Tundra for mid-size thoughts

Afternoon Gents,

I was offered 42k for my 2018 crewmax sr5 w/ 29k miles. I owe $6k and will be paid off 9/2023 from a 0% loan.
I was thinking of going to a Ranger or Colorado. I get a new truck for nothing extra and could even pay cash for a 2wd crew ranger.
Pro:
1. 7mpg better in city, not that big of a difference though. I only do about 8k miles a year.
2. I get a new truck and don’t have to buy new tires for my tundra.
3. I can give it to my son who will be driving in 5 years.
4. Fits in my garage.

cons:
1. Way smaller for my growing 11&9 year old boys.
2. I’d need to buy and accessorize the ranger with all weather mats, bed liner and tonneau cover.
3. Trade reliable for questionable.
4. Trading a badass truck for a mini truck. With no leather seats. (I have katzkin)

thoughts?

 

Personally, Id keep the Tundra. Then when its time for your boy to drive, get the smaller truck and give him the Tundra. Why? You can still use the Tundra for family outing, but you get the newer truck. Or vice versa, give him the small truck and you keep the big truck.

Ive heard nothing but bad things about the Ranger. Ive never really heard a good thing about a chevy/GM from any one except an uncle who trade his Silverado in every other year.

 

Ditto. Bigger boys and friends you’ll regret the smaller truck imo. I hauled 3 kids around and not sure what I would have done with a smaller truck. I gave that Tundra to my youngest when he started driving. Gave me the good excuse to buy my current one.

 

The way I see it you have 5 years to save a few bucks to help your kid with the down payment. Advise he gets a truck, maybe a Tacoma. Guide him to get his first job. Have him pay his truck. In the end he'll learn a lot and love his truck and you keep your Tundra.

 

Have you driven any of those mid sized options? You may hate them and then it’s settled anyway.

 

Nope. I considered this briefly for a tacoma or frontier. Ultimately just couldnt. You could still give yours to your son. I learned to drive in a 65 f100 long bed with a 390 and 4 speed stick. Talk about a landyacht.

 

Last year my original plan as I downsized from a 2500HD crew cab was to get a Colorado or a Tacoma (heaviest thing I had to tow after selling our fifth wheel was either the UTV trailer or the ski boat). Wasn’t looking for a daily driver, as other than tow duties it would be a hunting truck. Ergonomically the Colorado was horrible, at least for me. The Tacoma was better, but didn’t think the overall size on either was going to work even with just me, the wife, the dog and gear. Also, the ride in the Tacoma wasn’t great. Engine power for here in the mountains was questionable for both in regards to towing (that included the baby Duramax in the Colorado, sure, great mileage, but it was ponderous off the line even without a load). Yes, the Tundra gets horrible mileage, but since it’s not a daily driver that doesn’t matter as much. The Colorado seemed like a toy in comparison. Have had the Tundra seven months now and can tell you every time I pass a Colorado or Tacoma it just reinforces that the Tundra was the right call.

 

I needed this input. I think y’all are right. Who can predict the future anyway.
I did drive a ranger and mostly liked it, just a little plain interior though.
My biggest fear are my growing boys. The Tundra rear seat area is huge which is why I ultimately got the tundra instead of a Tacoma.

 

I love my Tacoma. It’s small, less gears, power and less mpg than the competitors. But it’s a great truck. Over 6 years of owning it, it’s never let me down and I bought it as a minimum 15-20 year truck. I have no doubt it will go that long plus more with regular garage maintenance which is why I kept it when I got my tundra. Having a Tacoma I couldn’t imagine hauling kids around. I feel uncomfortable in the back seat at 6’ 1’’. I can’t even fit behind my driving seat position. And I don’t have any kids either. Camping with 2 13’ kayaks, dogs, coolers and gear I felt completely loaded in the Tacoma.
The tundra is for future family growth for us. It’s not needed now but will be in the coming years.

Each truck has its own purpose for me personally and fortunate to be able to have both and a wife who doesn’t care what I do to them (mod wise). But I just do a lot of small things.

interior mods can be added on for the things listed for reasonable prices when you hit holiday deals.

Hope you get and or decide on the best solution for you though and all works out