[Toshgo]

Giving up on my F-150 with 230,000 miles. Narrowed it down to a new Tacoma(probably 6 vs. 4)4X4 access cab or an 05 Tundra(23,000 miles,SR5,4X4, extended warranty,bedliner, running boards V8, light blue, clean, well taken car of)$22,000.
I do a lot of summer fishing carrying a canoe-usually travel 50-100 miles on a trip-plus pull a snowmobile a few times a winter-maybe a 4 wheeler in the back during the fall.
I'm wondering if the Tacoma will get enough extra mpg to make it worth buying it over the Tundra. Plus I'm hearing stories about weak tailgates and springs in the Taco.
I've had two big trucks and like the ride of them. Just not sure of going smaller.
Any advice?

 

[Mike38]

I know with the newer Tundras there really isn't a huge difference in mpg's vs. the V6 Taco. Yes, the tailgate is weak on the Taco. But someone will correct/confirm this, but there is a TSB out to strengthen the tailgate for those who use the truck as it was intended. Also, the new Tacos have 4 leaf rear springs instead of the earlier models that only had 3. That extra leaf helps a lot. I think this addresses the questions you presented.

Here's the biased opinion...I personally love the Taco. V6 6spd, I can't complain one bit. I do have to say that the stock tires that came with the TRD Sport package are a little scary in the snow but most trucks are squirrelly in the winter anyway. I did wish that it had an aux input for the stereo but I was able to mod the truck to fix that problem. I'm able to get 20mpg with my truck consistently and I haven't had a single problem with the truck at all since I got it. But my friend has a Tundra and I think its an '05. He loves his truck (but wishes he had mine :lol: ).
Mike

 

[brny67]

i do believe they have fixed the tailgate and the susp problem on the new 08 taco...someone will correct me if I am wrong...the way to go is the Taco by far:smokin:maybe cuz iam partial :naughty: gotta love it.

 

[Sony]

The tundra says it doesn't get that much worse mileage but everyone I've heard from says it gets at least 3 to 5mpg less then the taco which is pretty substantial. The 08 Taco's are much improved over the previous versions with the springs and tailgate problems fixed AFAIK. I love my 06 and only ever had one problem with the transmission being busted since new but Toyota fixed that without question and very quickly and politely. You can't go wrong with a new Taco and it will haul all those things you mentioned easily.

 

[Dana_15]

If you think you are going to regret going to a smaller truck, you will. The Tundra sounds like a decent deal, I used to get around 16mpg with my 06 DC 4X4.....

 

[lotust]

Im going to agree with Dana. If your use to a larger truck going smaller is going to suck! I speak from experiance. Im a "big guy" The excab tacoma is the smallest truck I would want to take a long trip in.

Toshgo I would test drive both the tundra and the tacoma. Take them for a long drive if you want. Dont think you need to rush back to the dealer. Just tell them you want to take it to lunch. :thumbup:

 

[cj99si]

Get a new tundra.

 

[georgekb]

I agree

I agree test drive them both, and at the end I doubt you will still have much of a question about which one fits you better. Enjoy your new truck; you are sure to like it better than your Ford.

 

[demoncleaner]

Funny, my old man in NH is in same situatation. Replacing his 97 F150 with either 05-06 V8 Tundra or 05-08 V6 Tacoma ext cab. The new Tundra is overkill on narrow NH 4wd trails and on 200 y/o county roads.

Both are good offroad, ride nice, and can handle moderate loads & towing. Cabin is a little larger in the tundra, tacoma has more comfortable front seats, rear is better in the Tundra. Interior layout, your call.

Tundra's steel bed 75L, 48w at wheelwells,17 in deep. Taco's composite bed is 73L,44w at wheelwells, 18 in deep. Its tight fitting a sled in Tundra, ski stance on new sleds is at least 48in, so measure your sled. You can fit a sled in the taco, but you'll have to build a platform on top of ww. I use a trailer anyway, no more back busting getting it in the truck.

EPA numbers and in my comparision to my two neighbors with Tundras, Tacoma's v6 will get 2-3 mpg better. You can get a stick on the Taco. Both are good trucks and pretty easy to work on. Good luck.

 

[hooch364]

In your case I would go with the used Tundra.

 

[nibbs]

traded down from my Nissan titan to the tacoma... happy with my decision, although, inside the cab was easy to adjust to than i thought it would be (having the extra space). The bed... well, that's what a truck is for... it's usable, but not great. (I have the 6' bed DC model). The one thing that REALLY gets me, is that you have like 47.5" clear between the wheel wells.... yup... WTF! another 3/4" would kill them, right? SOOOOOOOOO ANNOYING!!!! but i'll live, and still feel that the trade, at least for me, was worth it. If you are planning to need a full size bed- get one, you can only make shift so much....

 

[6shooter]

probably better to have to much rather than to little. go with the tundra if you really need a big truck.

 

[GregM111]

i do believe they have fixed the tailgate and the susp problem on the new 08 taco...someone will correct me if I am wrong...the way to go is the Taco by far:smokin:maybe cuz iam partial :naughty: gotta love it.

I am still trying to make my mind up on a new Tacoma right now. All my research has led me to believe the 2008 Tacoma does NOT have the leaf spring change from the factory. You'll still need to get it done.

Greg

 

[nibbs]

I am still trying to make my mind up on a new Tacoma right now. All my research has led me to believe the 2008 Tacoma does NOT have the leaf spring change from the factory. You'll still need to get it done.

Greg

Most 08's have the tailgate done- the real leaf TSB isn't completed in newer models, except in canada, and possible some in mexico now.... Several of us (myself included)- got the 4 leaf replacement without much or any hassle. Talk with the dealer when you are negotiating if you wish- you know your plans, with the equipment in the back, you know you'll have the bed loaded at times, and therefore all research has pointed to the potential of bottoming out. See where that goes... probably not far, but express your concerns... you never know...

 

[Toshgo]

Thanks for the great advice.
One of my friends at work is giving me until Sat to buy the Tundra and then he is! Obviously he thinks it's a good deal. When I rattled off the extras he asked me why I hadn't bought it.
I know these hold their value but $22K for a 2/3 year old truck is hard for me to digest.
Anyway-lots of things to consider. My wife doesn't understand but she's a new car girl and I'm a drive it till it dies guy.
Leaning toward the tundra.
Thanks again.

 

[cj99si]

Just check the rebates and incentives to buy a new tundra(unless you just dont like the looks of the new one) its $2500cash back and or 0% right now. So with that in mind you could have a brand new truck for the same as an old one with a very dated interior.

 

[GregM111]

Most 08's have the tailgate done- the real leaf TSB isn't completed in newer models, except in canada, and possible some in mexico now.... Several of us (myself included)- got the 4 leaf replacement without much or any hassle. Talk with the dealer when you are negotiating if you wish- you know your plans, with the equipment in the back, you know you'll have the bed loaded at times, and therefore all research has pointed to the potential of bottoming out. See where that goes... probably not far, but express your concerns... you never know...

That is what I am doing. I am pushing a dealer on this right now and if they won't commit to it as part of the deal, I won't buy. I hate that they insist I try first or god forbid bring my load in to prove my point. I have owned trucks since I was a teenager and know that if other Tacoma owners who haul 600 pounds need this done, then so will I. It makes me wonder if Toyota designed the stock suspension for grocery getters.

Greg

 

[xedge]

I have had both a Tundra 04 DC and a 06 Tundra AC. Both were 4.7 V8s, TRD, Limited slips. Nice Trucks, decent mileage imo. Smooth engine. The one you are looking at is just getting broken in. I now drive a 06 DC V6 Tacoma. The ergonomics fit me better, but its mileage is not much better than what I was driving. Also if I had to do it all over again, I would get the LB. I tow my enclosed snowmobile trailer with no problems, but would be hard pressed to put it in the back of the SB. I do have racks on my roof for my kayaks but they are only 12 footers. A canoe you'd probably either need a topper or a yakima goalpost or thule xsportser. Granted I have no regrets on buying the tacoma, but I loved my tundras too. My vote is go for the tundra.