So just an update...I have went ahead and placed an order (refundable) for a TRD Pro.
That said - its far from a "done deal".
Toyota dealers - of 5 I talked 2 actually were willing to take an order from me...others either knew they wouldnt get an allocation - or werent willing to sell it (guess they think there are bigger dummies to bait in with these who will pay above sticker) and 1 would only sell me white (no choice in color - just the remaining allocated unit they had die in 60 days).
IF the vehicle I ordered cannot be allocated - I am seriously thinking backup is a Ram ij big horn trim.
Simply put - as a base/entry level truck - they are by far best bang for the buck. All of the things that scare me about ram (reliability/resale) start to dininish as you get to a lower price point. Paying 60k for an optioned out half ton is a tough pill - paying 42k for a nicely appointed one is less so. Worst case - I resell in a few years and I lose 25% - sounds rough...but when your starting point is 42k - its not much different than 15% of a 60k truck (assuming 15% is the best % of diminishment in value) - and if I love it...im 20k ahead and have a truck I love.
Sure - it MIGHT have hiccups every now and then causing a trip to a dealer...but again, got to compare apples to apples. If my choice was a SR5 with TRD offroad or Rebel - it would be Rebel. If it were a base SR5 or Big Horn - again Ram. I this case Ram Laramie/Rebel loses out to a TRD Pro - but thats not a bad thing. Simply put - I realized a loaded up Rebel costing 54k new wouldnt fair as well medium term as the Pro for me - and the "unique" factor favored the Pro.
Of course getting a Pro is another matter...right now no one seems to have them sitting on their lots - and those that do want a fortune (Carmax has one for example - a 2019 crew that stickered for around 55k new...30k miles and they want 54k for it plus shipping).
Tundra, particularly the TRD Pro is a great truck and you cant go wrong with it. Feb 2020 my wife and I rented a new Rebel on vacation and loved it but my head was saying buy the Tundra for reliability. In November of 2020 we rented a Tundra SR5 for a road trip from Seattle to Phoenix and back. The truck drove great, easy to park, a well built truck. But, after 3 long days our backs and A$$'s couldnt take anymore. My wife has a bad back and when we got to Phoenix we had to get her into a Chiropractor and massage. We turned the truck in and got a different vehicle for the return trip. I kept telling her the SR5 was the base truck and TRD Pro or more so the Platinum would be much more comfortable. When we got back to Seattle in December I set up a test drive in a Lunar Rock TRD Pro. Loved the truck, looked great, drove great sounded even better but the seats were only mildly more comfortable than the SR5. We sat in a Platinum and it was a little better but not much. I am not even going to to talk about the spartan interior. Knowing one of the reasons we were getting the truck was for long road trips my wife gave me the sad eyes that she didnt think she could live with the truck, especially for long road trips. If it was only me I would have bought the TRD Pro, but it is not just me and I need to think of her needs too.
I decided to take a step back and re-look at the RAM again along with the GMC. We test drove a Limited, a Laramie and Rebel. One of them was an Ecodiesel, which I think is the engine I want. I think the Limited is out because I dont think I want the air suspension and you cant get the ORG and Night Edition together, I hate chrome. We also test drove a GMC 1500 Sierra AT4. Nice truck, I think I like the Duramax a little better the Ecodiesel despite the 150,000 mile wet belt controversy. It does drive like a big truck (negative) and it is nicer inside than the Tundra but not near as nice as the RAM. Somewhere in the middle.
I will probably get the RAM over the GMC, just cant decide on the trim (parts shortage isnt helping matters).
Make sure you spend time on Tundras.com, it is a great forum and like this one you will learn all you need to know.
Good luck!