u/ExcitementInfamous81

Lifelong Toyota truck driver considering the switch to GMC and looking for advice! Found this 2014 Sierra SLT — appears to be rust free (I’m in road salt New England so that’s a huge deal), super clean, maintenance records and a seemingly genuine private seller. 99,500 miles. Asking price is 20,750.

To be honest, I was sure I was going to get another Tundra (lost mine last month in an accident), but can’t find anything as nice as this with reasonable mileage and price. I’ve done my research and am incredibly nervous about potential transmission and lifter issues. Its going up on the lift for mechanic inspection tomorrow- are there things I should specifically have him check for? I know the AC condenser was just replaced last month. In general, is maintenance the best predictor of whether a transmission will fail or is it more random? My Tacoma went to 300k before the frame rusted and my Tundra was just breaking in at 180k so I have high expectations…

I’m also looking to pull a horse trailer (2 horse bumper pull, loaded with typically one horse)- wouldn’t be anywhere close to the max capacity of 9600 pounds. Curious what those that do tow w these think? The 5.3 didn‘t feel as powerful as the 5.7 in my Tundra — I felt much more like I was driving a car than a truck when I test drove (although I can see how that can be considered a positive!) but the better gas mileage is a definite plus.

Thanks for any advice!

Prefacing this by saying I’ve never owned a truck that wasn’t a Toyota (2000 Taco, 2008 Tundra) so I might be a bit biased. My Tundra was totaled in an accident last month (not my fault) so I’m in the unexpected situation of needing a new truck while simultaneously still dealing with the effects of a concussion making it hard to vehicle shop.

My budget is fairly small (def not new or certified pre-owned) and I’ve been trying to decide between going disposable and temporary for a few years, or investing more in something I will drive long term — my Taco was at 300,00 when it died of frame rust:)

I’ve been strongly considering GMC sierra 1500 and found a good deal on a nice southern 2014 Sierra with less than 100,000 miles. Beautiful truck— tow package, air lift, leather interior, no rust, truck cap, the works… but potential lifter/ transmission issues by nature of it being a GMC (although it has been impeccably maintained). But it’s just not a Toyota and that makes me nervous.

This 2021 Tundra just came up for sale— he’s asking $26,000 and it’s got 125,000 miles and has maintenance records. It was a construction work truck and cosmetically is a mess of what look like mainly superficial scratches (I mean literally scratches everywhere), some tears in interior, a bit of damage to bed (see photo) from a ladder rack, tailgate pistons are shot. Overall though, it’s a nice truck and rare around here to find one for sale that doesn’t have either pushing 300k for mileage or just a ton of rust (I’m in New England). It’s newer than what I could otherwise afford for a Tundra. I did a KBB for “fair condition“ before seeing the truck and it cane back $23,774 to 29,272 so he’s right in the middle. Thoughts on value for something like this? It does have a fairly hefty list of upgrades and he also added a leaf in back and a leveling kit with 1.5” spacers ( not something I particularly care about although I am looking to tow a horse trailer and not sure what the impact would be, if any ). I would be intending to get it up on a lift to have a mechanic inspect it before purchase … I’m struggling because the condition difference is just night and day between the 2014 GMC and this Tundra. I thought the Tundra seemed like a good value but maybe I’m fooling myself because I’m blinded by the fact that it’s a Tundra? or maybe I’d be stupid for letting the cosmetic stuff get in the way of a solid truck?

Any known issues with the 2021? I found out the hard way about the secondary air injection pump failure in my 2008, but I believe that issue has been remedied in later models?