Talk Me Into Keeping My Tundra!!!!!!!

Howdy,

Well change in plans I am no longer traveling and towing an Airstream trailer so don't need the HP of the Tundra.... But I LOVE IT!!!!

BUT the MPG's man.... I did the math and ~$1400 more a year than a Tacoma....

That real money.....

But there's more than MPG's right????

Right???!!!!

Dang it!!!!


...sigh....

Greg

 

Ok, no problem. Go drive a Gen 3 Tacoma. Ignore the aesthetics, ignore the amenities, and focus on the engine and transmission. Do this, and you'll come running back to your Tundra to give it a hug and apologize for even thinking about leaving. Sure you could save gas with the Tacoma. You could also save gas with a Yaris.

Don't do it. Stay with the Tundra.

 

I went from a Tacoma to Tundra. MPG wasn’t a major difference, about 17 mpg in Tacoma and I’m getting about 14 in the Tundra.

Hated the Tacoma transmission and power but the biggest reason I switch is for space for my kids and wife.

Definitely recommend a good test drive first.

 

Tacoma real world mileage isnt that much better. And the 3rd gen taco isn't a great driving vehicle. The engine is fine but the trans is brutal. Read the 3rd gen forum over at tacomaworld and report back.
The 2nd gen taco was great. I had an 08 and loved it. Had the 4.0 and it ran and drove great. But I got about 14-17 mpg (winter/summer) mild lift 1.6" and +1" tires. I get 12-15 (winter/summer) in my 5.7 tundra with no lift and +1" tires. For me the power and extra space is a great trade for 1-3 mpg

 

You have a 2019 tundra?

For the cost of trading in for a taco. How many years of gas savings will it take to break even?

 

This ^^^^^








Then the added cost of trading the taco back in for another tundra after you realize you made a huge mistake

 

Oh man!

I thought they were getting 20-22mpg?

I figured 2 years to recoup the loss... But waiting to see about that...

Thanks!

I gotta check mpg closer!

G

 

The size and comfort! Those dang sides steps in those Tacos are in the wrong place. I can’t get in or out of those without hitting on those!! they are wrong in a lot of ways!! Tundra, more room, extra when you need the power, huge back seat that is bigger than some folks living room, and to top it of I personally feel more safe. There has to be more crunch to get to you in a Tundra??!! Case Closed!!!

 

For what it's worth I own both (3rd gen Tundra and 3rd gen Tacoma) Been trying to sell my Tundra for about 6 weeks now. I switch driving each but I love the Tundra more. But I hate that for such an expensive vehicle i cant even get basics like push button start or a sunroof without paying 15k more than the Tacoma.

But at the end of the day the tacoma only seems to lack power if you compare it to a 5.7L V8. The Tacoma also handles way better and I can fit into any parking spot, but the Tundra is built for open space and hauling stuff which I don't ever do.

Anyway in all of that incoherent rambling I say keep it. Im debating selling my Taco instead of my Tundra (I realized I don't need both). In fact I dont tow or go 4x4 or even put shit in the bed, but they both bring a smile to my face.. But the Tundra brings a bigger smile.

 

Funny you mention this. I sat in the back with my daughter today as I was fueling up (bad timing to say I was fueling up in this thread lol) and I was in awe of the space back there. I was behind the drivers seat, with it in my normal driving position and I could put my legs straight out. Riding in the back seat of a tundra for 6 hours round trip was actually the reason I got a tundra. Took a trip from CT to Cooperstown NY in my buddies tundra, I had a Tacoma at the time, I was 100% sold and I didn't even drive it. I traded for a tundra about 3 weeks later.

 

Did you just talk yourself into keeping your tundra? Hahahah

 

Edmunds is claiming 21.5 combined mpg for Tacoma; 15mpg for Tundra....

But that's not what you guys are seeing?

G

 

2 years to just break even on mpgs....with that expectation i dont see this paying off. If you change vehicles again within 3 years you will really be hating life

 

Haha my wife wants me to keep my Tundra CM but I paid so damn much for my Tacoma that it doesnt make sense for me to sell it. I keep reading posts like this to see why I should keep one over the other. I really love the Tundra more but Id probably lose out selling my taco lol. But yes I think I talked myself out of it in 3 paragraphs lol

 

Vehicles should never be looked at as investments.

If you spend a lot of time in it, drive what you want and enjoy.

 

My Tundra averages 14.3 and my Tacoma averages just shy of 20. Same streets same drives.

On 12 hour journeys on the highway I have gotten to 24 on Tundra and 31 on Tacoma between stops when I was realllllllly trying.

2014 Tundra Crewmax SR5 Off-road 4x4
2017 Tacoma Double Cab Off-road 4x4

 

How many miles a month on average do you drive the Tundra?

 

Ignore the cost Tundra > Taco, so much room for activities!

 

I’ve had 3 Tacos. I’m 5’ 10” only and thought the driving position was shit in every one of them. I haven’t sat in the newer Tacoma but I’m guessing it’s the same. I’d love better MPG but I don’t drive a ton of miles and if I ever am in a position that I’ll gave to I’ll buy a nice commuter. The Tundra isn’t going anywhere.

 

I had a 2wd Tacoma with only bigger tires, no lift and that’s what I got, 17-18 mpg mix driving. Before the tires, I did get 19-20. I can definitely get 21-22+ on highway.

With my 4x4 Tundra, I get anywhere between 13.5-14.5 and again, just bigger tires. I think highway, I can get 17-18+ easily.

 

Really? Down hill with the wind behind you and in neutral? That's 10mpg better than I have ever got in either truck.

 

Depends on your driving style and what Tacoma you have and your mods

I average 20+ with my Tacoma (it’s a manual transmission). I had a 2016 Tacoma with the automatic and I averaged right around 18. Staying under 70 mph helps significantly

I’m also nearly stock. Start adding bumpers, tires, lift, etc and you’ll be 15 mpg in a hurry.

 

Dont do it. I had a Turd Gen Tacoma. Absolutely awful. The drivetrain is horrid. Lots of little crap quality issues too. My tundra has been a night and day difference and if you tow anything you're going to want the Tundra. My Tacoma sucked at towing a pop up a-frame. Gas mileage was 17 to 18 combined avg. Not worth it.

 

My 2013 Tacoma hovered around 18 mpg combined...

I did hate that transmission and hoped it was improved.

Just did a short store run and got 17 mpg so......

I guess best case scenario of killer trade-in AND sale price I could do better but I'm leaning heavy on keeping the Tundra..

I may still RV a bit and nice to have the balls!

Thanks for nursing me through my short bout of insanity..

BTW The Tacoma's look like Samuri nurse sharks to me..... LOVE the looks of the Tundra!

G

 

This is what I was thinking. The loss you’ll take on the tundra no matter how small you say it is will take a while.

I wouldn’t go to a Tacoma from a tundra OP. I came from a 17 Tacoma, it was decent on gas (19-21 I averaged) but the ride was weird and there wasn’t much power. Not to mention back seat had almost no space to me and it was their double cab.

I went to a highlander now and am happy with the switch- power, space and mpgs wise. Never would I go back to a taco though.

 

I had a 2016 Tacoma. The drivetrain didnt get bad until after a few thousand miles. Then they kept releasing software updates to "improve it" and it would get worse again after a few thousand miles. The tundra 5.7L and transmission put a permanent smile back on my face. If I ever change vehicles again it will be only for a heavier duty diesel. Life is too short to worry about gas mileage. If I ever end up worried about gas mileage or commuting I'll buy a used Honda Civic for 10 grand and call it a day. I want a truck. I love having that power. I'll never do a Tacoma again after my experience with the Turd Gen.

 

Well, you can drive a big boy truck, or, you can drive a little boys truck. You just have to pick.

Seriously though, I loved my Tacoma but it just doesn't even come close to the Tundra.

 

I would keep it in the long run the Tundra would be a cheaper option then trading it in on another truck for a few extra mpgs. At least I would keep mine if I was in your situation. There is an old saying that it is better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it.