Tundra purchase - what to look for

EDIT - Truck is misrepresented. They sprayed the frame and undercarriage and just sprayed over a fuckton of sand so I have no idea what they're hiding. I need to pass. Shady ass dealer. I went to two other 2.5 gen trucks and checked and they had overspray on dirt as well. I guess that’s their go-to….take a truck in on trade and then spray it to make it look shiny.


Hey guys,

New member here - I’m rmorse over on the Tacomaworld forums. I never thought I’d be getting rid of my tacoma but my wife ended up pregnant somehow (it all happened so fast) and now I have a beautiful baby boy. My Tacoma is way too small so I’m making the switch to tundra.

I found a gorgeous 2021 Calvary Blue SR5 TRD Sport 4x4 with a ton of options. 40k miles and will be CPO. I think I got an ok deal on it ($41k) and I’m flying out to pick it up on Tuesday. What do I need to look for on these trucks when buying used? I know Tacomas have frame issues to watch out for but I’m pretty ignorant with Tundras.

 

Gas stations

 

It can’t be THAT much worse than my taco lol. I think I was at like 16mpg with it

 

Welcome from NY.

The only thing I would look at is the undercarriage because it's in Vermont and they get plenty of snow and use a lot of road salt.

 

Looks somewhat decent from the pics! That was one of my concerns as well.

 

Looks pretty good and a pretty fair deal. Congrats on the boy and the truck. Watch out for contracting CDD it is rampant around here. And consider purshasing an extended factory warranty before you go over 3yr/3K. I will send along the details.

Also, you appeared to have chosen the most godly of colors.

 

Thanks! What do you mean by CDD? Covid? If so, I’m vaxxed and gotten hit with it a couple times already so I’m hopefully ok but who knows lol.

It does come with a 1 year/12,000 mile comprehensive warranty and then a 7 year/100,000 mile drivetrain warranty. I was thinking of talking to them about an upgraded warranty if available but dunno if it exists

 

Looks okay but double check it yourself. Where are you driving back too?

 

It does exist but that dealer may or may not be the best place to get it. The info I sent has been used by many on this site and all have been happy AFAIK.

CDD is Chrome Delete Disease, a chronic condition that afflicts many on this site. It is curable but it is best to avoid contracting it all together. Actually just a well intentioned jab at those who choose to do things to their trucks that for me are something that I don't feel a need to do.

In any case, welcome to the site.

 

Oh I’ve had that for years. I don’t think it’s curable.

 

Headed to Albany to crash at my buddy’s house Tuesday night and then I’ll be back home Wednesday, just outside DC.

 

Beautiful truck. Love that color. It's a 21, so not much to look for on them other than it's a northeast truck. I'd go over the underside and clean as much rust off as you can, then start getting the frame sprayed yearly if you are in a rustbelt state.

Since the truck is being sold from a dealer, I'm betting it hasn't been hacked up by anyone from this site, so it's probably a safe bet.

 

Looks great! Good deal also. I recently bought a 2021 double cab also. I'm on the coast in the South so didn't need 4wd so got one with 11k miles for about the same price. 40k is still low miles.

Mine was totally rust free, but have bought a used truck that looked exactly like that. Not bad after a year in salt state.

For that truck that looked like yours, I did a lot of research and Corroseal rust converter is the best. I used wire wheel and bruch it all down. After 3 years it was like new. I used black paint over it. Then if it rust again you will see it and can treat again or also use fluid film. The other rust converters were no where near as good.

I also bought and retuned a 2021 Tundra from Carmax. The cats had been stolen and replaced with aftermarket. Tough call. That one had 32k miles on it for 39k but glad I returned it and got the one I have now for 42k and 11k miles. OEM cats can run over 7k at dealership. Just the parts were like 4k.

But yeah at least it's all stock which is the best to buy. If you maintain it, it will hold good value. This is mine. Just going to keep it maintained and clean. May drive it 3 years, 10, or 15. Who knows.

I'm also not a huge fan of the chrome but not gonna spend 1k as truck still looks good.

I was in a bind without transportation for 2 weeks as I had to return the first Tundra to Carmax, and had ordered a new Taco after that but it was damaged in shipping and found this one next day that was 100 miles away. I'm so glad I got this one instead of the Taco. Same price.

I"m getting 16.8 and have heavy Ridge Grabbers. Mine is 2wd so yours may be more like 14-15 for 4wd. But still probably better than a Taco with bigger tires. Back seat of DC Tundra has much more room that DC Taco. I think you did great! Looks great and don't need to do anything else.

 

If its a Toyota extended warranty thats great. However, most dealers give a power train warranty that does not cover much and IS NOT transferrable. Just my 2 cents.

 

Nice truck! I love that color. And yea, I was planning on knocking off any rust I saw and then doing wool wax on it tbh

 

Yup, it’s the Toyota one

 

Welcome and greetings from Minnesota. Truck looks great, congrats. If not already equipped, you should get a full set of catalytic converter shields. There are a number of excellent options referenced in this forum.

 

The Toyota one that a dealer gives you IS NOT the same one from Toyota direct. My 2021 came with a lifetime powertrain warranty from the selling dealer but it DID NOT cover as much as the oneI purchased from Toyota directly which I believe was the Platinum plan. If you search the site for extended warranty you will see the thread. The Toyota one covers electrical and most everything that bolts on. Just not wear items like brakes, hoses and belts.

 

Ah, got it. I will verify when I head out there Tuesday

 

If they are giving you a factory one it comes with a book and ID number for claims at any Toyota dealer. My dealer offered one was only good at the purchasing dealer and the other aftermarkey ones are hard to get honored anywhere. Not a deal breaker as you can always add the factory one before the 3/36 period expires. Its cost will depend on how long and for how many miles. I did the 10/100 which is transferable once if I sell before it expires. Good luck and Welcome aboard. I luv my 21 Crew Cab and its V8! There is a guy in TX who gives the best price if needed.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

Ok so they just messaged me….apparently they dented the tailgate. They can repair or offer a discount. How much of a discount do y’all think is reasonable for this?

 

Personally I would want them to repair since it would be on their dime and their hassle of taking care of it. Even $2k on discount wouldn't be enough for me to deal with the hassle of either finding a body shop to fix it or driving it around daily with it being there.

Also, nice looking truck there. That's exactly what I was wanting except in Crewmax when I was shopping. I did the same as you as we were planning on our first child and was ready to upgrade from the Tacoma.

 

Yea the problem is, the truck is in New Hampshire and I'm down in Maryland. If the paint starts failing in 5 years, I can't drive 10 hours to get it repaired.

 

Get a local estimate from the picture. Tell them there is a small ding also. Then add $500 to it and tell them that's what you want taken off the price.

I honestly think if they repair it you won't have issues down the line.

 

Your deal sounds good. I have been lurking as I have been shopping for one as well. I bought this one over the weekend. 2018 Tundra SR5 4x4 XP, one owner in FL with just over 32,000 miles on it.

I had to buy from a Ford Dealer because locally Toyota Dealers have taken to playing Price games with fees, market adjustments and inflated dealer add ons.

I've only driven it a few hundred miles and it is just like new and barely broken in. I thought you be interested in how good your pricing is.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Beautiful truck! The sport package is a great looking package for our trucks! I could be a little biased, though.
Enjoy

 

Ended up at pretty much $40k. $43k OTD. Would have preferred $45k OTD with no dent but I can live with this for a bit until I get it fixed. Picking up tomorrow