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Truck shopping...2gen Taco or 3gen Tundra?

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Robster80, Jun 25, 2020.

  1. Jun 25, 2020 at 7:39 AM
    #1
    Robster80

    Robster80 [OP] New Member

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    So ive had my mind set on buying a 2gen taco for awhile. Never owned a toyota but love the way they look and found a sweet deal on a clean, low mileage 2013 4x4 near me. I went and drove it and it didnt quite excite me like i was hoping. Was very nice. I like the interior, etc but was hoping for at least a little more power mainly and if it had just a slight bit more interior space woulda been nice. So now im considering a Tundra. Has anyone in here gone from a second gen Tacoma to a Tundra? Any regrets at all? This sorta happened to me years ago late 90s i was set to buy a dodge dakota 4x4 and right before i signed the papers i noticed a single cab 4x4 Ram on the lot and drove it and it was a no brainer. More room. More power. So im thinking its gonna go that way this time also lol.

    another question is i found a Platinum ‘14 within driving distance for $29k. 101k miles. Black exterior black interior. Said id never do black again but i dunno. Is $29k a decent price. Figured thats a bit on the high end
     
  2. Jun 25, 2020 at 7:44 AM
    #2
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

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    Eibach Pro Truck Stage 2 suspension, HD RAS, 285/75-18 Nokian Outpost AT, LoPro bed cover, TRD rear sway bar, DD 10 inch exhaust, and various other goodies
    Tundra offers so much more room, comfort and capability. No comparison really. I came from a 4th gen 4runner (still have it) and the Tundra is better in almost every way- except off road. Off road the 4runner shines with the shorter wheelbase and tighter turning.
     
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  3. Jun 25, 2020 at 7:53 AM
    #3
    LHTundraFan

    LHTundraFan New Member

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    I went from a Silverado to a Dakota, then quickly to a Ram. It really depends on what you’re going to use the truck for, but I would go Tundra if I were you. Tacoma’s are nice but the cabin is tight and the bed is tiny

    Price seems a bit high. I did a quick search in my area and found similar trucks listed for 25-28k

    As for a black truck? I had one once and wouldn’t do it again. They look nice, but too hard to keep clean
     
    Robster80[OP] likes this.
  4. Jun 25, 2020 at 7:57 AM
    #4
    WILLINH

    WILLINH New Member

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    I went from a 2008 Tacoma to a 2019 Tundra. Amazing room and power compared to the Taco. There is so much more to it compared to the taco. I do not regret it at all and I commute 400 mile's per week. I bought new because all the used trucks are priced crazy in the North East. Good luck!!
     
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  5. Jun 25, 2020 at 8:04 AM
    #5
    Johnders2586

    Johnders2586 New Member

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    Toytec Performance Aluma 3" Lift- Toytec rear shackle, Fuel Vector Wheels, Toyo Open Country C/T 295/70/18 Tires
    Had a 2010 Taco extended cab 4x4 for a few years. Thing was super reliable had 180k on it when I traded.. I had the 4cly 5speed. I love the manual trans but the 4 banger was pretty balless even beating on it.. I traded for a 17 Tundra mainly due to wanting more room for family of 4. I do love the power on a Tundra an the space inside.. I like the Taco because I can get a manual transmission an ld it's smaller for moving/ fitting in tight spaces. I have no regrets other then I can't fit in my garage anymore.. Both are great trucks, neither are the most flashy in their class. But I'll take reliability anytime over gizmos..

    For a 14 I think 29K is way high granted it's a higher trim but I got my 17 SR5 TRD for 29 an change with 55k miles...
     
  6. Jun 25, 2020 at 8:31 AM
    #6
    chugs

    chugs New Member

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  7. Jun 25, 2020 at 8:57 AM
    #7
    mart1nezdaniel

    mart1nezdaniel AZ

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  8. Jun 25, 2020 at 9:00 AM
    #8
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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  9. Jun 25, 2020 at 9:20 AM
    #9
    nodak67

    nodak67 New Member

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    well the base sr5 double cab 6.5ft bed with 4x4 is 39k msrp unless you really want to get a SR, but i only see businesses buy those cause they are so barren in features.
    but if you want a really cheap tundra then the SR double cab 6.5ft with 4x4 is only 36k msrp.

    a 4x2 SR like above is 33k msrp.
     
    glowblue likes this.
  10. Jun 25, 2020 at 9:26 AM
    #10
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    Just have to wait until they're offering discounts. My 4x4 CM SR5 with upgrade package and towing package was ~$38k USD ($45K CAD) OTD.
     
  11. Jun 25, 2020 at 9:28 AM
    #11
    nodak67

    nodak67 New Member

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    just take into account that these are totally 2 different trucks and not comparable to each other (apples to oranges). whats good on one model is crap on the other and vice versa.

    tacoma usually does better off roading due to the smaller footprint, better mpg and usually cheaper price.
    tundra better at towing, big cabin space, better payload.
     
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  12. Jun 25, 2020 at 9:29 AM
    #12
    Robster80

    Robster80 [OP] New Member

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    more comfortable/fun to drive but still occasional off road capable - tundra?
     
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  13. Jun 25, 2020 at 9:37 AM
    #13
    nodak67

    nodak67 New Member

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    you can take the tundra off road, but due to the width you might have more issues than what a tacoma can fit into.

    again this is the footprint of the vehicle comes in play off roading. a lot of trails i see are barely wide enough for tacoma/jeep/etc.

    edit: also breakover points are way different between the two. tacoma are 212.3” to 225.5” where as the tundra is 228.9” to 247.8” in length

     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2020
  14. Jun 25, 2020 at 10:12 AM
    #14
    Iowa12tundra

    Iowa12tundra New Member

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    I would say if you don't need the interior space and power go for a taco. Of course a v6 with a stick. I came from a 2nd gen taco
     
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  15. Jun 25, 2020 at 10:26 AM
    #15
    DaBoro54

    DaBoro54 Beach Fisher

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    Leveling kit, 285/70R18 EXOs
    So I just bought a 2nd gen Tacoma. I’ve had two double cab Tundras. Whole heartily agree of the power and interior space differences.

    I will say for my needs I am glad I got it as an intermediate truck till the new gen Tundra comes out.

    I’m a single man and no kids so I could see how the double cab Tacoma could get filled quick and I have a full size truck sitting next to it in the garage though lol
    Single cab long bed on the full size
     
  16. Jun 25, 2020 at 4:13 PM
    #16
    A Guy

    A Guy New Member

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    I drove a Tacoma for a couple years. Switched to a full size truck (F-150) and would NEVER buy a mid-sized truck again. The extra room, visibility, and power are all worth the downsides that come with a larger truck.
     
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  17. Jun 25, 2020 at 4:32 PM
    #17
    Robster80

    Robster80 [OP] New Member

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    Got a tundra now?
     
  18. Jun 25, 2020 at 9:36 PM
    #18
    A Guy

    A Guy New Member

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    Yup, just traded a week back. F-150 has a lot going for it. Almost every F-150 aspect is better except reliability, resale value, looks (subjective). Still trying to decide if it was the correct move. There’s a good dozen+ things I miss about it. But, I was needing a change and Tundra makes for a way more badass overlanding rig.
     
  19. Jun 26, 2020 at 4:01 AM
    #19
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    I think these are so different that I am surprised you can not decide if you need to size and space of a Tundra or not period?

    This is a pretty huge consideration if you plan on actually needing a truck to do things and seems like an easy choice if you look at it this way.

    I also have to say that no matter how hoard I try I just can not get comfortable in a Taco and its low odd seating position is not something I could live with at all.

    Happily for me it is just as simple as that.
     
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  20. Jun 26, 2020 at 4:03 AM
    #20
    glowblue

    glowblue From time to time

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    Bought my 2019 SR DC 5.7L 4x4 for $31.5k! All I really needed was the 5.7L and 4x4. I’ve upgraded to suit my needs and I love it. Already de-chromed and de-badged straight off the assembly line! A lot of people here do the same thing.

    C8D6D77B-57C1-4403-A15B-92C3C58C928B.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2020
  21. Jun 26, 2020 at 4:29 AM
    #21
    Robster80

    Robster80 [OP] New Member

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    sheesh. Thats a great deal man.
     
  22. Jun 26, 2020 at 4:39 AM
    #22
    10TundraSR5

    10TundraSR5 Happy Tundra owner

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    Curse you Perry the Platypus!
    I went from a 2013 Access Cab 2 wheel drive Tacoma to a 2015 Double Cab 4x4 Tacoma then eventually wound up in a 2010 CrewMax 4x4 Tundra. While I really never wanted to get into a full size truck again, I love the Tundra and have no regrets.
     
  23. Jun 26, 2020 at 5:00 AM
    #23
    FlyingWolfe

    FlyingWolfe Wolfie

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    I had a second gen Tacoma (2015 TRD Sport) and just sold it in March and got a 2018 Tundra TRD Off Road. Reason: I couldn't tow my camper or tractor with it, the bed wasn't nearly big enough even though it was a 'long bed', and it felt cramped as shit inside, even for me (i'm a 5'3" 120lb female..)

    My little Tacoma was great and all if you were just going to get groceries, and was nice for the narrow mountain trails I had to climb up to get to the sites that I fly off of, but I couldn't haul or tow worth a shit with it.
    My Tundra rides a million times better. The Taco, even with the bilsteins, would rattle your teeth out on back roads.
    It's the color I want finally (they didn't do inferno in the second gen Taco and the 3rd Gen was a hard no with the transmission bullshit, drove a 2016 for a couple weeks.. gear hunting, gutless, hated it..)
    Just hauled my tractor down to Mass, around 7400lbs, and the Tundra didn't even notice it back there.

    Look on NADA and KBB for the ballpark pricing for the used truck you're looking at. I just paid $32,500 for my 2018 TRD OR with 10k miles so $29k for a 2014 with that many miles seems high, even for a platinum.

    As far as the truck swap, zero regrets. I wish I had done it sooner.
    2018Tundra.jpg Taco3.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2020
  24. Jun 26, 2020 at 5:02 AM
    #24
    tttrdpro

    tttrdpro Former Naval Person

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    In progress…
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  25. Jun 26, 2020 at 5:10 AM
    #25
    FlyingWolfe

    FlyingWolfe Wolfie

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    Torque band of a lawnmower at best.. :rofl:
     
  26. Jun 26, 2020 at 6:16 AM
    #26
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    Seems like the 3rd gen Taco could be decent (other than sitting on the floor practically) if Toyota would let you get a DCLB with the standard transmission.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  27. Jun 26, 2020 at 6:54 AM
    #27
    WILLINH

    WILLINH New Member

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    I test drove a taco last year before I bought the Tundra, I did not like the weird shifting.
     
  28. Jun 26, 2020 at 10:14 AM
    #28
    blueshound

    blueshound New Member

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    Yes that was in my sisters town in Louisiana, I think he landed on another car that was parked on the other side of the sign. Everyone walked away but bruised a bit.
     
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  29. Jun 26, 2020 at 11:48 AM
    #29
    DaBoro54

    DaBoro54 Beach Fisher

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    not at the moment. I have a old ford and a Tacoma. I’ll be upgrading a few years from now to a Tundra once they get all the bugs shook out of the new gen
     
  30. Jun 26, 2020 at 11:58 AM
    #30
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    why not new, they had 0% APR on new ones and you get all the latest goodies.
     
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