Looking at a low mile 2017 in the salt belt

[petveedub]

I’ve been keeping my eye out for a 2016 -2017 Tundra like I would have ordered if I had been in the market back then. I missed a 2016 with 24000 miles in southern California a couple of weeks ago.

Now I’ve located a 2017 in New York set up even closer to what I would have wanted, and it only has about 6000 miles. One issue is they are not certifying it, and the other is that it’s located in the salt belt.

Not being certified is probably fine, I’m likely just being too picky. However, as I’m from Texas and rust isn’t really a thing a New York truck that has been through a couple of winters bothers me. I was sent undercarriage pictures and it looks pretty good, but I’ve not been under anything with less than 100,000 miles in years, much less fewer than 10k.

So what should a 6000 mile Tundra look like underneath, and is this normal surface rust or just normal for the salt belt? I do realize their isn’t much to see, but you know “better safe than sorry” and all that.

Thanks

 

[petveedub]

Anyone have any input?

As I said I know their isn’t much rust, but both my 150,000 + mile ‘96 LC and my wife’s 215,000 mile ‘01 LX have less rust without any preventative action. If I bought the truck I would feel like the first thing I needed to do was remove the rust and paint the surfaces. Not something I feel should be necessary for a near new truck over $40,000.
However, it is exactly what I’ve been looking for, so if this level of rust (for instance check out the pic of the leaf springs) is normal regardless of region or simply of no concern once moved to Texas I would probably make a move on it.

Any help is appreciated, as I need to move quickly since people that live in the north east probably don’t even consider that amount to be rusty.

 

[LINUS]

I gotta say, that has more rust/oxidation on the trans than my old 40th AE 80 w/ ~350K on it about 2 yrs ago. It never lived where there was salt, so it never got a tooth into it.

That 2nd pic where the bumpstop is rivoted looks like the rust has a tooth in this thing, but maybe it’s just the pic. And weren’t Tundra frames recalled at some point (IDK even what gen truck - just there was a recall)?

If it was me - it would have to be a screaming deal to even consider it.
But that’s me - I buy stuff for long term, and the time/cost to reverse the small start that rust has would still need to make buying it an amazing deal.

Toyotas & rust just don’t play well, seems even moreso than lots of cars that ultimately are less reliable.

It’s not horrible, but is the price low enough for you to combat it - and still make it a deal?

 

[LINUS]

So what did you decide?

Did you pull trigger on it, or are you looking for a low-sodium Tundra?

 

[petveedub]

I’m still keeping it in mind, but would like a little more input. I agree with you, but I’ve also posted on Tundra specific sites. I’ve only gotten two responses, both saying they would buy it, but one guy is from Maryland and the other from Canada. So their opinions may be a little skewed.

 

[Bripars40]

I’m still keeping it in mind, but would like a little more input. I agree with you, but I’ve also posted on Tundra specific sites. I’ve only gotten two responses, both saying they would buy it, but one guy is from Maryland and the other from Canada. So their opinions may be a little skewed.

I’ve lived in mostly southern states and have driven complete new trucks to complete rust buckets. This one looks good for the state it’s located and the miles. I’d have the dealer apply fluid film at their cost. Also, I would want to know why they won’t certify the thing with only a few thousand miles on it.

 

[Jgrauman]

Doesn't make sense they won't certify it. Northern truck with a question mark is a double pass for me

 

[Jgrauman]

come over here and get one. We have purchased 3 tundras at work, brand new $42k sr5 crew max. not sure what you're looking for but here's a nice one for under $35k 2017 Toyota Tundra SR5 5TFUW5F19HX600113 | Capital Toyota Chattanooga, TN and a brand new one for $41 2019 Toyota Tundra SR5 5TFDW5F10KX787684 | Capital Toyota Chattanooga, TN

 

[Weedhopper]

That’s nothing for rust. Don’t worry about that.

Toyota dealer ? They should certify it unless it’s still under factory warranty.

Even though it’s lived in NY it may not have been driven in the salt. Mine hasn’t been in the salt, I drive a beater when fresh salt is on the road.

 

[vpatsears]

The word is, stay away from the FFV. Just saying.

 

[nuclearlemon]

i bought my 2012 with 20k and five years under it's belt in colorado and it looked a hell of a lot better than that. that said, for a rust belt area, that does look good, but i don't know that it looks 6k good. i would expect it to be closer to 20k with that look


i also have heard to avoid ffv vehicles unless you can guarantee they've never had ff run through them (which, used, you can't). heard they never run as good after having ff run. this was from someone who worked for toyota

 

[LINUS]

The word is, stay away from the FFV. Just saying.

I musta missed that fact - and I heard the same exact thing up here when I got my ‘12 Tundra in Jan ‘17.

I don’t have a single science-based fact, but Flex Fuel is just given the stinkeye here too - IDK why, but it must be tough to move a used FF Tundra if there’s traditional ones for sale in your market.

I had multiple people (3) -say ‘no FF Tundras’.
Maybe the guys on Tundratalk know the deal. Guessing.

I bet Mr T used the alcohol-proof hose & all that, but it was a feature nobody here was into.



And fwiw, my 63K / 2012 has no rust showing or calcification on aluminum. WA truck from day 1.
I live up a gravel driveway & it’s parked outside all the time.

 

[LINUS]

So what did you end up doing?