Current Jeep Owner (yes, I made a bad choice) / advice for Tacoma/Tundra purchase

I think you’d be hard pressed to find a more reliable truck right now than a Tundra or Runner. Part of that is the fact that both are long in the tooth, especially the Tundra. I understood that but wanted something that had the best chance of being bulletproof for the long term as these vehicles will be passed along to the kids to take to college. I will likely buy a new 2020 Tundra next year because I want the tried and true 5.7, not a newly designed blown V6. Same with the 4R, I wanted the old school 4.0L as these motors / platform are very robust and over designed for anything we will use it for.

That being said, we are kinda hicks. Lol. We have a field car - just to let the kids learn how to drive - and to buzz around without getting the trucks all dirty. The current field car is a 1999 Chrysler 300M. It has 265,000 miles on the clock and it’s the original transmission... which shocks me. I bought the car from the mother of a neighbor. Their family had bought it new in 1999. Other than timing belts, batteries, tires, etc. the car had been remarkably trouble free. They had the brake lines redone because of rust in 2015 and an alternator right before I bought it in 2016. I’ve left it on the road because it continues to pass inspection and I’m going to keep registering it until it won’t pass anymore. I get the oil changed once a year. We will see how long it lasts.... living a tough life right now tho. Lol

 

I'm not really into trailing, tbh. I realize that is kind of strange given the point of lifting and bigger tires but I just like my vehicle to handle anything in it's way. Weather, long drives. I do go onto Nauset beach a lot though. I have also always wanted a rugged, jacked up truck since I was 15. I'm almost 24 and the next car I get will be what I want, not a compromise like my Jeep was.

 

Go drive them. That could answer the question. Take them both where you would normally drive. And to be fair to the Tundra, hit the tow/haul button after you start it. That alone could answer the question.

 

I've had two Tacoma's ( 04 and 16 ) and now a Tundra. I only bought the Tundra because we are getting a travel trailer. Both Tacoma's were solid. I went with the 3rd gen Tacoma for the updates, economy, and more HP and torque over the 2nd gen. You will have a better selection at your price point if you look at older models though.

As others said, it really depends on your intended use for the truck.

 

+1. Had a 3rd gen Tacoma for a few months. Really disliked it. Horrible/uncomfortable seating position, anemic engine, clunky auto transmission, rear drum brakes, etc. Traded it in for a Tundra and I'm much happier now (and so is Shell).

 

When someone talks about seeing "everyone" on the internet having issues, I always tell them the owners NOT having problems arent posting about it on the internet

 

OP, if the size of the truck isn't an issue you'll get more for your money with a Tacoma. I loved mine but I need more space now.

Theres no comparison for comfort, ride and power. The Tacoma is almost dangerous when trying to pass on a 2 lane road. The Tundra makes it effortless. But if MPG matters, the Tundra is terrible vs the Tacoma. I have a buddy with a 16 Taco getting a consistent 25 mpg. My 07 never got better 19.

 

MPG is not even remotely an issue with me. My lifted Liberty with oversized tires gets 11-12 on a good day. If the Tundra gets 15+ I'll be happy, LOL.

 

I mean, I've been very close to multiple Tacomas and have seen the interior. They look nice but I'm gravitating toward a Tundra for some odd reason. Also hoping I'd be able to have some room for Subs + AMP.