I will chime in and get some flack here, but here goes:
The 5.7 is a great engine, but it may not be as robust or refined as the 2UZ. Again, it is a great engine; please do not accuse me of saying that it is not.
I know of a number of people with high-mileage 5.7s that are doing great (300,000 kms). I expect that if you take care of the engine, it will last a very very long time. Unfortunately, due to EPA regulations, as the engines continue to become more and more refined, they are hindered by more and more (what some of us might consider) unnecessary additions. The 5.7 is known to have a number somewhat small issues. Mine, for instance burns about a quart of oil every 5,000 miles. This is not a big deal, and according to Toyota, falls into the acceptable oil burning category. If you head over to the Tundra Forums, you can read
many post from people who are getting clouds of blue smoke during cold starts. I will get the cloud every once in a while, but not too often. This is just a characteristic of the engine.
As I mentioned earlier, the engine is hindered with many EPA regulated additions that are designed to reduce emissions. There is an air pump, for example, that is designed to heat up the catalytic converter during a start-up that helps to reduce pollutants during a cold start. These pumps can become dirty, or contaminated with water vapor, requiring them to be replaced. Someone I know had to have theirs replaced to the tune of $2400. This is such a common occurrence, that there are even companies that are designing computer modules to fool the trucks computer into thinking everything is kosher. Otherwise, the truck will go into limp mode and become pretty worthless.
I also have just a little piston slap then the engine is cold. Again, check the Tundra Forums, and you will see others complaining about it too. Not a big deal, but again, there is always room for improvement.
The thing you have to keep in mind, it that the 200 Series is an extremely low production vehicle. I think I read that there are more Ferrari 458s in the US then there are 200s (not sure how accurate those numbers are though). Because it is so low, you are going to have very few people saying anything bad about them, because quite frankly, there just aren't enough vehicles out there to give a good cross section of data compared to the population. If you want answers, seek the Tundra/Sequoia Forums.
All that being said, I am extremely happy with my 200, and wouldn't trade it for anything (well, maybe a 458, but my wife would castrate me in my sleep for sure). People like to to make some big statements on this site, and will tell you that the 200 is the end-all-be-all greatest thing that has or will ever be made, when in reality, it is just a truck (an extremely well made, and most likely the best SUV in the county), that will be used as a stepping stone to bigger and better things in the future
i.e. a 300 Series.
That is the way things work; a company releases a truck, and refines it into the next generation, and the next, and the next
ad infinitum. You will see that in every forum you go to. I have found the 80 Series owners to be the worst, as they say that the 100 series was the death of the real land cruiser, though we all know the 100 was better in almost every single way, the same way the 200 is better than a 100 in every single way.
Ok, rant over.
Now get your 200 and enjoy the hell out of it.
