I have a dilemma.

Since June I have been looking for a Platinum 6.5’ bed in MGM. Two weeks ago one of the dealers I had a deposit with called with good news the truck I requested (without the power running board) will be built 12/13. Estimated delivery is January. Priced at MSRP.

About three weeks ago, my wife and I were talking and she thought it would be a good idea to get a hybrid, because of the possible higher resell value. Today on whim I contacted another dealership that I had not talked since June. A couple hours later they called back. They have allocated to them a Platinum Hybrid 6.5’ bed in MGM with power running boards. I couldn’t believe my luck. Even better, it was built yesterday. So it should be here in about a month.

The only problem I have with the hybrid, is the dealership requires the purchase of a Green package, Northwest package and Chip Protection totaling $4,700. Which makes this hybrid an extra $8,030 more than the non-hybrid (not including the power running board).

If I turn down the Hybrid and wait for the non-hybrid, it is very possible the interest rates will go up again. 1 point will cost me about $1,900. Is the Hybrid worth $4,700 over MSRP in this case?

 

Ummm no. Just wait. Don’t pay extra for a new car, no matter what the vehicle…

 

I was in a similar situation. I had the option of a limited 4x4 without the hybrid or a limited 4x4 with the hybrid but without a 360 camera. I went with the hybrid for a couple reasons. Maybe it’ll help you decide on yours:
1. I don’t drive a *lot* but most of the driving I do is city where I feel the hybrid helps most with mpg. Otherwise I’d consider a diesel for my first truck.
2. No auto start stop or noticeable delay
3. Extra power

If you can test drive a hybrid I recommend trying it. At really low speeds the hybrid battery moves the entire truck so the engine is off at 0 rpm and it feels like you’re driving some weird Tesla pickup truck combo. It’s pretty fun. I also didn’t know the truck was on the first time I started it up.

 

Since you asked…Not worth it in my humble opinion.

Interest rates “may” go up or it may not (looks like things are starting to turn and Jerome may do nothing next month).

With those changes we have started to see dealers come down below MSRP on new vehicle in some cases as the Used Car market is booming at much better prices…so you don’t really want to have a more overpriced asset on your hands (MSRP that most of us paid is pricey enough as is).

At the end of the day the decision is yours/wife (and you know what they say about happy wife)…but at least you are considering all the facts. Share them with her and hopefully you all make a decision you can both live with.

 

Options on vehicles depreciate just like the vehicle itself. The hybrid engine is an option that in the future will increase the value of your truck but not 100 per cent of the initial cost. So if the non hybrid fits your needs and budget go for it.

 

just a future fyi- a diesel is NOT ideal for city driving and a daily driver, it’s actually the worst thing you can do with one

 

The hybrid will not really get you anything unless you haul or tow very heavy loads. It is not engineered for better MPG, but as a HP boost. And I doubt the batteries in the hybrid will have the life of the rest of the truck, so I actually see it as a negative if you're going to hold onto your truck for awhile.

 

hybrid will definitely net positive mpg gain if you drive it like a hybrid and do a lot of city driving and or idling. The batteries are under warranty for 150k miles, so plenty of life and the battery type in the tundra is cheap to replace for lithium batteries. There is zero throttle lag in the hybrid as well vs the regular motor

 

Trying to rationalize spending more money to somehow improve later resale value is just you trying to justify a fancier machine.

If you want the hybrid, get it. If money is of any concern, be more frugal. The hybrid will never pay for itself. The hybrid is really for driving enjoyment.

I would bet, in the long game of which Tundra will have retained value best AND cost it's owner less, overall, would be a nicely optioned SR-5 4x4. Obviously in the near term the higher trims demand more whilst relatively new, but I bet when a Tundra is 10+ years old, the SR-5 will retain more of it's value, possibly have been cheaper to insure, definitely cost less, and consumed the same amount of fuel as a heavier, more expensive hybrid.

 

I guess I read your initial post and wonder what the "Green package" and "Northwest package" include. I highly doubt they're worth the combined upcharge of $4700, but I would be curious. I'm happy with the hybrid powertrain in my truck and planned to pay the premium for the I-Force Max in whatever trim I ended up purchasing. I'd do the same today when presented with the same choice at hybrid MSRP alone, but the $4700 upcharge would definitely give me pause. If you decide the hybrid is what you want, I'd hold fast for a better deal. If you decide to stick with the non-hybrid that's being built in December I'm certain you'll be pleased as well. Enjoy!

 

The official mpg is 2 more in the city. No advantage on the highway and combined mpg is the same. So the fuel econ case for the extra $$$s is weak. The power jump is a better case if you want that

 

Yes and that’s at EPA testing which is no where near real world, on real world a hybrid outperforms a non hybrid plain and simple. The epa test doesn’t include tons of stop and go driving

 

Tell me you have hybrid with out telling me you do. Doesn't matter what it does or doesn't do, you will never recoupe the extra $$$ based on MPG, EPA or real world. The OPs situation is a no braver. No way is it worth paying what they are going to charge him.

 

To the OP, if you can just wait it out. It's not like the tundra is a special edition truck. Truck prices are dropping. They are being sold under MSRP. So unless you need it right now, I would wait. And a big NO to the hybrid.

 

Math is your friend here. Assume 100k miles driven at $3 a gallon. If the non hybrid averages 18 mpg fuel costs = 100k /18 x 3 = $16,667 in fuel. The hybrid costs $3200 * 7 percent tax = $3424. which leads to 100k x $3 / $13,243 = 22.7 mpg to break even on the hybrid. So hybrid has to get almost 4-5 mpg more and EPA says the combined difference is zero. That is not impossible but unlikely.

 

Those added packages are almost never worth it. When I bought my truck I negotiated that out of the deal. Some dealers will, others not, because that's their money-maker. Or they will say they sell at MSRP with no markup, but then use that as their markup hidden under a package name that is worth nothing to you.

If you can get the hybrid without the packages, go for it, otherwise I would not.

 

Your hybrid cost is a 1 time expense gas cost may very well increase with the administration in Washington the next 2 years . it is over $3 a gallon now. Plus you get more resale value and , power

 

I don't care what gas is or the administration in Washington. No way in hell is it worth $8000.

 

The op is facing extra add-ons and markups when considering the hybrid Tundra. It doesn't make sense. Your argument has more traction if it was MSRP vs. MSRP

 

never said it would pencil out, just said it is significantly better than a non hybrid, especially if you mod your truck (bigger tires, weight, etc). I wanted a hybrid for that reason and for towing and it absolutely kicks ass, no way I’d want a non hybrid tundra

 

I just checked fuelly, seems hybrid Tundra is about 1mpg more efficient than the non hybrid. So......

 

I can tell you what I get with my 1794 trd pro shirt bed
16.7 around town every day. Highway running 78-80 17.8
3000 miles reg 87 octane
What does non hybrid do same speeds

 

To be honest my reason for wanting a Hybrid is more about the extra power than the resell or MPG. I do tow our travel trailer over Mt. Hood and back a couple of times a year.
Has anyone ever successfully talked a dealer out of having to buy mandatory packages? If so how?

 

The mandatory packages are the BS ways that some dealers markup without saying they add ADM. I would tell them you're willing to buy a 10yr warranty and possibly maintenance plan but you will not be going forward if they leave that package on. You'll have to be willing to walk away though. You may also be able to negotiate your trade or sell privately (Keep in mind you lose the tax benefit of the trade in which can be huge)
Honestly I havent ever seen a hybrid with a 6.5' bed come through any of the dealerships in Colorado (at least the ones that post their sold inventory online) so that is a rare truck imo. 5k markup isnt terrible though in my opinion, and I think the hybrid is worth the cost vs a non hybrid. The truck was engineered as a hybrid...

Your point about rates is a big one. Toyota just raised rates in November from 3.49 to 4.25 and i think they will raise them again for December or get rid of promotional rates all together with how interest is looking in the market. Try a loan calculator at 4.25 and again at 5.0% assuming they raise it .75 again. decide if waiting is worth it to you.

 

Anyone who buys a hybrid for the gas savings is a moron. The hybrid Tundra isn't about saving the earth, it's about power. It's not a Prius truck. It overcomes the issues people are having with auto start/stop and turbo lag. It drives like an always-on, naturally aspirated V8 (but the gas savings over the 5.7 V8 are huge).

 

I will take the dealers side on part of this , the dealers don't have much of a choice of how and what options are on the trucks from the plant. The other stuff like warranties , dealership added stuff is a different story . I would not agree to it unless I wanted what they added.
If you think you can go to dealer and spec out a 2023 toyota tundra exactly like you want it and actually get it in 3 months it will be just luck . Toyota builds them how they want and sends them to who they want , if your lucky maybe you can get one other wise you take what it close.

 

F-150 PowerBoost disagrees.

Tiny little battery pack stuffed under the rear seat seems much more like an afterthought.....

 

I’ve never driven a hybrid, but my non-hybrid Limited seems plenty powerful with good response and acceleration…certainly adequate.

My other vehicle is a 6.4L challenger with 485hp…so I’m all about power…but to be honest the under seat storage is far more useful and valuable to me. The $$ saved can pay for extended warranty or other accessories.

 

A month ago I turned down the Hybrid with the must buy packages. Today the salesman called and said the hybrid is here and they willing to deal. I paid MSRP for a Platinum Hybrid! The market is changing…

 

Dilemma solved.