Why did you buy a Tundra?

Came from a 2009 Ridgeline, & previously had a little Nissan 4 banger 2wd truck. Both were great for me at the time.

The ridgeline was getting tired and some bigger ticket regular maintenance was starting to show up. I was watching and waiting for the new Tundra to get released, & I played the good $$ after bad game with myself in regards to maintenance I figured will be coming up & how much to I sink into a 13 yr old mid sized truck versus buy a new one. I could have kept the Honda, & put a bit into it & gotten 5 or more years out of it I'm sure. I was transitioning my work & family life and was anticipating a move or 2 in the coming years, including out of province. So I considered towing a trailer vs paying a mover to relocate - So leaning full sized truck.

I did come into a good $$ opportunity & was able to consider a new vehicle with no loans. I looked at a 2nd gen ridgeline, and like many 2nd / 2.5 gen tundra owners on here complain, the "new ridgeline" did not measure up in interior space & size for me when compared to the old one. So a switch was in the works.

I didn't consider any of the big 3, which left Nissan or Toyota, and Titan didn't measure up to what the 3rd gen tundra had to offer, as all the writing was that it was disappearing and Frontier was too small cabin size. So Toyota was left.

With Toyota, I could not get a Taco, they have always been a terrible interior seating position vehicle, every time I think the look good and I go get in one I'm remined. My vehicle a daily driver and family road trip vehicle. As I bought a 2022, I did consider a 2021, but with Covid pricing, and the reviews & info I read on the upgrades on towing, comfort, suspension & tech. I had to go3rd gen. A big sway for me with Tundra was the full roll down rear window, and a model with ventilated seats ( heated I don't use but wife does). I have been fortunate and not had the problems some others have faced. It has been reliable as I expected a Toyota to be based on history so far. I am getting about the same fuel economy in the Tundra (sometimes even a hair better) as I was with the Ridgeline, so daily driver fuel cost is identical.

I smile more behind the wheel now, every time I hit the GO pedal!! LOL

 

2020, but still answering the 3rd gen thread! If you have a house, need a truck. Came from a Frontier 4wd stick. Bone disease in my wrist made it painful to drive, so needed an automatic. The 2005 Corolla that survived an ex-wife and two daughters, and their easily distracted/learning to drive ways made me want a Toyota. And Tacos are too small for my old crunchy self, so Tundra! I bought it at 55, it's my daily driver, and I plan for it to be my last truck.

 

Because a dealer killed my little 3rd gen ACLB 4banger taco, and i decided i wanted have an actual backseat so down to the road when kids come into play id have the space. And whenever we went places with friends, we didnt have to always put the miles on my wife’s 4runner.

 

I was a long time Ford guy, owned more than I can count but was looking for a truck that would last a lot of miles. Landed on the Tundra.. wife agreed too..

 

Careful on those plans ..

I had a 2016 Platinum with 86k and said the same thing. Then unexpectedly came across a pro. Wasn't even in the market but had to inquire because the bug hit me and loved the look. Bought it, without even a test drive.

Couldn't believe how some were saying that the 3rd gen was better than the 2.5 gen and although loved their prior Tundra, wouldn't go back. That stuck with me and now after 3k miles I have to agree. Just a pleasure to drive.

The last gen, would have never considered the Pro, because missing too many simple upgrades like folding mirrors and memory seats. The 3rd gen Pro is loaded well above previous Platinum and only missing full auto-telescoping steering wheel which didn't matter to me so much because it can be set where you like it manually and it's still nice perforated leather and now heated ! The softex cameo seats are awesome and no more honey leather treatment needed. Bonus was all the blacked out interior trim pieces that had to be covered or changed out on last gen and of course the color matched 'stache. Just really have to admit Toyota hit a home-run in my eyes and always have liked the quality of better parts vs the big three like the window harness example from Zapp a few posts back and the beefier Borg Warner transfer case chain, lighter yet higher strength spindles ect..

Turning radius is better on last gen for sure but being a distance parker when shopping/work hasn't been a factor at all. I do fear a u-turn though lol

Co-worker got a new 2023 F-150 a couple months before my purchase and just told me yesterday he's been having engine problems and that it's in the shop. Any truck could be a lemon but odds are better with Toyota.

 

I was ready for a full size. I was hot to trot for a GMC Sierra, love those looks. In fact I think it’s the best looking truck out there. Really wanted that 3.0. I admit I still kinda do, however, the modern diesel emissions just sound like a nightmare, and I don’t get enough miles to make it worth it. So I was going to get one with one of the V8’s. Then the new Tundra came out. I drove it. Loved it. Really like the styling, which is very similar to the GM trucks. After reading about multiple failures on the lifters on the GM trucks, and working with a guy who experienced it 1st hand, I decided to go with the Toyota.

list of pickups I have had-
‘76 Datsun
‘85 Toyota
‘02 Tacoma
‘15 Canyon
‘22 Tundra

 

1) My old Tundra was done and I was sick of driving it, I have had Chev/Ford/Dodge and got tired of fixing them, while my work vehicles were all Toyotas that never broke down, so stayed with Toyota

2) NO

3) See #2

4) I would buy it again tomorrow

Trucks: 2 midsize and 8 full

T100
Tacoma
Chev
Dodge
Dodge
Dodge
Ford
Ford
Tundra
Tundra

The last ford on that list was a brand new FX4 Cabella and I dumped that heap of crap in 18 months

 

Because the ex wife got my Tacoma in the divorce……

 

God only knows. Because I have a problem

 

@Eurodriver why not fix up the rig you have now? I’m not sure any other brand would have taken the beating you gave ole silver.

 

I drove all 4 trucks in January and ended up buying a low mileage CPO 23 Tundra Limited for a couple grand over my budget because I liked it so much. Here is how I compare it to the other 3 trucks and then it's Pros and Cons.

21 F-150 w/Coyote: this was initially my top choice because they can be had for 40kish with all the options I want and need. I went to test drive a CPO and I hated it so much. It felt cheap, lots of NVH from the chassis over every bump, bad riding and awful transmission, plus the engine in that one rattled something awful above 3k rpm. The experience completely turned me off of F150s altogether.

22 Silverado Duramax with the new interior: This was my second favorite truck. The new interiors are a huge step up from the older generations and the use of technology is probably the best of the 4 with the blind spot camera that turns on with your turn signal along with a really comprehensive towing technology package. The truck drives great with low NVH levels, a good ride and steering and brakes that felt natural, no complaints there. My only gripe is the increased complexity from the diesel along with higher fuel costs that basically made it cost almost the same as filling up a gas engine but with the added cost of DEF and risking not finding an open diesel pump at fuel stops. Nonetheless, I was close to pulling the trigger on a CPO for 51.5k OTD until the tundra came along.

19+ RAM 1500 with the Hemi: effectively the budget option that replaced the F150 on my list. Rides way way better than the F150, much higher perceived quality, very quiet with little NVH and much much better transmission. The problem is that I never really loved it. The interior is high quality but I don't like the layout and the technology is a step behind the other 3 in most aspects. Plus it was super complicated to find just the right options which includes the 3.91 rear end, extended range fuel tank, and correct tech packages to get the 360 degree cameras that were a must for me. Also, the hemi felt the weakest of the 4 trucks, which I was honestly fine with but it always felt like I was going to settle if I bought a RAM and I would trade it in earlier than the Silverado and tundra. Nonetheless, I was close to pulling the trigger on a 47k OTD example.

I bought my 23 Limited Crew max 5.5 for 56.5k OTD. Pros and cons are:

Pros:

• All the technology I wanted and non that I didn't. I happened to find a used example with EXACTLY what I wanted close by: towing package with trailer assist, 32 gallon fuel tank, 360 degree cameras, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control along with bonus nice to haves like ventilated seats and bed view camera and the rear sir suspension.
• Powerful but efficient towing performance: I am buying a truck primarily to tow my racecar around on an open trailer and have several friends that work at Toyota and do the same thing and regularly get 15 mpg towing which is fantastic.
• Interior layout and ergonomics were my favorite of the 4 and perceived quality was also right up there with the Silverado and ram
• The truck drives and feels much smaller and lighter than it is with tight steering, good brake feel and tight body control.

Cons:

• still pretty expensive and went above my budget to get the truck I wanted
• unknown long term reliability (less of a concern due to longer CPO warranty)
• truck is still huge and I am still awful at parking it despite all the drive assistance features

 

when I bought my 2007 in 07 it was the cheapest truck I looked at plus it was the only truck at 0% for 60 months at that time, I have SR5 double cab. truck is stock the only thing it has in running board and I have the 5.7
I was actually going to get the tacoma but when we went to look at the truck with the wife we had 3 young kids, 2 in car seats and 1 in a booster. All 3 seats could not buckle without superhuman skills. Tundra was parked next to it and the 2 trucks were very similar in price. We tried to get all 3 seats buckled in Tundra and we were sold. 17 years later she is still running and the back seat now carries fishing rods instead of car seats.

 

Owned a chevy, it was a lemon. bought 3 rams and loved them all. The last one was totaled 6 months after buying it and the market kept me away from buying another one. all 3 rams had 0 issues and all were "high mileage." found the toyota on a lift at a gmc dealer as a fresh trade in. Made them an offer and they accepted. So they finished their inspection, cleaned it up and I picked it up. they didnt even have time to put it on their website. Price is what got me. From there, I have been adjusting and getting use to what I gave up as well as the more frequent visits to the pump. Its turning in to love for sure.

 

Drove a Tacoma 10+ years, had kids & they never really fit well in the back seats being a tall family. Thus Tundra.

was looking at the 6.2L Silverado but tundra won largely because I loved my taco so dearly

 

Well, I actually wanted a Tacomo, but the tundra has a bigger back seat. I needed the leg room for my 3 teenage boys! Crewmax is like a man van, gotta get the boys to hockey!

 

Oh, I won't say I'll never get another one. With that said, while I tow regularly, I don't tow a LOT; and my daily drive is like 20 miles round trip....so it's kind of hard to justify buying another Tundra when my current one is paid off and we just bought a new house 7 months ago. LOL

Current plan is to save up for a S/C over the next year or so. I have tentative approval from what I call Household Command Authority.

 

Why?

I was actually looking for a 4runner when this one was advertised at the same Ford Dealership I purchased my Edge ST. 4runners really do hold their value, so much so, this Tundra was cheap in comparison. Once I researched, it fell nicely into my lower tech, proven reliability want and have used it as a truck many times since purchase. I also appreciate Toyota's long term commitment to reliability.

 

I upgraded from a 17' Tacoma TRD ORDC. I wasn't exactly in the market, but life happens, and my family is growing requiring a second car seat. I am 6' 5'', and could not fit a car seat behind the drivers seat and be in a safe position to drive.

I have always wanted a Tundra, but I did look at several other vehicles as well. I was seriously considering a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 because a local dealership had them marked down about $10k. I'm assuming because of the current electrical issues they're having. I inquired at my local dealership about a base model SR that was coming in, but when I went they had an SR5 TRD OR w/ the convivence package that I fell in love with. Test drove it, and fell even more in love with it. It is essentially my perfect truck. Talked numbers with the dealership, and got $30k trade-in for my Tacoma. At the end of the day, I will always be a Toyota guy.

 

My 2015 Tacoma rolled over in an accident and I walked away with only minor injuries. Got three kids that just keep growing so went up a size to the Tundra.

 

Because I've owned 3 other Toyota trucks and know what I'm getting when I buy a Toyota. When I have an issue, I don't get the run-around, or an double-talk nonsense. They fix it. period. Plus, I've had full size trucks for so long now that anything smaller makes me think I'm riding in a mini-closet.

 

One of the reasons I went truck over SUV was to keep hockey gear stink out of the cab. In FL it gets really ripe.

 

First and foremost I knew I wanted a Toyota for the safety and reliability record. I was originally thinking Tacoma because my last truck was a 1 ton RAM 3500 diesel crew cab 8ft bed - in other words HUGE - and I didn't want something that big again as a daily driver. I went with Tundra mostly because of the tow rating. My boat+trailer is over 7000 lbs and a Tacoma is only rated to ~6500 while the 3G Tundra can tow nearly 12k lbs (easily!).
Also, I absolutely LOVE the looks of the 3rd gen Tundra and with a few mods I have really made it my dream truck and it really is a head turner!

 

I used to drive sports car (WRX’s) then switched to a Grand Cherokee Limited then ‘18 F150 2.7. I had it for a year and a half and sold it to buy a Tacoma. Really liked the Taco but back seats were an issue with dogs and kids and I was looking for more power.

Tundra was a no brainer for me, I didn’t want another F150 and I don’t like the Ram/Chevy.

 

It was simple for me. What full size truck would I still be happy with and be proud to own after 7 years.

 

Mine was which one would I buy that was 6 years old and keep it a long time?

What manufacturer would you buy used nearly across their entire line up, 5 years or older and drive it daily?

 

The first gen Tundra caught my attention in the early 2000's and knew once the T100 was ready to pass the baton my next truck would likely be a Tundra. Fast forward a twenty five years, thank you T100, finally time to spring for a new truck. We have had positive experience with the 6.0L in our 2008/9 GM van/class B motorhome, so the Silverado and Sierra were on my short list with the Tundra as well. In the end i knew what i wanted and Toyota delivered. Meanwhile the old T100 still going strong. Great job Toyota.

 

I fell in love with the 1794 interior, the luxury of the model, the full roll down back window, and the fact that I’ve owned 3 Toyotas. 2 of them I had for 13 and 15 years and only had to do basic maintenance and replace one radiator on one.

While I do see a lot of threads/replies complaining about the 3rd generation I love mine a month into ownership. I’d recommend one to all my relatives and friends.

I also looked into Ram and Ford trucks I honestly believe you can’t beat Toyota reliability.

I wouldn’t own a Chevy/GMC.

 

Never owned a truck, always wanted a Tundra. Really liked the 2.5, but once I saw the 3rd gen there was no doubt in my mind I would buy one. 2022 came an went and still was unsure if I wanted to take on another car payment. Fast forward to end of July, got T-boned by a red light runner. Went to go look at the Tundras locally with the wife and kids and they loved it. Started my search for a limited hybrid in either Lunar Rock or Ice. Found one at the end of August and have been all smiles since then.

 

I had a 2017 Tacoma Limited. I knew what kind of fuel mileage it got. The 2022 tundra offered same fuel mileage or a little better. I had extra money at time to payments where I wanted them. So here I am thinking about a 2025 model this coming year.

 

I bought my 2023 Tundra to pull one of the best travel trailers made today (2023 Bigfoot 25B25FB - 6900 lbs loaded). This is our fourth Toyota and the reputation for reliability along with the hybrid horsepower and torque made it an easy decision over other manufacturers.