Would You? (Tundra for Tacoma)

I've had 3 Previous 2nd Gen Tacomas, 06 DC TRD Prerunner, 07 DC TRD 4WD and a 09 DC TRD 4WD. I drive 1500-2000 miles a month, sometimes more when racing or adventuring (I heart snow).

So right now I have a 2011 Doublecab Tundra TRD Off-Road. Its Black with Black Cloth Interior. I really like the interior room and really like the black interior, doesn't show the dirt! It has all the bells anmd whistles, JBL Sound, Adjustable Head Lights, Power Seat, MPG Gauge, basically a fully loaded SR5. I bought it in May of this year. It was a "used" truck, it had 2500 miles on it, so I have the fully 100K Warranty. I don't really have any reason to have a V8, I don't tow anything, just occainally haul some vintage Honda Motorcycles in the bed, nothing I couldn't do with the Tacoma.

I absolutely loved my 09 Tacoma, I took that thing everywhere. After 2.5 Years I had 75K on it. My commute to work got a little longer in September, I am currently driving 64 miles round trip. Gas in the Tundra isn't much worst than the Tacoma. I use to get 15-16 in that Tacoma, I get about 13-14 in the Tundra.

I am trying to decide if I should get another Tacoma. I am 6'2" so I fit much better in the Tundra than my Tacoma. I REALLY like the new frontend and I really miss being able to hit the trails, not that I can't in the Tundra, its just huge.

I got a great deal on the Tundra, and after crunching the numbers, I am really only going to eat the Tax and a little bit of my down payment.

What would you do? I love both trucks and both have their pros and cons. Hey, Toyota can you make a Tundacoma?

Tundra, and my old Tacoma

 

I would hang on to the tundra....the fuel economy is not that different between the two and you have more capability with the tundra minus the trail ability. But its easier to do less with more than more with less. Payload isnt that different but you do have a bigger more capable bed in the tundra. The only real trade off would be if you opted for a 4cyl tacoma for the fuel savings. To my mind there are not any real trade offs between a V6 tacoma and the tundra in terms of savings with the tacoma. Bigger is most of the time better

 

You've made some valid points here. If I were to get a new Tacoma it would get a ARB, Winch, Coilovers, Camper Shell, all that heavy stuff which would put me right were I am at as far as MPG is concerned.

Only big deciding factory would be the payment/interest rate.

 

When I bought my 2011 Tacoma, I could have gone with a Tundra for only about $3,000 more. At an average interest rate that is only an additional $51/mo. than what I am paying on the Tacoma.

The only reason I didn't was because I do 90% city driving in very small and hard to maneuver parking garages, and the mileage is worse.

I get 18-20mpg in my PreRunner Tacoma, and as you said, I would probably get 13-16MPG in the Tundra.

When I approach situations like this, it is all about the overall deal - am I getting a good deal for the trade, and a good deal on the new truck? Always look at the value of the vehicle you are buying after adding 10-20,000mi and a little wear and tear. If you would come out with some equity, or even break-even on it, it's a good deal and I would pull the trigger.

That's just my opinion.

Fink

 

More good points, I forgot to mention. The manuverability of my Tacoma. It was SO easy to drive. The Tundra takes a bit more work, my 5'2" girlfriend is also afraid to drive it, she loved driving the Tacoma.

I would only pull the trigger if was breaking even, which I can. I can get the Tacoma for Invoice, and they will give me top dollar for the Tundra.

I am going to have to put some thought into this.

It feels like the Tacoma makes more sense, I am trying to balance my needs vs. my wants between the trucks.

But man, once you drive a Tundra with the 5.7L you never want anything smaller ever again!

Thanks for all the input.

 

My dream car is a 4x4 Crew Max TRD Tundra...I know what you mean.

I sold Toyota's for a long time and I sold the most Tundras. I just couldn't get enough of them.

Fink

 

You have had car payments since 06? Brutal. I think I would keep current truck.

 

I would keep the Tundra too.

 

personally id only buy a 1g tundra cause i really like those, prob gonna be my next truck, im paitently waiting for my buddy to get sick of his 05 crew 4.7 4wd

never liked the 2nd gen tundras

 

Yes and no, I had a lot of equity in the 09 coming into the Tundra. Problem is i am racking up 25K-30K a year easy. So, even though I know it will run well beyond 100K, I usually opt for a new ride.

 

Wanna trade? I have a 2010 DBL Cab with a ARB bumper, Warn winch, IPF lights, OME lift with Dakar leafs, Raceline wheels, 285/75/16's with Duratrac tires.

 

Geez, One of those in a long bed double cab would be ridiculous to park!!!

 

The Tundra is awesome, keep it.

 

What wheels are on that Tundra? I'd keep it as well. Where's the poll?!

 

I went from a 2010 5.7 tundra to a Tacoma, the taco definitely gets better mpg. I get about 19 combined lifted with 33s and supercharger my best tank in the tundra was probably 15mpg but the power isn't even close even with the supercharger with an upgraded pulley my Tacoma isn't even close to being as quick up the mountains as my tundra was. And best rate on the Tacoma is just over 3 no zero percent like the tundra. The payments work out to almost the same I got the Indra for 36500 with zero for 60 months and paid 31 and change for the Tacoma it is about 40 per month less but like you I drive a couple thousand miles a month and wanted the better mpg.

 

Your truck IS the truck I'm looking for. If you were in PA, I would jump all over that truck if you were selling. I would keep it. $ for $, unless you're off-roading a lot (which you did elude to), the Tundra is just better imho.

 

17" Method Street Wheels, and a 305/70/17 Terra Grappler. (17's fit perfect with very careful placement of low profile weights.)

Wow, thats pretty good in the Tacoma. I never got better than 16-17mpg. My commute to work has a lot of hills so I sat in higher RPM. The Tundras 6 Speed will climb those hills in 6th at about 65mph no problem. Lately I've been sitting at around 13-14MPG. I knew what I was in for with this rig, but man, I don't really get to go out and enjoy it. I've got an intake in the garage I should go put on... Right now. Haha.

This truck was just pure luck, I found it while just looking around, they made me a good deal so I pulled the trigger. It was used (2500 miles, guy had to bring the truck back cause the deal didn't go through) I have only seen one other Tundra in person that was Black on Black without the Rock Warrior Package. My Tacoma saw the dirt and snow A LOT. I was using it for almost every Best in the Desert race while I was either chasing or doing media stuff. During the winter I spend the weekends in the mountains so it saw a lot of the white stuff too. The tundra hasn't left the pavement yet! (One reason being GAS.)

My main reason for wanting another Tacoma is I want to build the hell out of it. ARB Bumper, Big Winch, Camper Shell, Fox Coilovers, Roof Rack, Lights Everywhere. Basically a mild expedition rig. The Tacoma went everywhere I asked it to go, and it was a blast.

I also do not tow anything, like a said earlier.

My original plan for the Tundra was what I've done so far, Camper Shell with a sleeping set-up for camping back there. A rack on top of the shell, and some other little things. I dont care much for any of the winch bumpers for the Tundra. Plus if I keep adding weight, Ill be at 10MPG before I know it.

Sigh. What to do.

I might just go to the stealership and see if they want to play ball. If not. No harm, no foul.

Thanks again for all the input people!!!!

 

This is probably what I would do if I were in your shoes.

Fink

 

so what did you end up doing?
im in the same position except with a 1st gen 4dr 4wd tundra