Purchase: $20k Budget

Morning! After owning Rams and Fords, I would like to give a Tundra a try.

I understand that 20k is on the low side of these trucks, but they seem to be out there. Looking for any advice or recommendations of what to look for or more importantly, what to stay away from.

I may consider putting a plow on for personal use only.

In the 20k range, what mileage is too much and what year is best?

Thanks for any help you care to offer and enjoy your day!

 

Don't worry about mileage too much, look for excessive wear around trailer safety chain loops, wear on the brake pedal, seat side bolster wear, seat belt wear, all of these things will help you determine if it was mostly highway driven, excessive towing, or a bunch of stop and go. Secondly, rust! Look for frame rust! Lastly, engine mounts, steering rack mounts, shock mounts, excessive wear on these also speaks volumes. I'd say get the word out and be patient while trying to find a well kept truck that was left behind by an older gentleman who has checked out recently.

 

Think you’ll be harder pressed to get a 2014+ (the facelift year) for $20k without a bunch of miles. Only 3 available over 2014 under $20k within 100 miles of me and they all have 200k plus miles. 200k isn’t the end of these trucks, with good maintenance they should go at least twice that and beyond, but all the consumables on the truck will need attention. Suspension, breaks, bushings, hoses etc.

 

Great advice, thank you. I have read a bit about rust issues, specifically the frame. I assume this will be visible or are there some situations with these trucks to look rust free with issues being somewhat hidden............

 

Agreed, I am not apposed to pre '14, they seem to be well loved. I would be more comfortable with 130k miles or less and settle for an older, well cared for truck.....easier said than done.

 

A well-maintained 2010-2013 seems to be your best bet. For these trucks, meticulous maintenance records are a bigger selling point than low miles.

I’ve played around with the idea of getting a pre-2014 Tundra just so I could swap the Sequoia transfer case into it and have an unlocked center diff. My 200 series is spoiling me in that regard.

 

This.

I'd personally go for a nice 2012 if tomorrow my 2016 went belly up. Preferably one with the SAIS delete.

 

Good looking truck, but not a fan of it having 4 previous owners: https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...313&pid=mini_vdp_main_title#listing=347241748

 

A little more money, what do you think:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...i_vdp_main_title#listingImages/349983277/NONE

 

Hella nice with low miles to boot. I'd make an offer on that bad boy. It's a Platinum vs what the ad says (Limited)

 

This would have the SAIS, is this a big concern?

 

It will eventually be a concern.

Read:
What Does the Secondary Air Injection System Do?
https://www.tundras.com/threads/what-does-the-secondary-air-injection-system-do.113683/
What Do My Secondary Air Injection Error Codes Mean?
https://www.tundras.com/threads/what-do-my-secondary-air-injection-error-codes-mean.113686/
How to Fix Secondary Air Injection System?
https://www.tundras.com/threads/how-do-you-fix-the-secondary-air-injection-system.113688/

 

Nice pickup, if you like the platinum trim package. For reference, I paid $18k for a 2008 limited with 84k miles on it in 2020.

It’s not a bad deal and it’s not a great deal IMO.

 

I am not familiar with the different trim levels, Platinum above or below or just different than the Limited?

 

It's one trim level above.

 

Damn that rust is not good. Also looks like they either replaced that CV boot after a leak or it's still leaking. You could easily talk them down a couple grand then scrub all that rust off and seal it, or pass on the deal. If they aren't willing to budge on price, I'd walk.

Shocks also look OEM but that's just a guess on the one pic you posted. What's the front end look like?

 

Understood, that rust is pretty common here n New England. Rockers look
Really. Haven’t had it off the lift yet, they are doing maintenance.

 

I'm not from that area, but from what others have posted before, that looks pretty decent for New England. The hitch looks pretty unhappy, as does the lower control arm. Looks like they've replaced a wheel caliper, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Those shocks, though, out to be replaced, IMO. It has the TRD exhaust, as well, so it should sound purrrrdy...

 

OMFG I'm glad to live in the desert.

 

I searched for months throughout New England. Literally did not find a truck for 20k or below that wasn’t too rusted to consider buying, or had more than 2 recorded service records on my Toyota. Good luck.
I flew out to missouri and drove home

 

Time for a road-trip?

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...tBy=relevance&numRecords=25&clickType=listing

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...tBy=relevance&numRecords=25&clickType=listing

 

Not a bad idea!