If you considered a Tundra vs 2nd gen Tacoma

I've had 2-2nd Gen Tacos, both TRD OR Access cabs and loved them. I had to sell the last one as my two daughters were getting bigger and the back seat isn't made for comfort. This was 2 years ago, and I had a double cab Taco on my shopping list for the replacement but a good deal on a double cab 08 Tundra came up that I chose instead. The Tundra is a great truck, and on paper it has a lot of advantages over the Tacoma, but it didn't take long after for me to miss the Tacoma. I am now starting the search to trade the Tundra for the double cab Tacoma I should've gotten in the first place. All of my friends think I am crazy as they don't understand why I would go from a full size to a mid size but I sold my travel trailer last year and don't need a full size (funny enough I only towed the trailer with my v8 4Runner anyways). The Tacoma fits all my needs and with reliability and resale it's a big part of what I look for, hence the Tacoma.

 

I have never driven a newer Tundra. I didn't really consider one because they are just so much more than I would ever need. Plus I don't like the looks of the double cab and the CrewMax sacrifices the bed size. I do like 1st gen Tundras, though the earlier 4.7s are a little piggish in something that size. Only thing that stopped me is the fact that I'd have been buying an almost 10-year-old truck.

 

I had a 2012 Tundra CrewMax. It's a large truck, especially for city driving. Once I thought I no longer had the need for a truck, I bought a Focus ST. Less than a year later, I picked up a 2015 Tacoma DoubleCab.

When I purchased the Tundra, I actually went to look at a Tacoma DC. My wife preferred the Tundra, which is what we ended up getting. Incentives at the time were really good for the Tundra as well. We got sucked into "bigger is better, more for your money!". Even she now admits that the Tundra was too big for us and that that Tacoma is a better fit, size wise.

 

If you want a mid-size you will be unhappy with a full-size.

If you want a full-size you will be unhappy with a mid-size.

There is no such thing as "more for your money". There is "what you need and want for the price the market offers". A more expensive, bigger Tundra that seems like it is "more for your money" to your husband will quickly end up being "less for more money" when you have to drive it and not like it. It will be harder to park, it will consume more gas and it will have lower resale than the Tacoma all while costing more to purchase. How is that "more"? Seems like "less" to me. Of course if you actually need and want the things the Tundra brings to the table (i.e. bigger) then by all means that is "more". But some vague hand waving about "it doesn't cost much more and doesn't burn that much more gas but is bigger" doesn't make it better for you if you don't need or want something bigger.

Politely tell your husband to get his head out of his ass and let you chose the vehicle you'll be driving everyday or if he insists on a bigger truck tell him to go buy one for himself and let you drive what you want.

As to the Tacomas sucking some how and the Tundras being better well just go to a dealership. They are littered with Tundras that sit on the lot for months but they have just a few Tacomas all of which will be gone within the week. So apparently the market is thinking something different from your husband and Consumer Reports.

If you want a mid-size then in my opinion the Tacoma is the best choice right now. The Tacoma completely dominates the mid-size market right now. In 5 years maybe the Colorado/Canyon will have proven themselves as a viable or even better alternative, but right now I don't think they are there yet. If you or your husband want more interior bling and probably slightly better mileage wait a few months for the 2016 Tacoma. Hop over to the 3rd gen section for the little information available on that right now.

If you want a full-size truck then certainly consider the Tundra, but you have far more viable options to choose from in the US full size truck market than in the mid-size market. The Tacoma is a no brainer for a mid-size, the Tundra is just one of many good options for a full-size.

If you are hungry for an apple tell your husband to keep his orange even if the orange is "more for the money" in his opinion

 

When through the same analysis earlier this year.
#1 - Didn't really need a full size truck
#2 - Wanted something that fit in the garage (DCSB)
#3 - The Tundra is a beast to drive compared to my old crew cab Sierra
#4 - Drive about 60 miles a day, so wanted a little better gas mileage out of a truck.
#5 - You can't beat the resale value of a Tacoma.

 

The Tundra is NOT recommended by CR either.

I intended on buying a Tacoma. After seeing the interior on the Tundra Platinum, I fell in love. I considered the Tundra very seriously. Finally came to my senses. I didn't need that large of a truck. Although only slightly, the MPGs are better on the Tacoma, it's cheaper, and it's resale value is the best of ALL vehicles, not just trucks. After living w/ several full size trucks, the Tacoma is a pleasure to drive and park. It has more than enough capability for my truck needs. I did add the supercharger but I live at 5280 feet. Power to weight ratio is higher for the SC Tacoma vs. the V8 Tundra. It's an even greater 'seat of the pants' feel at 1 mile high. And after owning several luxury and highly optioned vehicles, the lack of 'options' is a nice break. And I've found I much prefer cloth seats to leather.

The Tacoma is a proven truck with no real good reason NOT to buy one, other than it's a mid size truck.

I hear the Chevy Colorado has a lot of modern conveniences.

 

Need some truck, but not a lot of truck, have long commute, needed 4 doors but not hauling nfl players.

 

Someone who finally hates those too lol. But besides the point I chose the tacoma for it's capability on and off road, paired with a great price and its American as shit.

 

If you're not towing regularly for work or whatever then definitely go for the Tacoma, especially if you're city folk. Personally I use my dad's f-250 for when i need the towing capacity, the tacoma isn't too great for that.

 

I have a 1st Gen Tundra and love it....bought a taco as I needed the people space (4dr) and wanted something that was about the size of my 1st Gen Tundra. The new Tundras were simply too big for what I wanted and for what type of driving I do most. My Ideal would be the Taco with a 4.7 but that wasn't available so I got a 4.0 Taco. Also, check out the Tundra Forums. The 5.7's are a great moor but are really a thirsty beast!

 

Exactly! You know if you haven't seen it already there is a thread dedicated to a 4.7 tundra swap into the tacoma! If i had the money and time I would so do it!

 

I am actually worried the 2016 Gen 3 Tacoma that is going to replace my 2003 Gen 1 Tundra stepside will be bigger than my current truck. How messed up is that. New Tacoma will probably at least be longer.

 

If the Tundra was still the size they once were I may have bought one but I kind of wish my 2011 was the same size as my "97" Tacoma. I don't need the room 90% of the time it's just me and a drop of over 4 mpg doesn't help either with the bigger truck. Lastly they don't have stick shift Tundra that to me was a factor (and still is you 6 spd haters learn how to drive them!).

 

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I had a 2006 Tacoma, traded it for a 2010 Tundra, that I traded for a 2013 Tacoma. I liked the Tundra (4.6L Double Cab) but I really missed my Tacoma, my wife and I are both small people (I'm 5'8", 145 dripping wet and she is 5'2", 120) therefore the Tacoma fits us both fine. The Tundra was just too big - we live in the country and the 3.5 mile road back to our house is a very hilly and winding road and I just got tired of trying to maneuver the Tundra on our road when there was traffic. As for mileage - my current Tacoma is a V6 and over the 23,000 miles I've put on it I'm averaging 18.9 mpg (17 in winter and about 20.5 in warmer weather) - the Tundra got around 16 winter and 17 in warmer weather - I drive about ½ of my miles on the highway (2 lane - 60 mph) and the rest in town. I hope my experience helps you and your husband.