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Convince me to keep my Tacoma over getting a TUNDRA

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by kulcat, Nov 30, 2012.

  1. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:23 AM
    #1
    kulcat

    kulcat [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thomas
    Plano, TX
    So I'm in a pickle...I love my Taco....I got a good deal, got the color I wanted, lucky enough to find the rims I wanted, tires, 5100s, and I have the eibachs and back progressive springs waiting to be put on..I've had for 2.5 years...BUT we have a 1yr old, and with a carseat in the back, there is ZERO room for anything else. Example, went to the grocery store other day with wife and kid...he has diaper bag, etc.....I had to put groceries in all nooks and crannies just to get everyone in. I don't really want a topper or anything like that. I got the okay from the wifey for a bigger truck :) and the TUNDRAs are just stupid nice...my taco currently gets about 16-17mpg anyway...why not just get the bigger truck and get about the same? The one good thing I have going for me is the resale on these TACOs is unbelievable!!! It looks like I can get almost what I paid for mine a couple years ago(kept miles down). Anyway, yes, I'm insecure about myself and need experts on TW to sway me :) Thomas
     
  2. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:24 AM
    #2
    Large

    Large Red

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    Keep taco, get bed extender for groceries, save money.
     
  3. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:25 AM
    #3
    2011Streaker

    2011Streaker Well-Known Member

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    how was it with a rear facing seat? im in the same boat but baby is due around christmas.

    crewmax would be your only option as i dont see the double cab being much different.
     
  4. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:25 AM
    #4
    zbaldo

    zbaldo Well-Known Member

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    Stock as Stock can be with duratracs and a roof rack
    I've got to say just get the topper or a bed cover I know it's not the tundra but like the guy above said just save the money
     
  5. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:31 AM
    #5
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    Massachusetts
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    F-250 Land Yacht Mod
    Unless you need the bigger truck for hauling or towing, I wouldn't bother with trading for a Tundra. I'd either look into a tonneau or something so you can make better use of the bed space. I tell you what though, I never wanted or liked toppers until I broke down and bought one. They are very handy and the extra lockable and dry storage space is very nice.

    If you're going to trade, have you considered maybe an FJ Cruiser, Highlander or 4Runner? It sounds like you need more interior room and the SUVs would give you more of that over the Tundra. You won't really gain all that much more usable interior space with the Tundra unless you get the crewmax (read as kiss your MPG's good-bye).
     
  6. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:37 AM
    #6
    dlooney

    dlooney Well-Known Member

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    Dennis
    Wilmington NC
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    Satoshi w/ hella 500s mounted behind, 20% tint, 6K HID retro headlights, 4300k HID fog lights, DTRLs, plastidipped front valence, cb mount

    x2 sounds like you need interior space not better hauling/towing capacity, why not get something like an FJ or 4runner? Can still handle wheelin, and is more family functional. Plus I don't know if size is an issue for you but boy are Tundras big, especially crewmax :rolleyes:
     
  7. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:39 AM
    #7
    cptjon

    cptjon Well-Known Member

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    new 4runners with limited package are boss. id get that over a tundra if you need to haul kiddos around
     
  8. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:39 AM
    #8
    BlueT

    BlueT Well-Known Member

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    I moded 1999 Taco so much it had turned to Land Cruiser
    Tundra getting 16MPG ? yeah right. Try 13 MPG at best. Dude that V8 is burning 7 GPH idling at cold temperature. :D
     
  9. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:41 AM
    #9
    jake72

    jake72 Well-Known Member

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    sounds like you really want a tundra, if you can afford it go for it. down fall would be parking and fuel mileage. 4runner would be a nice option aswell.
     
  10. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:41 AM
    #10
    bash42

    bash42 Well-Known Member

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    yea and thats the 4.7L. a good family friend just bought a 5.7L and he is getting 9-10 around town. YIKES!!!!! :boom:
     
  11. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:43 AM
    #11
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    The small V8 will get over 16 MPG but the 5.7L V8 doesn't like driving by gas stations. 2 of my cousins have Tundras with the big V8, one with the double cab, one with the crew max. The double cab gets 15-16 MPG consistently, the crew max is between 12 and 13 consistently (the one with the crew cab also has a heavier foot). Both have tonneau covers and are 4wd.
     
  12. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:45 AM
    #12
    Steve33fish

    Steve33fish Well-Known Member

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    Btw is your taco a crew or access? I have a crew and my three boys are fine in the back seats. Small runs to store has plenty of room beneath their feet area. Now Costco I need all the room in the back! Longbed!!!
     
  13. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:46 AM
    #13
    Large

    Large Red

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    I've done some research on the Tundra's MPG because I considered buying one before the Taco. I think if you have a light foot (same with the taco..) you could get 20 MPG. There is a guy on YouTube with several videos of him getting 20+ MPG in a crewmax 4x4 with a 5.7
     
  14. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:50 AM
    #14
    rhavin42

    rhavin42 Well-Known Member

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    what does your wife drive?
    Maybe think about getting her a more family friendly vehicle (small SUV/minivan) for doing every day things like shopping/errands around town.
    That way you keep the taco for when you need a truck, and you have a vehicle for when you all need to go do something.

    That's my plan for when we decide to have kids.
     
  15. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:50 AM
    #15
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    It's VERY hard to do with the 5.7L. You have to really baby it or be on the highway in the sweet spot. In my opinion, if you want decent MPG with the Tundra, stay away from the 5.7.
     
  16. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:52 AM
    #16
    hakabo

    hakabo Well-Known Member

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    I had an 08 2x4 tundra with the 5.7, I got about 16mpg avg over the 30,000 miles I put on it. Mostly just around town to work and stuff. That being said, I deliver pizzas like I'm a NASCAR driver in my taco and get 16 mpg as well...
     
  17. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:53 AM
    #17
    aficianado

    aficianado Well-Known Member

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    back to bone stock.

    funny, creative way to put this. yup..i caravaned with a tundra on a hunting trip. my fuel tank stayed topped off because we kept stopping for the tundra to refill.

    on the plus side..he had gobs of space for stuff over my tacoma. it was ridiculous how much room he had.
     
  18. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:55 AM
    #18
    kulcat

    kulcat [OP] Well-Known Member

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    We have a MURANO right now that's great b/c it has the back part for other things..but I wanna pimp the taco every now and again..it's not just for grocery getting...hunting...full size men are cramped in a double cab...I know it's just a truck and not a limo, but I want dudes to be comfortable in my truck. if I bought, I'd get the 2012 or 2013 Texas Edition Crew Max 4x4 with the smaller engine...I have a light foot and figured I could get 16 or so. I need someone to come by and help me put the rest of the lift on my truck so that I can have a renewed hard on for it(not that I ever lost it though, I love looking at my truck, and see other dudes do a double check on it....
     
  19. Nov 30, 2012 at 8:56 AM
    #19
    fsbrain03

    fsbrain03 Well-Known Member

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    Get a Tundra!
     
  20. Nov 30, 2012 at 9:11 AM
    #20
    TenBeers

    TenBeers Well-Known Member

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    Yeah.
    When I had a regular cab pre-taco with no room inside for anything, I put a tool box in the back and would just throw the groceries in there. A box of Huggies takes up a bunch of room, though, and won't fit. However, a tool box uses up some bed space, especially if you have a short bed. If it isn't raining, plastic grocery bags hang nicely on the bed rail cleats, I can get 12 - 16 bags hanging on them.

    The Tundras do have more room, but you'd still be throwing stuff on the floors and seats. I don't think it gains you that much, but it would help a little.

    I have owned both generations of Tacos and a Tundra. I liked the 1st gen but it was a little small, the Tundra was too big, and the 2nd gen is just right. The grocery store trip is the only one that is a hassle. I wouldn't do it unless I needed the extra towing capacity.
     

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