Hey Scotty,
Happy to see you're moving up my way in RI!
I'm looking at getting a used truck but can't decide if it's worth it to trade in the car and get a newer truck or keep the car and get a slightly older truck. If keeping both I'd like to buy a truck under $10k but if trading in the car I'd go up to around $20k. I'd also lean toward a private party sale if it's under $10k but would go to a dealership if spending over that.
I hold the title to a 2015 Subaru Legacy with 130k miles, at least 100k are highway miles. At 120k miles the car got a whole new transmission and at 125k it got new tires, brakes, and rotors. It's been in one accident where it was rear-ended at around 90k and repaired with no negative residual effects that i can tell. I don't drive nearly as much as I use to and went from driving 30k a year to under 10k.
I'm looking at getting a truck mostly to do projects around the property as well as launching the boat once a year and taking it out at the end of summer also I like driving trucks more, borrowing trucks sucks. My property is mostly sand so I need 4wd to help with a lot of the projects and for winter driving as well.
Currently, I'm between getting a Tundra or an F150, definitely leaning more toward the Tundra. Thinking of getting an early 2000's tundra if keeping the car or getting a newer model 07-15 but looking to avoid 12' based on that year's issues. I'd keep the car as long as I spend under 10k but I'm torn between the best option.
Thanks for any advice.
I have the same thoughts. I would be interested in his answer too. I been reading on some of the older Fords with spark plug issues. And then Chevys with other issues. I don't want issues like that. I can easily deal with the normal starter, alternator, brakes, etc issues. Don't want trans and engine problems. I like Toyota. Looking for something that can tow a small RV type trailer. Light.
Toyotas are much more expensive but reliable is my main focus. Hey Scotty, ! Smadden, if we are in the same area, you get the first choice. I am honorable to that.
I'm sorry if I misunderstood your question or points I'm a bit tired but here are some of my thoughts:
Keep the Subaru, the first and most significant thing to fail is the transmission, and you have it replaces and it should last you a while more.
You are in a budget, so I would also like to put forth the late 2000s+ Nissan Frontier (yes I know smaller truck) as those are decent trucks.
If you are between the Tundra and F-150, I'd go Tundra all day long if you can find one in good shape for 10 grand. For the F-150, best case scenario would be a low mileage 2011-2014 with the 5.0 V8. Avoid all F-150s with the 3 valve engines, especially the 5.4. Please don't buy a V6 or 4 cylinder F-150.
In fact, I wouldn't even consider the F-150 if you aren't doing heavy towing and can't find a good Tundra.
Just search this forum for opinions on the F-150 and Tundra on the top right and you will see the difference in opinions.
Thank you for the response it was an in depth question but I wanted to provide context so it could be accurately answered. I was heavily leaning toward the tundra's because outside the 2012 there really isn't many issues to be found outside frame rust on select models but from my understanding that's covered up to 15 years.
I landed on the Tundra mostly for hauling and longevity. A lot of the hauling would be stone and lumber and mulch/dirt periodically. The smaller trucks have their advantages especially as a daily driver but it seems frontiers are similarly priced and definitely tacomas are similarly priced if not higher for similar years and miles.
I half think of the F150s but every year, even their good years, have some issue that needs fixing. Tundras seem to last 20-30 years easily and thats my biggest concern. I'd like to have 1 or 2 vehicles that will last for the next 15 years easily so a 20-year-old Subaru and 25-30 year old tundra seems to fit that bill.
The specific tundras I seem to be looking at in the price range I'm comfortable with (for the right truck I have flexibility in the price up to 12-15k if I were to keep the Subaru) would be 04 1st gen (common price seems to be around 6-9k for something with 150-200K miles) or 08-2011 range maybe a little newer, just skipping the 12' from issues I've read, but all the newer models at 200k are around 11-15k and if they're lower mileage (under 125k) it seems like they're pushing 20k. I'm comfortable with around 200k miles as the ones with around 200k miles are closer to the price range. Is it worth it to save the money and get a 200k especially as a 2nd vehicle?
Your best bet would be the Tundra. We get this question a lot and Tundras can last a long time, but the answer would be the lowest mileage you can afford, and more importantly, the one that was maintained the best.
You can pick up older Chevys (1996-2006) for under 10K and they were pretty solid made back then.
If you can find a Tundra you'll easily spend more than 10k and this is the best thing I could find for work truck at that price.
Trade in the Subaru, get a Tundra & pick up a good beater, with the leftover cash from the Tundra.
Trucks with high mileage are sold because they are beat to hell, not because they are worth a lot of money. Keep that in mind when you are talking 200K+ mile tundras.
You're better off finding something like this :2010 F-150 XL 4.6 V8
