Help me get over my Buyers Remorse

Its a long story, but I purchased a '18 Tundra DC off the lot without doing much research because I had to replace my existing silverado because it blew a transmission cooling line while I was driving and blew the tranny and I needed to pull the trigger asap. I was comfortable with the Tundra because it had been out for awhile and the folks were happy with the quality. I am not a picky guy, but I am scratching my head about a lot of things in my new Tundra that are little items but seem not well planned out and inconvenient. My 10 year old Silverado had lots of additional features that the SR5 OFF Road does not.....and it was so much better laid out.

I am not trying to start a fight, just want to gain some peace of mind that I have bought an exceptional quality truck that will surpass my expectations. So, my question is to all of the Tundra lovers out there....What makes these Trucks so desirable over the other manufacturers?

 

Welcome from Colorado. The reason you needed to buy one in the first place. Reliability. These trucks, while they have some issues, are built for the long haul. They are known for 250k miles without blinking. Keep up the maintenance, and it could hit 1 million. Not joking, there's one out there that has. These fine folks here will give you plenty of reasons. But, at the end of the day, does it make you happy to drive, or are you just trying to compare it to what you had?

Cheers!

 

Hi and welcome....

These trucks are about the most solidly built trucks out there. They are extremely reliable. While they might be outdated in some aspects they are that way for a reason. Don’t fix what ain’t broke seems to be what most tundra folk say. My 13 gmc had a couple feature my 17 tundra doesn’t but my tundra also has a few more. I bought the truck on the solid reputation and the fact that I needed a larger truck with a big backseat and the tundra fit that bill with the crew max. My tundra out does my old gmc 10-1 in every category and it looks good doing it. Tundras won’t be everyone’s cup of tea that’s for sure. The SR5 is a lower accessory package so you do loose somethings that you may be used to unless you go up to a platinum or 1794 edition. I’m not huge into gadgets or doohickys I just wanted a solid truck that can grow with my family and last a long time. And I think that’s what I was able to be blessed enough to get.

 

Yep, not many ‘bells and whistles’ on the Tundras. Reliability is what sold me on purchasing one. Besides, they look great! Don’t think about it another minute, just drive it!

 

Because you're used to a Silverado, I drove my buddy's high end Benz that had every trick in the book and I hated it. Mind you if it was mine, I get used to it in time and could drive it like a race car and the bazillion controls would be like the back of my hand the way he drives it.

If you still don't like the Tundra after a little while of ownership, switch it up. Nothing wrong with that. First and foremost why I have it? Reliability. The rest is loving it for what it is and disregarding what it doesn't.

 

No grumbles

 

Welcome from SE PA!
I too am a recent convert from Chevy. I got my 2019 CM 1794 at the end of September. My last Chevy was a 2007 Silverado Classic. I loved that truck but it became extremely unreliable and the repairs got more and more expensive, so it was time to move on. I did a lot of research and found out that the Tundra was extremely reliable and resilient for the long lives of them. And the Tundra's safety features are beyond comparison. My daughter is in the insurance claim business and her data shows that the overall lifetime cost of owning a Tundra is much less than other trucks. The Tundra definitely doesn't have some of the higher tech bells and whistles of the other trucks but I don't need it. Are there some things that I'd like to see updated on my Tundra? Sure. But the overall product is great. I love my Tundra and I wouldn't trade it for any other truck out there!!
And I highly doubt that the other truck brands have a forum that is as informative and fun as this one!! The folks on this forum are extremely knowledgeable and funny. And they also tend to be quite insane!

 

Not to derail this, but, what's wrong with the Tacoma that it's at the bottom of the compact pickup reliability? I thought it would be in the top spot as well.

 

I love my Tundra. As others have said, reliability is likely going to be way better on this truck than your old one.

Case in point, the reason you got rid of your Silverado. How old was it?

 

Surprised the Tacoma is so low on reliability....

 

The new gen Tacoma are apparently underpowered, always searching for gears, etc. Not like previous generations.

 

Drive your truck in beast mode (tow haul on with nannies off).

 

New Taco's have all the new features that everyone "Wants". People wanted a more "car like" rig, they got it......and hate it. 2nd Gen taco's are like the 3rd Gen Tundra's. More of a "Truck" than a car and people are jumping back into the 2nd gen taco's (Values are holding strong and in some cases, going up). You want today's equivalent of an El Camino? buy a Silverado, or a Ram, or a F150. You want a truck, get a Tundra.

You did fine.

 

You're answer is right there in your post.

B

 

It's a Consumer Reports (CR) survey; it relies upon CR members to provide ownership feedback.

I have no idea how many Tacoma, Tundra and truck owners belong to CR. There is no indication that CR does anything to survey the overall owner population and get meaningful statistics from a broader sample size.

The group is also known to be quite inexperienced (that's putting it politely) when it comes to reviewing and discussing trucks....they're not truck people. It makes zero sense that the Ram 2500 would be ranked 2nd on the reliability list, but the 3500 would be ranked dead last....they're essentially the same truck.

Their reliability ranking is a data point worth considering, but i'd take it with a grain of salt.

 

I know several people who subscribe to CR. They're the last people that I'd depend on for vehicle opinions.

 

Reliability. I don't need consumer reports to verify this either. As for the bells and whistles...I hate them so my SR5 is perfect for me.

Give the truck some time....I'm sure you feel this way because you are used to your Chevy. if you still aren't ok with it....then trade it.

 

A. The SR5 is only one step above the base model. You needed to step up to the Platinum model if you want all the bells and whistles that Toyota offers (but will still feel limited compared to what some other company's offer).

B. Buy a Toyota if reliability and longevity are your priorities. Buy a Ford or GMC if "features" are your priority. Figure out what's more important to you and buy accordingly.

I do somewhat regret buying an SR5 model but I do not regret buying a Tundra at all.

 

you mention features and layout, but which features are you talking about?
As for layout you are very familiar with Chevy and their layout, you could go to Ram, Ford, Nissan, Toyota and maybe even the new generation Chevy's and not like the layout. You are so used to one that anything that is a change bugs you. I have this going between my Tundra and my work F150 - the F150 buttons are so tiny I have to look at the buttons every time to know what I'm pressing, I'm so used to the Tundra with it's large controls that anything different bugs me. Take some time and be open to the Tundra controls, they are definitely the easiest I've ever had to use on the road (outside the heated seat button that is buried but at least I can feel around for it and not take my eyes off the road)

 

that consumer reports graphic really stand out for me - its almost double of the next competitor. and I 100% agree - that reliability is important to me and my family. I run my trucks and cars for long times and strive to get the most out of it and then I balance repair / reliability as it ages to a replacement. My Silverado was an LT which was not a high end package, it broke a transmission cooler line wheile driving and I had a catastrophic transmisstion event. Could have happened to any truck. Having to put $4K for a new GM transmission ($2500 in parts, 11 hours of labor and then tax) into a ten year old truck didnt' make sense for me. I will drive this Tundra for as long as its reliable and cost effective to do so. I am not one to swap because of some minor annoyances, but for me its the little things that bother me that really don't cost my in price...such as:

1. the alert when you lock and unlock the doors. This alert is so soft that it hard to hear past 50 feet. How many time have you walked away from your truck in a parking lot and asked yourself...Hey did I lock it? Hitting the lock button on the key Fob on most trucks will sound the horn and you know its locked. I have to walk back some times to get within ear shot
2. I am 5'9" and sit in a normal position with normal length arms! When seated, my arms cannot reach the side mirror adjustments. Not a huge deal, but its the only car I recall that you have to move forward, adjust the mirrors, sit back, rinse repeat until its correct. I share my truck with a couple of other drivers in my house - so I adjust all of the time. It should be on the door and not the dash.
3. Stereo - its sounds so flat and wimpy. I thought....I will just throw an amp in. Not so fast. Speakers are barely above paper quality and the entune is detuned for frequencies and use proprietary output and plugs. In other words...a bigger DIY project and costly.
4. Back to the sitting issue - I cannot reach the right side of the entune stereo without leaning forward while driving. Not sure about you guys - but I use the seek buttons to find radio stations. There is no button on the steering wheel. I dont use it any more.
5. Steering wheel controls. This seems like such as easy fix because its just swapping these controls around...and maybe its just the way my brain works, but the left steering wheel button controls the stereo and the right one controls the information center in the dash. I say swap them out. the Info center is in direct line with the left controls and the stereo being on the right should be controlled by the right side buttons. And the stereos control buttons (stations and volume) are backward. The pre set stereo stations control is up and down - they should be side to side (left and right) and the volume is left to right when they should be up and down.
6. the Fuel tank. Why there is a 6-8 gallon reserve drives me a little loco. Just tell me how many more miles I have instead of telling me I am almost out when I know I have ~100 miles.
7. no foot well lighting? Really? if I do this myself, it will cost under $50. but Toyota could knock it our for a few dollars I am sure.


Don't flame me because these are little things, but for a reliable strong brand like Toyota, I would have thought the cock pit and other items would have had some more thought in the design. this is not a cheap truck at $36K for an SR5

 

1st world problems.

1. Did the alert change on recent models? My 2013 is loud as hell.
2. Really? Complaining about having to lean forward and back? Ok.
3. Known deficiency of the Tundras. Easy to fix.
4. Again - did something change with the newer models? I have a 2013 "Grade" Tundra (bottom of the barrel, but there are a few upgrades on it like a back-up camera), and I have steering wheel controls for changing stations.
5. Just a preference thing. No manufacturer is going to pick the "correct" side for everyone. My wife's Volvo has controls set up opposite my Tundra. I often press the wrong button when I am driving her car - but don't care one bit.
6. There are a few car companies that do this. You know about it - just tack on the extra mileage in your head to the distance to empty reading. Not a big deal.
7. Again - who cares? How often do you use your footwell lighting?

These are not big deals in the grand scheme of things. Every recent 1/2 ton Chevy that I have driven (which is only 3 of them), has shaken pretty badly at highway speeds. I call it the "paint mixer" feature - only available from Silverado. I am the opposite of you - I really don't like how Chevy trucks are laid out on the inside. I think the Tundra is fine - but I am not the "normal" population - I am just a bit taller than the average Joe.

 

I have never part of any of these forums but I had to join in I just bought my 6th tundra since 08 and a very proud tundra owner i was the first one in the east coast to own it when it was delivered it had nothing in it that they talked about at the car show not even the same tires out the door the truck was 64900$ I was very confused when I asked the dealership they said that's the way it comes SORRY the resale is the best but they have zero bells and whistles

 

We can all do this

 

I own a 2000 Tundra, bought in 06 from my dad who bought it new off the lot. She has over 323,000 and still pulls the bike trailer with 2 baggers with no hesitation. I would trust my truck to go cross country.

 

If you want feature remorse, buy a Tundra with the "work truck" trim level all kinds of feature deletes!

But I never have to doubt that this truck is going to start and get me down the road. Sure it's pricier but that's the reliability cost. Got mine used for $22k and it still feels like brand new when I lay into it on the freeway, usually to the surprise of some muscle car next to me.

 

The only remorse I have is the chrome grille...

 

I went from a brand new 2011 sierra to a 2013 f150 to my current 2005 Tundra. Think about that. I've gone backwards esentially. What's that tell you about reliability?

Evem the Sierra, which I loved, had a couple issues. The Ford *spit* was a nightmare. My Tundra has been problem free.

 

Reliability is a given, but re-sale, at least in my area, is the best as well. Quick story...my mother in law bought an 05 Mercedes sedan for $65K. I bought an 05 Tundra for $36K. Hers has 80,000 miles on it. Mine had 186,000 miles on it. I sold mine for $9,500. She is selling hers for $3,000. I know, this is not apples to apples. But still, kinda proves my point.

 

This

I had a GMC Sierra with tons of bells and whistles. Within a year it had 3 recalls and electrical bugs. I added leather, seat warmers and the Tundra dings at me if I forget to turn the lights off. That's enough high tech for me.