If You Did It Again, Tacoma or Tundra?

Got a good deal on my Taco, and coming from a Mustang I didn't want to deal with a full-size. The Taco manuvers more like a car than a truck, and the Tundra wouldn't fit in my garage. Living in MO where we get freezing weather 5 months a year and hail the other 7, there was no way I was buying something I had to keep on the street.

If I have a bigger house when it's time to buy again, it'll be a closer call.

 

I test drove a Tundra with the 5.7 and they are pretty nice with plenty of power, but chose the Tacoma mainly b/c I don't need a big truck (don't haul much or pull horse trailers,campers etc). Also Tundra sucks major on mpg's

 

how big are the kids? you got the AC OR DC? i’m 5’7” 5’8” and can fit in back of DC ok. still have some room.

 

Get a trailer.

 

I hate changing the oil on my dads 5.7 tundra. The oil filter design is STUPID. That alone makes me not want a tundra.

 

Taco, same truck. Next one will be a DBL cab OR.

 

tacoma for sure

 

Tacoma, but if you gave me the option to get another truck, I'd get a used Ford 7.3 6spd 4x4 crew and put $5000 into it, then spend another $3500 on a reliable commuter (something Honda).

 

well 1st gen went from 95.5 to ’04 thats what 9 and half years. bet 2nd gen will go about the same. 1gen tundra went what 7 years. 2nd tundra will prob go about the same as well.

 

When I bought my Tacoma, they had a new Tundra with the 5.7 for 1k less than the Tacoma with all the rebates and incentives. Having a Ram quad cab with the Hemi before the Tacoma and remembering the $400/month for gas I was using and the pain to park in some situations the Tundra never once was a consideration. The Tacoma is a better fit for me, and I like the ground clearance it has. If I were to do it again I might opt for the Tacoma LB but if I was going full size it would be another Ram over the Tundra.

 

Same here. I am considering placing a trimmed up bench seat in the rear.

 

FJC for sure.

 

Yes, there are times when I wish I had a Tundra:






But that is only a few times a year. The rest of the time I enjoy the better MPG, easier parking etc. I have looked at the Tundra many times, I really like it, but can not justify upgrading.

 

I would've chose access cab I don't use the rear seats in my dc for anything but storage and the longer bed without the extra length would be nice. Still don't really like the tundra... Would've got a Cummings if I had known I'd be hauling this much though.

 

Tacoma for me

 

I love my Taco, i do wish there was a option for a DCLB with 4.0 M/T, My truck is fun and unless something happens to it or my needs change i probably wont get rid of it for a long time, my R6 should fit in the box with the tailgate down and my dirtbike will for sure, I switched from Ford and Chev and as this is my first Toyota I dont think i would go back. If i was to get another Toyota truck though I would probably go for the Tundra as now that I look back the Taco didnt come with many options. All in all for my needs the tacoma is all i need.

 

I almost pulled the plug on a Tundra last month. Had a 1st gen tacoma from 03. Was set on a fullsize this time. Test drove them all-Dodge,Ford, Chevy,Toyota, Nissan.

Did a lot of internet shopping, getting quotes. Started getting nice offers on 4WD 5.7L Tundras, some with with premimum packages, for less than TRD Tacoma. Nissan was sending me seriously nice offers on Titans that would be hard to pass up if not for the fact that I did not like the ride of the truck. But my mind kept coming back to the Tacoma and it became a matter of needs vs wants.

It is a tough call and only you can answer the question, not anyone else. Also, don't limit yourself to just Toyota if you are considering fullsize.

I would ask yourselves some questions and stick with the answers.

-- What is the main reason you prefer a fullsize over a midsize?

-- Will you really make use of a fullsize or is it just something you want to try because the allure of the Tacoma has worn off?

-- Do the limitations of your currenta midsize outweight the advantages of the fullsize and vice versa?

There are no right or wrong answers. But be honest with yourself and stick with your gut feelings and you will like be happy with what you get in the long run and not have regrets down the road.

You can indeed score a fullsize right now for prices below TRD. There is a reason for this, however. Fullsize are great trucks for many people. But they can be uncessary burdens for others once the shiny new truck phase wears off. Paralell park the Tundra in a tight lot when returning from the test drive at the dealer and you will understand what I mean. Eventually, the allure of the new fullsize you get will also wear off and you will live with the new ride for a while. You will get more power and space and it is fun to accelerate the 57.L onto the highway. But eventually, this excitment will also be commonplace and wear off and if you don't really have use for it, you very well may find yourself eventually going back to the midsize when the disavantages of owning the fulsize start becomeing more apparent than the positives.

IMO, you really need to make use of the advantages of a fullsize to be happy with it in the long term, especially when you start seeing the limitations such as MPG, etc. Most of my realtives have fullsize trucks. But they are always complaining about things more than the midsize owners I know.

My two cents.

 

did anything happen to the bus driver who hit you?

 

i had 3 different 1st gen tacomas b4 my last truck, which was an 07 tundra. i'm sure there will be times when i miss the tundra, but i love my tacoma like i never loved my tundra.