Thinking about moving from Turd Gen Tacoma..

I know I know terrible time to buy anything right now, but figured I could use a sounding board and asking the Tundra guys. So I currently have a 2020 TRD Offroad Tacoma Doublecab that's 15k miles from being out of powertrain warranty and with the current trade values I am getting I am thinking about jumping to a full size. My thought process is we plan on having kids in the next year or so (Tacoma rear seat is trash), we have a house and I wish I had more bedspace, we are talking about getting into camping (towing), etc. So I don't want to switch brands cause I'm a loyal Toyota fan boy but I also hate the looks and feel of the new tundra (drove one and its garbage imho) I also am weary of reliablity with this new platform so I am looking at the trusted and true 5.7L. I would keep my Tacoma too but jump over there and there has been a rash of cracked cylinder heads lately that Toyota is f-ing people over on and timing cover gasket leaks so I'm not sure the 2020 will be so trouble free the next 5 years. I found a mint TRAC (dealer loaner) 2021 Tundra Nightshade Limited with 20k miles for $53k and they are giving me $38k for my Tacoma, with everything my payment would jump about $100 a month and of course be starting fresh along with the ungodly gas bill about to hit me with 13mpg. Just curious if anyone has made the jump and any regrets. This truck I would be keeping for a LONGGGG time. I'm a simplicity guy, regret selling my 2015 Tacoma as I literally knew how to fix almost everything on it comfortably and no stupid sh*t to break (my 2020 BSM sensor went out a month ago to the tune of $1200). Anyways thanks for the input.

 

Do it

No regrets


Edit: but I love my Tacoma. It’s a great little truck. No issues in 6 1/2 years, it’s a keeper. And grateful for a wife that let me keep it and buy a tundra…. And mod them both with no judgment at all.

 

Went from a manual 2018 Tacoma DC to my 2021 Tundra. I could only ever muster around 16mpg in the Taco and get around 14 with the Tundra, so not a big difference there. It’s amazing how much more space is inside the Tundra and how nimble it is. We have 2 car seats in the back and there is still space for an actual human to sit beside them and lots of floor space too.

 

I regret when the gosh dang gas was $6+ a gal, when gas is $3-4 no regrets.

 

This is my biggest concern, we live in AL so gas is about $3.39 right now, my commute is about 40 miles roundtrip to work 3 times a week (nurse). Even at $5 gallon, its about $18 to and from work each day, I considered other brands since MPG is even better than my Tacoma in those but not ready to go into that nightmare having friends who own Fords and GM.

 

I keep telling the wife this, it's fine when its just me and her in my truck, but my backseat is not a backseat, watched a guy try to put a carseat in a Tacoma and was like this is gonna suck in a year or so, plus roadtrips back home to IL, etc. the Tacoma just sucks.

 

Yeah, I realized the Tacoma back seat was useless for adults especially when the driver seat is all the way back for me to drive. My younger nieces were okay at the time back there. Ended up just taking out the bottom back seat and laying the top seat down. Only 4 bolts. I’ve had the seats out for about six years now. Only put them in a few times when needed but always take them back out after.
Tundra has tons of room. I usually keep the back seats up as I usually throw crap back there and the dog.

 

I test drove a couple of Tacomas when shopping and they were so small, so slow, and so noisy they convinced me to look at the Tundra. The Tundra is better than the Tacoma in just about every way, IMO.

 

If you can swing it financially, then my vote is yes.

I had a 2002 Tacoma pre kids and loved it. Once we had kids I got into a 4Runner. Once the kids were out of baby seats I wanted to get back to a truck, so I went to a 17 Tacoma without even considering anything else since I had loved my previous one so much. That was a mistake. Way too small for family trips and I hated the power train of the 3rd gen. Had it for 3 months before trading it for my Tundra.

 

I mean, do I hate paying $100 more a month for a truck payment, yes, can we afford it yes, gas is biggest variable but even figuring it at $5/gal commuting to work would run me about $264 a month, which is doable, right now with Tacoma I fill up about once every week or week and a half but I run around alot too. I'm on the fence, 2 years from paying off Taco, but about to be out of warranty and the 3.5L problems are showing their head on TW, also know that this will not work once we have kids and welcome chance to snag a last year 5.7L I know will outlast me but MPG and its a big boy.

 

First, the high trade in value is completely going out the window with that very high price for the Tundra. Second, if you can wait another year things will most likely be better, with prices getting better. Third, if you get 13 MPG in a Tundra you only have yourself to blame for it. I average between 17 and 18 in my stock 2020 4x4.

 

Oh then its not that big of a hit MPG wise, I had a 2021 Platinum for a loaner back in January and it was averaging 14mpg but that was dead of chicago winter and I didnt baby it. I average 18-20 in the Tacoma. And yes I am well aware of the market, its a wash for sure as you mentioned, so if I can buy a low mile, certified dealer TRAC 2021 Tundra for basically the same numbers as next year (Tundra price will drop but so will my trade), its kind of a wash and risk narrowing my ability to locate a clean last year 5.7L. But ya not a good time to buy for sure, its still priced as the sticker back in 2021, but I'm struggling finding any low mileage 2.5 gen for less than $50k Limited trim or higher. Seeing 1794's with 69k 2018 for $49k!!!

 

I looked at a 4runner but haul stuff every once and awhile and dont think I can do without a bed. I don't mind the gutlessness of my Tacoma, it serves my basic needs, but I do worry about long term reliability.

 

If you can justify the added cost in the payment/interest and fuel, then yes, pull the trigger. I went from a 14 Tacoma double cab to my 20 Tundra crewmax. I would never look back. I have a 4 month old at home and even though she's only with me in the truck a few times a week and I use the bed maybe once a week, having the extra size and space is worth it.

Side note, you said your drive is 40 miles round trip. Is that city/town or highway/back roads? that will really help with your mileage too.

 

I too had a 2020 Tacoma TRD Off Road DC. Mine had the 6' bed, which I liked (it was longer than my Tundra's bed). I absolutely loved that truck. Unlike others, I was fine with the rear seat and the use for my family. Luckily my kids are just in boosters. My 2011 Tacoma was also a double cab and I had a rear facing car seat in that without issue though.

With that said, I had to part with the Tacoma and move to a Tundra because the Tacoma was too tight for the four of us PLUS the dog. Without the dog we were okay. Then we bought a travel trailer and while the Tacoma technically could pull it, it just wasn't a relaxing experience. I moved up to the Tundra, and while I miss my Tacoma, I don't think I would go back. The Tundra has an incredible amount of room for the kids and the 80 lb dog in the back seat. The front seats are comfortable and roomy for me and my wife, and the truck is very relaxed while towing. It has become our default road trip vehicle, even when we are not pulling the trailer.

As for mileage, it was a big hit for me. I was getting at least 18 mpg in the Tacoma where now I get 11 or 12 in the Tundra (mostly around town driving). I'll get 15 to 17 if I lightly tread down the freeway.

Even considering the fuel consumption and the larger cost of the Tundra, I would do it all over again.

Good luck in your decision!

 

Hwy for most of it. And I can justify anything lol, I know Dave Ramsey would tell me no but don't think its as crazy as people paying $5k over MSRP on the 2022 plastic trucks or MSRP on Tacomas that are about to be overhauled in a year.

 

See now you have me thinking maybe make due with the Tacoma for now. I think for me I'm just realizing coming from wrenching on my older trucks I miss having simplicty and known reliablity. The new Tacoma's arent terrible to work on but as they age starting to see some questioning things creep up with long term reliablity and I think just the $1200 BSM put a sour taste in my mouth when it comes to stuff I dont need that just costs money and can't fix myself.

 

This not entirely accurate. Bakershack lives in Alabama, at near sea level with likely zero to no hills in sight. So that's probably absolute best case scenario mpg. I live in utah with mountains and hills, around 6k elevation and bone stock I couldn't pray to hit 17 much less 18. Stock I could muster 15.5 most of the time , 16 very seldom sometimes, on summer grade fuel with no wind. On winter grade fuel (which Alabama likely doesn't have ) best case scenario i would see was 14.5. Mine is a 2017 limited and when stock, had the oem 20s and 275/55 tires.

Edit* also those numbers were based on dash readout, which iirc read a half mpg higher then actual mpg when stock and speedometer unadjusted as from the factory , the speedo reads around 5 mph faster than you're actually going. Not that I think this should change your decision on the 5.7 , but I feel it's worth noting.

 

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about the long term reliability. My dad just sold is 2016 Tacoma, which has the current 2GR-FKS engine, to my neighbor. He had the truck for 6 years and it never had a single issue. That engine is also used in so many other products (Lexus RX350, IS300, IS350, GS350, Camry, Avalon, Highlander, Sienna, and I'm probably missing others) and it's been solid since it came out in 2016. I do understand getting rattled by a repair, though.

It's pretty much always financially prudent to stick with what you have, but I don't see the harm in considering the move. Did you drive that Tundra yet? Curious of what you thought. The 5.7 is a very stout engine.

 

Agreed the 2GR has been around in some form since early Lexus days and no issues. I think for me just at that point where I start investing in maintaining it for another 4-5 years or going ahead and jumping ship to a full size. I did have a 2021 Platinum for a loaner for 2 weeks in Jan this year (Taco was rear ended, minor) and it was nice having so much power and Tundra is pretty nimble, parking kind of sucked with getting used to its massiveness, I know I'll certainly miss parking in the garage.

 

Orrrrrr, you could hold on to your Tacoma, wait until a kid or two pops out and/or you're ready to buy the camper and then decide from there if a Tacoma will fit your needs or if you need/want a Tundra at that point. Even a 3-4 year old 2nd gen Tundra will be extremely reliable (assuming you still dont want a 3rd gen at that point).

 

3-4 year old tundra is only 2-3k less then a new one…lol

 

Lol in California maybe.

But if we're looking at a year or two down the road, pricing might adjust....maybe....

 

That's a big *might* given the last few years.......... I think at this point you have to just assume it will be a complete unknown and base your decision on the unknown because there is literally no signs anything is returning to what we previously knew anytime soon.

 

Leaning that way too. Just saw a decent deal on one I liked, low miles, last year, good trade value, TRAC vehicle in great shape, but I agree.

 

Aint that the truth!

 

This^ Ive only seen last year low mile 2.5 gens go up in price or hold on strong. My concern is I know there is a bubble looming for used market, but I also see the shift towards people wanting the last of non disposable vehicles and think the last year 5.7's are gonna hold value similar to 1st gen Tundras.

 

I bought my 2017 in July 2019 I think, for 33k, with 33k on the clock. I've seen It go away past 40k at the height of the madness and then see saw back down. Right now it's STILL worth more than I paid at 38k with now 83k on the clock. Those are just book values mind you. Not what people are actually paying or listing for which is much higher. Point is there is not a single logical way to tell right now which way is up. Make the best informed decision you can based on current climate and don't second guess later if it could have been better or worse. There's no way to forecast that right now like you used to be able to.

 

@ $3.39/gal it’s only $20 more per tank, just have to start bring your own lunch.

 

My gas bill was 733 bucks last month for my tundra.