Returning to Tundra 2017 or 2021

So I had a company truck and I did what I should not have done and sold my 2019 platinum Tundra a couple years back. Now fast forward 2 years and I am getting rid of company truck and divorcing the company that bought it for me. I miss my Tundra and would like to get back into another one. I have a 2017 1794 bronze mica with 34k miles in my sights for $42K and a 2021 barcelona red platinum with 29k miles with a extended transferable warranty for $48K. To my knowledge there was not much change between the two correct? Are the post covid Tundras problematic? The 2021 has already has the brakes and rotors replaced and was used to tow with a few times. I really don't know much on the bronze mica other than great color but both look good.

 

The 17 is the last year without any TSS and it has a tranny cooler. The 21 has all the TSS stuff but no tranny cooler. A few minor other things (gauge clusters, grills) but foundationally are the same. (Equal trim lines/ standard features)

 

21 also has Apple CarPlay and android auto if that is important to you

 

Do the 17.

 

1794 probably has chrome grill, handles, and bumper ends too?

If you're considering a chrome delete the platinum would be less work to do that. Not sure that justifies an extra 6 grand, but add in the extended warranty and that sounds fairly appealing. I have a platinum and love the black interior, and am not crazy about the orange leather in the 1794s. Perhaps that may weigh in on your decision too.

Do both have fairly even service records?

 

2017 - No Toyota safety sense which also means no radar cruise, no Apple CarPlay/android auto, has a transmission cooler, uses R134 refrigerant.

2021 - has no transmission cooler, has push to start, uses r1234 refrigerant, has carplay/android auto.

It kind of comes down to whether you prefer a key or push to start and if you want to have to add a transmission cooler or not to obtain the same temperatures or better than the 2017, or if carplay / Android Auto is a deal breaker.

 

I’d go with 21 and add the transmission cooler. All over newer even though it sucks having to add a cooler just to have the same equipment as the 17

 

Keyless entry w/ push start. Also lost the coat hanger antenna for the fin. Infotainment screen got slightly larger, higher resolution, CARPLAY, and lost the cd player.

 

I don't have to have the TSS stuff. I typically turned some of that off before on the 2019 I had. I am not aware of the gauge cluster difference on the 2017 to 2021. Does the 2017 1794 have the led headlights and fogs like the 2021?

Both have good service records. The 1794 would be a interior change from the platinum. I am not sure the 6 grand out weights the extras. I can add. Is there much of a difference in build quality on the older Tundra's?

I stream through my iphone via blue tooth but I do like the apple carplay

Will the 2017 1794 still have the led heads lights and fogs?

 

I don’t think the 17s have LED headlights and fogs.

It’s super easy to add an aftermarket CarPlay head unit

 

No L.E.D.s anywhere on the 17'

 

You can't lose with either of these trucks.

 

Really just comes down to if the 6 grand more is worth the extras and warranty.

I would go for the 17, because that is what I did. You could probably offer a bit less and save some money.

 

It is a breeze to swap headlights for OEM LEDs.

All the sensors and B.S. is just more crap that can have issues down the line.

 

Aren't they fairly pricy though? I've seen them on the marketplace page in here for over $1000. And you've gotta buy an upgraded harness too for them yeah?

 

Yes, good headlights are quite pricey. Go with the newer model.

 

$42K for a 17? No thanks. The 21 isn’t a great deal either, but is better than the 17.

 

Either truck would be great, but dang they seem overpriced!

 

I don't think either of those packages give you the bigger gas tank. If one does that would be a huge factor for me.

 

The 21 has a 38 gallon tank.

 

Think both will have the big gas tanks. The LED headlights are an easy swap for $700ish. Don’t love the ‘21 being used for towing with no cooler.

 

You can get the ‘17 and spend money on headlights and head unit, or you can get the ‘21 and spend money on the cooler.

Personally, I would get the ‘21 and add a cooler. All you’re doing is adding the OEM thermostat and hardlines from a 2018 Tundra, and then running hoses to a radiator of your choice, mounted behind the grille. And voila! Your transmission now runs how it was supposed to all along with the tow package.

I spent $750 total on all the cooler parts. Took a couple hours to install it.

I am the opposite of a tech guy, but I really appreciate CarPlay, dual climate, LEDs, push button start and smart handles on my ‘21. I think that stuff started in ‘20.

 

I'm partial to the 21 models... And it may have better resale in the future being 4 years older

I was never a fan of the orange interior

 

I had a 2017 and 2021, like them both. Like others have said the 2017 is more analog and a more pleasant driving experience, main difference for me was carplay, but with a good phone holder and that’s no big deal in the 2017.

 

This. Easy to find a '21 without the uncertainty.

 

As silly as it sounds, not having to pull my keys out of my pocket to get into the truck and start it has become a big deal to me. I don't want to go back to a vehicle that doesn't have that feature.

 

I own a 21' SR5 Sport. I replaced my brakes and rotors at 20k miles, they were absolutely, 150% SHOT, totally worn, could barely stop my truck at a traffic light. I think they put crap brakes from the factory that year, thats probably the same as the one you are looking at. I did tow, but it was a lawn mower or similiar maybe a dozen times, and maybe 5 beds full of mulch or gravel. There is no way I "damaged" my truck doing this, and I think people worrying about "omg someone towed with a truck" are being worry warts. I had Monroe give me lifetime brakes for 950 dollars, and I don't worry about it anymore. People crying about the tranny cooler are also worry warts, these trucks wouldn't be made if they couldn't operate without them. I am not saying don't add one, as I have considered it and might do so, but I 100% do NOT think its needed unless you live in Arizona and tow frequently. Maybe that's not a cool opinion on this forum, but in the real world, its the facts.

BOTH of these trucks are overpriced by the 17' by 10k and the 21' by about 5k. You need to expand your searches, I live near VT and its rare to see anything over low 40's and thats for a 21' Limited, not a 2017! Everything below 21' seems to be in the 30's.

 

This is weird. I still have plenty of pad life left on my ‘21 at almost 65k miles. I don’t do much hard braking though. With skinny 35s and 4.30 gears, the truck slows down on its own pretty easily.

 

I would get the truck that's 1,460 days newer!!! If you tow alot you can add a trans cooler if you want.

 

Over half my pads left at 70k miles here. He must have drove it like he stole it.