Tacoma owner considering Tundra

Hello!

New to the forum. I'm on my second Tacoma. Bought my first in 2007, and traded it in for the current in 2015. Still runs great, but basically I'd like a little more space and towing capacity. In my limited experience with Tundras (my brother has one), they also seem to ride a lot nicer than my Tacomas.

I'm not the type to buy a new vehicle every few years. The Tacoma is still doing the job, and can continue to do so for some time. However I figure my next truck will almost certainly be a Tundra, and I'm debating if I would rather have the current generation or the next generation. Probably sounds crazy, but it's the same principle that led me to sell my 2007 and buy a 2015. I knew I was going to want a new one in the near future, and I didn't want one of the first couple years of the new generation, to give them some time to iron out the bugs.

Everywhere online I see people say the current Tundra is extremely "dated". Personally, I think the interior is fine. I don't need a ton of electronic luxuries. It would be nice to have more potential integration with my phone (Android), but it's not that big of a deal. I just want a nice ride, nice drive, reliability, and capability.

The one thing that has me interested in waiting for the next gen would be increased fuel efficiency. I know Tundras have a reputation of being gas hogs. However my current Tacoma is only averaging about 18 mpg. My old 2007 6MT Tacoma did slightly better, a little over 18.5. I use an Impreza for commuting to work (about 30 miles each way), so the truck gets used weekends and evenings. Running the numbers, at current usage and current gas prices, switching to the Tundra would mean about another $50 in gas per month. (That's figuring 18 mpg for the Tacoma vs 14 mpg for the Tundra.) So while I'd like better fuel efficiency, in the grand scheme of things I guess it's not a huge added expense.

I know details on the next generation are largely just speculation, but I thought I'd just get some thoughts here from those who own the current generation and may know a little more about what's to come.

Thanks

 

Welcome from Texas

 

Welcome from SoCal sir
All I can say is I came from a Tacoma to a tundra and it was the best decision I ever made. As for getting 18mpgs . I sometimes think my gas tank has a hole in it, the way it sucks gas
Still wouldn’t change my decision, big boy toys means big boy money
Good luck with your decision

 

If you were able to get 18 mpg from the Tacoma, you may be able to get 17 mpg from the Tundra, as those are both their top ends for mpg. My 2014 Tacoma TRD Sport V6 Access Cab was getting me 15 mpg most of the time. I'm getting 14 mpg on my 5.7L 4x4 Tundra.

Your trade in value is still high on your Tacoma, as well. I owed $12,500 on my Tacoma, and got $22,000 on trade toward the Tundra, which I got for $5000 below MSRP. If you're thinking about it, you want to do it.

Welcome, from Denver, Colorado!

 

I keep pretty meticulous records of my mileage. A habit I started when I bought my first Tacoma and just kept it up because it was interesting to have it sometimes.

2015 Tacoma TRD O/R 4x4 Access Cab 5spd auto, MPGs - Max: 22.17, Min: 14.24, Avg: 18.27, based on 121 fill-ups.
2007 Tacoma SR5 4x4 Access Cab 6spd manual, MPGs - Max: 22.13, Min: 12.08, Avg: 18.57, based on 358 fill-ups.

 

Welcome from Ohio!

 

I made an account just to reply! Last week I sold me 07 Tacoma Double Cab SR5 TRD Sport, for a 2011 Tundra Double Cab with a 5.7. I do not regret it one bit. The towing capacity is a lot better. I tow every weekend and averaged 12 mpg in my Taco. I just did a 700 mile trip in the Tundra towing my boat and averaged over 16 mpg. I am blown away by the difference, the 6 speed and towing switch really make a difference compared to my Tacoma, which would have to run in 4th to tow properly.

 

Same here. Tundra for weekend and beater commuter during the week. Go for it. You won’t be disappointed.

 

I am getting 18 mpg highway in my Tundra. I do drive it like an old man however. I have 2500 miles on it and have never gone above 2,000 rpm’s yet.

 

Welcome from AZ

 

depending on what you want / have to tow the 4.6L may be an option. I did not intend on buying the 4.6L ( I came from an 2002 4Runner) but while on my search I found my 2015 DC that was such a deal and looking at what I tow ( can am outlander max 800 on a 5'x10' trailer) it was all I needed . I get 16-17 MPG in the city all the time 18 MPG Hwy . Now I can get better millage if I go very easy on her but driving a big block at 80 MPH there is not much you can do .

 

Well, I can’t answer you specifically but they rolled out 2014 3rd gens I believe in Sept of 2013 and I purchased a 2013 2nd gen in Oct of 2013 because I still liked the 2nd gen better and since it was now an old body style I got it for a steal. So if you aren’t in a rush, wait for the next gen, if you like it, buy it, if not, buy a 3rd gen at a discount.

 

You're getting 18 MPG average in your Gen 2 Tacoma, I am getting 17 MPG average in my 2018 Tundra. Buy the Tundra.

 

Thanks for the reply!

I'd like a higher tow capacity though, so I'm pretty well set on the 5.7.

Tow capacity on my Tacoma is 6500#. Heaviest thing I tow is a Kubota BX23 on a 16' dual axle utility trailer. The trailer and tractor together plus securing chains and other things come out right around 4500#. So it's well within the limits of the Tacoma by the numbers, but you can really tell it's back there... A larger tow vehicle would be better. I don't think I'd want to go much heavier with the Tacoma, and I'd like the option of being able to haul a slightly larger tractor if the need ever arose or if I got a slightly bigger tractor. But, as I said, for now the Tacoma is doing the job.

 

Thanks for the info, that's good to know. I had considered that possibility; it's good to see some dates. So in this case, I'd be looking at September-October of 2019.

How much of a discount did you get?

 

Welcome from CO! I can assure you that my 2007 Tundra is not outdated........ I'll take on all "big 3" trucks...at least where I go......the one's that actually leave the pavement........

 

Wish I'd have gone the Tundra route in 2015 instead of another Tacoma. Honestly I never really knew how much they would interest me until I had to drive my brother's Tundra about 50 miles last summer. That thing really rode nice.

 

I bet you can feel that back there !! You need the 5.7 L , good luck on the search . You will love the power and torque from the 5.7L

 

I forget exactly but I believe it was $7k below msrp and got them to throw in all the goodies, tint, rubber mats and extra oil change/tire rotations.

 

Similar story to mine. I bought a 2016 Tacoma. Hated it for 2 years. I had been contemplating the Tundra, but the Tacoma won out. That was a mistake.

 

Welcome from Arizona. Unless the Tundra gets considerably smaller and more aerodynamic I don't think that new tech is going to be able to significantly improve MPG. I have several friends that drive GMC trucks with AFM and their mileage is comparable to my Tundra. In the end, pushing a heavy vehicle with a large frontal area through the air is going to require a lot of energy when compared to a lighter and more streamline form. The newer engines are a little more efficient but not significantly so IMO.

 

Been considering that as well. Major engine efficiency is one thing. If they lighten the vehicle too much I'd expect the tow rating is going to come down a little too.

 

WELCOME

 

Welcome to the party!!

 

Welcome! I had a 2015 Tacoma, needed more towing capability, but loved the Tacoma then bought the 2017 Tundra...now I just say "what Tacoma?". You won't regret it, the handling, the towing, it's definitely worth the upgrade!

 

Which motor in the gmc? I had a 2017 with the 5.3 and it got incredible gas milage. Averaged 40% better than my 5.7 tundra. Can’t say much for the rest of the gmc tho.

 

Welcome from CO.

 

Welcome from Obx

 

Thanks, that's the kind of thing I like to see.