Why I bought a Tundra...

After 160,000 faithful miles my 2004 Ford Expedition was experiencing increased maintenance costs. I also have an 02 F150, which has just rolled 100,000 miles and generally runs good.

I had a 2010 Ram 1500 which was nice but crapped a transmission @3,000 miles from new and had some other minor warranty issues- I ended up trading it in for the wife to get a new van a few years back (2016).

For me- I didn't need a 4x4- but towing is important.

I decided to look at 4 door:
New F150
New Jeep Gladiator pickup
New Nissan Titan

I quickly learned Ford had shifted strategies on power plants and a standard V8 2WD with tow package was tough to find- they were pushing a few different Turbo V6 trucks. Ford must have a dozen different trim levels or maybe more these days and it is complicated to find the right combination. I did and I drove it and liked the truck.

The Jeep Gladiator has a respectable “Max Tow” package and will get you an alleged 7,200lb towing- which would suit my needs- but I could see alot of scenarios where It would be a handful towing. Still it seemed lile a fun package- the top comes off, and it can be had with a stick (which greatly impacts towing capability). The warranty also sucked. The Jeep I would want worked out to close to 48K. Not out of the budget-but it was just trading too much in exchange to dropping the top & only 4wd(dont need) So I ruled out the Jeep a gladiator.
Next was the Nissan- Holy cow was Nissan trying to give these things away. The doors felt clunky and overall fit and finish just wasn’t great- they tried to up-sell me to the diesel and I didnt see the break even point for the lesser fit & finish of the F150.
My younger brother asked if I had looked at the Tundra and I hadnt- but agreed to go kick the tires on a 4th truck (Tundra) before buying an F150.

The Toyota dealer had it going on- knowledgable and easy going and it was clear- I wanted a 2wd Crew max with 5.7 and tow package. The space of the back seat is great (I have 3 boys) and the Tundra felt much more like an actual “Truck” then the F150.

They had a few “certified” Tundras available as well just as I wanted them trimmed out.
so at the end of the day I felt like I saved about 8-10K over the equivalent F150, it felt more like a proper truck and had the best rear cabin and warranty.

it also helped they were assembled in TX.

So that’s my “why I bought a Tundra story”. I gave the Expedition to our church to donate to a family in need and I have been loving my Tundra.

It does everything I need, still feels like a truck & the price and warranty were right.
And how cool is the power rear window!

 

Welcome from SoCal! Nice truck!

 

Welcome and congrats on a beautiful truck!

 

Well said sir
Welcome from Maine.

 

Welcome from Western Massachusetts

 

Welcome from Western NC.

 

Welcome from socal!

You picked the best color too so good job there.

I think that is awesome that you donated the expedition too. My mom had a 99 expedition that was a bulletproof tank. 120k miles, about 25k of which was towing heavy and not a hint of issue with them. The 5.4 was a great engine

 

Welcome from TEXAS

 

Welcome from Nevada

 

Congratulations & welcome!

 

Welcome from Colorado

 

Welcome! Nice looking truck.

 

Welcome! 110% agree on that back window! It’s such a cool unique feature and we use it every chance we get

 

Also need to add, completely agree on the back seats being the most comfortable. We’ve ridden in the back of enough trucks on long trips to know a bad rear truck seat can ruin a road trip. My wife opted to sit in the back of every truck test drive we took, and out of all the major players the rear of the Tundra was definitely the most comfortable. Congrats and enjoy!

 

When I read the first part of this sentence: "I ended up trading it in for the wife..."

Is it wrong that I feel a bit bad for that family in need? Giving them a gas guzzling pile of crap with mounting maintenance costs. It's the thought that counts.

Nice truck and welcome from Nevada!

 

Welcome from southern NJ.

 

Welcome from IL!

 

Welcome, nice looking truck but be forewarned, this place will max out your credit card fast...

 

Welcome from another new member in Georgia. Nice color too!!

 

Welcome to the fun! Yea that rear window is cool!

 

Welcome Aboard!

 

Good move on donating the expedition. In my experience, doing something selfless comes back to you in many ways down the road. Congrats on the new ride, silver looks great!

 

Hey there from Virginia!

 

Welcome from Ohio! Nice truck. It's always nice to hear someone shopping many makes and finding the right truck for themselves.

 

Welcome from WA - well said

 

Just keep a close eye on that weather stripping around the rear window. A few of us have noticed it getting jammed towards inside of window as it hits the half way point going up. I was able to pull mine out and reseat it and slowly raise window and after a few days in the sun it seems to be doing ok.

 

I was a diehard Chevy man until the lady CEO eliminated 5 car lines and moved resources to China and Mexico.
I bought a used 2016 Crewmax sr 5,4wd
Awesome truck.

 

Welcome from Michigan!

 

Congrats and welcome from TN. I recently bought one for many of the same reasons. I used to love Jeeps, and that Gladiator certainly looks cool, but there's no way I could get something with that small of an interior again.

 

Picked the best color too! Nice rig. Now get some new wheels and tires