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Tundra or Silverado?

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by Backslider, Feb 9, 2020.

  1. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:12 AM
    #1
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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    So - I used to have a Tundra and sold it almost 2 years ago so that I could focus on getting out of all debt. For reference, here is my old build page.

    Backslider's Build

    Right now I'm looking at a Tundra Limited versus a Chevy Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss.

    Here's what's preventing me from buying a Tundra without a second thought.

    Silverado wins:

    • The Silverado LT Trail Boss has an included rear locker.
    • Better safety and convenience features at the same cost.
    • Better fuel economy.
    • Silverado has a nicer interior.
    • Silverado in this trim level comes with a nice factory lift and Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs.
    • LT Trail boss comes with color keyed bumpers and mirrors - Have to get a high trim level with Tundra to get the same.
    • Dealership that I would be buying from offers an included lifetime powertrain warranty.
    • Better payload and towing
    • Silverado is part of a company benefit I receive and I get a pretty decent discount ($14.5k off of sticker in this case) which bring the cost of a very well-equipped LT Trail Boss down to around $40k


    Tundra wins:

    • Styling
    • Renowned reliability
    • Familiarity
    • I get to come back to these forums and hang out with you fine folks..
    • Lots of great aftermarket support
    • I'm having a hard time coming up with anything else...


    What am I missing? Even my wife would rather have a Tundra - but that's because we've always bought Toyota cars and trucks. I have had a 2005 Trailblazer and a 1999 Suburban (loved this truck) in the past, and Chevy has never done me wrong..

    I'm coming here in hopes that you all can offer up some factual evidence as to why I would be making a huge mistake getting the Chevy instead. My heart says Toyota, my brain and every logical part of me says the Chevy is the better buy. Help!
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2020
    D4x4TRD likes this.
  2. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:34 AM
    #2
    Creatures 1982

    Creatures 1982 New Member

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    Here’s the short answer

    Reliability ..... resale value


    Tundra period the 5.3 is gutless in my opinion
    The wife is alway right
     
    CH1NO, monaco730, Jernik and 7 others like this.
  3. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:39 AM
    #3
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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    Well, I've driven both now, the Tundra for an extended period obviously, but again when test driving, and they seem to be about the same when driving around unloaded. The Tundra has a better 0-60 on paper by about .3 seconds, but they feel the same to me.

    That said, the Chevy can tow more... So is it really gutless?

    Resale value is a good point, but I plan to keep this truck for probably 10 or more years. Maybe longer.
     
  4. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:41 AM
    #4
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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    Also I can get the 6.2l and still be well under the cost of a TRD Pro - which is basically an SR5 with some cosmetic and suspension upgrades. How does a $2000 suspension and fake leather justify a $15k increase in cost?
     
  5. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:43 AM
    #5
    Tundra14Platinum

    Tundra14Platinum I love reading the CoC in my spare time

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  6. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:44 AM
    #6
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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    upload_2020-2-9_10-43-28.jpg

    upload_2020-2-9_10-43-51.jpg

    upload_2020-2-9_10-44-33.jpg
     
    Boerseun likes this.
  7. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:45 AM
    #7
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    If you are keeping your next truck for 10+ years then the answer is a no brainer...Tundra.
     
    TacomaLC, 68 RS/SS, P-Factor and 6 others like this.
  8. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:47 AM
    #8
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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    upload_2020-2-9_10-46-28.jpg

    And add to this

    +$2000 for a lift
    +1400 for tires
    +$2500 for rear locker

    -$500 for selling suspension parts and tires.

    =(
     
  9. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:47 AM
    #9
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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    Why is it a no-brainer? I've had 20 year old Chevys that look and feel like new..
     
    Hoff and Y0TA PR0 like this.
  10. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:49 AM
    #10
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Then go buy the Chevy.......out
     
  11. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:49 AM
    #11
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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  12. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:51 AM
    #12
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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    I'm just asking you to quality your statement - not trying to be rude. As I said, I have always bought Toyotas and currently have and will keep my 4runner, which gets treated badly and puts up with the abuse well. But your claim seems to imply that a Chevy won't last 10 years. I am politely asking that you elaborate on this claim, that's all. No intention to hurt feelings.

    I am looking for factual information that I may have missed - not opinions that can't be at least anectdotally backed up.
     
    Hatwsneezing likes this.
  13. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:52 AM
    #13
    Creatures 1982

    Creatures 1982 New Member

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    If you drag racing this truck you may have a valid point. hook 8000 of real world behind it. I stand by my statement that 5.3 is gutless

    6.2 with 373 rear ends would be a comparison


    Wife’s right...I know your trying to justify that Chevy On a tundra forum

    My 46 year little brothers a MASTER GM tech for 27 years I know alittle about Gm
     
  14. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:53 AM
    #14
    Kerch71

    Kerch71 Surgical Precision

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    This should help:
    Tundra - It's a Toyota
    Silverado - IT'S A GM! Unless GM has done a sudden about face in build quality, their reliability is crap. Every GM I've ever owned (which is 3) has had a catastrophic, cash me out failure of one kind or another. Give me reliability and resale over bells and whistles any day of the week. And, I'm not sure I believe that towing capability is that much different.
     
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  15. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:54 AM
    #15
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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    I'm not drag racing - I'll be towing a boat and/or camper and traveling all over. Which is why I don't think .3 second difference and a very similar quarter mile performance is really a big deal.
     
  16. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:55 AM
    #16
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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    Every GM vehicle I've owned, which is 2, has been ultra reliable and performed very well. The Suburban needed a new rear main seal after about 18 years, which I felt was very reasonable.

    Tundra max tow is like 9400
    The Silverado LT Trail Boss, in the configuration I posted, is closer to 12k lbs.

    So it seems no one here has anything to add other than reliability and resale, which I mentioned as the only two real benefits of the Tundra in my opening post.
     
    Hoff likes this.
  17. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:57 AM
    #17
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    At 12 years the only thing I had to fix on my 07 was a $20 power steering pressure sensor. My boss's 15 Silverado has been the shop several times. 1st time was to replace defective leaking tranny lines when less than a year old. He's a Chevy forever fan boy so he doesn't care bringing his wife's car to work when his truck is in the shop.
     
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  18. Feb 9, 2020 at 10:01 AM
    #18
    Tundra14Platinum

    Tundra14Platinum I love reading the CoC in my spare time

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    Weather in FL today 78* and mostly sunny.
     
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  19. Feb 9, 2020 at 10:02 AM
    #19
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    The longer you plan to own it, the more important reliability becomes.

    Honestly, you're not going to find many people pushing you toward a chevy half ton on here. If towing is the main concern, get an HD. Also, make sure you look at the actual towing numbers for a truck equipped as you want it, and not the marketing tow stats. <looks at F150 advertised tow rating>

    Questions:
    When you had the tundra did you ever need the locker?
    Are you ok with that odd size spare on the chevy?
    Have you taken that pros con list to a Toyota dealer to see how much ball they'll play?

    On price, I got my SR5 TRD Off road with the upgrade package, convenience package, and a couple odds and ends for $41,XXX last June. If you want easy color match, get the TRD sport, because you're going to be upgrading the suspension anyway.

    Features will be lacking in comparison to a chevy, but only you can decide if that's enough to sway you.
     
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  20. Feb 9, 2020 at 10:02 AM
    #20
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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    That sucks. I'm a Toyota fanboy but both my Chevy trucks (2005 Trailblazer and 1999 Suburban) never gave me a single issue. The Suburban needed the rear main seal replaced after 17 or 18 years, but that's similar to some of the known issues with Tundras or 4runners as well. It was a defect and a known problem in the Suburban for that range of years just like cam tower leaking on Tundras, or the Entune audio system being an enormous pile of shit.
     
  21. Feb 9, 2020 at 10:05 AM
    #21
    belanger9

    belanger9 New Member

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    A bunch
    If you're used to towing with the 5.7 don't get the 5.3. It's a torquey engine but lacks top end - on the highway it sucks big time towing. The 6.2 is a much better engine for towing. I've heard too many stories of GM's being in the shop time after time chasing down issues. Many will work perfectly, but many will be in the shop just as much as they're on the road. When I bought my 2016 it was between the Tundra or a GMC 6.2 SLT - the GMC is a much better truck on paper, but when it's my money I needed to be able to trust it would last and I can't say that I would trust the GMC the same way I do the Tundra.
     
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  22. Feb 9, 2020 at 10:06 AM
    #22
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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    I am looking at the towing capacity as the truck is configured. I'm an engineer, I care about mechanical and operational details.

    Yes, there were times I needed the locker. Just like there are times I need it in my 4runner. I do a lot of extended back country trips that can span thousands of miles and several days.

    I have not yet taken the list to a Toyota dealership. I've bought several Toyotas in my lifetime and have never had much luck with pricing, although when I bought my first Tundra I did get the best deal of any Toyota I've purchased. This is great advice and not something I had thought it.

    That said, I still would have to pay $5000ish out of pocket after buying for lift, locker, and tires.
     
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  23. Feb 9, 2020 at 10:06 AM
    #23
    Creatures 1982

    Creatures 1982 New Member

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    Ya his wife will be pissed when he driving her Toyota while the gutless chevy 5.3 is getting lifters put in it.....
     
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  24. Feb 9, 2020 at 10:09 AM
    #24
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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    I must add, again, that my heart says Toyota but the Chevy just seems like a better truck when you do an apples to apples comparison. Of course anyone who owns a certain truck will almost always say it's the best - that's why I came asking for facts and not just "TOYOTA IS THE SHIT, DAWG."

    I prefer my 4runner to a Jeep Wrangler or Rubicon, but it's undeniable that there are things about the Rubicon that are better than the 4runner. Everything is a give and take. I'm just trying to have a balanced view here.
     
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  25. Feb 9, 2020 at 10:09 AM
    #25
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    His wife had a GMC Terrain. Emphasis on had. It spent too much time in the shop too. The final straw for her was the $500 bill to swap in new headlight bulbs.
     
  26. Feb 9, 2020 at 10:11 AM
    #26
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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    Thanks to those of you who are capable of having reasonable, respectful conversation.
     
  27. Feb 9, 2020 at 10:11 AM
    #27
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    We use chevys at work. I see way too many problems. One truck had 4k miles and had to get a new transmission put in it. Wasn't even one of the trucks that tow, but it was an HD.

    Tundras are an old design, but it has proven reliability. You had good luck with the Chevys, but did those vehicles share anything with the truck you are eyeing? Is it a fair assumption of reliability? For example, the Jeep Renegade is quite reliable, but that doesn't mean a Wrangler is. Just food for thought. Whichever you get, I hope it is trouble free.
     
  28. Feb 9, 2020 at 10:13 AM
    #28
    plinyyounger

    plinyyounger New Member

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    It’s clear you have made up your mind, enjoy your new Chevy. I also don’t believe anybody in this Toyota forum is mad, lol. Just different priorities is all. 14k off a sticker is a great price.
     
  29. Feb 9, 2020 at 10:14 AM
    #29
    Backslider

    Backslider [OP] Thirsty...

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    No, they don't have anything in common, which is why I immediately discount the "my friend's wife had a 10 year old GMC yadayada that was constantly yadayada." It's a different vehicle, and cared for by a different person. Who is to say that they didn't treat it like absolute garbage?

    You do bring up good points though - I just have a hard time with Toyota's recent gimmicky trim level bullshit and how you have to pay $15k for some basic upgrades that come standard with other trucks. It's the mentality expressed in this thread that makes it possible for them to do. =(
     
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  30. Feb 9, 2020 at 10:16 AM
    #30
    Borgs

    Borgs New Member

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    Resale, reliability and cost of ownership are the main reasons my dad and I will never stray away from Lexus / Toyota ever again. We learned the hard way a few times (GM). I am willing to bet a Tundra will be worth severs grand more then the Trail Boss when you are trying to well it 15 years from now. If you don’t place as much emphasis on those three points as many of us do on this forum, it seems like you made up your mind.
     

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