Should I trade in my 2021 Tundra to get better gas mileage?

I purchased a 2021 Tundra and I absolutely love it! Unfortunately my catalytic converters were stolen back in February and I'm still waiting on the parts from Toyota. Meanwhile gas prices have gone through the roof which are making me consider trading it in once I get it back. My question is do you think the savings in gas on another comparable truck will be worth it in the long run?

 

Hell no. If you are trading to another truck it will never be worth it. It's debatable if it's ever worth it with something that actually gets good mpg. No current truck on the marlet gets "good" mpg especially nothing that is comparable.

 

Me personally I would keep the '21. You will never be able to get one with a known history like the one you already have.

 

Wait, what?!?! There’s a comparable truck??

Seriously though, if you're thinking to stick with a half-ton, what you have will be the best value in the long run.

 

No, I'm on my 7th-month waiting for cat parts.
But my dealership is paying for my rental until they come in.
Toyota is eating the rental cost.

If your dealer isn't paying for your rental, they should be...

Welcome to the forum.

 

1. drive rental to the scrap yard
2. buy your cats back
3. drive to dealer and sell your cats
4. wait for repair
5. drive your truck

I wish it was that easy. 7 months? Wow.

 

I'm with USAA so they are paying for the rental and the cat parts, but I agree that Toyota should be on the hook for the rental.

 

1. I'm not putting used shit on my truck.
2. My insurance already paid for new ones.
3. The rental 2021 Tacoma isn't costing me a dime.
4. I'm actually SAVING money on gas, the Tacoma gets 5 more MPG than my Tundra.
5. Life is good, I'll get my truck back when the parts come in.

It is that easy..

 

State Farm only pays $1500 per claim for a rental.
That was 33 days @$45 per day for the 2021 Tacoma
That would be about December 17th.

I'm on day 208.
208 minus 33, 175.
175 @$45 a day is $7875.
So far to date, Toyota is paying $7875 for my rental 2021 Tacoma..

The claim for parts and labor to fix the truck is $6K......

Just a side note;
When I dropped my truck off at the dealership on 11/16/2021 they had 7 Tundras waiting on parts.
As of last Saturday, I went by and checked on it, they have 40 Tundras and Sequoias waiting on cat parts..

To the OP:
Would I sell the truck? No.
Would I invest in some cat shields?
Yes, mine are sitting in my garage waiting for my Tundras return..

 

Don't sell. Maybe by the time the cats come in, gas prices will drop...

 

Was getting 21mpg highway last week, ain’t that bad….for a truck.

 

Look in the for sale ads and look around for a older car driven by a lil elderly woman on Sundays and buy that. Keep the truck and buy an El Cheapo!!!! Bug said!

 

If you mostly haul air around in the bed of your truck and don't need the 1/2 ton, then a Ford Maverick would get you a decent MPG and maintain some truck functionality.

If you need a 1/2 ton and don't want to buy gas, get on the 1-2yr Ford lightening waiting list.

If you want an ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle, then price out a chevy diesel @ 26mpg.

None of the options I listed make more economical sense to me, but those are your more MPG friendly options.

Personally, I'd buy a used Prius C and bench the truck for the time being if gas is too much. You will lose more than 5k on your trade in, over pay by at least 5k on your new vehicle. Might as well buy a 10-15k gas sipping reliable high mileage Toyota to knock down those daily miles.

 

Your Tacoma gets 4 more MPG. Is it a 4 cyl? We have 2 newer Tundras (V8) and 2 Tacomas (V6) in my family and the ALL get around the same mileage even when driven by different people.

 

My Tundra gets 13.8 on a good day.
The Tacoma gets 19, it's a V6..

Both MPGs are according to the OEM display..

 

If you’re wanting significant mpg boost, go get a RAM Rebel diesel. 33 mpg highway. 1/2 ton truck, a little pricey but then again everything is these days….

 

I coworker just sold his 2021 AT4. Payment and gas was killing him. Driving his mom's new Bronco Sport. She's rich. She only use it rarely.Has a place north of Orlando and a 1/4 section ranch here in Colorado in Westcliffe and has a big truck she keeps at the ranch. Must be nice...
Another coworker just traded in his tricked out fairly new 5.0 Mustang. Bought a 2017 Rogue. I see a small trend at work....gas, payments, and insurance...adds up now.

 

Maybe the auto industry will bring back the mini truck segment !!! Like a REAL mini truck segment not some lame ass unibody car shit.

 

Price of diesel pretty much negates any advantage there.

 

I did the math in another thread and the payback period is somewhere between 10 and 35 years, depending on the assumptions you make about what your current truck is worth, what a 22 would cost and what fuel prices will be. Not worth it if the truck you have now still meets your needs.

 

This never saves any money. Only way to save is sell the Tundra and buy a fuel efficient platform.

 

If you NEED a truck then I wouldn't do it. No point in selling yours and then overpaying for another truck that is only getting a few more mpg's. However, if you don't NEED a truck and are looking to move to something much more fuel efficient like a Corolla or Camry then go for it. I've considered selling my 2021 because I don't absolutely NEED a truck anymore but I still love my truck which is why I will hold on to it, for now. However, if gas continues to rise to the point I can't continue to live my current lifestyle I will consider trading it for something that gets 35+ MPG and a cheaper monthly payment. Hopefully it won't come to that...

 

I’m driving a rental 2wd V6 tacoma right now and getting 22 average over the last week or so, the same drive in my Tundra is low 15s

 

Just a thought, but.
Why would someone buy a truck that gets crappy gas mileage to begin with unless they needed or wanted it for a specific purpose?
If your gonna need to sell, do it now, as gas prices are not going down anytime soon!

 

I feel the way to go if you can do it. My 21 tundra Pro is parked most of the time in the garage unless I need it for something. It’s great having a full size truck when needed. I drive my new 22 Camry all the time for work. The gas mileage is awesome. Plus the truck is paid for and insurance is cheap. It’s best to have 2 vehicles but in my case my wife and I have 4. My 3 are my toys. Lol.

 

I waited long enough. My cats were stolen in february. I finally just had them put Magnaflows on it and its fine. No codes and it doesnt seem any differant power wise. After my insurance rental maxed out at one month I had purchase a corolla for gas mileage reasons. I drive 100 miles a day and the Tundra was killing me. I corolla has been great and my Tundra is being used by my wife who drives to work 5 miles a day. Got the cat shield on and i breath a little easier now.