Used truck market

[TheBigCountry]

Currently in the market for a used truck, and right now top of the list is a Tundra followed by the Tacoma.

Will be used to pull a boat, drive around when I’m not in my company truck, and haul stuff as needed so not too worried about gas mileage.

Plan is to stay between 12-20K and 2012-present.

4 door is a must, and I think I can live with 2WD unless I happen into a 4WD.

Ideas?

 

[Mike Casselton]

If you think you might have use for a 4wd, then do not go 2wd.

I bought my first 2wd truck 5.5 years ago and within 30 I got it stuck crossing a 3' wide creek.
If you're towing a boat, think about slick boat ramps too.
Down here in FL, many of the saltwatet ramps have a slick coating of slime on them.
I've seen boats and trucks slide down into the water while trying to go up the ramp.
I realize that spinning the rear wheels can cause this, but having something up front pulling can help a bunch.

 

[Veer_G]

Currently in the market for a used truck, and right now top of the list is a Tundra followed by the Tacoma.

Will be used to pull a boat, drive around when I’m not in my company truck, and haul stuff as needed so not too worried about gas mileage.

Plan is to stay between 12-20K and 2012-present.

4 door is a must, and I think I can live with 2WD unless I happen into a 4WD.

Ideas?

I got claustrophobic in a Tacoma. If you're absolutely limited to the two, get the Tundra. Always get a little more space and power because it's better to have than to go wanting when really needed.

 

[TheBigCountry]

If you think you might have use for a 4wd, then do not go 2wd.

I bought my first 2wd truck 5.5 years ago and within 30 I got it stuck crossing a 3' wide creek.
If you're towing a boat, think about slick boat ramps too.
Down here in FL, many of the saltwatet ramps have a slick coating of slime on them.
I've seen boats and trucks slide down into the water while trying to go up the ramp.
I realize that spinning the rear wheels can cause this, but having something up front pulling can help a bunch.

Totally didn’t think about that. The current vehicle is AWD and never had that issue, and sure don’t want to be “that guy” at the ramp ( Definitely will be looking for a 4WD

 

[TheBigCountry]

I got claustrophobic in a Tacoma. If you're absolutely limited to the two, get the Tundra. Always get a little more space and power because it's better to have than to go wanting when really needed.

That’s along what I was thinking. The Tacoma is nice but don’t wanna feel “confined”

 

[MtnCreek]

3/4 ton. 1/2 ton is for hauling groceries.

 

[Bender]

Silverado or F150 Should be on your list as well, you can buy a lot more truck for the same money as a tundra nothing wrong with the tundra though.

 

[Icallem]

I have both the Tundra and the Tacoma.

Tundra 4x4, V-8, 4 door and very poor gas mileage. (Apples)
Tacoma single cab, 4-cyl, 5-speed, 2wd and good gas mileage. (Oranges)

I bought the Tundra first and did this knowing I drive a ton of miles, but thought the mileage could not be that bad. It can be. So I looked around, found a Tacoma with only ~80,000 mile on it and bought it to drive everyday. This works for me, but might not for everyone.

As for the 3/4 versus 1/2 ton, I didn't give that a thought as we have an older Ford F-350 with the Power Stroke. That said, if pulling a boat, I could not afford one that the Tunda would not handle.

 

[Mike Casselton]

It's not always about pulling power.
No doubt the modern pickups will pull a lot of weight.

Sometimes, you gotta stop too.

Add a 2-3000lb boat/trailer/gear on the back of a truck and try stopping quickly.

Trailer brakes help a lot, but if saltwater is involved, never trust that the brakes will operate when you need them the most.

I bought my truck when I had a 22' deep V boat, and it never lacked pulling or stopping power. The load was just under 6k.

Got rid of the big boat and pull a 17' Hewes Tailfisher now.
The truck is a lot of overkill, but there are times I pull my buddies 22' Shearwater.
I feel a lot better with that overkill when there's a $100,000 load behind me.

 

[MtnCreek]

More truck weight makes pulling better too. I'd hate to have to swerve to avoid a crash in a tocoma or similar while pulling something. Could get squirrely.

 

[BytorJr]

Toyota builds a fine vehicle for the most part. I have a Sequoia. But there are some expensive fixes - for one, air induction pump failures (primarily gen 1 but even gen 2 can have them). However, the biggest flaw in Toyota Tundras/Sequoias is the gas mileage. If you get 17 on the highway and 15 in the city you must be driving like "Gramps." Granted, you'll probably be able to drive 300K getting that 17.

 

[blbennett1288]

Currently in the market for a used truck, and right now top of the list is a Tundra followed by the Tacoma.

Will be used to pull a boat, drive around when I’m not in my company truck, and haul stuff as needed so not too worried about gas mileage.

Plan is to stay between 12-20K and 2012-present.

4 door is a must, and I think I can live with 2WD unless I happen into a 4WD.

Ideas?

12-20k miles or 12-20k cash?

 

[TheBigCountry]

12-20k miles or 12-20k cash?

12-20K cash

 

[TheBigCountry]

I’m now looking at a few fords in the mix. Not so set on Chevy as I drive one for a work truck and I’m constantly taking it into the shop.

How do the F150’s stack against the Tundras?

 

[blbennett1288]

12-20K cash

How do the F150’s stack against the Tundras?

With that price range I really think you will be limited in what you can get, especially with low mileage. It'll be hard to get the largest 1/2 ton engine w/ 4x4.

I prefer the F150's to any 1/2 ton truck. I am on my second F150. My father in law was a GM man through and through, drove GM's his entire life. After he drove my Ford 150 and it was time to purchase a new truck, he purchased a F150.

I have been less than impressed with the Tundra's and Silverado's. The new Rams looks promising.

 

[2ndamendfan]

If you own a truck and when using it as a truck are worried about MPG you have your priorities in the wrong area. If using the truck empty and MPG is a concern, do you drive enough to make it worth wild to own car (think Honda accord/Toyota Camry/ford fusion) and make it pay with all the added expenses? don't for get insurance, registration and repairs.

If your fuel bill went from $300 a month to $150, what could you really get for $100 a month (if you can't save $50 a month at least it sure as hell isn't worth it). My answer would be not a damn thing.

Towing is based on the following. SAE J2807 standard
vehicle must go 0-30 in 12 seconds or less (loaded at full tow rating)
0-60 in under 30 seconds.
40-60 in under 18 seconds
With full A/C on and ambient temps at 100* F the truck must maintain a minimum of 40 mph up 12% grade for 11 miles (davis dam) without any fluid loss, warning lights or vehicle damage.
truck and trailer are allowed 0 degree under steer in a .4 g turn (obstacle avoidance maneuver)
must be able to stop 20-0 in 35ft with trailer brakes and 80 ft without trailer brakes working.
park brake must hold entire truck and trailer on 12% grade.

Think about all that when the new trucks are rated at over 30,000 lbs

SAE J2807 Tow Tests - The Standard

Check out the new standard in tow tests, the SAE J2807. See how this new HD truck testing will level the playing filed when it comes to testing the latest Trucks

www.trucktrend.com

 

[Jlknights61]

Father owned a tundra 2007 and a 2017 powerstroke super duty. Brother has a 2012 powerstroke super duty and I have a 2015 3.5EB F150. (78k trouble free miles, knock on wood).

We have done a fair amount of towing, specific to your situation I have towed a ~7,000lb center console with my F150. Power and braking were not a problem, and all though I could tell there was a load behind me I don’t feel it pushed me around. The EB engine mpg sunk like a rock however, going from a normal 19-22mpg to like under 10.

The heavy duty trucks can tow anything you’ll throw at them we towed over 22k lbs and I think the newest models are rated for like 37k.

The tundra was a fantastic truck, in fact my cousin owns it today and it is still running fine with over 250k miles. All it’s needed is normal consumables in its life. It is the second fastest truck (my EB is just a little faster) if that matters to you. The one thing in regards to towing. The tundras suspension set up made it difficult with tongue weight. Wasn’t a problem with any boat we ever towed, but it was impossible to tow a 50hp tractor on an equipment trailer due to the increased tongue weight.

 

[Jgunner]

Why 2012 and newer?

12-20k is tough, you will have to get one with a lot more miles than a comparable ford/gm. No way in hell I’d touch a gm anymore(its all the little shit) and don’t like ford or dodge. I have 3 toyotas in my front yard i could drive to maine and back today, all over 250k miles. I put some work into them, but as a whole they are just better. Mileage isn’t great on my oldest truck, and i know the newer ones(tundra) seem to be lacking in the same field. My buddy has a 12’ tundra and his ate up a steering rack at 120k, thats been it.

the second gen tundras have great power, braking and ride good, only complaint is mileage. I wouldn’t buy a tacoma to tow, but doesn’t mean it wrong.

 

[TheBigCountry]

Why 2012 and newer?

12-20k is tough, you will have to get one with a lot more miles than a comparable ford/gm. No way in hell I’d touch a gm anymore(its all the little shit) and don’t like ford or dodge. I have 3 toyotas in my front yard i could drive to maine and back today, all over 250k miles. I put some work into them, but as a whole they are just better. Mileage isn’t great on my oldest truck, and i know the newer ones(tundra) seem to be lacking in the same field. My buddy has a 12’ tundra and his ate up a steering rack at 120k, thats been it.

the second gen tundras have great power, braking and ride good, only complaint is mileage. I wouldn’t buy a tacoma to tow, but doesn’t mean it wrong.

20K is the max I’m allotted to spend.

 

[Switchblade]

UPS has one cheap, might need a little body work though

 

[jbuck88]

I have a 2012 crew cab 4 door tacoma, my wife has the 2017 crewmax tundra and my son has a 2005 access cab 4 door tacoma. They are all 4x4's

I like the tacoma more then the tundra. However they get pretty close to the same MPG.

We just got my son his truck for his 16th birthday. It had the 4.0L with only 50k miles and was at the bottom end of your budget.

I have used my truck to tow my 24' boat that weighed 6,500lbs and it did OK, at best. I wouldn't want to tow much more, but would have no problem towing that much when needed.

My wife's tundra tows amazingly well. I have towed a 16k boat when it broke down and got towed into a remote town. That was well over the rating, but felt ok with E rated tires. The truck was more planted then the Dodge 2500 I had previously.

If my truck blew up tomorrow I would go out and buy another Tacoma. If my wife's truck blew up tomorrow I would go out and buy something else, probably a 4runner.

 

[AHorn]

Tundra hands down! I currently have a 18 ram 2500 mega cab 4x4 of course, prior to that I had a 14 tundra and I miss it all the time. As stated above has mileage sucks but it’s worth it! Lots of room and power. I was actually just telling my wife that I was going to find me another tundra to hunt/play out of and save my ram for road trips and pulling horse trailer. Might I add that I’m 6’5” so I couldn’t drive a Tacoma if I wanted too lol.

 

[Bender]

My wife’s coke wagon (14 expedition) has the 5.4, the older v8, but it will get 19mpg highway. It sucks in town though. It pulls my boat excellent. An older 5.4 is hit or miss but affordable. They run forever if you take care of them.

 

[Mister Ridge]

I actually was headed this exact way recently. Test drove 2 Tundras. Didn't fall in love with either. Both were lifted and drove poorly. I would have looked at a stock one but I ended up hating the interior. It felt oddly cramped compared to my Chevy and I couldn't get the seat height to adjust down. It felt like I was crammed into the roof. The 4.30 gears were nice though.

 

[DTJB]

If you’re not limited to 2012+ model years why not look at a few 3/4 or 1 ton diesels? I bought a 2005 ram 3500 4x4 DRW quad cab 8’bed (5.9L Chummins ?) with just over 100k on it for right smack dab in the center of your budget... last forever with proper maintenance and you’d be hard pressed to find something you can’t move, or stop. If you lean Ford check for a low mileage 7.3L ‘03 and older... chevrolet 6.6 2006-2007 LLY or LBZ(preferred) Although I’m a dodge/ram/jeep guy, I drive a ford transit 350 for work with the 3.5EB and it’s a right little monster 50k trouble free miles... don’t know much about Toyota’s, other than they will last a good long time, if you are looking at chevrolet I’d steer clear of the 5.3L trucks unless you go newer than ‘14

 

[346ci]

As mentioned, your year + budget are tough. We have had several Silverado 1500s. I have a '06, brother has a '17, dad has a '15, all 5.3L but LS('06) vs LT based engines. Th 06 and 15 have catback exhaust and tunes, LT has more power as it should. The '15 is a fun truck to drive after tuner fixed the crap shifts and turned off V4 mode.

Work trucks are mostly diesels, 6.7L Fords/Rams. Mine is a 09 F150 5.4L 4wd, a little low on power but has been a good truck.

 

[TxWelder35]

In those years I’d get a half ton ram 1500. That 5.7 hemi is a solid motor.

I had a Tacoma for a couple years, if you plan on doing any towing count it right out. Anyone that says a Tacoma can tow anything more than a Jetski comfortably must not have had an opportunity to use a real truck to tow. Tacomas are scary to tow with. They just aren’t big enough.

imo Tundras are very meh. The interior and technology in them isn’t anywhere near as nice as a comparable model in ford/Chevy/ram

 

[OldSalty]

imo Tundras are very meh. The interior and technology in them isn’t anywhere near as nice as a comparable model in ford/Chevy/ram

Lol. Cmon now...not anywhere near as nice?

Facts:
Toyota > Ford > Chevy > Doodje

I would put Ford and Toyota pretty eqaul. But Chevy and Doodje are distant 3rd and 4th.

IMO, do NOT get a Chevy. They rust like a MFer.

 

[MK20]

Get a chevy from the early 2000's. Get the 4 door diesel 4wd. My mechanic has one and says he gets around 26 mpg highway and about 24 towing. This is from a full size quad cab truck.

 

[Codiekfx400]

A Chevy avalanche is a very nice truck for your price range. Once you drive one you will fall in love with the ride quality.

 

[OldSalty]

Only downside to my 2014 Tundra Platinum is gas mileage.

Technology? I mean it has power heated leather seats, touch screen nav package, tow package, premium BT enabled sound...

But the SOB sucks some damn gas.

My 5.7L averages about 16 to 17 hwy...realistically. I have averaged 14.3 mpg over 5 years combination of hwy/city. I only drive it 8,000 miles per year on average so its like...meh.

 

[hermosabeach]

Be aware of the major services. Neighbor sold his 2007 tundra for insane money and it was 15k over the timing belt / water pump interval. Many sell trucks when that bill is due as it can be close to 2k at the dealer.

 

[Blue Sky Country]

Toyota builds a fine vehicle for the most part. I have a Sequoia. But there are some expensive fixes - for one, air induction pump failures (primarily gen 1 but even gen 2 can have them). However, the biggest flaw in Toyota Tundras/Sequoias is the gas mileage. If you get 17 on the highway and 15 in the city you must be driving like "Gramps." Granted, you'll probably be able to drive 300K getting that 17.

----------
Toyota builds a fine vehicle for the most part.
----------

Not to mention that they got TONS of free advertising... All of the photos from every third world military conflict from Afghanistan to lower Africa shows Toyota trucks riddled with bullets and shrapnel from mortar blasts, yet still rolling and hauling entire squads of heavily armed fighters and sometimes heavy artillery on their backs.

 

[tnichols]

The tow ratings on a lot of the new trucks scare me. Just because “they” say you can doesn’t mean you should.

 

[HiDesertELR]

Not sure how you feel about diesel, but the 7.3 Ford's will go forever, tow or haul anything, and with a good chip set, get almost 20mpg around town as long as your not coal rolling Prius / Tesla drivers every day. Not that I do that ever... Under any circumstances...usually.

 

[Terry of illinois]

With ALL the information you have got the very next step is pull all your hair out . Then you can do just what you want to do. Again the only person you have to make happy is yourself. Truck on .

 

[Veer_G]

----------
Toyota builds a fine vehicle for the most part.
----------

Not to mention that they got TONS of free advertising... All of the photos from every third world military conflict from Afghanistan to lower Africa shows Toyota trucks riddled with bullets and shrapnel from mortar blasts, yet still rolling and hauling entire squads of heavily armed fighters and sometimes heavy artillery on their backs.

Yeah. Somehow, a Toyota Tacoma just ain't a very good look for me.

?

 

[atomic41]

----------
Toyota builds a fine vehicle for the most part.
----------

Not to mention that they got TONS of free advertising... All of the photos from every third world military conflict from Afghanistan to lower Africa shows Toyota trucks riddled with bullets and shrapnel from mortar blasts, yet still rolling and hauling entire squads of heavily armed fighters and sometimes heavy artillery on their backs.

Yup, the Hilux is arguably the best truck on this rock. Too bad we can't get them here.

 

[Bender]

I had an 03 8.1L I should have kept. 12mpg everywhere but amazing torque. It has more tq at 1800rpm than a small block ever made.

Best motor GM ever made.

 

[TheBigCountry]

So a bit of an update: after going and looking at a truck last night and getting the sticker shock and final price, the wife and I came to the conclusion that for now, with how little the truck will be used (Monday thru Friday I use my company truck), there is no point for a $300+ payment on something that will be parked except on weekends and when I’m off.

I’m now narrowing my search down to older trucks under 10K. I did find an 06 Tundra with 130K miles; only thing is it’s RWD. I’m taking it for a test drive tonight.

 

[nexusfire]

I have 3 tundras for company use that all have 300k+ miles on them. I also have a Nissan Titan that has 300k miles on it. They both will run forever if you take care of them. I drive a 2500 HD duramax for a personal vehicle. I just like the diesel motor for hauling ass up the mountain to my cabin lol. It has the DEF setup unfortunately so no rolling coal

 

[TheBigCountry]

I have 3 tundras for company use that all have 300k+ miles on them. I also have a Nissan Titan that has 300k miles on it. They both will run forever if you take care of them. I drive a 2500 HD duramax for a personal vehicle. I just like the diesel motor for hauling ass up the mountain to my cabin lol. It has the DEF setup unfortunately so no rolling coal

No delete mod available for the DEF issue?

 

[KYAggie]

In 2017, after driving a neighbor’s 2008 Tundra with 150,000 miles on it for about three hours on a road trip, I decided to get one myself. I was shocked it had that many miles, it drove like a new one. Yes, the mileage sucks, but so does every manufacturers truck with a V8 close to the same size and for sure, if you change the oil at regular intervals, it will suck for 300,000 plus miles, which I suspect will be quite a few miles past where a twin turbo ecoboost V6 will have melted itself into a block of scrap metal. Toyotas just go and go and go. For the number of miles you’ll put on it each year, if you get one with 150,000 miles on it, it should last you a very long time.

My advice, be patient, take your time, and pick up a used Tundra. Besides, the way Toyota is going, people that don’t know much about them won’t know if your truck is a 2009 or a 2029 in ten years, they will still be using the same body. I highly recommend holding out for a 4x4 with the Crewmax cab; everyone who sits in mine loves it.

 

[Jgunner]

The older tundras are awesome. Timing belt isnt that hard to replace if you’re competent and have the tools. I did my first in 5 hours not realizing toyota made it idiot proof IF you use their parts. Belt has writing on it, pay attention to it, line up all the notches. Slap it on there. Shitty part is the whole front of the engine has to come off. Accessories and water pump. But they make it so its not too bad. Should be done every 100k miles, but seen some go 250k (stupid).

 

[TheBigCountry]

Deal is done. I test drove the 06 and it rode like new. They had it next to a Avalanche and even the wife said get the Tundra.

Dealer had put brand new tires on it prior to my arrival and done all maintenance as well. I can live without the 4WD for now.

Dealer impressed me and the Boss so much, we’re going back Saturday to buy her new ride. (And for someone to impress me it takes a lot lol).

 

[OldSalty]

Deal is done. I test drove the 06 and it rode like new. They had it next to a Avalanche and even the wife said get the Tundra.

Dealer had put brand new tires on it prior to my arrival and done all maintenance as well. I can live without the 4WD for now.

Dealer impressed me and the Boss so much, we’re going back Saturday to buy her new ride. (And for someone to impress me it takes a lot lol).

Congrats on the new ride...

 

[Chips26]

20K is the max I’m allotted to spend.

Youll be hard pressed to find a Tacoma under $20k that doesnt have less than 130k on it. Finding a Tundra in that price range is like hunting for a unicorn.

 

[Codiekfx400]

I would have bought the Avalanche. But Tundra is a decent ride as well.

 

[TheBigCountry]

I would have bought the Avalanche. But Tundra is a decent ride as well.

Avalanche had some issues; it was lifted on 20’s and could hear tires rubbing during a turn, had a burning smell coming from back tires after test ride, and oil leaking out of heads when I went under the hood.

 

[Codiekfx400]

Avalanche had some issues; it was lifted on 20’s and could hear tires rubbing during a turn, had a burning smell coming from back tires after test ride, and oil leaking out of heads when I went under the hood.

Well that’s a turd for sure. I had a 2005 avalanche it was a great vehicle. Extremely reliable and the most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven. The Tundras are a good truck as well.