Check out some photos in the gallery...with the TRD package you get fender flares, bilstein shocks, and bfgoodrich tires...personally i didn't like the giant fender flares on the trd package so i got a tundra w/o the package and added toyota bilstein shocks and put yokohama tires instead of bfgoodrich...
There are numerous threads on this in the Tacoma forum.
Bottom, line. If you need more interior room, more towing capacity, like the V8 power and beefier looks, buy a Tundra. I used to own 2 Tacoma's and would never go back.
Tacoma's are great for little people in need of a fun truck that can still tow 5,000lbs and haul up to 1,700lbs.
Originally posted by Sequoia2003 If you need more interior room, more towing capacity, like the V8 power and beefier looks, buy a Tundra. I used to own 2 Tacoma's and would never go back.
DITTO! I also upgraded from a Taco 4x4 for the same reasons. I couldn't, in my heart, go with the "other" trucks due to the extreme high quality and dependability we've had with Toyota over the years.
If Toyota upgrades their Tundra to a 3/4 ton you can bet I'll be in line for one.
__________________ White 2000 Limited Access Cab, V8, 4WD, TRD with 223,040 miles
MODS: SUSPENSION: front - Cornfed 2" lift, rear - TRD add-a-leafs. INTERIOR: Sony MEX-1GP CD Receiver, tinted windows. EXTERIOR: Ventvisors, Covermaster Tonneau Cover, UTR bed liner, Reese hitch ELECTRICAL: Alarm and remote start package, Prodigy Brake Controller ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN:BF Goodrich AT KO LT285/75/R16 wrapped around Mickey Thompson Classics with 3 5/8" backspacing in front of brake calipers and drums painted red. Cat Back dual custom exhaust with glass packs and 2 1/2" Stainless tips straight back. Air intake box mod.
trdtacoma-
the major problems with the tundras i've heard about are brake problems. make sure the guy you're buying from has all his records, and make sure to look for trips to the dealer for the brakes. however, if it has only 9,000 miles on it, you should be able to get it taken care of anyway.
minor problems to look for would be driveshaft "clunking", dashboard squeaking, and window rattling (that i know of). these are pretty easily fixable tho. make sure the paint has been taken care of, i hear the paint on these tundras flake off if not properly maintained.
other than that, check carfax.com for any damage reports on the vehicle, and thats about it.
I had several (1976,1986,1994,1998) small Toyota trucks before the Tundra.The V-8 Tundra is much better than the little trucks on everything but mileage.I haven't had any problems yet,but do keep an eye on the brakes
1)Much quieter-night and day.The little trucks seem like rattle traps after the Tundra
2)Much more compliant ride.I drove my Tacoma(1998) from New Orleans to Flagstaff in 2001-1500 miles,just me and the dog..The next year 5 of us made the same trip in the Tundra.The Tundra is a much better roadtrip ,vacation vehicle.The backseat is only really good for one adult,but you can close the bed in,insulate it,and put a passenger back there-one adult sleeps,one drives(not too safe,but...).
3)Speed and power-V-8 Tundra has it all over the Tacoma.
4)Mileage-14 in city driving 16-17.5 highway for the Tundra,21 city,24 highway for a 4 cyl auto Tacoma.All the size(the Tundra is about 1400+ lbs heavier) and power come at a price.
Well,that is it.If mileage isn't a big concern,the Tundra is the way to go.Luck,Charlie
Before I bought my current truck, I looked around for about a year and researched everything. I initially tried to buy a used T100, but for what they were asking, it drove me to buy a new Tundra (2002).
I would have purchased the Tacoma Double Cab, but I am 6"1" and about an 1/8th of a ton. I really love the looks of the Tacoma, a little more so than even the Tundra's looks. But with my size and the small, small bed of the Tacoma, it was ruled out. So, if you are larger, get the Tundra.
Get a 2002 if you can. Spend the extra cash. I have heard a bit about the brakes, but I don't think I have heard much mentioned from 2002 owners. I only have 12,000 miles, but haven't had any brake problems.
The only small things that I have had were, a couple of down to the metal paint chips (fixed myself), and a seat belt that won't recoil to well (seems to be a problem with most Toyotas). That's about it.
If you research the various truck offerings, Toyota is really the only way to go. I would much rather have a true 4 door (I drool when I see the Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab), but I am will to sacrifice the perfect configuration for near perfect quality and longevity.
Thanks everyone for all the replies. I thinks I'm gonna go with a Tundra but I'm also looking at 4Runner (3rd Gen, cant affor the new ones). We'll see, 4Runners are very expensive used but I guess as all Toyotas they hold their value extremely well. I will probably just go with the Tundra.
4 Runners are pretty much like Tacomas inside except they got more room for people in teh back. But the front and dash ect are pretty much relative to the Tacoma. Gives you a cramped kinda feeling.
I love my '03 Tundra Ltd. TRD, but if I didn't have to haul a horse around every so often, I would have bought another Tacoma 2WD.
Parking the Tundra in the city can be a pain and the poor gas mileage wears on you. I'm 6'3", 205 lbs. and never felt cramped in the Taco. When friends and I would drive 24 hours West for our annual ice climbing trips, I had enough room in the back to lie down (6' bed) and pack all of our gear. If it didn't fit inside the cap, it went on the rack on top. This went ditto for trips to the Home Depot or the lumberyard (I built eight houses while I owned it and rarely felt like I needed a larger bed). Up to 14 sheets of 1/2 drywall without dragging a$$. There was plenty of power with the Taco, the mileage was good, and the handling was exceptional. Less operating expenses, lower insurance, less expensive vehicle.
All too often we get into this mindset of "I don't want to be in a position where I might need it, but don't have it", e.g., 4WD, big cab, towing capacity, etc. If you don't mind the thought of spending money on options that you may never use, go for it. Personally, I told myself that I wouldn't spend money on such things until I hit a particular scale on the "net worth" scale, so this was my big splurge.
I had a 2002 2WD Taco SR5 - fun little truck but it didn't pick up the slack when my POS beater Sable packed up. So, instead of getting another family crusader I traded the Taco in on a 4WD Tundra. This truck takes my teenage girls in the back fine for day trips. The Tundra is 3 cuts above a Tacoma in all catagories except costs and agility.
Now, the point on my post which is probably off TRDtacoma01's subject. While I was picking out my new 30K Truck I saw a brand new regular cab split-bench Tundra V6 manual with a MSRP of 16K. That's less than a SR5 Xtd cab Tacoma, and less than most low mileage used T100's! If you only put two and sometimes three in the truck why not a regular cab? The specs on this truck are almost identical to a 2WD T100. It will get 21 mpg, can be raised easily, can put a locker or NoSlip diff in if traction is a issue. I'd much rather have it than my Tacoma.
I had a 1999 Tacoma extra cab 4x4 and this year i upgraded to the Tundra for many of the same reasons everyone here did. I enjoyed my Tacoma but the Tunrda is by far well worth the upgrade in price. I have a 2002 SR5 4x4 ext cab V8, I did not like the TRD fender flares so I opted not to spend the extra money. The Tundra has excellent power and with a few cheap simple mods you can really increase the horsepower. I added a K&N filter and recently added a Dual Cat Back Exhaust System. The Tundra with Dual exhuast sounds sooooooo sweet!!!!!! I got a flowmaster muffler that has such a sweet low rumble it will scare the fords, dodge's and chevy's!! Anyway The tundra would certainly be a wise nove for you so go for it! Good luck
I had an 86 4Runner before my 2002 Tundra. I was crapmed in the Runner, and I love the extra space of the Tundra. The cost is not that much more than a Taco, and you get more horses, more space, more protection, etc.
I'm sure we're all well aware of the incredible value of buying ANY Tundra.
As far as buying USED goes, it seemed to me that Tundras hold their value so well that a new one only costs a little more than a low mileage used.
It bought a similar truck compared to what you are shopping for, a 2003 V8 SR5 Access Cab 2WD with tow package, cd-player, bed liner, alloy wheels, and fender flares, all for 22k + tax/license. Tundras are very common now, and you should be able to get near-invoice pricing. Not to mention interest rates on new vehicles are a bit lower.
Of course, you could wait for the 2004 'rumored' Full-Cab, either way you'll get a truck you will love.
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