Long time Tacoma owner looking to move up

I've been waiting for the Tundra update for awhile and the new generation may finally get me out of my 2009 Tacoma sport. I know it will be awhile before these are offered for sale and become widely available but I will wait... and watch this forum for updated information.

 

Welcome! The 2nd gen Tacoma was definitely one of my favorites. I owned a 2012 Sport and really enjoyed it. But the Tundra is honestly in a completely different league and you will be extremely happy. I have a 2.5 gen Tundra I wouldn’t go back to a Tacoma in the foreseeable future. The positives far outweigh the okay gas mileage (for a 6k truck) and large stature. But obviously the 2022 has addressed the mpg’s.

 

Yeah, I love my Tacoma even though it has been trying my patience just a little bit lately. The alternator died the other day and I had to delay some of my ongoing home maintenance projects to get a new one and pop it in. But it is back in fine form again. I really like the older Tundras but for my use they just didn't make sense with the frankly terrible MPGs. Daily driver, road trips, kayaks, bikes, work at the farm, etc. If it were 100% used for the heavier stuff they would have been OK but most of my mileage is lighter duty so 13/17 just wasn't going to cut it. Though I really don't know what real world MPG is for the V8 Tundras. My Tacoma does significantly better than its EPA rating on the highway. So maybe the Tundras do too?

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

I would argue that the 1st and 2nd Gen Tundra MPG’s are very accurate even though many would disagree. On the highway I have no problems getting 17 18 mpg’s driving around 70 mph. But unfortunately around town driving destroys the gas mileage on the 5.7 so I completely sympathize with your reservations. I am highly fortunate to have my Tundra as a second vehicle at the moment. In about 4 years it will be my primary vehicle and my only vehicle so my tune my change then.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome and digging my 5.7L, SR5 Tundra and never looked back... Still have my 03' Camry XLE as a daily driver w/ 285k. Thing just never stops... I'm very vigilant on maintenance with all my vehicles, a huge factor in longevity... Good luck

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Yup, I do all my own maintenance and have not had a single mechanical problem until the alternator. Most of my issues are due to undercarriage rust. My frame is rusty, of course, but not near as bad as some. I have always rinsed it a few times during and after the winter. But still... Toyota gave it the coating a couple years ago and it is OK. But I also had one of the trans cooling hard lines develop a pinhole leak. Unfortunately there is no dipstick for the trans so the first indication was bad shifts. I got to it right away and replaced the line so the trans is fine. Not too bad of a job. Then I had one of the bed support braces rust away. Trivial repair. But I wish and hope Toyota ups their game as to rust with the new gen Tundra.

 

The way I see it, if you do all your own maintenance, then you would more than make up for the poor fuel economy with a 1st or 2nd gen Tundra. Keep in mind the later 2nd gens are the cheapest half ton trucks to own over 5 years. My truck is an absolute joy to work on. The only thing that’s kind of a head scratcher is the cartridge style oil filter. Everything underneath the truck and under the hood is laid out so well and so easy to reach. Working on my wife’s Yukon is a nightmare by comparison. An issue that takes only a simple fix in my driveway on my truck (not that I’ve had any at all) would most likely be a huge pain with the Yukon and might even require going to the dealer.

I think the 3rd gen Tundras will be great, particularly the extra torque in a lower RPM band, and that motor has been around a while in other platforms. But it has not been doing truck stuff, so while yes it’s a Toyota, it still has some time to prove itself.

 

I hear you and I almost came to that conclusion a couple of times... but I couldn't get past the 13/17. In addition to the $ I just can't be that wasteful personally with my daily driver vehicle. I know it doesn't matter to some or most you but it does me. Just the way it is. And if and when I get the new Tundra I plan to keep doing all my own maintenance. Win - win.

 

Good man! IMO the new platform with the more efficient powertrain and updated safety features will attract a lot of new attention. It will also undoubtedly turn off some of the old diehards. I like V-8s too and have had many, but the time has come to use technology to get more efficient. Actually it is past time. These are gonna be great trucks that are flexible enough to be both daily drivers and jobsite/towing workhorses.

 

Welcome from Nevada

 

They’re both great trucks and have their purpose but I found a Tundra to be more useful day to day. Good luck!

 

Welcome from So Cal

 

For me the Tacoma is adequate most of the time but there are those times when it just isn't enough. The new Tundra efficiency will make it easier for me to justify having that excess capacity. Downsides are related to the size... parking, won't fit in garage etc. But those are manageable and the garage situation may change.

 

I average mid to high 14 mpg, mix of freeway and around town driving. That's calculating from my maintenance app, not the trucks computer, which seems to say my mileage is better.

 

If you have a family or haul around more than 2 people, going from a Tacoma to a Tundra is amazing, mostly the crewmax. I sold a 2nd gen Tacoma to go back to a 2.5 Gen Tundra.

After having multiple Tundras and Tacomas, you really do get more for the money with a Tundra.

 

Welcome