Should I upgrade my 1794 from 2018 to 2023?

I have a 2018 1794 with about 55k on it. Outstanding condition. I’m thinking of upgrading to a new 2023 1794.

Any warnings or suggestions?

UPDATE: nothing at all wrong with my truck. This is mostly a want vs need thing. A couple features I need, but mostly this is the appeal of a nicer, newer truck that I don’t have to aftermarket ten ways till Sunday because Toyota let gen 2 go on largely unchanged for an absurdly long time. But NOT at the expense of reliability or utility loss.

 

If you have to ask, don't do it.

 

Nope I wouldn’t do it

 

Only you can come up with an answer that satisfies you. Go drive one and see.

 

Why trade a vehicle Toyota took years to perfect for one they are only in the early stages of.

 

Exactly. They're having a hard time selling them too. Most Gen 3 guys I talk to want to go back to a 2.5.

 

Nice strategy, but there is no wiser investment than to keep a perfectly running, proven reliable, depreciating asset. If you WANT to go to a 3rd gen for the bells and whistles, that's what you have to consider, but financially, it would not be a wise decision.

Yep

Me neither

 

And most of all, never modify a depreciating asset. You never get your money back for big wheels, tires and lift kits.

 

Yes, do it. You'll get a much nicer, eh, car with bed. Someone else will get a real truck he needs badly.

 

One of my closest friends is a GSM at a large volume Toyota dealership and has sold myself, my friends and my family cars and trucks totaling over three dozen. He ALWAYS has a tundra as a daily driver. The latest offerings are REALLY nice- like REALLY nice. (He usually has a platinum or 1794 edition). But each time we have been in the newer tundras (I would guess at least 20 times I have ridden with him), there are issues. A few times we have had a trailer hooked up to haul something - forget about putting the truck in reverse with a trailer. EVERY time it slams on the brakes and takes many attempts to get what you need done. The cameras are wonky - sometimes there are views unavailable. The charging ports for phones work sporadically. And I can’t get over the wastegate issues and the supply chain issues relating to the new engine components. Additionally it is unconscionable to me that the new tundra does not get better fuel efficiency. I will keep my v8 as long as I possibly can. For no other reason that it is paid off next month and I see no reason to trade it in on something that I don’t find superior in build quality or performance. If they work the kinks out in a few years and I am in the market I certainly wouldn’t rule it out but there are a lot of other things I would rather spend my time and money on at this point in my life.

 

Thanks. This is very helpful.

 

It’s a want only. Bells and whistles. There’s one or two features I’m looking for that I’d put into the need category, but I’m not going to drop $70k for just that. So mulling over the totality to gauge if it’s worth what’ll come down to an extra $180/month or so.

I’m not familiar with the reliability issues though - which is why I asked this question. I was taking stock of all the things I don’t love about my current truck (sound system, no remote start, no under seat storage, no bed power sockets, MPG, etc.) and have been mulling over just replacing it with the 2023 to make it easier than replacing those parts or modding. Purely just bells and whistles.

Buying a new truck when you have a perfectly reliable one much less only a few years old is never going to be the best financial decision. That’s fine. This wasn’t a financially motivated calculus given the resale value of my 2018 1794 remains quite high.

 

Interesting. This is why I asked. I didn’t realize the 23s still had huge reliability issues. I figured they’d have worked out most big ones in the last couple years since the new design rolled off the line.

Thanks.

 

That’s not a terribly helpful reply. I asked because I value hearing other people’s opinions and experiences. Of course only I can decide. This thread is not going to decide for me, but it’ll help inform.

As for driving one…sure would be nice. But my dealers nearby don’t have any on the lot. All the new tundras are being ordered.

 

What would you say you average for mpg?

We don’t buy these trucks for fuel efficiency. But in the want vs need category, I’d love to something much better than the mpg I get with my 2018 that doesn’t compromise on utility. I average 13/14 when not towing.

 

The things you list are easily done on your own - sound system is an easy upgrade, as are the remote start, bed lower sockets and under seat storage. You could probably get away with doing ALL of that for $2k…..

and don’t forget your increase in $180 a month also extends your payment timeline, no? Just food for thought as nothing that you mentioned is hard to do it very expensive at all……

I am not saying by any stretch that they aren’t very nice trucks and you might get one with no issues…..but if the issues are simply bells and whistles, those can be added and for much less than buying a new truck.

 

At this point I'd wait for gen 3.5.

 

Old Tundra is as fuel efficient as a full size pickup truck with reliable drivetrain could be without compromising the reliability. Look at what others do for better MPG and where they loose in reliability and longevity.

 

Do a search. This has been debated as naseum. Basically, pre gen3 hate them and love telling people that. They also fart in restaurants. Gen3 guys like them.
Mine is exceeding my expectations.

 

Lots of negative things on the 23 models majority of us don’t want or need. Like the motor stops on its own. Unless you hit a button every time you start it.
They removed things that all trucks should have. Like front tow hooks.

I could go on but will say study the threads here. I’m disappointed in the direction they took the Tundra.
My advice is drive the wheels of the one you have it’s a real truck.
Also the giant console makes long trips painful if you have to drive in heavy traffic where using the cruise is not a good idea. But it looks cool ..

 

It isn't always about money.
It's more about having what one wants on their own vehicle..

Not everyone is a penny pinching tightwad.
Some of us enjoy life...

 

I'd say keep your 2018.
I knew this thread would trigger the sensitive Gen 3 owners..

 

Are you saying you *don't* fart in restaurants? How is the chef supposed to know you appreciated the meal?

 

I had a gen 2 at one point, and now a gen 3. You will enjoy a night and day difference if you can upgrade. Take one for a test drive if you haven't already.

 

Wait until we get an explanation why new Tundra engines are failing - bearing or something?

Once Toyota releases tsb or recall or explanation why these are happening and confirmation that problem has been identified and resolved. Then you can buy it. Otherwise wait

 

The US alone sold 100,000 new Tundras in 2022, not including any out of country sales. The ratio of failures to sales would be in line with any new vehicle roll out. I wouldnt worry about reliability, or let it skew your decision.....mine runs fine

I personally am GLAD I upgraded. My old Tundra was nice....this is nicer.

If you haul or tow anything, get the Advance Pack or be prepared to aftermarket airbag it. The coil suspension is pretty soft

 

I'm not sure if there's official statement or not.

But for some reason the common knowledge is that Toyota recognized these turbo issues very quickly and supposedly it was a bad part? And it is definitely resolved now because we haven't heard of turbo issues for months now.

On the other hand, we get about 1-2 failed engines per week now, comparing that to Ram forum where at worst we had about 1 failed cam shaft every couple of weeks.

So this engine issue is definitely still here with us, many of us have it but don't know about it.

 

People on this forum question car dealers as being lazy, stupid and dishonest. Maybe your friend is one of those? If he can't figure out the config or lack thereof to back up a trailer he's stupid or lazy. It's not that hard. Same for the camera views. If setting up a new smartphone is a 8 on a 1-10, setting up a full featured Tundra is a 4. It's just not that hard. My mileage is 20.5MPG in mix driving and I drive speed limit +5. +/- 1MPG of what I got with my F150 3.5.

 

So that’s interesting to discuss too. I was playing the build feature on Toyota’s site last night. I really wanted the TRD Off Road package…but looks like you can’t get that AND the Advance Package…?

 

I was at supposedly the largest Toyota truck dealer on the East coast this weekend. They had no Tundras in the bays waiting for parts or drivetrains on the floor.

I've got the air suspension as well. On the Tundra it just does it's thing and I think is a large ride improvement. No jiggles even compared to the F150 which has a good ride.