New vs old

Hey there! I’m looking to purchase a tundra but I’d love some feedback. I grew up with a 4Runner as our family car but I’m leaning more toward a truck in my adult years. I can’t decide if it’s worth going brand new or older. I’d like to modify with some overland gear and I’m curious what any one has to say about the new vs old tundras?! thanks

 

Grab an unmolested, well maintained, and rust free old man owned 5.7 V8 2007-2021 for longevity and maintain it. New design is garbage, keep away from that one.

 

Welcome from MA!

 

Thank you!

That’s sort of the theme I’m hearing but it’s easier said than done! I’d die for a crew cab as I have kids and am using this for animal rescuing.

 

Might want to keep that crewmax cab plan, the double cab bed is structurally weak at the front since apparently there are no structural support members up front included in that design. Also, be patient and don't get too attached while searching. No matter how good something seems, there's always something better elsewhere.

 

Welcome from NY.

Keep in mind 2018 was the last year for the transmission cooler......but you can add a aftermarket one. It was also the first year for all of the TSS sensors.

 

New comes with warranty and technology. Old comes with tried and true, but also wear and tear. If buying old, out of warranty, best if your handy and can tackle whatever issues exist yourself. Having to pay a shop to fix your stuff is hit or miss on quality and expensive. Personally I would buy used (better value) and be prepared for the maintenance needs. Any year Tundra is a good truck. First gens (2000-2006) are very capable, very reliable and right sized. It’s a bigger more comfortable V8 Tacoma. Fits on more trails and in more garages and is more nimble to drive. 2007-2021 is much bigger, and has increased capability to haul stuff and people. Both very solid platforms.

 

Welcome from NNY;

Are you a wrench turner? If you plan on "outfitting" your truck with the overland gear yourself and are capable with that sort of thing (suspension, tires, alternators, belts, pumps etc) then sky is the limit with regards to finding a Gen 2 (2007-2021) ; stay away from rust, make sure maintenance records are good and accounted for and you shouldn't be scared of a 150k+ mile vehicle, because you'll get at least that out of it or more.
Add the OEM LED headlights unless you're gonna put yankee stadium's worth of auxiliary lighting on it. But that's really the only thing that a 2nd Gen is deficient on (that people aren't already swapping to make an "overland rig" like suspension/tires/ etc);
Plenty of guys who can help with everything from electrical to suspension and even some master fabricators ( @STravis comes to mind)

 

New comes with engine replacement recall for two models years. Everything else is a minor inconvenience.

Want a 4Runner-like truck that you'll pass to your heir? Gen2/2.5.

Warranty-schmaranty... My truck would be denied right on spot if they see how well it aged in the woods Good thing it does not need any schmaranty.

 

While looking, look at the wear on the brake pedal pad, lots of wear-city driven, not ideal. Tow hitch safety chain loops-heavy paint wear-lots of towing, not ideal. Seat wear-maybe city hauling and delivery, not ideal. Bed dents-heavy material hauling and abuse, indicates lack of maintenance, not good. Aftermarket catalytic converters- victim of cat theft, likely low quality replacements, beware new ones aren't cheap! Look at radiator cap for missing internal seal-can get lost in engine water jacket or water pump. Cam tower oil seepage- not a huge concern, but something to be informed about and a reason for sales price reduction. Just a few tips to help guide you, but don't stop there. Learn all you can before you purchase anything. Good luck!

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! There are still 2020 and 2021 models with <50k miles out there. A couple of new members in the past few days have posted that they had bought them. I still see and get offers for my truck that are pretty close to what I paid for it new in 2020. I consider that as pretty good at holding its value.

 

Not a wrench turner by any means but I’d really like to learn. Being able to know what’s happening and how to fix it would be ideal and I’m trying to learn as much as I can quickly but it’s a lot! I’m leaning towards a tundra for the bigger truck aspect - I’m not necessarily going to be in tight trails but picking up lost and abandoned animals in the bush and on back roads will definitely happen. Also being a parent I need the space and my Yukon just ain’t gonna do it any longer!

 

this is super informative, thank you!!

 

Schmaranty isn’t a must, rather considering the pros and cons of a new fangled machine over someone’s used fart seats

 

Yall are super awesome, thank you for swift replies!
For a bit more context I live in northern BC Canada. It’ll be half city driving and half back roads.. maybe more backroads.. not tight trail riding but bumpy old dirt roads and probably some bush whacking. I know exactly what I want it to look like but not a lick of mechanical inclination to be found in my brain. I am just a girl with big truck dreams looking for all the opinions and suggestions. Pictures of cool trucks are super welcome!

 

For the frequent rough roads you will want small rims and big tires so the tall sidewall height will provide maximum cushioning. If going with a 5.7 V8 model year, you could also consider aftermarket motor mounts from Solid Off-road to help minimize engine movement during the bumpy travel. Fun times don't come cheap!

 

In 2020, I test drove everything out there that I was considering. Silverado, Ram 1500, Ford F150 and Tundra. I landed on the Tundra, fit like a glove as soon as I drove it. Most solid truck I drove out of the 4. Later traded my used 2018 Tundra in for a new 2021 because I wasn’t interested in the 2022 redesign.

New vs old design is a relative term based on your needs, what YOU value, and budget.

I recommend you take some time and test drive something you value at a budget you’re comfortable with. You won’t regret a Tundra, any Gen.

Edit: I’ll own a FGT (2000-6) someday when the budget beefs up

 

They’re super hard to come by where I live, weirdly they’re super common a few hundred kms away but that’s a lot of travel for a test drive. I also don’t know how to drive manual so that’ll need to happen too

 

Automatic transmissions.

 

There’s that but it doesn’t hurt to learn

 

Quite a few come up that I like but are manual

 

2016-2017

Newest years you can get without all the beeping and automatic junk.

Also larger fuel tank, not by much but a hair more range.

DCLBFTW

 

Hate to get weird with that common argument, but if someone paid me 60k I’d let them drive my truck around and fart in the seats

Saving on the truck, the insurance, the interest and payments, etc. it’s a weird justification to say yeah but I don’t want a seat someone else has sat in if you don’t have plenty of money the throw around without consequence.

 

That helps with context. I come from northern BC and live on Vr Island now. None of the 2nd Gen 2007-2013 and newer have manual transmissions. Frame rust can be real, so get underneath and look hard. I’ve got my ‘07 2wd and bought it as beat up as it was cause the bottom was clean as the day it left the dealer in ‘07. It had never left Victoria in its whole life. Look down here, there are decent ‘07-‘20 double cabs and crew cabs down here regularly for reasonable price. Double cab DC have 4 doors, Crew Cab have 4 drs and bigger rear seat space. Make sure the ac is maintained and works, and run through all the heater cabin blower positions and make sure the blending doors all work properly. There are 5-7 servos in there and if they don’t position correctly are a bastard to fix in money and trying to figure out which servo it is. Ask me how I know. It’s 9 hrs each way to replace that heater.
They are crazy reliable and will get you home each day. Interior work is easy, like a giant Lego inside. Some of the engine work is a bit awkward, being able to learn and do what you can helps.
Hope my rambling hasn’t been too much. Make sure you stick with good E rated tires and if looking 18” wheels would be best. If ya see one Nanaimo area if I’m home and not at work could look it over and let ya know what I see

 

Automatic junk can be disabled altogether or sensitivity turned down. My 2019 is not beeping at me. Also comes with LED headlights

 

Do you have Toyota dealer in your place? And can you afford waiting a few months for parts with truck potentially grounded? Everything is on backorder now, even gen2 parts.

I personally stepped down from luxury and entertainment vehicles to a bone dry work truck. Not missing a bit. It starts every day, gets me to where I need to go, boonies and waist deep snow included, and gets me back, without any reliability concerns. It didn't see any dealers or shops in 5 years, and I don't see why it would need it.

 

I like older rigs owned by ladies - they are generally lighter and don't wear the bolsters on the driver seat out and they don't generally jack around with customizations - wiring or the general look so you get Stock - lightly worn and generally dealer maintained rigs that way. Luck all.

 

You sure it can be disabled entirely?

 

Yeah. I disabled lane departure as soon as I bought it and cranked pre-collision warning to 2 out of 3. I disabled it this morning, and then put it back, on 1/3, because sometimes, after a long drive on empty roads I hit traffic in metro area and sometimes it legitimately warns me.

My SR5 truck does not have bumper sensors, but in wife's TRD PRO Sequoia proximity beeping and rear cross traffic alert both can be disabled, too.

Adaptive cruise in both can be turned off for old good no radar cruise. Again, I don't use it when it brakes and accelerates the truck, but after long empty road it legitimately brakes down when I hit traffic (and then I turn it off).

 

This is awesome - I’m originally from Nanaimo! I have my search set to all of BC at this point cause.. f it. Everything is atleast a couple hours drive anyway. I’m weary of buying right off the island for the salty air slow destruction but it seems like there’s 1000 there for the 3 up here.

thank you for the offer that’s insanely nice