Tacoma or Tundra

I have driven full size trucks most of my life. I am driving a Prius right now and it is driving me crazy. I have been wanting a Tacoma for several months now and now I am second guessing myself. My brother has a 4 door fully loaded 4x4 Tundra and I have been driving it a couple of days because I have been hauling my boat and gardening stuff. Tell me why the Tacoma would better serve me over the Tundra.
I like the Tacomas size and ease of drivabilty over the Tundra. Fuel economy is better than the Tundra but I am just scared of not having enough room with a wife and 2 kids. Also, not having enough power IF ever needed. You know. Let me be honest about something as well. i don't feel as masculin driving a smaller truck.

 

Tacomas are the shit! IMO beat the look of the new Tundra by far..

 

Well, I can only see a portion of your needs and uses, but for me, the more useful and better choice of the two was the Tacoma.

There are more reasons that I don't want the Tundra. Those are....

1. V8 = too much consumption. Besides, I think that someone on here calculated that based on the weight of the Taco and displacement, the V6 was putting out more power.

2. Tundra is too large. I want more maneuverability. It's already tougher than a car to get into parking. Don't need the extra bulk and I don't haul that much stuff. 98% of my driving is mostly me along in the truck (boy do I need to make friends or what).

3. I think it's more to insure the larger truck.

 

One of my friends has a Tacoma DC and me and another guy fit in the back easily. The Access Cabs don't have that much room in the back. My girlfriend and her friend barely fit in the backseat of mine. The V6 Tacos have, IMO, plenty of power. Then again, it all depends on what size boat you're haulin and how much power you NEED. And no one's going to question your masculinity in a Tacoma.

 

If you are worried about power and space then there isn't much we can do to make the Tacoma a better option for you. I feel like plenty man enuf driving mine...It's more about the driver than the car/truck.

It sounds like you are comfortable having a full size...so go for it...Get the Tundra.

 

How about a DC long bed enough room for the family and just as long as a full size extended cab.

 

It depends What you really want. I personally never wanted a full size for a few reasons. Gas, my dad has one so i can mooch whenever, I like the maneuverability to take it off road on tight trails, and looks. I think the new tundras are hideous. If you are worried about power but have some cash to play with, URD's new supercharger puts out 400+ HP

However, If you need a full size truck, the tundra is an excellent choice. My friends dad has one and can haul three ditrbikes with no issues whatsoever. The space is enormous but the tacoma is more than adequate for my needs.

Someone once told me there isn't a tacoma owner who didn't truely want a tundra

 

My old truck was an 97 F-150 4x4 Extra Cab V8 and I drove that for many years. I also test drove the new Tundra's. Here are some reasons I decided to go with the Tacoma instead of another 1/2 ton:

- I love the looks of them, especially compared to the Tundra
- Better fuel consumption than the V8's (although I don't think it's so much better that it would be a deal breaker on it's own)
- Better size for around town driving and still plenty of power for moderate towing and "truck" needs
- Didn't care about the masculinity argument. That said, the Tacoma is not that small of a truck. I actually compared it to my old F-150 and the double cab is almost the same length (I had a short box) and while the Taco was a little narrower and shorter, the overall towing and load capacity was suprisingly close to my old 1/2 ton and that beings me to my next point . . .
- The new 1/2 tons have gotten obese. They are simply enormous with too much of everything IMHO. The 09 F-150 I test drove (liked it btw) felt like it lumbered down the road, steering was somwhat numb and the interior was almost too spacious. It's one thing to have space, but much of it is wasted "dead air". The Tundra felt the same to me as it was just too big. I would never come close to utilizing those trucks to their full potential so I didn't see the point of paying for it.
- The Tacoma drove really nice. It felt tight, the steering was more responsive and it just felt more nimble. In short, it felt like I was driving it as opposed to being a passenger in it. Not sure if that makes any sense or not.

If you are going to be hauling lots of stuff all the time or really need to tow heavy loads, then I can see going to 1/2 ton. For me though, the extra capacity was not needed and the additional PITA factor of driving such a large vehicle on a daily basis would get to me. As such, I opted for the Taco and I don't think I made any compromises given how I will use the truck.

Good luck!

 

The Tundra DC's are NICE!!! You can get smoking deals on them now as well.

If your into wheelin & trails, the Tacoma is better.

If you need room for the family, the Tundra is solid. The MPG isn't that much worse. They are excellent off-road too, just not nimble.

Good Luck!!

 

I was in the same situation you are in. I have driven full size chevys for years but got tired of the size and wanted a change. Took a gamble about 3 weeks ago, and got the Prerunner V6 double cab. It took a little while to get used to the somewhat smaller size. But trust me, you will not be disappointed. This is the sports car of trucks! This is just one hell of a fun truck to drive. And, when you put your foot in it, the Tacoma will impress.

 

That's an issue with YOU, not the truck. Besides, you're the one driving a Pious...

Only you can know your needs. I personally did not need a full size truck like the Tundra but I would LIKE to have one. I don't regret my choice but I have two friends that have them and I love their trucks but, then again, I love mine.

Power, it's a non-issue. You're talking 0-60 in the just over 7 second range and the ability to tow 6500lbs. I've never once felt I needed more power. Besides, modding and adding a couple or 3 HP is fun or you can go all out and add the TRD SC.

Room, I have plenty for 4 adults. It's just the wife and a 6 month old so we have more than enough. I'd be willing to bet there's more room than your Prius.

Buy what you WANT because making payments on something you aren't happy with SUCKS.

 

I have the Dcab and have no problems with my wife and two kids in car seats in the back, plenty of room. I pull a 24ft/ 4500lb trailer with no problems and the 95% of the time I am not towing I get better then Tundra mileage!

 

Hahaha. I know I drive a Prius!!! It doesn't do it for me but in the cars defense, it is a very impressive car. I drive a lot and my full size trucks were killing my wallet. I thought I could buy a gas efficient car and drive my father's Ram or my brother's Tundra when I needed a truck. Well, every time I need a truck they are nowhere to be found or if I am using their truck they are calling me wanting to know when I am bringing it back. Aggravating! funny thing is they never seem to be driving their trucks when I don't need one.

the masculin thing was part joke too.

 

^There's nothing wrong with driving a Prius, that's my point. A vehicle doesn't determine what kind of person you are, YOU do.

Well, unless you drive a Beetle.

 

I know somebody already said something, but I couldn't resist.

I think the reasons for the Tacoma over the Tundra are what you listed in your OP. If you need LOTS of power, you're going to want the Tundra. There should be plenty of room in the Tacoma DC for your wife and 2 kids... if they can fit in a Prius, they can fit in a Tacoma.

My father-in-law has a Tundra... it's an awesome truck, but I prefer my Tacoma for several reasons. Still... If I have to haul a big boat or carry rail road ties around, I call him and borrow.

 

Yeah, if you off road the taco is better, it can fit throught the tight spaces and more nimble. However, if you get the stick shift like I did, you would be better off getting a V8 because you would get the same MPG. I would further extend my search to (Dare I say.... Chevy and Ford.... Flame ON)....... because they have cyclinder shutoff and I know the chevy can get 19-20 mpg highway on a V8.....

Neways... I love the tundra but the C Channel frame on it is pretty weak. Also, if you do your own oil changes, the Tundra is a beyotch to change because it has a weired oil filter. Good luck man.... I love my taco but sometimes wish I got a full size for the power to mpg ratio. The Fords are lookin awesome but I don't trust FORDs for longevity....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j3PWGRrCZ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJZVUnOduH4

 

Thanks Papabear. I love the new F150. Great looking truck. The video convinced me to stay away from the Tundra. i had no idea it was a C channel frame.

 

No prob man... I haven't seen any issues on the Taco with the frame though.... but for a full size truck, it should be capable of heavy duty tasks... I don't think the frame would hold up over time.

The fords are sick... I really like the off road verstion the SVT Raptor.