Anyone here switch to a 2nd gen from a 1st gen Tundra?

I recently bought a 03 Tundra Access Cab 4x4 after a super long debate between it and a 2nd gen Tacoma. I test drove a couple of each and just ended up decided I liked the smoothness of the V8, more roomy comfortable interior and seat position, and the extra bit of bed space. However the more I drive it, the more I’m starting to just dislike the driving experience and handling. I know it’s an unfair comparison but compared to the 04 4Runner my GF has and the 05 GX I had prior, it just feels a bit slow/less responsive on the throttle, looser/more sloppy on the steering, and handles bumps badly (lot of cabin/bed rattle). This is after trying to get it pretty dialed with new OEM lcas, ball joints, Eibach coils/shocks, new AT tires.

I know it’s a pick up truck without independent rear suspension but I can’t help but think that a 2nd gen Tacoma would be better now. I know they’re a bit more sporty and have a better turning radius, and the fact that it would just be a potential decade+ newer is appealing. I’ve only really asked in Tundra forums where everyone says the 1st gen Tundra is superior but the responses I’ve gotten are of course probably skewed so looking for opinions here.

Specifically I would get a 2013/2015 access cab 4x4 Tacoma if I got one. I want something that’s responsive, has tight steering, and can handle rough roads relatively smoothly without the whole cabin shaking. Will the Tacoma be better for me or is this just a case of the grass is always greener? Really unsure if I should just try to dial in the Tundra more or make the switch to the Tacoma. Any insight hugely appreciated.

 

I had a 1 gen tundra (06 DCLB) prior to my 13 DCLB taco.

Fuel mileage is the same, despite the Tacoma having a v6.

Tundra has a higher towering capacity and handles heavier loads better.

Cabin size in the tundra is far superior to the 2nd gen despite the 2nd gen being mere inches smaller.

Motor longevity of the 4.7 v8 is just as good if not more so than the 4.0 v6.

4.7 requires 90k water pump and timing belt, 4.0 does not.

After market community is 10 fold for the taco compared to the gen 1 tundra.

My taco had more creaks/rattles compared to my tundra but YMMV.

2nd gen is more nimble in tight spaces on and off-road but not by leaps and bounds.

12-15 taco is more techy than the 01-06 tundra.

1 gen tundra has a real bed, the taco lb is mini in comparison.

1st gen tundra has comfier seats.

1st gen tundra has sunroof, rear powered window and rear defrost, taco does not.

1gen tundra has tow haul mode, taco does not.

Taco has more road noise than tundra.

I could go on for days. It’s a tough choice between the two. My current Tacoma is solid, but so was my first gen tundra. Put over 150k on the tundra and only maintenance items needed were consumables. Belts, water pump, battery, brakes, plugs. Truck had lots of mods. Was a beast off road just as the taco is.


Edit: pic for shits and giggles. This is the tundra right after I bought it in stock form prior to the modding. The 92 I still own and is parked in my garage, it’s on 33’s now and has a ton of sleeper upgrades under the hood and suspension wise.

 

I had an 05 tundra I still kick myself to this day for getting rid of it. I have a 2015 taco now they’re a great truck but the tundra was just something special

 

Ditto, wish I would have kept mine.

 

Just remember, any leaf sprung truck will never be as composed as a coil sprung SUV in the handling department. Because of that fact, I don't think a Tacoma will be any more comfortable and quiet than a Tundra and neither one will compare with a 4Runner/GX's highway, road or fire-road manners. A Tacoma is smaller (but not by much) and that might make it feel marginally sportier but it won't be any more composed.

Seems to me this is a grass is greener scenario. I think we've all been there at some point. That said, if you're really not in love with the Tundra, why not another GX since you didn't mention needing a bed or hauling anything in it?

 

Digging your trucks! These are all great points. Really seems like on paper the Tundra is the clear winner. The only real downside, and I guess it’s a big one, is that the Tundra is just a decade older. This is definitely such a tough choice.

 

Appreciate the insight, definitely seems like this is a grass is always greener scenario. Yeah I know it’s an unfair comparison between the vehicles but I honestly get a bit depressed everytime I drive that 4runner because it’s just such a better experience, even the throttle is better on the V6 and it makes me wonder if the Tacoma will just be more responsive and a bit tighter which I like, not to mention it would just be so much newer.

I loved the GX a lot but sold it for a pick up truck specifically because we go on a lot of camping and climbing trips with a lot of gear. I want a bed with a camper to sleep in as I was getting tired of having to cram the GX with gear and then unload/rearrange everything to sleep inside of it. Luckily this isn’t my daily driver though. I may just go test drive some 2nd gen’s so I can at least see for myself the differences/similarities better now that I’ve gotten used to this Tundra and know what to expect.

 

I wouldn’t say one is superior to the other. Both are amazing trucks that fill slightly different roles, or niches if you will and Each has their quirks.

You definitely should go and drive some tacomas and see what you think but at the end of the day if you are constantly looking at tacomas as they pass you wishing that was you, it’s going to be hard to love the tundra.

edit.
I guess one thing I’ll add is you don’t gain a ton of tech going to a 13-15 taco. You’ll gain a cheesy touch screen, Bluetooth, back up cam and possibly nav if equipped.
You can buy a superior aftermarket head unit for the tundra that has all of those features plus more, that is higher quality for less than 1000$.
As for steering slop. I didn’t notice that with mine, I would say in stock form the steering is softer or slightly less responsive than the taco but I upgraded to poly rack and sway bar bushings on my tundra when completely modding the suspension and it was just as good if not better than the taco.
Taco peppier? Maybe slightly, more powerful, no.