Buying a pickup truck can be an intimidating task. In general, trucks like the Toyota Tundra are built to withstand more than your normal automobile. How can you prepare ahead of time before buying a used Tundra?

What is the best way to buy a used Toyota Tundra?

Buying a new car is expensive! When you buy a new car, it starts depreciating as soon as it drives off the lot. The first owner takes most of the hit when buying a car, which is good news for you.

There are many ways to buy a car these days: private party sales, certified-pre owned vehicles, CarMax, AutoTrader, and regular dealerships.

A private-party sale is the cheapest way to buy a car, but it can be complicated. You also might incur more of a cost for maintenance if the warranty is expired, but that is expected.

Be sure to check a few options before settling on one. If certain safety features are important to you, make sure the Tundra you are looking at has these features.

Budget accordingly

U.S. News has some helpful tips. Purchasing a used car is different than buying from a dealer, especially when it comes to payment. You should factor in more than just the cost of the vehicle when considering what to purchase.

Using some tools to compare insurance rates can be helpful. You want to compare the monthly premiums from different brands, but be sure you are getting enough coverage.

Some popular insurance brands are Geico, Allstate, Progressive, State Farm, and Nationwide. Factor these prices in with the price of the car to know more about the cost of ownership.

Factor in some of the known repairs so you have enough cash up front. If the head gasket is bound to go at 150,000 miles and your ideal Tundra is sitting at 120,000, be prepared for that. Be prepared for a full service in the near future just in case.

Get your Toyota Tundra inspected

Depending on which way you want to do it, getting your future vehicle inspected is a good idea. An inspection can reveal hidden imperfections and issues that you might miss at first glance.

If a car needs major repairs at first, this might be a way to get its price down. If a deal seems too good to be true, it might be especially true for cars.

Saving a few hundred dollars upfront can seem a lot less exciting when you have to pay a tow truck six months down the line.

Do an extended test drive

Check for rust and a front-end vibration. Be sure to look at the suspension if you find a Tundra over 150,000 miles. This might need to be replaced shortly after 200,000 miles depending on the condition.

Most vehicles would benefit from a new suspension system after that long. New fluids, suspension, and a few other odds and ends will increase the automobile’s longevity.

Read reviews!

There are so many websites to help find the right kind of Tundra for you. Check places like Consumer Reports, U.S. News, Edmunds, and other reviews sites. This will give you insight into what other owners have run into with the same truck.

Most reviews offer a section called “owner-reported reliability.” This measures how satisfied owners are with the vehicle after a few years.

J.D. Power ranks many cars, trucks, and SUVs based on how satisfied owners are. The dependability study specifically studies how reliable vehicles are after three years. This includes breaking down, poor functionality, or unexpected repairs.