Decisions decisions????

Hey all I currently own a 2015 tundra and it has been a great truck, however I’m finding myself wanting to make a change. I currently daily drive my tundra which is ok but it’s over 50 miles a day and I’m easily putting in two tanks of fuel a week. And as you know that’s getting expensive. I have been debating picking up a commuter car such as a civic or corolla but not sure that I need 3 vehicles. I have also thought about trading in the tundra for a Tacoma and rolling that way. I don’t do anything in my tundra that a Tacoma couldn’t do. But I also know I’m not gaining much in fuel savings with a Tacoma. I could always just continue to drive my tundra but at some point I’m going to have to replace it and with the cost of new trucks these days I don’t see myself dropping $50+k on a new truck. Anyway I thought I would reach out and see what all you guys had to say? Sometimes others have experience and ideas that I may not have thought of. Thanks

 

Goodluck find what you want in stock, or even at sticker price.

 

Tuff call. Buying a commuter car costs money as well as more Insurance, maintenance, etc....

 

Already found a dealer that would do msrp on a new taco. Just not sure if that’s the route I want to go

 

The Tundra may get better gas mileage - that V8 doesn't have to work as hard to haul it...

The Subaru Forester is a good car - wife gets 26 MPG city driving and we've seen it in the 30's on the highway.
The Wilderness version offers AWD, 9 inch clearance too so forest roads leading to a pond are doable. ...

The Corolla is legendary -

 

Have you read this thread? Might have some helpful info for you:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-or-tundra.758370/page-2

 

Not hidden. Mostly ignored.

TCO is an alien concept to most folks.

 

You're not gonna save money on gas trading the Tundra for a Tacoma. They pretty much get the same mileage. You're just going to have a car payment (with car prices at all time highs) on top of expensive fillups.

Unless you can find a commuter for cheap personally I'd avoid buying any vehicles for a few years if possible.

 

Getting a Tacoma might save a buck or two in gas, maybe. But you'll have higher insurance, tax, etc. on the newer truck. Stick with what you have and ride the high gas prices out.

 

The only time I wish I had a Tundra for daily commuting is when we have a potluck at work and I eat so much that I feel like a 9 month pregnant woman. Big Tundra seats and interior helps with the stuffed belly

Trade the Tundra in a get a Tacoma. The trade in value of Tundras are high so you can almost break even depending on specifics.

Some folks on here drive like little old church ladies and they get 23+ mpg. I don’t think you can get that in the Tundra.

 

I traded my paid off 12 Tundra for an 18 Tacoma and a small loan a couple years ago. I did extremely well on the trade in which left my 8 year cost of owning the Tundra very low, the Taco cost me book value and has held its value well. The Taco does everything I need it to and hasn’t left me feeling the need for the Tundra. The Tundra seemed to get bigger and better for me as the years went by. Very comfortable but also cumbersome to drive, the Taco is fun to drive. Some say the Taco is underpowered, but it’s fine for me after a tune and it doesn’t feel “excessive” like the Tundra did. Winter time MPG’s in the Tundra were 11-12 for me, 17-18 in the Taco. Summertime 14-15 vs 22-23. After the KD Maxx tune I occasionally see 26 and 27 MPG’s at certain times.
Overall monthly fuel cost went down $100-200 a month depending on circumstances (before this latest fuel cost jump) I took on a small truck payment which negates fuel savings, but the truck is also newer, has more creature comforts, and is worth more.
Am I actually saving any money in the long run? I don’t know, probably not, but it sure feels like I am. Going from a Tundra to a Taco is like ditching your big heavy winter coat for your spring windbreaker. You didn’t lose any weight, but you sure FEEL lighter lol.

 

Why not DD a used prius with 100,000+ miles? Those things run forever

 

You won't save enough gas to justify trading into a Tacoma. I was fortunate to live about 5 miles from where I worked for 30 years before retiring. But most of the people I know who commute long distances to work buy a beater car that gets 40 MPG and save their truck for when they need a truck.

My son works in electrical construction and commutes roughly 100 miles round trip every day. It depends on the worksite. He works for a large company with several projects at any time. He drove a 2010 Nissan Sentra until someone rear ended him and totaled it. He got $4K from the insurance company and paid $2500 for a 2009 Honda Fit. He just carries liability insurance. The car had 120,000 miles on it, and he will probably get another 200,000 out of it for very little invested.

The Tundra will last a LOT longer and the cost of fuel in it isn't so bad when you're putting most of the miles on a car that gets 40 mpg. My son can buy a set of 4 tires for just a bit more than one new tire will cost for the Tundra. It just doesn't make sense to me to spend $50,000 on a truck that gets 17-18 mpg and wear it out in just a few years commuting long distance to work.

 

You ever pay to replace the battery?

 

aren’t they good for 15 years? You can find them used for $1k

 

I guess if you’re into used batteries I suppose that would work.

 

i guess it’s better than $4000 for new batteries…