Tundra Access Cab vs. Tacoma Double Cab

planetdell · #1 (**permalink**) 03-16-2002, 11:37 AM

Well guys, hate to say good bye, but because I'm fed up with fooling with brake problems on my Tundra, I traded it in on a fully loaded Tacoma Double Cab on Thursday. Seven times in the shop for brake repairs and another for a bad transmission is enough for me. Don't get me wrong, except for the brakes, the Tundra was a great truck. I'll miss the V8 power but will welcome the extra room in the back of the D Cab. In my 33+ years of driving, I said that I would never buy a first year model of any make. I did with the 2000 Tundra and wish I had not. Hope Toyota gets a fix for the problem. I've learned a lot from this site and made a few friends to boot........I'll come back and visit once and a while to see how things are going.

Buzzard · #2 (**permalink**) 03-16-2002, 03:41 PM

Robert-- Keep us posted on the Tacoma. My son will be looking for a new truck in less than a year. In the past I would have bought the Tacoma without a second thought, (like I did the Tundra) but with my trucks track record I am forced to shop and compare. Did you check any other sites that were Tacoma specific before you bought yours? Any imput from anyone would be appreciated. It will be at least 10 months or more before I shop.---Buzzard

KLS · #3 (**permalink**) 03-16-2002, 05:37 PM

Hmmm...it seems to me that getting a pair of brake rotors cyrogenically treated would be a lot cheaper than trading trucks. What am I missing?
Ken

planetdell · #4 (**permalink**) 03-16-2002, 08:02 PM

Could anyone have guaranteed me that treated rotors would have worked? If Toyota would have paid the cost of treating them, I might have considered it.

Hover · #5 (**permalink**) 03-17-2002, 12:57 AM

Should have gotten a newer tundra! Pretty much all of the trucks that I have heard about with brake problems have all been 2000 model trucks... Oh well, at least you got a toyota!

jqqd · #6 (**permalink**) 03-17-2002, 04:08 PM

I agree with you Robert. The Tundra is a problem vehicle. I to will be shopping soon. There is no excuse for Toyota leaving the customer to hang with all these break and vibration problems. But then as the surveys show, Toyota is at the bottom of the list when it comes to customer service. I find it strange that the brand loyalist make so many excuses for a vehicle. It is like thanking a manufacturer for selling them a defective vehicle. How foolish.

thombiz · #7 (**permalink**) 03-17-2002, 06:02 PM

LOL. Well guys, riddle me this. If Tundra is such a problem vehicle, how come I've received zip, zilch, zero, nadda replies to my offer to pay cash to buy one on the classifieds of this board. Not a single reply. Not a maybe, not an off the board email, not a hidden message, not a "lets discuss it", not a message thru a friend, nothing. The squeeky wheel could get the grease. Looks like the only time theres a squeek is when there's nothing on the line. Problem vehicle. Yeah, Right.

planetdell · #8 (**permalink**) 03-18-2002, 07:08 PM

All due respect, I never said the Tundra was a problem vehicle! To the contrary, I said that with the exception of the brakes, my Tundra was a great truck. Not everybody is having problems with their brakes and I fully recognize that. I started having problems with mine at about 4000 miles and it continued to 30,000 miles when I traded it. I simply chose to not deal with the matter past my 36,000 mile warranty and risk having to pay for future brake repairs on my own. The good thing about Toyotas is that they hold their resale value real well. I was not "upside down" on the trade and was able to negotiate what I consider was a great deal on the D-Cab.

rsalkeld · #9 (**permalink**) 03-19-2002, 08:35 AM

The brake problems I am having are not the rotors but rather the drums. Treating the rotors for some of us will do no good. Also mine is a 2001 not a 2000 so just trading for a new model might not be the fix either.

neil · #10 (**permalink**) 03-19-2002, 06:55 PM

robert, i'm very interested in your views regarding the differences between the tundra and the tacoma. i have an early tundra and have been considering trading for a tacoma. i'd like to drive a smaller truck and the tacoma seems quite nice, but i am spoiled by the ride and speed of the tundra.
thanks, neil

planetdell · #11 (**permalink**) 03-20-2002, 07:29 AM

Neil: I got spoiled by the overall room and power of the Tundra and was hesitant to move to a smaller pickup. I like the looks of the Tacoma over all others in it's class and decided to drive one. I was pleasantly surprised. It does not have the power of the Tundra and is smaller. However, leg room and comfort (for 2) in the rear seat is better than the Tundra's. The 3.4 V-6 does have considerable pep and runs very smoothly. So far I like the Tacoma and think it's going to meet my needs. Guess only time will tell.......... I simply decided that I did not want to fool with the brake issues anymore and that my needs did not warrant a full size truck. If you get a chance, drive one Neil and I think you will be impressed. If your needs justify a full size truck though, the Tacoma might be a bad idea for you.

Rock on Tundra owners..........

tmr812 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-26-2002, 12:34 AM

Thanks for all the input. However, I do have one more question.

When I started looking, I was focused on the Tacoma (Double cab, loaded) MSRP $27,802. Then I thought... for only a couple thousand more, I could have a Tundra. After driving both, you all probably know why I'm leaning toward the Tundra.

The Tacoma has been around the block a few times. Would it be a more "tried and true" choice? Does it have these same problems, or just a set of it's own (Like Judy said in a reply to me that no vehicle is perfect, and I would agree that the competition would be much much worse).

Would I be a fool to pass on the Tundra for a loaded Tacoma double cab? Back seat room isn't really an issue between the two for me.

Also, the stickers suggest that the gas milage for the two are about the same. Is this true? Would I do considerably better on milage with a Tacoma given that I drive 85 miles a day (90% highway)?

What kind of milage could I expect to get out of the Tundra with this kind of driving?

Thanks again,

TMR

HiluxV8 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-26-2002, 12:27 PM

TMR,

I recently went through the same debate before I purchased my Tundra... I thought for 20 bucks more a month and almost the same gas mileage, why not?

Well, I live in a crowded city and my tundra won't fit in my garage with a canopy on it... I needed the canopy for my dogs

So now, I need to get the Tacoma Double Cab, which is what I originally shopped for

The Tundra has a much smoother and quieter ride than the Tac, but on long rides, I think the Tacoma's much more comfortable; arm rests, seat angle, feel much better to me.

I thought I would miss the power in the V8, but I don't tow small houses, etc... So the Tac is adequate for my uses. I also had the opportunity to drive a 2001 Tac DC TRD 4X4 with the 2nd generation SC, TRD single pipe exhaust, and filter in it!

WHEW! That combo moves! The SC is great! It is definitely faster than the V8, not as smooth, but worth the investment.

Don't get me wrong, I think the Tundra is great and would keep it if it would fit my needs, but unfortunately it doesn't

Also, my gas mileage after 2800 miles averages 12-14 mpg. Mostly highway driving, speed approx. 65mph...

Hope this helps! Goodluck and make sure you get what YOU want!

KY

tmr812 · #14 (**permalink**) 03-26-2002, 12:40 PM

Thanks for the info. One question though.

You mentioned that you were getting 12-14 mpg on mostly highway miles. That seems really low to me. I was expecting more like 18-19 on the highway. Especially at 65mph.

Were you towing something?
Does anyone else experience this kind of milage?

Thanks,

TMR

EFTundra · #15 (**permalink**) 03-26-2002, 12:49 PM

I wanted to add my .02 regarding the tacos speed. I was traveling about 95 mph on I-85 here in metro Atlanta and was passed by a Taco like I was standing still. I was able to make out the licence plate, it read RCR X. So I thought it must have a SC V6 to pass me like that. I'm not sure if the Taco is governed like the Tundra at 105 mph, but I'm pretty sure he/she was doing more than that. Anyway, I went with the Tundra because I wanted the larger truck and V8 towing. Consumer Reports didn't have a great write-up on the Taco, but my test drive didn't confirm their opinion. Take a lot of test drives and then make your decision. There are pros and cons either way you go. It's up to you to decide which are important to you. Good Luck!