Tacoma to a Tundra opinions

I just went the other way: Big trucks to small. I've driven full-size trucks for 30+ years. Over that time, full-size trucks kept getting bigger and bigger physically. The Tacoma isn't that much smaller than my 1978 Chevy short bed. My previous truck was a 2000 Chevy extended cab SB, and all of the new trucks seem so much larger than the 2000 Chevy.

I don't need 10,000 plus pounds of towing, the heaviest I pull is less than 4,000. The Taco is roomy enough inside and doesn't have all of the extra content that seems to be put on full-size trucks now either.

I do miss V8 power, but the Taco has enough grunt for what I need (it keeps up with traffic even pulling a load).

I know bigger is better is the American way, but I found downsizing my rig worked better for me.

 

Thanks for that! Helps a lot

 

My personal advice would be to wait. If you had a definite "need" for more room and towing capacity I would get it. But since this is a "want" to have more, wait a while and keep thinking/researching. Even if you have the money to do it, this is a pretty expensive decision to make on a whim. I would say, if you don't "need" it, then wait. Yes, you might pass up a deal, but there are always other trucks. They're mass produced after all, it's not a collector's item or anything ha.

 

X2! Wait and see if the tacoma has enough room for you and your family before spending so much money.

 

I'm on Tacoma #2 as of Saturday.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/283612-out-old-new.html#post7072176

I was in that very same dilemma. I considered a Tundra that was only $4k more. It boiled down to what we could fit in the garage.

The Tundra's are enormous trucks. My wife would not be able to park her Lexus in the garage or I would have been keeping the truck in the driveway.

Also, when considering MPG the Tundra drinks gas like it has preferred stock options in Exxon-Mobil. The EPA numbers are not that realistic. I know cause my dad owned one. The thing hauls ass loaded or unloaded but the mileage is same either way. The truck is really a heavy-half or slightly below a 3/4 ton.

 

I say get what you want. I would keep the Taco and buy the Tundra. Even if you finance the Tundra...I think it is zero percent right now.

It would have been close in price if i bought a Tundra to the Tacoma but I didnt need the fullsize so the gas and insurance was not worth it to me.

 

Search on flow masters and you'll get all the info you want. Short answer: Cat backs give no power/mpg on the Taco. Sound is subjective

 

If it was a first gen Tundra I'd also say go for it A good in between size from the Taco to the new Tundras, leaning closer to a second gen Taco than anything really.

 

If you need the space, you gotta do what you gotta do. Otherwise I would keep the taco

 

OP, it seems you've already decided you are going ahead with the Crew Max. It's a great truck. I too am headed in that direction as I've got 3 teenagers who like me, hate minivans.

I've test driven several and I have done extensive research on the Tundra and love it for its space, comforts and its awwwsome power. I do not tow, but my Taco has a towing package because it came with it.

If you are on the line re gas mileage do not even consider getting it.

 

I just don't like the size of the Tundra. Parking is a PItA.

 

If you really want the tundra then I would say you wait for the 2014 ....

 

If you really want the tundra then I would say you wait for the 2014 ....

 

This thread and the many other like it highlight why the mid size/compact truck market is dying.

 

I had to upgrade because of a job and missed my 06 Sport every time I sat in my 11 Rock Warrior. Don't get me wrong the Tundra is a nice truck but its just never felt like mine.

kinda weird but....

 

I just sold my tacoma and got a tundra crewmax. I love it I'm getting around 14.5 MPG. much better with 3 kids

 

After less than two years I've outgrown my Tacoma. It's still just me and the pup (105lb GSD), but neither one of us is happy with either the interior nor cargo room in the AC. Great power and decent truck, but just not comfortable enough inside nor capable enough outside.

I've decided to move up to the Tundra DC (Crewmax back seat is enormous, but eats up good cargo space) and am waiting for the 2014's to hit the streets. I'm 90-95% highway driving and average 16-17mpg with the Taco and I'm expecting something reasonably close with the 5.7L.

 

I had a 2000 Tundra 4x4 AC, now have a 2006 Tacoma DCSB 4x4. The Tundra got totalled so I went with the Tacoma because my sons like them better. I too think the Tacoma looks cooler, is a better off-road vehicle, and I actually like driving it better as well. Now the Tundra has a great engine, it will get up and go, tows great and has better bed capacity. I guess the Tacoma gets approx 20-30% better fuel economy. It's all personal preference, I like both of them, but for me and what I use it for I like the Tacoma a tad better.

 

Why is that? Pretty sure I am being talked into keeping my Tacoma, might just add a Pioneer double din head unit with a backup camera, it's a great truck. I really really appreciate all the feedback, I love that about this forum. Thanks guys

 

It's the reason Ford, Dodge and GM to some extent abandoned the mid sized market. Full-sized trucks outsell the mid sized market 6 to 1 since you can spend a couple of thousand dollars more and move into a better equipped full size. Most people rather have the size and horsepower advantage even if you don't need the payload/towing capacity with gas mileage being relatively the same. Of course if you're asking on a Tacoma forum if you should keep your truck what do you think the answer would be?