2nd Thoughts on Tundra vs Tacoma

After looking and not finding the right 2nd Gen Tacoma for at least 6 months, in late October, I bought an '06 DoubleCab Tundra from the original owner. I like it but don't love it yet. My main peeve is that it's more than I need. It feels like a huge truck, louder than my Highlander. I very much like the older feel and how it's built and I know that a pick up truck is NOT a Highlander.

I know I would prefer the smaller turning radius of the Tacoma and the simpler/lighter maneuverability. I had budgeted 30K for the Tacoma and paid about a third of that for the Tundra. After completing the maintenance items the Tundra needed, I was about to upgrade the sound system as the speakers are dead. I priced out the $1200 upgrade with Crutchfield and now I'm questioning myself and wondering if I should spend that much $ with a truck I'm not sure I want to keep compared to the Tacoma.

Last important point, I find myself staring at Tacomas at traffic lights and Costco parking lots. Am I being unfair in my expectations of a truck? Or is this something more applicable to Tundras and less applicable to Tacomas?

 

Sell the tundra!

 

If it doesn’t suit you and don’t need it, might be time to switch.

I know what you mean, I have both trucks, the tundra isn’t very nimble (compared to the taco) and almost 3 tons and I feel it a bit more having my Tacoma years longer than my Tundra. Each has a pro and con. Use each truck differently that fit my use.

 

and here I am on occasionally driving a tundra thinking it be cooler to just have a bit more room and that roll down window is cool...

 

Thanks TacoSpike. The fact is that I don't need it for work and I don't carry big things on a regular basis. I just like the feeling of a truck and being able to haul stuff if I need to. I'm seriously considering buying the Tacoma and just driving them both for a while and keeping one of them in the end. But there's gotta be a simpler way to do that.....

BigCountry, I very much like that rear window and letting my little kid play in it while it's in the driveway.

 

I'm replying to this to see the discussion unfold. I love my 2.5 gen taco but there's something missing for me coming from a 3rd gen 4runner. I think it's partly that old feel. The truck has mostly been fantastic but I've actually been contemplating selling and buying into a nice example of the 1st gen tundra double cab.

Most here will encourage you to buy a 2nd gen—I would too. They're great trucks. That said and as you described, they can be hard to find if you're looking for a particular truck or clean example with lower mileage. Maybe we should work out a deal

 

Have you had a Tacoma before? The first gen Tundra's aren't that much bigger than the Tacomas. My double cab Tacoma is actually longer than my extended cab '05 Tundra. The biggest difference is, lets say thickness. The body metal is thicker, the frame is thicker, it's a little wider, heavier and more heavy duty. The Tacoma is fun to fling around but the 4.7 V8 is a blast and sounds great with a Magnaflow system. Think sports car vs muscle car. All comes down to what you want. They are great trucks and you won't have any problem selling if you decide that you just gotta have a Tacoma. People are always asking if they can buy it.
Cheers

 

Normshark, that roar is a beautiful sound. I have driven Toyotas all my life but never owned another Tacoma. My next door neighbor has a beautiful one that I keep ogling. A V6 would work better for me because all I do is suburban driving nearby and never go off road. Camping once a year but nothing rough or extreme. I appreciate the heavy metal and the V8 of the Tundra, but I just have no use for them and they should go to someone who will make use of those things.

 

Both trucks are damn near identical in size I’ve had a 06dclb tundra and a 13dclb Tacoma.

Be curious to see the difference in turn radius.

The 4.7 and 4.0 both get roughly the same mpg. 4.0 does get slightly better but not by leaps and bounds.

With the exception of the timing belt and water pump on the 4.7 both are very similar and inexpensive to maintain.

The 4.7 w/ an oem exhaust is no louder than the 4.0 in stock form.

Longevity wise both the 4.7 and 4.0 are very similar. Both are runners.

Tow ratings are roughly the same with the 4.7 barely edging out the 4.0.

The cab size on the tundras much nicer than tacomas.

upgrading to a 2.5 gen nets you a backup cam and a garbage touch screen hu. No other improved amenities over the tundra.

1 gen tundras come with power rear window and sunroof. 2.5 gens do not.

Despite all the similarities between the two it does sound like you are going to have a hard time loving the tundra. Sell it to somebody that will.

 

I had a 2000 access cab tundra before switching to a Tacoma. I wanted a smaller footprint and better gas mileage. And, well, Tacoma. The tundra was better on the highway, more power, more capacity, and mileage is only about 2mpg different on the highway. But I'd do it again. The Tacoma is just more fun. Looks better. Just gotta do you.

 

A 1st gen Tundra and a 2nd gen Tacoma are pretty darn close to the same size. Most of the people who have those Tundra's get the same or better fuel mileage. I have an 07 Tacoma, my brother an 06 Tundra. Fuel mileage is the same.

The only downside to that Tundra is the timing belt that needs to be replaced every 90,000 miles.

I'd ride with what you have.

 

Hey Marshall, I just had the entire timing belt kit and water pump replaced. I prefer Toyota trucks from 2005 to 2015, as I feel they were built better. Built to last a lifetime.

 

I've honestly been there before.

In 2008 I sold my compact truck because there was a screaming deal on a Ram that I could not pass up. Lets just say it was low enough that I could pay cash for it, and I really did not have a lot in savings at the time. It wound up being my least favorite car that I have ever owned, but own it I did, for 8 years.


It was a slug with a shitty engine and zero amenities, but it at least had a 6MT, and that was mildly entertaining.







Weird times were had. Things I don't fully remember. But I do remember that they were fun.





I hated it, but somehow I kept it for 8 years.



I can't tell you whether to hang on to the Tundy or not. I don't know your sitch. But I will say that if it's tolerable, maybe hang on to it for a minute or two. Right now used Tacomas are stupidly overpriced, and they have been so for the past 6 years. Sooner or later, that bubble will deflate. I'd wait. At the end of the day, a truck is a truck, even if it ain't your favorite truck. Get your money's worth with the bird you have in hand.

 

I’m going to give the Tundra more time and decide later if a double cab Tacoma is significantly different.

I just added that bed cover in the picture.

 

tacos can only do so much and then you need a real truck

Keep the tundra and get a taco, it is Tuesday after all!

 

when you say loud, are you talking engine noise or relative road noise inside the cab?
brother has an 06 with flowmaster and man that 4.6 (4.7?) sounds sooooo good with an exhaust. not loud when cruising but makes a nice growl at start up and when you mash the skinny pedal.

 

One more thing to consider is comfort. I regularly make a 10 hour run to Lake Superior. The Tundra seats are the most comfortable I've ever had in a vehicle. Firm but generous and a great driving position. The Tacoma seats are smaller and the positioning is different. I can drive for hours and hours in the Tundra. My backside is complaining after 3 or 4 in the Tacoma.
Cheers.

 

Tundra is the way

 

Back in the day when I was looking to replace my T100, I was actually on the hunt for a Tacoma. Liked the looks, Liked the size. Wanted one since college. But when the owner of our local dealership (also a personal friend) decided to replace his barely used personal vehicle, the "05 Tundra, he offered it to me for price I couldn't refuse. Never regretted it. While I was still checking out the Tacomas when the Tundra wasn't looking, it's been a great truck. 10 years later I scooped a great deal on my Tacoma. The Tundra is still around whenever I need it.
Cheers.

 

If you decide to sell the tundra let me know, I’m in Rockland and could use one for construction!!