Which Tundra should I buy today?

I am sick of stressing, reading, and analyzing. I would really appreciate input from the group on which Tundra I should buy today. I am only interested in Limited/Platinum/1794 trims as I want leather or softtex interior.

Option 1: 2019 Platinum 4x4, 87k miles, dealer is firm at 39k. Interior is perfect, exterior very good with some expected rock chips/dings. I am comfortable replacing head unit to add apple car play.

Option 2: 2020 Platinum 4x4, 25k miles!, dealer is asking 47k. Good condition inside and out.

Option 3: There are a ton of 2023 4x4 limited in my area, various mileage, all in the 48-50k range pre negotiation.

I like the 3rd gen design, the tech, the power, how it drives... but without beating the horse to death - we all know the 3rd gen concerns even if it is only a small percentage and Toyota is working to resolve. Mainly worried that value might absolutely tank on the G3's if this ends up being more wide spread than we think. Also seems nuts to pay 47 for a 2020 if I can get a 2023 for the same money.

What should I do?

 

keep looking, you should be able to find a 2020 for around $36 to $43K and be very happy. I was in a similar boat. Had a 2015 tundra, traded for a 2020 SR5 w/ 17,000 mile was $43K. Looked at the 2024/25 and couldn't justify the $70K plus. The first scratch or dent and i would be sick.

 

Thanks! I am only shopping Limited, Platinum, or 1794 - do you really think I'll find one in that range without overly high mileage? I just finished searching a 200 mile radius. The big problem is, Carvana is ready to buy my car so I need to move quick on something else.

 

Not knowing your financial situation, I have to aim for best value, so the 2020 is out. I would go with the 2019 if it meant I could pay cash versus having a loan. Otherwise, I'd lean toward the 3rd Gen based on your trim preferences and prices. I love my 2.5 Gen and have my reasons for buying it when I did. But the market is moving on from the 2/2.5 Gens and the 3rd Gens are great trucks. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one at this point. Have you driven then both yet?

 

I look at it differently. To me it seems nuts to spend that kind of money on something that could very possibly need an engine replaced (warranty or not) when I could get something that's proven itself to be bulletproof.

There was nothing wrong with my 1st gen... I loved the truck and really loved not having a payment but I wanted to get a 5.7 while I still could, so I looked around and found my '19 as a CPO w/20K miles.
Very happy with it 2 1/2 years later.

87K miles on a Tundra that's been well maintained is nothing to worry about, that's not even broken in for a Toyota!

 

All good points - I am fortunate enough that I will be paying cash for any of them. I just have OCD fear of over paying and wasting money (that's me with everything, my wife says I am cheap, I say I am making sure we retire well lol) Based on KBB - the 20 and 19's are both high end of dealer pricing.. typically I am able to negotiate to pay somewhere between trade in and private party value even when using a dealer, but that does not apply to tundras apparently.

I drove (2) '23 limited trucks and loved the everything about them. They rode smoother, better acceleration, I am tech guy at heart and I like the screen setup w/ 360 cam. I just worry about reliability with everything I've seen, and even if it blows and Toyota replaces the engine, it will probably tank the value of the truck not to mention being without it for months. On the other hand, it could be financial win to buy one today at the depressed valuations and if this thing ends up being over blown internet loire and consumer confidence comes up, values on the G3's could rise.

 

Do you need a truck right now? Sounds like you'd prefer a 3rd gen in general, can you not wait to get a 2024 where the engine issues are (presumably) fixed?

 

I agree wholeheartedly. If the 19 was 2k cheaper, It'd be in driveway right now.. but at the end of the day, a few years down the road, overpaying by 1-2k is nothing. I drive about 600 miles a month, soon to be even less so mileage will stay low.

 

I need something to drive within the next week or so. I bought a BMW about 8 months ago and luckily was able to negotiate very well on it. It's a fun car, but the M sport seats are killing my back and sciatica. I have what I think it a once in a lifetime chance to sell it to one of the online vendors this week for what I paid for it. It's rare to get out of a euro car deal unscathed, so I am going to take it. I had an Audi for 5 years before that and loved it, and a 2007 Tundra for the 10 years before that. The Germans are fun, but I am ready to roll back to the reliability and maintenance of Toyota.

 

Did you see this thread I posted a few days ago? Might take some of that $2k sting away.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/million-mile-2019.156691/#post-3884397

I currently only put about 500 miles a month on my Tundra, so it'd take me roughly 160 years to hit this milestone.

What color are the ones you're looking at?

 

Dang, that is impressive!