Is this the beginning of the end for my 200? (1 Viewer)

[AFdude]

Gents,

My wife and I own a 2013 LC that we bought last year and a 2016 Tundra 2WD Crewmax. We like both vehicles. Although they're a little thirsty, having 2 5.7's in the household has been nice. Things have been going well in fact, been doing a slow build on my 200 with the suspension, wheels and tires so far. I have been awaiting the right bumpers and roof rack for me from one of the many fabricators that are developing them. It's a great time to own a 200, basically.

So this past Easter Sunday my wife was out in the Tundra delivering candy to a friend when someone ran a red light and "L" boned her. Our Tundra is totalled and my wife is hurt; broken arm and concussion.

As we've been doing the dance with the insurance companies we have set out to find a replacement Tundra. This is where things become difficult. My wife is hooked on the 1794. Not just the 1794, but the 4x4 version. I get it. It's an exceptional truck. It's well appointed, like the 200. Read: heated and cooled seats. Haha.

Furthermore, my friend is our dealer, whom we've purchased our last 4 vehicles from is ready to make a good deal.

Now I can't help but think I'm duplicating purposes with this truck, if we were to purchase the 1794 Tundra. I like varying philosophies of use for my vehicles and it's got me asking myself, why don't I just trade the 200 in on it as well? I could easily start a 80, 100 series or GX470 build with that extra cash flow. More of a dedicated overland rig, you know?

Adding fuel to the fire: my Ironman suspension (fronts), UCA's, wheels and tires will all swap to the Tundra

I've fully built 2 FJ's and a 5th Gen 4Runner so the 200 was the next best progression I could make. You guys know how special the 200 is. Just wondering what you guys would do. Am I crazy for thinking of leaving my 200 behind in favor of the new 1794 Tundra + whatever lower budget/pure overland rig build comes next?

 

[TonyP]

Yes

 

[AFdude]

And outside of her DD, our Tundra has been the dedicated horse trailer tower and motorcycle hauler. She loved that truck. Happy wife, happy life, right?

 

[ranma21]

Try that and I am pretty sure you will say I wish I haven't done that right after the trade in. You are not comparing apple to apple.

 

[Markuson]

So glad to hear your wife escaped without permanent or life-changing injuries!


How much will they actually lower the actual cost with the trade in? -I say actual, as in...get your LOWEST purchase price without trade-in...so you can see what they're *really* giving you. Otherwise, they'll make you feel good about the trade, only to make up for it on the new vehicle price.

When you discover the TRUE trade-in dollars? -You might determine that it's not worth the savings dropping down to a 100 series. As for over-landing...the 200 is absolutely worthy of the "true overloading vehicle" tag...if built for it.

Bottom line-- Sounds like you are thinking things through carefully. Good for you, and up to you. Just thinkin here...

 

[chilibit]

If my wife sends me a clear, unambiguous, message you can bet I will listen. This is referred to as a "gift" where I come from.

 

[40Man]

I've had both. The Platinum (or 1794 if you like reddish brown seats mixed with gray plastic) Tundra is a great truck. IMHO, it is not as quiet as the LC, has a bumpier ride, and just doesn't have the same finish. After wrecking my last Tundra I bought a used LC over a new Tundra FWIW. I wouldn't trade the LC in for a Tundra. The biggest problem I have with the LC, is now I'll never want to drive anything else.

 

[marketShark]

@AFdude I personally gave much consideration to the 1794, King Ranch and Sierra Denali, before settling on the KR. I thought the 5.7 was a little too thirsty, and went for the V6 Ecoboost for my 4X4. I think the trim and finish of the 1794 is very nice, but something about the 200 makes me feel like its built to a higher standard. I could all be in my head though.
If you want to swap parts, and they are interchangeable- go for the Tundra. I really dont like spending more than I have to on improvement mods. I'm all about lower total cost of ownership. Also- maybe an older cruiser will also reflect a lower insurance premium and in our (TX) case, lower annual registration costs.
Furthermore, consider selling the 2013 200 to a MUD member over the dealership. I know many are eager for a TX truck. I do like that we all think out loud, on the internet, (in my case) at work.

 

[marketShark]

I've had both. The Platinum (or 1794 if you like reddish brown seats mixed with gray plastic) Tundra is a great truck. IMHO, it is not as quiet as the LC, has a bumpier ride, and just doesn't have the same finish. After wrecking my last Tundra I bought a used LC over a new Tundra FWIW. I wouldn't trade the LC in for a Tundra. The biggest problem I have with the LC, is now I'll never want to drive anything else.

I agree with this statement also. Especially coming from a $60k F150 KR to even a used 200 Series. I really really love driving the 200 series. My next objective is being able to afford a new one. Even then, Ill probably keep my current 200 and use it as a ranch truck.

 

[AFdude]

So glad to hear your wife escaped without permanent or life-changing injuries!


How much will they actually lower the with the trade in (I say actual, as in...get your LOWEST purchase price without trade-in...so you can see what they're really giving you)?

When you discover the TRUE trade-in dollars? -You might determine that it's not worth the savings dropping down to a 100 series. As for over-landing...the 200 is absolutely worthy of the "true overloading vehicle" tag...if built for it.

Bottom line-- Sounds like you are thinking things through carefully. Good for you, and up to you. Just thinkin here...

I'm at least friends with my dealer, yet he doesnt know the 200 is possibly in the equation. 0%, $1500 cash back and $500 mil discounts ON TOP of what he's already going to knock off. I bet that could eat into any substantial depreciation losses the 200 may have faced in the past 8 months of ownership. So good point. I'll get that price first, then drop the "oh hey, lets see how much my 200 is worth". Thanks.

 

[AFdude]

If my wife sends me a clear, unambiguous, message you can bet I will listen. This is referred to as a "gift" where I come from.

I believe the word is clairvoyant. haha.

 

[AFdude]

I've had both. The Platinum (or 1794 if you like reddish brown seats mixed with gray plastic) Tundra is a great truck. IMHO, it is not as quiet as the LC, has a bumpier ride, and just doesn't have the same finish. After wrecking my last Tundra I bought a used LC over a new Tundra FWIW. I wouldn't trade the LC in for a Tundra. The biggest problem I have with the LC, is now I'll never want to drive anything else.

Oh you're definitely right, there's different qualities about them. For sure.

 

[AFdude]

@AFdude I personally gave much consideration to the 1794, King Ranch and Sierra Denali, before settling on the KR. I thought the 5.7 was a little too thirsty, and went for the V6 Ecoboost for my 4X4. I think the trim and finish of the 1794 is very nice, but something about the 200 makes me feel like its built to a higher standard. I could all be in my head though.
If you want to swap parts, and they are interchangeable- go for the Tundra. I really dont like spending more than I have to on improvement mods. I'm all about lower total cost of ownership. Also- maybe an older cruiser will also reflect a lower insurance premium and in our (TX) case, lower annual registration costs.
Furthermore, consider selling the 2013 200 to a MUD member over the dealership. I know many are eager for a TX truck. I do like that we all think out loud, on the internet, (in my case) at work.

Insurance actually spiked a bit when we added the 200 to the policy a large truck and large SUV heavily weighs down the liability and cost of replacement.

And speaking of lower costs, just spitballing here... Lets say I end up finding a 100 series or GX470 around the $12-14k mark (05-07 mileage and year around here is the going rate). Even if I throw $13k at it for a build I'm still in way less debt than owning a new Tundra and 200.

On the flip side. There will be a court case against the guy's insurance that ran the red. Perhaps being patient is key here. We may end up with zero debt soon no matter what, if you catch my drift.

 

[marketShark]

I sense that the TEXAS HAMMER and his daytime tv commercials will help with this

 

[AFdude]

I sense that the TEXAS HAMMER and his daytime tv commercials will help with this

HAHA> More or less. Our guy is calm and doesnt wear the hat though.

 

[Reckless]

The biggest problem I have with the LC, is now I'll never want to drive anything else.

+1

My friends trying to convince me to get a Bentley and thats what I told them.

 

[ethernectar]

Maybe of interest, maybe not...

I moved from a '12 RW Tundra (purchased new) to a used '14 200 Series last year. It was a bit of an impulse move honestly. I had always counted my previous 4.7L 4RUNNER as the best thing I had ever had, so the SUV format is for me. (Note: NEVER-EVER 'test' drive a 200 series because you're doomed to buy it). Once that was all over with, I did have to rethink my loadout for camping and overlanding trips, and I love the 200 platform. Its big enough, but nimble enough to get around. And it can tow a built 40 series on a heavy uhaul rental trailer. I'm pretty happy. Its a joy to drive daily, or overlanding (or even overloaded).

 

[Sandroad]

Take the 1794 for a long test drive, including highway speeds for a while. Last year, my wife and I (especially my wife) were hooked on the looks and bought a 1794. We didn't take a long enough test drive and long story short, we had it only a short time before we traded it in on our 200. There is really no comparison in the comfort and ride on a long trip. The 1794 is a nice looking truck, but the ride and handling is old-school truck. Full size pickups in general have come a long way in ride and handling, except for the Tundra. It really needs a big load in the bed to be livable. That, and the out of date non-full time 4WD system make the whole truck seem dated. I hope Toyota does a complete update with the next generation Tundra.

 

[TeCKis300]

^I agree that the non-full time 4WD is a huge detractor for the Tundra.

While I get your points for why you may trade in your 200, the Tundra is just not in the same realm of quality and capability as the 200. Though it is a pickup. Apples to oranges.

In regards to a built 100/120 series. A stock 200-series in my mind is way preferable to a built 100/120 series.

 

[TonyP]

Didn't @bjowett do a part time conversation using a LC transfer case? Or am I thinking of the wrong person.