How reliable is the 2014 w/ 5.7l and 4WD?

I'm cramming hard on the Tundra right now, I have a window of opportunity to get one, and my son-in-law found a '14 Platinum with 90K Nevada truck (no rust at all) in the neighborhood of $30K. Of course, no warranty offered by seller, but the pics he sent me (I'm in NY) look super clean, even the interior look pristine. What should I be concerned with regarding this year, mileage, etc? I've scanned the forum here, but nothing really answered my general question. Thanks!

 

Nothing really. Solid truck. Just verify all the maintenance has been up to date.

Would you be flying out there to get it and drive it home?

 

Private sale?

If so, just line up a mechanic to look at it just to verify. Also ask for maintenance records if they have them.

The 2nd and 2.5 generation trucks are known reliable as long as they were taken care of.

Edit: to add, many of us here have bought trucks with 100,000 plus miles without too much thought. I would say that $30k is a bit high for that truck. Might try to talk them down a little bit.

 

At least here around OK and TX, that price seems reasonable. Can you get a car fax report, or some other kind of maintenance history? I think if you plug in the VIN on Toyota's website, it will give some info. As you've probably learned, as long as the standard maintenance is done on these trucks they can run forever. So just make sure the one you're looking at has been maintained, everything works, no accidents etc. Anything that could affect the price.

 

I have a 2017 with 180,000 on it. I have not had any major issues at all. The only problem I've had is my rear wheel hub leaked and needed repaired. I wouldn't trade my Tundra for anything else on the road.

Point being, I think you'll be fine with the motor and transmission. I would have him take it to a mechanic, preferably toyota just to get a clean bill of health, since you're coming from across the country.

 

Jaypown: Yes, I'd drive it back if purchased.

fallen0: It's at a dealership. My son-in-law is going to look at it for me. He's an officer in the military, and has no problem negotiating (something dealers are not inclined to do on trucks these days) and thoroughly inspecting/have inspected a vehicle. This vehicle is a 'surprise' gift from my daughter and him so he's not going to get something suspect, for sure. We walked away from a slightly newer version of this vehicle ('17) three days ago when they were visiting me because of some suspected issues and the dealer not budging on the almost $50K price tag. Much less mileage though...

TreeCat: We'll do some checking with the VIN. Son-In-Law has subscription to CarFax so that's gonna happen here for sure.

kkhag621: All solid advice. Thank you!

jdg 1982: My S-I-Law has a Corolla and has a working relationship with the local Toyota dealership service dept. I'll have him take it there.

Thank you all for taking the time to give me this advice/encouragement! I'm working this hard right now to get the most for the $$ and a truck I can truly enjoy into my 'golden' years of retirement.

 

One more thing...

 

That's great! Hope he can get you a deal and a nice truck! Keep us updated and as jdg1982 said, we need pictures when you have them!

 

Will do... he's just informed me he's going for a test drive in it tomorrow... he also told me he's got his cousin who is a retired Toyota master diagnostician involved in the conversation so we'll see where this goes. Oh, and here's a pic I have...



I do have a rather pressing question that has nothing to do with the Tundra reliability, but rather with my use of the truck - I plan on using it to tow/launch my boat (20ft) regularly and do some highway towing of smaller trailers. Do I really NEED a 4x4 down south in Florida, or will a RWD vehicle do fine for me? There are lots of RWD newer Tundra's in my price range and I'd be happy with that if I don't really need 4X4 for a boat ramp. I know some of them can get slick, so I'm asking for someone with experience to chime in for me. Thank you again!

 

Good Lord, thanks it's only AM, not a vinyl, I don't need that modern days AM high tech.

 

No. The worst case is an F-150 will be pulling you and your boat out.

 

This is really only a question you can answer. I personally wouldn’t own a 2WD truck. I don’t really see an advantage other than less complicated drivetrain. The MPGs are essentially the same.

 

This all day. 95+% of the time you won’t need it. But when you need it your $30k truck is worthless.

 

Thank you gents. I've owned 4 trucks and 4 SUV's previously and they all had 4WD. But I'm not cruising the mountains of northern AZ anymore so I wasn't sure I'd need 4X4.... but I'm sticking with the original plan now...

 

Ooohh, nice looking truck... great color! (I may be biased)



As far as a well maintained Toyota with 90,000 miles... Pfffftt! Barely broken in!

I bought my first gen Tundra w/155K (I knew the original owner and maintenance history) Drove it for 7 years and 50,000 miles and sold it for more than I paid.

I bought my 4Runner with 111K (I knew the original owner and maintenance history) Drove it for 9 years and 90,000 miles and sold it for what I paid.

Neither of these ever needed anything more than periodic maintenance. I did have a LBJ fail pretty spectacularly on the Tundra, but that's on me 'cuz I was ignorant to signs that it should be replaced as maintenance.

90K on a Toyota that's been taken care of is nothing... when I bought the 4Runner my credit union made an exception to their rule of not loaning money for vehicles with more than 100K miles simply BECAUSE it was a Toyota, AND asked if I wanted extra cash on the loan.

 

Valuable info SD. My search is narrowing now. Thanks much!

 

If you are buying the 4x4 and you are in Florida I wonder how many times 4x4 was engaged. When you test drive the truck make sure the 4x4 actuator is not seized from non-use. You can test on pavement just go straight. Engage 4x4 and disengage. Make sure it works goes into 4x4 and out. This should be done periodically on all Tundras.

 

Just thought I'd mention that in regards to slick boat ramps, sometimes toe veichles end up sliding into the sea after losing grip with the rear tires. This can most likley be prevented by having the truck in 4 wheel drive (as the front tires will have better traction) while on a slick ramp.

 

My 2014 had a couple minor issues: the radio would shut off randomly and needed an update then it stopped. The other issue was that it started to crank longer before a start and sometimes it wouldn't start on the first crank. Fuel trim number issue (flex fuel) and the dealer did an update for that too. Luckily it worked on mine but others weren't as lucky. I traded it in at around 33k miles for the one I have now.

 

This. You can often let off the brake in 4hi and get the boat off of a slick ramp. Being easy on the go pedal is very helpful. I always back down the ramp to the point of launch, and then try to pull away in 2wd to see if I will need 4wd when I am actually trying to load the boat later. Often times I do, and engaging it before you need it (sliding into baptism in reverse) is always preferred.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to buy it, assuming all checks out, with one big caveat. If it has a FFV engine, I'd pass. Can't remember if they even had FFV in 2014 on the Tundra, but it was not something I wanted to deal with when we searched for our Tundra and Sequoia.

Also, make sure the cat's are original.

 

Ahhh, boat ramps... a never ending source of entertainment.

 

Thanks, Will do. Right now I'm in NY, moving to Florida in a year or so.

Yeah, I've seen the YouTube videos...lol... Don't wanna be 'that guy'... 4WD is now a 'must have'.

Turns out there was some electrical gremlins that showed up with the 2014 on the test drive, so we nixed that deal. I'm focusing on something a little newer now, most likely in the '18-'21 range with lower mileage. Pricing is nuts on all of them now and according to my cousin who works a (Ford) dealership, there seems to be no end in sight to the *ahem* 'supply chain issues' that he's being told are choking the delivery of new trucks...

 

UPDATE: Many thanks for all the great people here who responded to my question. Honestly, I've never been more excited to purchase a truck. Video after video, testimonial after testimonial....the Tundra w/V8 seems to reign supreme. The search continued and tonight I was informed by my daughter and son-in-law after a test drive that they pulled the trigger on a 2019 1794 Edition Tundra w/24k on the odometer. Smoked mesquite - which happens to be my favorite wood for BBQ and smoking. It’s an CA truck and the pics they took tonight showed shiny nuts and bolts and pretty much everything under the chassis is pristine. . I realize though, that I 'm gonna need some seat covers, because I don't want to mess up the leather seats using it for work these last couple of years before I retire...lol...So my search for the mighty Tundra is over, and now the fun begins.

 

Congrats on the truck! As long as you're sticking within the limits, you can't get a better half ton!

 

Godzilla - Yes indeed, I think you are right! Thank you!

 

I have a 21 2WD and my son has a 21 4WD. His vehicle gets about 3-5 miles per gallon less. around town We both drive easy. I am sure others may differ in their opinion.

 

Wow, very nice!! You have some amazing people in your corner it seems.

"Hey Dad, we bought you a Tundra, hope you like it."

Not quite a year ago I upgraded from my '00 SR5 TRD 4X4 to a '19 of the same model/trim w/20K miles... I have no doubts you'll be very happy. Good for you.

 

Congratulations! I too recently joined the 2.5 Tundra family. With a 2018 SR5 XP Hunter (SE Toyota Distributor bolt on package) with 32,000 on it. I suspect the 1794 has ventilated leather but do check as I live in Florida (Near Tampa) and I have had non ventilated darker leather that will leave your back sweaty on hot humid days. If not, since you are looking for seat covers get the kind that will ventilate for you. You will be glad you did.

Good luck and enjoy.