2021 & I’m considering waiting it out cause both , as far as I’m concerned, are priced still above market value…

I’m looking for some feedback regarding high mileage in purchasing used Tundra trucks ; especially since not from Toyota dealerships.
Also if you have any other feedback that would help me make a mindful decision… thanks , Tom

 

How often and under what circumstances would you have 6 people in the truck? If it was me, i would go for the TRD Pro (but is that really a Pro in the picture?). And when I need to have that 6th seat, I would just take two vehicles which would make the trip more comfortable for everybody.

 

The front bench seat means it is the base SR5 model with a 29 gallon gas tank. Every model above that has the 38 gallon tank - you will want the bigger tank.

 

#2 is not a Pro. Not sure if that changes your mind on anything.

 

It’s a sport

 

I could be completely wrong here but doesn’t that bench in the Offroad means it has the smaller tank? If it does OP I would definitely go with #2…

 

Sorry for typo, #2 is Sport not Pro…

Yeah. specs for #1 did cite 26.4 gal fuel capacity. At the moment, and foreseeable future, I won’t be towing a great deal or driving long distances that fuel won’t be available.

Is the larger fuel tank key aspect for this type of truck ?

 

The 38 gal tank is for the Tundra driver that actually wants to be able to drive past a gas station without stopping...

 

In my opinion yes, it’s not a gas efficient vehicle by any stretch of the imagination. Personally I would have regretted it and I only tow ATVs and small stuff…

 

I'm probably in the minority, but I would much rather have the 6th seat. If I were to do it all again, I'd go for a 6-seater. It's FAR easier to retrofit the 38gal fuel tank (or a 46gal transfer flow aftermarket tank) than it is to swap buckets and a console w/ shifter to a front bench with a column shifter. I don't know if anyone has done the latter.

 

So… no one has callout regarding #1 truck having 59k miles ? … cause these trucks run forever ?

 

If you have good maintenance records then anything under 6 digit mileage isn't really a worry. Still, be thorough and check everything. See if you can get the dealer to perform all the scheduled items up to the 60 mileage mark as part of the purchase, and you'd be fine.

One thing to note, the 2019 truck will not have an external transmission cooler. It was removed on all Tundras beginning in 2019. There are tons of threads, discussions, arguments, and much hand wringing has already been done over it, so that doesn't need to happen here as well. Just mentioning it in case you were not aware of that change.

 

I’d opt for the lower mile truck with a few extras

You can’t ever replace miles

plus it’s probably got a transmission cooler

 

Given the choice, I would go with #2. Lower mileage. Basically the same price, but with a couple years worth of mileage saved and well under warranty. That's a no brainer for me.

Granted, I would not buy a truck right now. As good as the resale is on these trucks, you're getting hosed and it'll take several years to catch back up to what you're paying up front.

 

Is there such thing as a 6 seater 4wd double cab 6.5 bed?

or better yet, anyone converted the center arm rest “walk in closet” to a bucket seat?

 

Yep. I've got one. You can't go above a base SR5 or you lose the bench seat.

 

I have a 6 seater with the 28gal tank. I have no complaints! Yes a bigger tank would be nice but when filling it up it’s a lot more expensive. For those saying that a 38 gal tank is better, maybe for some. But for me it’s all good. On road trips I get to stop and get gas and stretch my feet, kids go to the bathroom and we are all happy. Fill up and go

 

Are we pretending here that either of these have high miles?

Also while I would prefer to have the big tank it is hardly a deal at all to not have it too.

I just made a 6k trip and towed for half of it and my ass falls asleep in the rick hard seats long before any bigger tank could matter at all!