Tacoma vs Tundra 1st Gen

Hey guys,

So I'm not entirely new to the Toyota family, but I sold my 2013 Tacoma about a year after I bought it after not wanting to pay for a new truck and a job change etc....

Now I am in the market for a truck again, but don't want to spend much. What I can afford seems to be 1st gen Tacomas and 1st gen Tundras. I need to be able to fit a rear facing car seat in just in an emergency - otherwise, this will be mostly a grocery getter and random hauler backup vehicle.

I have been looking at high mileage Tacoma Xtra Cabs and Tundra Access Cabs - currently there are two trucks I am looking at in particular: One is a 2003 Tacoma Xtra Cab with 177K miles for $9000 with a manual V6, small lift and decent Goodyear tires. The other is a 2003 Tundra Access cab with 150K miles, which the dealership will put new BFGs (at my request) and do the water pump/timing belt for OTD $13K.

Not very familiar with either of these vehicles as I have only ever owned a 2013 DCLB Tacoma. I like manual transmissions and like not spending a whole lot of money. I have a set of coils and just need to buy shocks to add to it if I go the Tundra route to make it how I want it. I wouldn't really have to do much to the Tacoma to make it how I want it, but again, I'm not sure how that year even compares to the 2013 I had.

Just curious to see people's suggestions and experiences with their vehicles. As a side note, I am 6'5" and today when I drove the tundra I hoped the seat would go back a bit further, but was still doable for around town driving. Just want opinions. Thanks in advance!

 

You'll definitely have a fair bit more room in the Tundra, at 6'4" my Tacoma is about maxed out for me headroom-wise. Does the Tundra have a V6 or the V8? The 3.4L will probably outlast the 4.7L, you don't see many 300k-500k Tundras like you do Tacos. $9k for the Taco sounds like a fairly good price if it's in good condition, $13k sounds steep for the Tundra unless it's really nice. I'm always wary about vehicles that have already been modified unless I know exactly what's been done and by whom. Any information on the type of lift on the Taco? Check both for frame rust, both of those vehicles were involved in frame rust recalls.

 

If you're feeling cramped in a Tundra, you'll feel trapped in a first gen Tacoma! Go for the Tundra.

 

Well, you'll have a really hard time finding a double cab manual tranny, but my first gen doublecab fit a rear facing seat no problem. But at 5'9"ish, I'm not exactly trying out for the Pacers. At 6'5", you'll probably feel pretty cramped, and I remember putting the seat all the way back and it would hit the car seat. With the way car seats are these days, they're probably twice the size of my kids' seats. Luckily I'm not tall enough to sit that far back.

I like my taco dc, but I think you'd be better off with the tundra.

 

Both unfortunately have had multiple owners.... I'll post them up:

Tundra.... Underside is immaculate... Talked to them and they would add 285/75/R16 BFG ATs, do the timing belt/water pump for 13K and change.... https://www.hendricktoyotaapex.com/vehicles/2003-toyota-tundra-sr5-x2450-5tbbt441x3s390156

Tacoma... Sent me pictures... Rusted, but nothing serious underneath... http://www.twinsautos.com/vehicle_p...speed-manual-used-pickup-mount-olive-nc.shtml

 

I own both first gen Tacoma's and my dad owns a 2002 Tundra, which we drive all the time. If you feel cramped in a Tundra, then the Tacoma will feel REALLY small to you. I love them both of course, but the Tundra with the V8 is actually a very sporty truck. Very underrated IMO and you can still find them for pretty affordable prices.

Edit to add:

Ours has 250k miles and is still going strong. Dad would love a new 5.7L tundra to tow our crawler with, but he loves the size of this one too much. It still tows, just not very fast haha

 

.I will say that while sitting in (not traveling in) the first gen Tacoma, I seemed to have more front to back leg room than the tundra... But again, I haven't really spent much time in either...

When it comes down to it, I suppose I can suck it up for around town for either one - I used to fit into and drive my best friend's b3000 reg cab with a stick to go to the store.

Im just wanting something that I can pay off, not be having to replace crap every other week like my chebby and be fun to drive around in and take on the beach once in a while. Too bad another DCLB couldn't just fall into my lap. I still see it driving around every now and again.... Makes me miss it lol

 

IMO you can't go wrong with either a Tacoma or Tundra. None of ours ever give us any issues, we just keep up with regular maintenance. Just depends on your needs and preferences.

You could also consider a four door Tacoma or Tundra if you really need the extra space. With the Tundra you actually get a little more HP with the four doors (newer). Of course though, there will be a little bit of a price jump on both and you can't get a manual in a four door Tacoma, if you really wanted it.

 

As for taking it to the beach, if you plan on taking more than just one passenger, you'll want a Tundra haha.

 

Well Toyota Dealership said they'd keep the tundra for another week before taking it off the lot - they've had it forever... I will try to go drive the Tacoma and see how it is in person - its just a ways away from me

 

lol... good point there - or I could use it as an excuse to just be me going out on the beach

 

True haha

Plus too, Tundra's have a rear suicide door on both sides, Tacoma's do not have any.

 

Well, he wanted space for a rear facing car seat, so, it's probably kids he's taking... They fit fine.

 

I was just assuming he might have a lady or friends or something too haha

I've fit adults in the back of my first gens, it's just not real comfortable.

 

I guess it comes down to this: which one will last? a 3.4 v6 with 177K miles on it or a 4.7 v8 with 150K miles on it.... I understand that the interior may not last on either... the tundra's seat is already a bit too soft/giving to the point I hit the plastic side seat panel - another interesting thing I found about the tundra was that the "lumbar support" looking dial reclines the seat instead of increasing/decreasing lumbar support.... it was kinda neat actually

 

That Tacoma spent many years in PA, a cold climate state. I'd be diligent about having the frame checked by a Toyota dealer that is familiar with the frame rust issue, and be sure the vehicle is covered by the extended frame warranty (15 yrs from initial sale). There is no service record for the required undercoating shown though because the vehicle left that state for Florida before the extended warranty went into effect. You need to know where you would stand in this matter, and only Toyota can answer that question.

 

Interesting.... I knew it was a northern vehicle, but didn't know Toyota would be able to check frame warranty issues... I will look into this. Thank you!

 

Here is the Tacoma underside:

 

You can't get a rear facing car seat in and xtra cab taco. You can put it in the passenger seat and turn off airbags, but it hinders visibility and is sketchy. It also leaves no room for a passenger unless they squeeze into the back.

The access cab tundra is a little better but not much. My advice is to take your car seat along and see for yourself what kind of room you'll have in either (hint answer is not much). Double cab taco or tundra would be much better choices

 

6' 5" in a first gen is a stretch. I could use more leg room and I'm only 5' 11", I ride with the seat all the way back.

I drove my brothers 1st gen Tundra last week and liked it. It definitely has more interior room, and that V8 was nice too.