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Risks and Rewards of Buying a Used Toyota Tundra
Many buyers who are shopping for a pre-owned full-size truck consider a used Toyota Tundra. The Tundra, first introduced for model year 2000, was the first full-size truck produced by a foreign manufacturer and sold in the United States. The first generation, manufactured from model years 2000 to 2006, was a bit small and underpowered when compared to the domestic stalwarts from Chevrolet/GMC, Ford, and Dodge. Redesigned for 2007, the Tundra gained the size and power it needed to become more competitive with the aforementioned American trucks. While the Tundra has never been a best-seller for Toyota, it has earned a loyal following from many consumers, and meets the needs of most truck buyers.
As with any pre-owned vehicle, advantages and disadvantages exist to purchasing a used Toyota Tundra. The following are a some of them:
Risks
- Older technology – With each new model year, manufacturers typically introduce new or modified technologies that further improve the vehicle. Buyers who opt for a used Tundra will not have the benefit of these advanced technologies. For example, older Tundras may not get as many miles per gallon (MPG) as newer ones. Also, older Tundras have smaller V-8 engines, meaning they don’t have the heavy towing capacity of newer Tundras.
- It’s used – A used Tundra is just that: used. Somebody else has owned it first; somebody else has driven it first; somebody else has put it to work first. Buyers shopping for a used truck should be extra cautious. While trucks have certainly become more of a fashion statement than workhorse over the years, many truck owners still utilize the truck’s functionality. A truck that has been used for significant towing or hauling can be a threat to its future reliability. Buyers should carefully inspect any used truck prior to signing the dotted purchase line.
Rewards
- Lower cost – Due to the fact that they are typically older and have been owned by somebody else, used cars are less expensive than comparably-equipped new cars. The Toyota Tundra is no different. In fact, a used Tundra can be thousands of dollars less than a new one. Purchasing a used Tundra allows buyers to have all the utility and functionality the truck provides at a cost that, oftentimes, is significantly less.
- Certified used– The next best thing to buying a new vehicle is buying a certified used vehicle. Buying a certified used Tundra gives buyers a lower cost of entry (although more expensive than a non-certified Tundra), yet many of the benefits associated with a new Tundra. Toyota offers certified used Tundra buyers a manufacturer’s warranty, a 24-hour-a-day roadside assistance plan, and a complete 160-point inspection.
- It’s broken in– Purchasing a used Tundra may convince buyers to actually use the truck’s abilities. When a new car is purchased, many people “baby” it, not wanting to give the vehicle its first scratch or diminish its new car smell. A pre-owned Tundra may already have a few “work scars,” allowing buyers to feel less pressure to keep the truck in its new and pristine glory.
While many pros exist to purchasing a used Toyota Tundra, some cons exist, too. Buyers should consider these and make the decision that best suits their wants, needs, lifestyle, and budget.
