Still dreaming of a Tundra

Have you test driven a tundra yet? Once I did I was sold.

 

This!!!! Every. Damn. Word.

 

Yeah, live and learn is how I feel about it as well. It was an expensive lesson in blind brand loyalty (it's a Toyota, it has to be awesome!) and where that can get you, for me at least.

That said, my first Taco was a 2004, which was the last year of the Gen 1 Tacoma. It had the 3.4 V6 and a 5 speed manual. I loved that truck. It was a legit compact pickup. It wasn't fast, the gas mileage was poor, but it knew what it wanted to be. I didn't feel at all the same about the Gen 3 Taco, which is almost the same size as the Gen 1 Tundra.

 

Sport will be all color matched with bumpers and the scoop you want, probably no skids (but the OEM ones aren’t that great anyways). Off road package: not color match, no hood scoop, but will have skids and probably the upgraded TRD beilstiens.

 

I also switched from a taco to a tundra... never have I been so happy with a decision.

 

I just upgraded to an '18 tundra. Couldn't be happier! Though with that said.. my '05 Tacoma is still sitting in the carport lol. Couldn't get rid of her. Just hit 99k miles and worth more to me than a dealer could offer, so I didn't even offer a trade-in lol

I started with a 1995+1/2 tacoma and traded up to the 2005 when my first child was born. Now ilI have three little munchkins running around and they are more than happy to have the extra room lol

Wish I would have moved up to a Tundra years ago.

 

Funny. I also had a gen 1 tacoma with 3.4l manual transmission and I share your sentiments exactly. The 1st generation was a great truck. I think the 2nd gen was alright too!

 

After all the modification i did to my tacoma I couldn't split with it so i kept it for my DD. The tundra is the weekend toy hauler.

 

I have and I was real close to pulling the trigger but instead I did what I now regret.. regeared and ovtune which put a dent in the wallet.

 

Yeah sounds like about 3,500 in mods

 

Yep spot on.

 

I don't mean to continue to harp on the Taco, but that's really crumby that so many people have been forced to invest that much money just to get the thing to run like a normal truck, and then for some people, it's still not all that great. I honestly don't know what Toyota was thinking. Fuel mileage I guess, but there had to be a better way.

 

Yea it’s a big disappointment. Great looking truck inside and out, I like the nimbleness, but drives like a pig. Ovtune did help on low end torque and smoother shifting up to 60 but once the truck gets over 65 the tranny goes erratic. It can’t decide what gear it wants to be in on a slight incline or any head wind. I’m not sure if OV version 1.05 will take care of those issues but I think I pretty much have my mind made up on a Tundra it’s just a matter of time.

 

Yeah and some guys I think started bricking their ECUs lately. I think I saw some posts when I was skimming of the OV threads.

 

Why can you not stand the Tacoma? I’m considering buying one for my hunting/getting shit down around the house truck.

 

You're going to buy a $35,000-$40,000 Tacoma for an errand truck? I want your job.

 

Sorry, I should clarify. I wouldn’t buy brand new but a 16-17 would do! I just get tired of transferring hunting gear in and out my tundra to make room for the kiddos. My question remains, why is the Tacoma such a bad decision?

 

Oh man, that's not good. Can't say I'm surprised though.

 

2016 and later tacoma is a pain in the ass. Buy a used 2nd gen.

 

I recently drove my old man's 2016 Tacoma for a day or so while my Tundra was at the dealer getting an overhaul on the air pump system(thank you Toyota for extending the warranty).

#1 Thing I noticed is the seats and seating position suck. I'm pretty short(5'7", 170lbs) and broad shouldered, could not get comfortable in that truck at all. Seats are exactly like my old 90's Camaro, you sit with your ass on the ground, legs straight out in front of you. This is IMO a deal killer, I shopped 2nd gen Tacomas and they are better in this regard but still not as comfy as the Tundra seats.

#2 Handling/steering is tighter and its just a lot easier to whip around in traffic and parking lots. It also rides REALLY nice for a truck, it is a 2wd SR5 package though, so maybe 4wd Tacomas are a bit jigglier, I know my 4wd Tundra, the ride can be a bit busy on bad roads, not harsh but you know the road sucks.

#3 Engine is gutless below 3,000rpm. Moves out nice if you actually put your foot to the floor, but IMO it feels like a slug 80% of the time, then when you floor it, it takes off and actually performs. I did notice he averaged 21mpg according to the dash display, but still it needs more low end torque, feels like the engine should be in that little Toyota/Subaru BR-Z the way its so rev happy.

#4 Not enough room in the cab IMO, his is the access cab with the rear suicide doors. They also have a Camry in case they need to haul people around, so its no big deal that the rear seat in his truck is a kids only zone. I also hated the rear suicide doors, just make them hinge forward, also gives the truck a lot more rigidity/crash protection having that solid metal b-pillar.

#5 Size, these new Tacomas are just way too big for the utility they offer. 1st gen Tacoma or even the last gen(89-94) Hilux were the perfect size for a small truck IMO. I mean his truck, Access cab, 6' bed is 212". A 2004 Tacoma, same configuration is 202" and a lot narrower. 2004 is also about 1000lbs lighter. Provides the same amount of utility IMO in a smaller footprint, same size bed, useless rear seat but good storage in the cab, tow rating isn't that different(5000lb vs 6400lb). A new crew cab Tacoma with the 6' bed is 225", my Tundra double cab with the 6.5' bed is 229", not much of size difference IMO.

 

Spot on. I sold my 17 for these reasons

 

Perfect, I will look for something else or just keep using the Tundra.

 

Nailed it.

 

Tacomas are awesome. If you can get a late 2nd gen, say 2014 or 2015 you will have a great truck for what you are looking to do with it. It is just the 3rd gen drive train that people have issues with (not all people; most love their 3rd gens).
You should be able to get a 2014 with low mileage at a great price compared to new.

 

I traded in my 2014 Tacoma Access Cab for my 2018 Tundra because it just wasn't big enough. It was actually a fairly peppy little truck, but I wanted extra towing capacity and a back seat that could be used, with a usable bed size as well. So now I have a 2018 Double Cab Tundra, and I couldn't be happier. Only cost me $4000 more than the Tacoma when it was new, cause the dealers wouldn't come down much on price on the Tacomas back in 2014. Got $5000 off MSRP on the Tundra. MPG difference between 2014 Tacoma and 2018 Tundra is only 1-2 mpg. I love my Tundra, and on days that I have nothing to do outside of the house, I want to go take a drive in my Tundra anyway!

 

I am coming to the conclusion that a Tundra is not in my future this year. There is a White Platinum on the dealers lot that has been there for 190+ days and they will not come off the 47k after rebate price tag. This is killing me....

 

What region are u in? How do u know 190 days on lot?

 

I live in Kentucky. Cargurus shows how long that the truck has been available.

 

I see. Good luck man.

 

Mahalo, my friend. But I do not believe that lucky is my lady with this deal.