Yes, I would definitely recommend a 2003 to 2006 Tundra to anyone who was curious about them. I think they're the perfect balance of looks, size and performance. I have an '03, and my personal preference is for the "plastic" body color front bumpers, rather than those big honkin' shiny canoes they hung on there before. I've had 0 problems with my '03...brakes and tranny work great, and the truck is quiet as a churchmouse. I don't tow anything, but the 4.7 pulls like crazy. I do only have 35K on it, though. Since the '07 leaves me cold, I'll likely buy my '03 when it goes off lease next summer.
I can't stomach the looks of the Ridgeline, either. Maybe in a few years, Honda will also get serious about building a truck. I don't trust any of the domestics enough to take a $30K + chance on them.
Just waiting for my 01 to wear out to go buy a new one and it shows no signs even starting to wear out. Runs as strong as the day I brought it home. Everything is still in tiptop shape. I have heard of the tranny probs in the 01's but I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. No probs.
The Tundra is the BEST truck I have ever owned!! I highly recommend it!!
__________________ 2006 Tundra,double cab, Limited, with the TRD package. It is Spectra Blue Mica. UPGRADES: all lights are HIDs, Gaylords X-2000 hard tonneau cover, and I have an extra 4 ports hard wired in. Alpine CDA-9886, w/iPod integration, BT & Sirius.
I bought a '00 Tundra, then traded it in on an '03. The first one gave no problems at all. So I found the first in a series did not apply here. The '03 was almost as good, only problem was a switch in the transmission that kept giving a check engine code everytime I got out in it. Dealer never did fix the problem. I traded it in on an '06 Ridgeline. The Honda is a great driving machine, rides well, good interior. But the mileage is not good for a much smaller engine. That was my only complaint with the Tundra, I thought is should have done much better. But same story applies with the Ridgeline. Honda has missed the mark as far as I am concerned. This is a heavy vehicle, with an underpowerd engine. This seems to be the way Honda always does it. If you need to haul anything much, or tow anything of substance, then stay with Toyota. If you just want a good riding vehicle, that you can make do with a small bed, maybe a Ridgeline. But I am going to opt for a new Tacoma later this year, soon as my finances will allow. I think this will fill my needs better. I will be able to haul and tow as much as I need, with the same fuel economy, and at a cheaper price. The Ridgeline would be great for a realator maybe, who needs to haul a few signs, and still have room for clients to ride in comfort, something on this order. But I pull a small aluminum lawn trailer with my tractor, and it dont measure up here in this mountainous area. I have had several older Tacomas, and always got great service. I just wanted to try the Honda, and I should have passed for my needs. I still have a '07 Element that I am quite satisfied with. So it depends on what you want to do with it.
I bought a '00 Tundra, then traded it in on an '03. The first one gave no problems at all. So I found the first in a series did not apply here. The '03 was almost as good, only problem was a switch in the transmission that kept giving a check engine code everytime I got out in it. Dealer never did fix the problem. I traded it in on an '06 Ridgeline. The Honda is a great driving machine, rides well, good interior. But the mileage is not good for a much smaller engine. That was my only complaint with the Tundra, I thought is should have done much better. But same story applies with the Ridgeline. Honda has missed the mark as far as I am concerned. This is a heavy vehicle, with an underpowerd engine. This seems to be the way Honda always does it. If you need to haul anything much, or tow anything of substance, then stay with Toyota. If you just want a good riding vehicle, that you can make do with a small bed, maybe a Ridgeline. But I am going to opt for a new Tacoma later this year, soon as my finances will allow. I think this will fill my needs better. I will be able to haul and tow as much as I need, with the same fuel economy, and at a cheaper price. The Ridgeline would be great for a realator maybe, who needs to haul a few signs, and still have room for clients to ride in comfort, something on this order. But I pull a small aluminum lawn trailer with my tractor, and it dont measure up here in this mountainous area. I have had several older Tacomas, and always got great service. I just wanted to try the Honda, and I should have passed for my needs. I still have a '07 Element that I am quite satisfied with. So it depends on what you want to do with it.
I drive a Ridgeline now, and love it, despite some of the same complaints you have. The mileage could be better (like with cylinder deactivation feature), or other small changes. I don't tow, or haul, much so that isn't a concerned.
Re: Would you recommend the Toyota Tundra?
I've had 0 problems with my '03...brakes and tranny work great, and the truck is quiet as a churchmouse. I don't tow anything, but the 4.7 pulls like crazy. I do only have 35K on it, though. Since the '07 leaves me cold, I'll likely buy my '03 when it goes off lease next summer. 
Re: Would you recommend the Toyota Tundra?
2006 Tundra,double cab, Limited, with the TRD package. It is Spectra Blue Mica. UPGRADES: all lights are HIDs, Gaylords X-2000 hard tonneau cover, and I have an extra 4 ports hard wired in. Alpine CDA-9886, w/iPod integration, BT & Sirius.
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