So put yourself in my situation for a second. I will soon be graduating college soon and want to dedicate my 1996 tacoma to trail rig, weekend play status. I want a new daily driver, and I'm kind of in a tight spot. I love the new Tacoma, and with the towing package, it will probably accomplish everything I would ever want to tow (possibly an 18-19' bass boat). I will be a Technology Education teacher, so I'll be starting out at about $39,000 a year, so I don't want to enter into a lifetime of large truck payments, which is why I unfortunatly have to eliminate the new Tundra. Now, would it be wise to spring for an 06 or older Tundra (which I actually like the looks of better than the 07) with a little worse mileage than the Tacoma, but more room, bigger bed, more comfortable ride, but probably going to lack a much lower resale value....OR would I be better off to go with a new Tacoma, keep it for a few years, and if I outgrow it, the trade in will still be solid even a few years from now (although ideally I would like to pick the right vehicle the first time and keep it for 10+ years)?
I guess I'm just torn, because now with the 07 Tundras, I can easily pick up a nicely equipped Tundra (06 and older) for about the same if not less than a new Tacoma. Only problem is, the gas milegae difference. Although people claim only about 4mpg average difference, that can be a significant difference if gas prices go back up to $3+ a gallon (which is probably inevitable).
Thoughts? I'll probably even get some responses to say to still fork over $30K+ for a new 07 Tundra, but I want to limit my price at about $22500.
I would go with a Tundra. As you said, the Tundra has a better ride and a bigger interior. You said this is going to be your daily driver so wouldn't you want a vehicle that will be comfortable everyday?
Also, you may think you know the max amount of weight you will tow but you never know when you may have to tow a heavier trailer. Personal example: I was helping a friend (and his family) move into a new house. I am very glad I had the V8 because EVERY load was a fully loaded bed and trailer. In addition to this, I had to back up a fairly steep driveway with the trailer. The V8 performed wonderfully.
If you take it easy with the gas and make a couple mods., you can get mpg in the mid to high teens city driving.
Tough call. I had the 3.4L Tacoma and it got decent mileage but once I hooked even a small boat up to it I dropped to around 12 mpg which is pathetic for a small V6. I have a 4runner w/ the 4.0 right now and it gets about 17 city. I use my big truck to pull stuff but I'd bet the 4.0 is as bad as the 3.4 when you pull something. In that respect I think I'd rather have the 4.7 if I were going to pull often, but the 4.0 or 3.4 if I were to rarely pull.
Thanks for the input so far. Let me share some more thoughts. First, I would like to have more than two people be able to ride with me (not all the time, and not always for really long trips, but I do want people to be able to hop in and go). The access cab of the Tacoma is basically useless for adults or even older children (I know, I have an access cab). At least the access cab of the Tundra (or possibly Double Cab) can carry adults. With the Tacoma, I know I could go with the Double Cab, but I want the 6' bed (although I may not tow a ton, I do use the bed a lot), so I would be stuck with a long bed double cab Tacoma. The downside to that is they're often $27K+ for that setup, and they appear a little stretched to me in the look department. Again, then the price issue comes into effect...$27K for a long bed DB cab Tacoma that will probably see 17-18mpg average, or a used Tundra that will probably see 15-16mpg average for considerably less money Even though the Tow rating is very similar between the two trucks, the Torque and HP peaks are much different, so I feel even though I may not tow a lot, when I do, it would be better with the Tundra. Addtionally, I like the increased payload of the Tundra (isn't it the top in its class?), and off course the steel bed.
Decisions, Decisions. Good thing I have a little while yet.
Thanks for the input so far. Let me share some more thoughts. First, I would like to have more than two people be able to ride with me (not all the time, and not always for really long trips, but I do want people to be able to hop in and go). The access cab of the Tacoma is basically useless for adults or even older children (I know, I have an access cab). At least the access cab of the Tundra (or possibly Double Cab) can carry adults. With the Tacoma, I know I could go with the Double Cab, but I want the 6' bed (although I may not tow a ton, I do use the bed a lot), so I would be stuck with a long bed double cab Tacoma. The downside to that is they're often $27K+ for that setup, and they appear a little stretched to me in the look department. Again, then the price issue comes into effect...$27K for a long bed DB cab Tacoma that will probably see 17-18mpg average, or a used Tundra that will probably see 15-16mpg average for considerably less money Even though the Tow rating is very similar between the two trucks, the Torque and HP peaks are much different, so I feel even though I may not tow a lot, when I do, it would be better with the Tundra. Addtionally, I like the increased payload of the Tundra (isn't it the top in its class?), and off course the steel bed.
Decisions, Decisions. Good thing I have a little while yet.
I'd sit down with a calculator and try to figure up your estimated annual fuel cost with each truck. Getting 3 to 4 mpg less w/ a Tundra may not be in your best financial interest. You might even find that you'd be better off buying something else like a Z71 that has the room and still gets good MPG. I understand if that may not even be an option for you but it will just depend on what you decide is the most important thing for your needs.
I've recently looked at the Taco dble cab long too.
I have to say I think bed size matters so I prefer the Tun over the Taco. There are numerous occasions where I use all that space. And still, the 1st gen. Tundra sides are low enough to load little items from the side. I'm always tucking something up against the cab. And, my 6'4" dad sat in the rear access cab seat on a 9 hour journey no problem.
Now for the extra torque: I pull a 4,000lb dry camper and I really appreciate the researve power. 6,000plus max tow ratings don't take into account hills or steep mountains.
And the tundra is a great daily driver: comfortable, smooth power, you actually drive/accelerate with less effort (without high revs etc), but the horsepower is there to tap when you want. I'm a 2003 4x4 prior to the horsepower recalc on following models. My sticker says 14/17mpg. I drive lazy, vigorous, and occassionaly stomp on it...real world mileage is 12-14 towing, 16 city, 17mix, 19highway at 65mph, and occassionally hit 20.5 highway when the load in my bed improves the aerodynamics!
So, mileage is so close that I still want my Tundra. You could buy a V6 Tundra and eek out a few more mpg's and still have the cargo volume and enough tow capacity for light jobs.
I'll leave you with a quote from my wife regarding being a passenger during everyday casual driving: "even though I prepare for it" (the torque off the line) "my head still taps the back of the headreast every time"
I'd sit down with a calculator and try to figure up your estimated annual fuel cost with each truck. Getting 3 to 4 mpg less w/ a Tundra may not be in your best financial interest. You might even find that you'd be better off buying something else like a Z71 that has the room and still gets good MPG. I understand if that may not even be an option for you but it will just depend on what you decide is the most important thing for your needs.
Yep, I did that already (believe me I've been trying everything I can to convince me one truck is better than the other for me). I calculated assuming gas is $2.80/gallon, both trucks are driven ~15K miles, and assuming an average of 4mpg difference (14mpg Tundra, 18mpg Tacoma), the difference is ~$667/year. If all else were equal (price of the trucks), that would be significant enough for me to be swayed to the Tacoma (that $667 is about two payments). After 10 years (assuming a fixed gas price, which essentially is unrealisitc), it would still not yield a $7000 difference. Factor in insurance (I've heard mixed things from agencies about the Tacoma being more to insure, so I'm not sure there).
I've religiously tracked gas mileage in my '05 AC 4WD TRD tundra since day I've bought it and I've gotten about 15 mpg MOSTLY city. On highway tanks it will run up to 17 - 18, and if pushing it hard will drop to 13 or so. BUT, overally my CITY is pretty much as Toyota claimed...
BUT - have two friends with new 6 Cylinder DC Tacos, they say they've never broken 20, and tell me they're probably averaging closer to 16-17 ...
Bottom line - Calculating this endlessly is a waste of your time, and it probably doesn't make sense to get a Taco just cause you think you're going to get a couple more mpg. You might get a little better mileage, but buying a new vehicle then selling it in a couple of years because you "OUTGROW" it is going to make up for those few $ easily.
The back seat in AC is fine for occasional trips with adults. We always worry about this stuff but thinking back I did plenty long road trips in backs of civics and corollas - the AC back seat is WAY bigger and more comfortable than that ....
MORE importantly is how YOU fit in the truck. The driving position in the new Taco is VERY different from the old Tacos and the Tundra. My advice is to try to spend a reasonable amount of time ( > 1 hour ) driving each and see how YOU feel. Sometimes that "perfect" seat or driving position becomes HELL over time.
Good point about the cockpit "fit". It has to be enjoyable to drive. I prefer our Tundra & Corolla over the wife's RAV4.
Since you can't ignore fuel economy keep in mind:
Some vehicles do a better job at matching the EPA estimates.
For some reason the FJ Cruiser and Taco forums are full of venting about poor (mid-teens) V6 fuel economy. The same holds true for the Honda Ridgeline and RAV4 forums. Our 4 cylinder (peppy but not powerful) 2005 RAV gets 20mpg city and 22 mixed @#$!.
Our Corolla and Tundra at least get the EPA sticker. So keep that in mind in comparing Taco and Tundra fuel economy. If your mileage sucks you might as well have V8 power. I can’t wait to get rid of the RAV.
Oh, and take note that many new drive-by-wire gas pedals and traction control systems seem to create noticeable delays is throttle response. Another reason to vent!!!!!
We just made this decision a few weeks ago. I really liked the Tacoma/Ridgeline size of truck. The mpg, size and price of these really seemed like a good combination. However the more we looked into them the more we realized we would out grow them in a couple of years or so.
The 06 Tundra was the answer for us, as it was priced right and made sense versus the 07. I like to think of the progression (currently, before the 06's are gone) as Tacoma to 06 DC Tundra and then the 07 Tundra.
Also - don't forget to include the tax implication of buying a vehicle. If you have to upgrade to a larger truck in a couple of years you will have to pay taxes again on that purchase. Unfortunately in my state we have to pay taxes on the purchase price of the vehicle - they don't take the trade-in into account.
I think you can find a great 06 DC truck that will fit your needs. Just figure out what your needs are (various options, leather, cloth, 2WD or 4WD) and you might be able to get something for 25K or so at the right dealer and right time. Love them or hate them, Carmax might be an option as well.
I have a 2005 Tundra Access Cab 4.0 V6 SR5. - $22,000 out the door.
My son has a 2006 Tacoma 4x4 Crew Cab TRD package. $29,000 out the door.
Same Motor in both trucks.
My Tundra is lighter than the Tacoma.
My truck rides better, and I get better gas mileage.
My seats are wider and are higher off the floor.
In my opinion, the Tundra is more comfortable.
Interior noise is about the same - both good.
His truck can tow more (6500 versus 5000 lbs).
His tires are bigger and he has 4x4 capability - but I never go off road.
Payload is about the same.
I have towed a 17.5 foot Wahoo (Boston Whaler style) boat, about 2500 lbs with trailer for extended periods (250 miles). I get 17 MPG towing and 20 MPG not towing. I run premium gas. Towing up the hills of South Carolina was not a problem. It usually holds fifth gear at 70 MPH. If I run 75 MPH, it will downshift to 4th frequently on the hills.
The Tacoma got 18 MPG with 2 motorcycles in the bed.
I also tow my friends 19 foot Searay - 4000 pounds, and 4 adults in the cab. Probably exceeded some GVWR limit, but this works fine for going down to the local marina (20 miles away).
I love my Tundra, but the Tacoma is a nice truck as well. The new Tundra's are too big/heavy.
If I had to buy a new truck today, I would buy the Tacoma because the 07 Tundra is too much truck for me. But I still prefer my 05 Tundra to the Tacoma.
You can probably find V6 (make sure its a 4.0 not a 3.4) Tundra's for less than you can find a similar Tacoma. Most people skip over V6 tundras, cause they have a V8 bias, but unless you are towing something heavy (3500+) a long ways, the v6 is all you need.
MGH-PA, hey there, I go through this about every couple of months, I have a 2000 Tundra 2wd, Access Cab SR5, V-8. I have had it five years. I also own a '03 V-8 4Runner. I want a newer Tundra Double cab, I figure on a good day I can get 9-10,000 for my Tundra (it's in pretty good shape, with lots 'O goodys) any way I look and I look, then what I do is figure, 9000 for mine I'm still gonna have to pay 10-12,000 more for the newer truck. Thats a lot of gas/maintance I can buy just keeping my AC and driving it....So if it were me I'd look for an 05 Tundra, maybe 20,000 +/- depending on model, accessories etc and spend the difference on gas and get the right truck the first time...any way you go, good luck, CSM-H
I recently went through the same decision points as you...and 2 weeks ago decided on a used AC cab Tundra. It came down to price....lower resale on a Tundra can mean good things for a buyer....more truck for the dough...and the bed. Having owned one of the baby trucks several years ago I know all about the limitations of a small bed.
The dble cab would've been nice, but I see one person being very comfortable in the back for an extended time and 2 people for around town and no more than an hour or so.
So far I'm very impressed with the drivability in town. Very comfortable, easy to park, not so big that you feel like you can't fit down a lane. I mean auto trans, power steering, power brakes, doesn't drive like a truck. Plus, how can it be a bad thing, it's a Toyota!
Advice...06 and older Tundra...or Tacoma?
), if you can afford ~22K, like you said, go for new Tacoma. 
). At least the access cab of the Tundra (or possibly Double Cab) can carry adults. With the Tacoma, I know I could go with the Double Cab, but I want the 6' bed (although I may not tow a ton, I do use the bed a lot), so I would be stuck with a long bed double cab Tacoma. The downside to that is they're often $27K+ for that setup, and they appear a little stretched to me in the look department. Again, then the price issue comes into effect...$27K for a long bed DB cab Tacoma that will probably see 17-18mpg average, or a used Tundra that will probably see 15-16mpg average for considerably less money
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