This won’t be a build?

Hey all,
I’ve been riding in a 2018 GX since I tragically wrecked my 2019. I’ve had that subliminal truck itch since said purchase. I’m looking at a new gen tundra for a future purchase. Have 2 girls and planning for a third child in the somewhat near future. I’ve read the what have you done thread through to page 100 or so. what I’m looking for:
Budget oriented 4x4
Crewmax
Short bed
Nice color
Less chrome
Not lowered (sport)
Underseat storage

I’d like to get something I don’t want to mod. My heart says get a TRD pro in terra, my wallet says basic sr5 in lunar or red.
What cheaper trim is more color matched, and talk me into a pro. But honestly I want that under seat storage. Also I’m done with any kind of “wheeling” in my life but I do hit the occasional unimproved fire road. I also want to be able to muck about in our meager snow. Mostly just keep the fam safe and comfortable and get me around. I’ll also be selling my stupid trailer that’s taking up my garage once I get a truck again.

 

I’d recommend the platinum but perhaps I am biased owning one and you’re looking to avoid the chrome. But honestly any trim will meet the needs you outlined. If it was me and had three kids, I’d likely just do an SR5 with the OR pckg. Then put the rest towards a memorable vaca.

 

Totally agree with this. In reality there are deals out there on slightly used Platinums.
Love the Pros but it’s hard to justify spending 10-12k more on it. We just welcomed our third kid and Tundra is a great family vehicle (we also have a 21’ Sienna XSE).
When I am ready to upgrade, I will definitely be looking at a Platinum. With lots of driving, the additional creature comforts are definitely more noticeable, especially the premium seats in Platinum/1794.

 

What about a limited with the off road package? They now come free of chrome. It won’t have ALL the bells and whistles, but can be optioned pretty nicely.

 

I second taking a look at the Limited. My '19 Magnetic Grey one came with color matched bumpers and everything pretty much blacked out. The only exterior chrome on it is the iForce 5.7 badge.

 

Thanks for the replies. Noted.
I mean I know mini vans are smart and practical, but I’m not there yet. I also want to haul off yard waste a few times a year (also know I could hire someone for that).

Smartest thing financially is definitely to keep the very nice and reliable vehicle I have that is almost paid off, so we have that established. Not to mention all the mods I’ve done that I know I’ll lose on in the trade/sell.

Gandered the local dealers inventory and allotments and everything under $60k I can see right now are mostly whites with a few grays and blacks thrown in. Color is something I don’t like about the GX.

There’s one red, which I really like the red but it’s long bed and don’t see myself enjoying driving such a long wheelbase around town.

I’m leaning towards a base SR5 4x4 model atm (prefer a price in the mid $50k range). I don’t see myself buying a used one for a few reasons, but I’m wanting that new truck smell most importantly.

Really window shopping right now and trying to hold off. But also really obsessing and wanting one too

 

SR5 and mod it

 

How do you wreck a tundra with full bumpers and sliders??

 

You can buy a bottle of new truck smell and it will be cheaper and much less aggravating than all the issues they have with Gen3s. Besides if you buy a Gen3 you'll have to keep another vehicle in reserve.

 

Sounds like you are already tracking your priorities. I have two boys who are in the process of fledging the nest, but you have a long way to get there. Some good comments above, and here are a few more...

Priorities...
If you are going to have three kids or 2 kids+dogs/friends then you are going to need a three-row vehicle. The mini-van suggestion is good (and Sienna looks great with good fuel economy). We rolled in three-row SUVs for many years (kids, dogs, friends, trailers, ... all that). The vehicle that hauls your family on regular basis is the most important one. It needs to do it safely, comfortably, and economically. Prioritize your family and definitely don't create financial problems that are hard to unwind. Kids are expensive.

Truck...
Perhaps don't scratch the new Tundra itch. Maybe you can get by with that nice looking GX for a while. Not sure what trailer you were referring to, but you can haul a lot of junk in a cargo trailer or utility trailer. We rolled for many years with three-row SUVs (Sequoia, then Tahoe) and a flatbed-trailer (primarily for whitewater rafting but serving double-duty as an all purpose junk-hauler). If you have to have a truck, but can only afford one nice/new vehicle then maybe look for a used crew-cab. If you go with a truck embrace the fact that you will come up short on space/comfort for your family junk-show. Three kids in back of a crewmax will be chaos at times. Actually, you won't even need a crewmax truck for the chaos but it will help. If you can really afford two nice/new vehicles and you want a new Tundra, then I think you are on the path with the near-base SR5 (pretty much what I have). You don't need the all the gadgets and OR-stuff, nor do you need the expensive mods. I expect your money has other priorities.

Good luck (and enjoy your girls)!

 

New Study: The New Car Smell Is Actually Toxic

Having three kids and a 60-lb dog, I would recommend a minivan or a larger SUV. We have an LX, the big brother to your GX, and it serves our family very well. It's extremely capable, comfortable, more efficient than my truck (albeit barely), and it has a 3rd row, so I don't have to have all the kids elbow-to-elbow-to-elbow on long trips. Putting one kid in the 3rd row solves a LOT of bickering problems. The LX 3rd row isn't exactly large, but kids under 12 have no problems back there.

Carseats were kinda tight in our old 4Runner, and its 3rd row was atrociously small (same size as your GX), so I get wanting to change, but I'd either

A: keep the nearly-paid-off GX family hauler, and buy an early 2nd gen Tundra to beat on and do work with. Or,
B: upgrade to a well-cared-for, used, larger family vehicle (3-row SUV or minivan), and use a utility trailer.

Having said all that, if you just want a new truck, you're going to get a new truck.

This is 100% true. I'm considering taking our LX to Colorado next time we go dispersed camping out there.

 

Not sure I won’t to disclose details, still mourning the loss of that truck. I will say it was on the road and the off road protection didn’t help the truck survive.

 

Appreciate the wise comments. I’m guessing this will all come full circle and I’ll just keep the GX as long as I can. Heck the 5yo actually loves it when she gets to sit in the back and for now has plenty of room back there.

 

Why would the vehicle you’d drive your kids in make you a bad father? Would they not have their own seatbelts?

 

Checkout TundraDude34 youtube pages, he goes over all of the trims and add ons they come with, different configurations.
https://www.youtube.com/@TundraDude34

 

I’d keep that GX all day long

 

Get a Limited 4X4 with the TRD OFF ROAD package. That IN MY OPINION for its price point is the best configuration all around for a 3rd gen Tundra.

 

Second this!! Love my 23 Limited TRD Offroad