Tundra vs '05 Tacoma

[Tundrav8yamaha]

Well after getting the chance to test drive the all new Tacoma i have to say i am pretty impressed on the lastest Tacoma.The reason i didn't buy the last Tacoma was because of the cheap quality and materials it had and i have to add the Tacoma handled bad (felt top heavy). Also, it had paper thin seats and the material were so bad i would have went with a Dodge Dakota vs a Tacoma.

However, now that i have reviewed the new Tacoma i am pretty set on saying "what a nice truck". The Tacoma brings new levels of refinement to the Tacoma truck line and the only complaint i had was the door still doesnt have a solid feel like the Tundra. But the Tacoma makes up for it in fit and finish in the interior. Great job Toyota on the new Tacoma you;re making a serious statement on Toyota's "mini Tundra" pickup. Hopefully, the all new Tundra due out in 2 years is just as serious.

[sdg71]

So if you had a choice between a 05 Tundra Access Cab and a 05 Tacoma Access Cab (both SR5, auto, 4x4, TRD, towing), which would you pick? It seems like the Tacomas are going to be going around sticker for awhile, and Tundras already have $1,000 rebate.

So is a Tacoma (MSRP $28,000) that could be had for maybe $27,000 better than a Tundra (MSRP $30,500) that could be had for about $27,000 (with rebate). Obviously the Tundra is a little bigger, but the Tacoma has better hp/weight and torque/weight ratios, brand new platform. I don't know which I would go with.......

[Tundrav8yamaha]

Originally Posted by sdg71

So if you had a choice between a 05 Tundra Access Cab and a 05 Tacoma Access Cab (both SR5, auto, 4x4, TRD, towing), which would you pick? It seems like the Tacomas are going to be going around sticker for awhile, and Tundras already have $1,000 rebate.

So is a Tacoma (MSRP $28,000) that could be had for maybe $27,000 better than a Tundra (MSRP $30,500) that could be had for about $27,000 (with rebate). Obviously the Tundra is a little bigger, but the Tacoma has better hp/weight and torque/weight ratios, brand new platform. I don't know which I would go with.......

Not sure where you shop but i never pay full msrp on any car/truck i buy. I tend to shop around for the best overall deal without taken for a ride from the dealership .Take in mind a Tundra in 2000 cost around $24,500 for a 2wd v8 access cab well you could still find a 2wd tundra sr5 a/c for 22k not including taxes in the Georgia area were you see the tundra going down in price due to an open market the newbe tacoma buyer is going to be taken for a mrsp markup just like the tundra when it first came out IN fact i hated all the dealership in the california area because they were doing the exact same thing however it also payes to outsmart there marketing and find a dealership willing to sell and make a small net profit vs the big dealership that take there stupid customer's for what there worth.If i had my choice i would still get a Tundra over a Tacoma it's a better value and retain's more of it's value being bigger and offering a real v8...

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photo...0taco3-med.JPG

[kamaleon]

I'll be in the marquet for a new/used truck (double cab, manual tranny and maybe 4x4).. Im leaning towards a toyota truck and ill start testing the tacomas and tundras... so far teh price dictates that i should go with the tundra, bigger everything and the difference is not that much, specially now with the price of new tacoma compared to the tundras.. ill have to add to the equation gas consumtion as a yearly expense due to the high prices that doesnt seem that will be down any time soon.

[shelbix2020]

I was checkin out the 05 Tacoma today too ... bed sucks, its all like plastic with spots to put things ... honestly, would you store something in plastic box in the bed of a truck?
Only cool thing was the outlet by the tailgate
The interior was kinda rough but I like the looks of the body .. and the tailgate was about an inch thick

my $0.02

[Tundrav8yamaha]

Originally Posted by shelbix2020

I was checkin out the 05 Tacoma today too ... bed sucks, its all like plastic with spots to put things ... honestly, would you store something in plastic box in the bed of a truck?
Only cool thing was the outlet by the tailgate
The interior was kinda rough but I like the looks of the body .. and the tailgate was about an inch thick

my $0.02

you talking about this?
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photo...0taco5-med.JPG
yeah, i didnt care for the plastic either. to me it looked like an old ford explorer sport track truck...

[Xfercase]

I knew this would happen as soon as I heard the next gen Tacoma was going to be "midsized". If I were shopping for a new pickup right now it would be a hard choice between the two. The Tacoma has new tecnology and sexy styling in and out. But only has a V6 for which they recogmend the high octane expensive gas. However it has a rear locker which the tundra doesn't. The Tundra though a older design has all the bugs worked out but has been updated with 5-speed and 282hp V8 and it runs on regular gas(I believe). The Tundra also has incentives and can be had for invoice if you shop around. All those electronic nannys on the new Tacoma kinda scare me also and a plastic bed? I think I would grab a Tundra right now as they are still affordable a good size, not too big, and don't have all those overzelous electronics which can take away from the driving experience(VDC, TRAC). And as far as resale value in this area, NewEngland, both trucks hold their value incredibly well. Toyotas reputation preceeds itself.

[xedge]

I ended up test driving both the 05 Taco DC V6 & 05 Tundra AC V8 on Saturday. My dealer let me have both trucks for as long as I wanted so I respectfully put both through their paces. Each were 4WD and auto. The Taco had the shortbed and one of those TRD packages (not the sport). The Tundra was a non-TRD. The reason I was trying them both out is because I wanted to downsize from my 04 DC TRD. The truck was just too big for my needs & was creeping up in mileage (22k in 10 months of ownership). Plus I was pretty curious about the new Taco and all this power!

Well... as mentioned by several other TS'rs, the tacoma's overall fit and finish is very nice with the exception of the black matte door handles & non-locking tailgate. I also had a hard time seeing out the rear window with the rear seat's headrests. Maybe if these came off, you'd be able to see better, but I didn't try it. I agree with the cargo bed storage compartment. It looks like it would fit a thermos, a small first aid kit or toolbag and doesn't lock. The engine was pretty snappy, but the one I test drove idled rough in traffic & seemed to rev pretty high. But honestly, I am not an engine aficionado so maybe that is the way it is suppose to be or maybe I've been just spoiled by the iforce. Bottom line: Nice truck but I just couldn't see myself in one especially with a sticker of $29.9k

Now the 05 Tundra AC was a dream. The transmission was smooth & the engine very impressive. The minor changes in the gauge cluster is nice and I was really really happy to see that toyota finally added a lock to the glove box! The ride was alittle more truck-like than my DC, maybe due to the wheelbase or non-TRD? I don't know, but for my purchase, the decision was easy. I just felt more to home in the Tundra than the Tacoma. After the test drives, I did alot of phone work & dickering & managed to find a dealer who would work with me without taken me to the cleaners on the 04 DC to 05 AC trade on Monday. The first mod I want to do is the hellwig, thanks to the info on this board!

[Brian's Toy]

I would be considering trading my 2000 Tundra Limited Access Cab for an "05" Tacoma if Toyota offered the 4.7 V8 in it. I think that option would be awesome, especially if a 6 speed manual tranny could be ordered with it! With the extra power-to-weight, the truck could be geared to have all the acceleration you need and still have a great overdrive gear for the highway. I bet it would get similar gas mileage to the V6. Just my 2 cents...

Brian

[brucec039]

Originally Posted by sdg71

So if you had a choice between a 05 Tundra Access Cab and a 05 Tacoma Access Cab (both SR5, auto, 4x4, TRD, towing), which would you pick? It seems like the Tacomas are going to be going around sticker for awhile, and Tundras already have $1,000 rebate.

So is a Tacoma (MSRP $28,000) that could be had for maybe $27,000 better than a Tundra (MSRP $30,500) that could be had for about $27,000 (with rebate). Obviously the Tundra is a little bigger, but the Tacoma has better hp/weight and torque/weight ratios, brand new platform. I don't know which I would go with.......

I'm also going to look hard at both the Tacoma and Tundra as a replacement for my '03 Dodge Ram Hemi which I just haven't grown to love like I did my '00 Tundra. I will be driving 25,000 miles a year, 15,000 on the expressway and at least 7,000 towing a trailer locally in-town, so I need a truck that gets better than 10mpg towing, 12.5 around town, and 14.5 on the highway. Fuel costs are too high to burn money like that.

It looks to me that with the new 5 speed transmission and 282? hp, the Tundra and Tacoma will be equally speedy. Around 7.5 seconds to 60. I think the hp ratios should be very very close, and sometimes a V8 gives more daily driver ease of acceleration, with torque down low behind superior, though the new 4.0 is no slouch they say.

Bed size is a plus for the Tundra. Much wider, and if you like the short bed double cab Tacoma intead of the long bed or access cab, it's quite a bit longer too. Much more useable for work, though many buyers probably don't need the extra bed space.

Styling: I prefer the Tacoma, inside and out. But with careful choices in options, colors, and packages, you can make a Tundra look pretty sharp too. I am NOT a fan of the huge wheel flares with skinny undersized wheels/tires on the Tundra. I will be buying aftermarket 16x8 wheels and 265/75 tires if I go that route. I also think the 4x4 stance looks better on current models.

MPG; 16/18 vs. 18/22. Only a couple hundred bucks a year difference, when you remember that the 4.0 V6 prefers mid-grade premium. Start towing a lot and that advantage may or may not evaporate. Some small engines really have to work hard to make their power vs. a V8.

Resale? My Tundra resold great. Traditionally, compact pickups don't resale as well as full size, but the Tacoma may be an exception to that, due to its reputation and popularity. I sold my Tundra FAST to the first looker for a great price.

Insurance: Compact trucks are more likely driven by young drivers, have a higher death rate (see IIHS.org) and I would assume have higher insurance rates. Be sure to check with your insurer first.

Interior space: After getting used to it, I found the Tundra just right. (access cab) The Tacoma access cab is pretty much a 2 seater with a package shelf and suitable for short trips only. The tundra is probably a little better in back, though I wouldn't want to take a long trip in the back of it either.

Comfort, intangibles: I am eager to drive a Tacoma to see how the seats are, how much space it "feels" like vs. the Tundra, how the noise, harshness, and vibration compares, and how real-world driveability is.

Safety: I know the Tundra is strong here. Tacoma is still too new to tell. But 500 lbs of extra mass can't hurt the Tundra in that comparison. Side curtains are available on Tacoma Double (and Tundra, I believe) but real world, you're not likely to see them on most trucks.

Overall, very closely matched. The Tacoma double cab is good looking (if you lay off the useless hood scoop and get the wider tires), and reviews so far are very positive, but they are based on compact truck standards, which may be lower than full size expectations.

I would also look to see bigger rebates on Tundras sooner than on Tacomas (currently none). Maybe $2,000 by early '05, plus some owner loyalty offers like I've recieved in the past ($300).

I light duty user, who mostly commutes in his truck, should probably consider the Tacoma first. Work users, the Tundra.

[brucec039]

Originally Posted by Xfercase

I knew this would happen as soon as I heard the next gen Tacoma was going to be "midsized". If I were shopping for a new pickup right now it would be a hard choice between the two. The Tacoma has new tecnology and sexy styling in and out. But only has a V6 for which they recogmend the high octane expensive gas. However it has a rear locker which the tundra doesn't. The Tundra though a older design has all the bugs worked out but has been updated with 5-speed and 282hp V8 and it runs on regular gas(I believe). The Tundra also has incentives and can be had for invoice if you shop around. All those electronic nannys on the new Tacoma kinda scare me also and a plastic bed? I think I would grab a Tundra right now as they are still affordable a good size, not too big, and don't have all those overzelous electronics which can take away from the driving experience(VDC, TRAC). And as far as resale value in this area, NewEngland, both trucks hold their value incredibly well. Toyotas reputation preceeds itself.

To clarify things, my information is that the Tacoma needs mid-grade, not full premium. That runs about 8 cents more/gallon here. Or about $75 a year more than regular based on my use. And you can use regular, the computer just adjusts the ignition accordingly and you assumedly get less mpg and power with that. My Dodge Ram Hemi is like that. I quit putting in Premium when I couldn't find any mpg or noticeable power difference.

Also, the VDC on the Tacoma is optional, and most will probably not have it on them. None I've seen in inventory have had it.

Finally, the plastic bed is not a bad idea I think. It's basically just a built in bedliner (no slipping, not as much rusting underneath, no noise, etc) and it is obviously replaceable for cheaper than a steel one is if you do manage to damage it extensively. The only drawback would be if chassis rigidity was affected by it flexing, vs a steel bed. Saves a little weight.

But I agree, the Tundra is a great size pickup. They both are the class acts for light duty users. My biggest reason for considering the Tundra is that awesome V8...I've never driven another truck anywhere as smooth. The extra hp and torque is just gravy.

[tiger]

Looked at the 05 taaco as well. Very impressive in the looks dept. But saftey & engine performance tops my list. My tundra has good crash test results, which I pray I never test, and does an acceptable job in engine performance. I want more room in the back, so the DC Taco is what I am keeping an eye on. Then you got the beast of a Titan to consider. I know I am comparing apples to oranges but you gotta at least look around! Not trying to get off the subject but those are nice, but time will tell for both. I'm not a huge fan of the bigger full size titan just b/c they are so big, but inside they are like an SUV. Just depends on your needs, your wants & your wallet

[4.7 vvt-i]

When comparing the 05 Taco to the 05 Tundra it reminds me of what a dealer told a friend who was looking to buy a Toyota car.
The friend was looking at buying a Corolla but was also interested in the Camry.
The Corolla is a great little car said the salesman but if you drive the Camry first, then drive the Corolla you will not buy the Corolla.
Same with the Tacoma, midsize withe V6 vs Tundra fullsize with V8. It's a no brainer.

[rgreed]

I personally think that Toyota didn't offer the V8 in the Tacoma because the Tacoma would be too competitive with the Tundra, and would leave the Tundra a bit displaced in the market. Right now the trucks have enough differences between them. Put the v8 in the Tacoma (I'm sure it can be done as the Prado platform has a V8 in it in 4runner and the lexus) and it would lessen the advantage of the Tundra over the Tacoma and make it harder to justify the 6k difference in the DC Tundra vs. Tacoma. Just my .02!

[Xfercase]

What I mean is I hope the 4.0 V6 in the Tacoma get better real world gas mileage numbers than the new VVti-V8 in the Tundra. If they turn out to be within one mpg of each other alot of people are going to wonder why they chose the V6 over the V8.