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

Hello!

Newbie here. I currently own a 2012 Jeep Liberty (2 inch OME lift + 255/70/16 and other goodies). Well, up until recently (late spring) I have been only servicing the Jeep once a year. Now... new brakes all around, upper control arm replacement, timing belt AND this weekend my engine overheated due to a massive coolant leak (waiting to hear back from mechanic what the damage is).

Anywho. No Jeeps ever again.

Regardless of what happens today with my car, I am going to start looking into a Toyota Tacoma or Tundra. I am considering the 4runner but the prices seem to be a bit higher for those. (I live in MA).

My questions to all of you:

--> I like rugged looking cars. Can I transform these to that state?
--> Is it worth it to purchase a Tacoma/Tundra?
--> Do the lifts and tires alter the life span?
--> I am looking to spend between 25K and 30K for a lower mileage Toyota. Is that too much or can I go $20-$25K and still have a solid vehicle regardless of mileage?

I appreciate the time!!

Best,

DJ

 

Welcome from TX!

Tacoma and Tundra two different animals. Both very solid. Some not liking newer Tacoma transmission and lower powered engine. Tundra much larger, with much more power.

Many think 100K miles is just getting broken in on both.

Price range should net you something for either. When I was looking for Tacoma, got frustrated with pricing and found that Tundras were not all that much more. More value IMHO.

Good Luck!

 

Hello! Thank you for responding.

So you would advise Tundra over Tacoma? The prices seem pretty similar. How has yours faired so far? Any massive issues?

Best,

 

As a former Jeep enthusiast I say good choice, although I still love the pre-1987 Jeep products. Toyotas hold their value for a reason, because they last. Can't really go wrong on that choice. I love my Tundra because I'm fairly large and love the space, but my wife drives a 4Runner and that is a solid car as well. Tacomas are just about bulletproof but I just couldn't get past the lack of cab space and head room, which I'm reminded of every time I drive the 4Runner. Tires and lifts, depending on how extreme, will alter the life span of any vehicle because typically you will want to use it for off road purposes and that in itself will deteriorate a vehicle. With that being said if done right with quality parts your Yota will probably outlast any Jeep product. Your price point is not out of the question but be patient, great deals are out there.

 

What everyone else has said.

Welcome from CO

 

A Liberty is not a Jeep lol. Just a Jeep product

 

J.E.E.P. = Just Empty Every Pocket

 

Former lifted Rubi owner here. If your still into activities that your Jeep "product" was being modified for, I'd recommend the Taco over the Tundra. Tundra is great for families, towing, etc.

 

Lol, I agree but I have lifted it significantly and altered it into an off-road capable Jeep. It's just too costly and only at 80K miles.

 

I had a Tacoma and a Tundra and would own a Tacoma again in a second.

I would only own a 2011 or older though. I dont see anything a newer one has other than a warranty which I never used.

I had a 3 inch lift on it and it never hurt anything other than a little more gas but I never complained about gas price as I drive like I stole it.

I am 5'7 so either truck would have been ok. I dont have to worry about how big a cabin is. If I can't fit in it than it is a go cart.

I loved my Tacoma and the only reason why I traded it in was I loved the Tundra Pro.
I got bored of the Tacoma and wanted a change.

 

Hard to recommend. Many factors, family? Kids? Towing? If much of these, then Tundra. If Single, not towing - maybe Tacoma, 2016 or older. Also Tacoma a little more agile, easier to park, maybe suited for more off-roading, smaller trails anyway.

I have been very pleased with mine no real issues. You can click on my "Build" link in my signature for more of my experience.

 

Coming from a Jeep Liberty, the Tundra will be a lot of truck. Maybe consider a lower mileage 2nd gen Tacoma. Rock solid and you'll have money to work with.

 

Depends on what you use it for and your build. My Tacoma was superior to my Tundra off road plus MPGs were about 20% better. 2 reasons I went to the Tundra. One is a 5000 lb 22' Bay Boat and the other is the room and hauling. I knew before I retired that I was going back to full size. The price increase on the 2018 pushed me to act. The Tacoma hauled the boat fine it was the gas tank that was a problem. Some of the lakes I fish would require stopping for gas. Tundra is a lot more comfortable in longer trips. I would say if you are over 6' go with the Tundra for sure. Oh and if you chose Tacoma definitely go Gen2 or the one with the 4.0.

 

Granted the best thing to do would be to actually test drive them (which I will do), I am about 6 ft tall, maybe 6'1 with my boots on. Would the tacoma be too small? I've been in my mothers Rav4 and that thing is SMALL.

 

I wear my cowboy hat when I drive around and you ain't doing that in a Tacoma, at least not at 6' tall. Leg room on long drives is also a factor. Go sit in the back seat of a CrewMax vs a Tacoma

 

Buy a 4runner or a Tundra... Tacomas are shit... go on the Tacoma forums and read all the issues they have with the current Gen.

 

Coming from a Liberty, 4Runner may be a great option unless you are wanting or needing a truck.

 

I'm 6'0 and my 2012 Tacoma is fine. The seats sit way too low in the truck and it seems small after spending time in the Tundra. But both trucks are awesome and better at certain things.

It really comes down to how you'll use the truck, which is mentioned above. For example, one of the garage doors for my office's underground parking has been busted for a month. All traffic goes in and out through the out door. It was already tight with the Tundra and now it's very tight. Easy with the Taco. But towing is night and day.

 

I'd caution everyone to not form an opinion based on forum gripes. If I was a newcomer and scanned this site, I'd view the Tundra as a leaking, basic/cheap Interior, bad sensored, rusted out gas guzzler.

The Taco folks gripe about

interior tech (they have more than we do)
cabin room (try anticipating use before you purchase)
Engine power (towing and driving on monster tires)

I don't know what runner guys cry about.


I DO KNOW THAT NOBODY IS complaining about their vehicles going 300,400k etc with expensive repairs.

Point is this.
They are all a Huge upgrade from any FIAT/CHRYSLER product and whatever he chooses, could easily last him 20 years.
We have a ton of Gen 1 families still daily driving their's and the forum proves the quality/longevity.

Think of your application. Then pounce.

 

Just echoing, I also owned two jeeps in the past, I just bought a 2016 Tundra 9 days ago. Mine is the Crewmax with the shorter bed. I am happy as hell i made the choice to do so. I am 6' and weigh about 260, this truck is roomy as hell, and the ride is comfortable. Yes it i sharder to park but the backup camera helps with that. I like the size and the rugged look to the Tundra over the Tacoma but thats me.

 

I've owned a Taco and now own a Tundra Pro. I loved my Tacoma, but family outgrew it. It was a 2012 with V6 and did great on and offroad. I love my Pro even more. Tons of power, incredible offroad, use it as my daily driver, too. Gas mileage sucks but I don't care. Wouldn't trade it for the world. If you're still wondering if you can make a Tundra looked rugged, well...

 

Woah, that's pretty gnarly.

How much is a Tundra lift kit? I'm assuming around the same as my Jeep was $800-$1200 (before labor)

 

I mean I just dropped $325 on a water pump and my cousins who had a similar Jeep had to replace 3 of those within 100K. I am not looking to keep having to buy new cars every 3 years. My last car was a Mercury Mountaineer that died after 3 years and 135K. I'd like a solid truck that looks cool (that I can upgrade over time) and will last past 150K. It sounds like Toyota is where it is at.

 

Jeeps with the 3.8L had crappy cost cutting pumps.
4.0 Had a better pump and ran cool.
3.6 doesn't have an issue yet, but the engine runs hot under load.

Ford is better than GM but that's not saying much.

Toyota Lexus Honda Acura

Toyota makes the longest lasting pickup in the world... Period.
I'd wager Honda makes better engines but can't compete with Toyota transmissions.
Both are incredibly reliable and resilient.
Use oem parts

 

That truck was an 07. He has a 14 Pro.

 

Wait, what? I thought the Pro came out in 2015?

 

This was the Sema Build for Nitro. It actually started as an 07 and was completely rebuilt in 14-15 with the help of Toyota and Icon. The exterior glass panels are TRD Pro. Everything except the interior, which is still an 07. So, it's a bit unique. It's an 07, 14-15, TRD Pro with a 6'7" bed.

Check out this posting. Has more info.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/wha...d-gen-tundra-today.713/page-1047#post-1332760

 

You are correct, sir. I guess if you wanted to get technical mine is just an 07 because the VIN is an 07. Bank and insurance say it's an 07. But I like to think it's a little more than that...

 

Without bashing MOPAR, I would say after that ride gets out of the shop, polish it up real shiny and get rid of that Jeep. That will be a significant cost savings right there. As for replacing it, I would also consider an FJ Cruiser if you find one. But, you can't lose with the Taco or Tundra as well. Your budget gets you well within reach of either. You may want to consider talking to the dealers about end of model year sales. Both models are up for significant upgrades in 2020/21 model years, so there may be some good deals on new vehicles on the lot. Either way, once you are in the seat of any one of these, you will wonder why you didn't go this way from the start.

 

I've had a Tacoma now a Tundra. If you don't need much interior space,power, prefer a standard go Tacoma. I bought my 10 Tacoma with 80k miles ran it till about 175K until hitting deer. I love my tundra but I do miss the standard. Also having both the Tacoma I feel is more capable and maneuverable off road.