Hello from CA

Hello all, new member here. Not yet an owner of a Tundra, looking for advice deciding and buying one. It will be the first truck I owned. I have found some answers here on existing threads but I might start one or two new ones depending on how my search goes.

So here is a brief history of my journey looking for a truck: I started looking at all makes & models, then quickly narrowed down to Tacoma and Tundra. I suspect I do not need to explain why. Then I spent days on the fence between the two. Well I am still not sure to be honest. I want to a Tundra because it is more capable in terms of pay load and towing capacity, which I intend to make good use of. But I do care about how the truck drives, including a decent steering feel. And I like stick shift. But that rules out Tundra and Tacoma with long bed which I need. If I am going to drive an auto, then I am leaning on Tundra. So I have a lot of decisions to make and I am stuck really. I came here to meet Tundra owners to see if I can get some real and honest answers and advice.

Also note that it is the worst time to buy a truck, it seems everybody wants one and there is very low inventory of used and new. So I decided I will wait and let the new model year roll in to see if I can find a suitable used Tundra with low mileage. In mean time I need to learn more.

Cheers,
Frank
Bay Area, CA

 

Welcome from NC!

 

Welcome from NY.

Just keep in mind there is talk of the 5.7 L 8cyl, is going away by 2022. 2019 and newer do not have a transmission cooler anymore.

Good luck with your search.

 

Welcome from Ohio

 

Welcome from Nevada

 

Welcome from SoCal.

 

Hi Frank! Sounds like you have a good problem- which Toyota to purchase? Your post mentioned utilizing the payload/towing...Unless you will only be towing something small I think the decision is easy, Tundra!!

 

Welcome from Sac. You're right about inventory, supply is not enough for demand right now that's why dealers are bold about not budging on MSRP or even marking up the price. Got mine from Fremont Toyota. Although I paid kinda high compare to others I'm very happy with my truck. PM me if you have any questions, except for towing. I will probably never tow anything with this truck. Lol

 

Yeah I came across that. I would hate to loose the V8 option, it is great engine and that sound! So yeah I should have mentioned, I am big fan of the V8. Another good reason to buy a Tundra.

 

Welcome

 

Yeah I intend to pull a camper for 6 people and I do not think it would be that much fun with a Tacoma and I am already educated on that, I'd only use up to 80% of towing capacity of the truck, which means about 5500lb towing load vs about 7500lb on the Tundra

 

Welcome from Santa Cruz!

Came from a tacoma, at first the gas mileage frightened my ever so slightly, then realized how much I loved having an adult truck. The tundra is a great full sized truck for everything. I also don’t like how the newer tacoma’s drive. So maybe test drive some you are thinking about and see what feels right

 

Thanks Ric! I saw a few Tundra's at Fremont Toyota, they sold quickly. Yeah there is a lot of demand. But I am beginning to see 2021 models appear on dealer inventories. So I hope there will be more 2015-2020 models at more reasonable price starting middle or end of next month.

 

Thanks Colin! We are practically neighbors. I test drove 3 Tacomas, 3 Tundra's. Out of the 3 Tacoma's I think only one was in good shape, the other two was very sluggish when you hit the gas and the steering was feather weight. One 2017 TRD Offroad Tacoma I test drove felt tighter. But the dealer was asking additional markup on top of inflated prices and I bet it is already sold. It only had 12k miles. The second Tundra I drove was the turning point. After that I knew I wanted a Tundra.

 

Welcome aboard from The Pacific South West.

 

Get a tundra it’s worth it! Also get a 4x4 if your gonna tow a lot

 

Welcome Frank, from Santa Cruz. Lot's of trucks out there, it might be the long bed that is limiting your selection. With the new model year just hitting show rooms I would think now would be a great time to buy used but what do I know?

 

Welcome from So Cal (santa clarita)

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! Of the items you listed as important to your decision, the only one the Tundra can't fill is the manual transmission. I really wanted a mannie too but it was not worth all of the trade offs to downsize to the Tacoma. Once you have owned a full size 1/2 ton, you won't ever want to downsize. And since you plan to tow a lot, the decision is easy.

 

Welcome from the Northeast Bay

 

Welcome from Santa Clara..... As a long bed owner myself and living in the bay area, the biggest piece of advise I can give you is consider parking an issue with the long bed... Anywhere you go, your whole nose, or ass (forward from the doors/ Rear wheels back) will probably stick out in a parking lot/ structure area, unless you're able to push all the way back to the back parking spot, so 2 spots technically... Street parking is about 2 spots and when parking is limited, expect to huff it out a bit further... I back in to every parking spot for context, and it makes it easier to find your truck when its the only one that literally sticks out, lol.... Other than that, its been a great experience for me, jumping from a subcompact Celica to a Double cab long bed 5.7l Tundra with the jumping of some curbs here and there for adjustment periods......

 

Yup, I decided a while back it has to be 4x4. The main reason for me is the trip to the mountains in the winter. I hope there is no need for chains in CA for 4x4 trucks.

 

Thanks Warren. Yup, long bed is an issue. Very few out there. But there are more and more trucks coming on market as the factory had restarted around May and 2021 models are arriving. I got a call from a dealer telling me about great deals after they dropped their prices. So yeah, the time is near.

 

Thanks Kelly! Yeah shame we cannot have manual Tundra. Towing capacity of Tacoma is also limiting for me and I have no idea why Toyota does not build manual Tacoma's with long bed, I would still consider it otherwise. It is about how much I like manual vs how much I need bigger towing capacity. Anyhow, I guess it is a blessing, my decision is made. And the sound of the V8 is a big bonus!

 

Thanks blackdemon_tt. Yeah, parking and turning circle is a concern. I do not intend to use it as a daily driver, so I hope I do not have to deal with parking problems too much. I will be making trips to hardware store and family trips to the lakes/mountains. Well that's what I am planning on may be I will like it so much I will start driving it everywhere. LOL yeah, I expect I will be jumping over curbs before I get adjusted to a big truck.

 

Son owns a Tacoma, his family grew and now has been eyeing my Tundra. Sees the additional space and is enticed by the V8 sound and capabilities. Not so much on the MPG but I feel the performance out weighs this. Either way you will end up having a dependable vehicle and can’t wait to see what you end up with. Welcome from Pennsylvania

 

Welcome from Ontario Canada

 

Hello and welcome from the Bay Area as well (Mid Peninsula). Best of luck finding your ride. I recently went through what you now are in the middle of. I located and purchased mine from out of state receiving it about a month ago.

Keith

 

By the time chp goes to R3 (chains required on all vehicles including 4x4) you don’t want to be on the road anyway.

I take the Tundra to the mountains all the time and it’s fine in the snow. You technically have to carry chains even if you have 4x4 If chp goes to R2. Ive have to show them to an officer one time in 10 years.

 

Thanks Keith! I have been looking out of state as well. There are far too few options. How did your out of state purchase shipping go? Even with the shipping cost I think the prices are lower in other states.