Tundra to Tacoma

[VTer]

Gotta be a few guys out there who made the switch, and since I'm mulling it over, myself, I figured I'd solicit some opinions.

I'm considering trading in my 2006 DC SR5 Tundra with 15K on it for a Tacoma. Not sure whether I want a DC or AC, but I know I want 4wd.

I'm basically looking for something a bit more economical, but a lot of the stats I see don't seem to show that much improvement in the Tacoma over what I'm getting now (about 17 mpg). Does that statistic seem to hold true in real-world driving for those of you who actually made the switch? I'm no grandma, but no speed demon, either.

I also don't really "need" as much truck as the Tundra right now. I don't really haul anything besdies a couple of kayaks and I don't tow anything. It's just the wife and I and 1 dog, no kids and probably won't be any (unless some of those kids wandering around in the Philippines catch up with me from my military days ).

Still mulling it over. Thanks for any feedback!

[TRDSport]

I have an 07 prerunner DBL cab longbed and I get 19mpg, but since you want 4wd, I doubt you're going to see much improvement if any.

[2000Tundra4x4]

I went from a 2000 Tundra Acc. cab 4x4 to an 08' Tacoma D-cab 4x4, its a great truck I have no regrets. If your coming from a DC Tundra I would deffinetely get a DC Tacoma. As far as milage I may not be the best to answer that question as I have a little lead foot, and my truck only has 1400 miles on it so its not completely broke in. But with that said I am getting 17.5-18.5 mpg, thats also 50/50-town/HWY miles, not too bad considering.

Jared

[MGH-PA]

Is your tundra 2wd or 4wd? If 4wd hang on to it! If I KNEW I could get 17mpg average all around in a AC or DC tundra 4wd, my tacoma would be for sale. That being said...I heard too many reports of 13-15 mpg being the norm for 4wd tundras, so I went with a tacoma. I'm running 265/75 Terra grapplers and getting a consistant 17.5-19mpg mostly backroad driving this WINTER. Hopefully it goes up a bit in the summer.

[land guru 1]

I too just went from an 06 Tundra DC 4wd to an 08 Tacoma DC long bed. It's quite a bit more nimble than the Tundra and easier to fit into my garage. For me, I didn't need all the room of a 4 door Tundra, so the Taco was an easy decision. It's not as smooth riding as the Tundra, but it's perfect for hauling the kids and their bikes and sports gear around. Plus, it's better on gas - 17ish versus 13ish.

[jkib]

I made the switch last fall. I had an 05 limited DC...a beautiful truck, and bought an 08 DC sport SB.
Why did I make the switch? After two years I realized I prefer a smaller, more nimble/economical truck. Comparing the two trucks, I consistantly get about 3 miles more per gallon. I believe it will be more once it breaks in and I switch to synthetic oil. I haven't taken any long road trips yet, so I think it may easily get in the low 20's.
The Tacoma is way more maneuverable. It would take a parking lot to turn the Tundra, whereas the Tacoma can do a U'y on just about any double lane road.
The Tundra is more refined...smoother engine and transmission, but the V6 in the Taco is not too bad either. I actually think the Tacoma has a little more grunt down at the lower rpm's.
I have no regrets. Both trucks are very nice, but my style is more Taco than Tundra.
Hope that helps some.

[VTer]

Hey, thanks for the responses, guys - I really appreciate it.

I also wouldn't mind a bit more maneuverability, which is something I forgot about that you guys reminded me of.

Something else (especially for 2000Tundra4X4 and his lead foot) - do you miss the "power" of the V8, or does the combination of a V6 and a lighter truck compensate for that? I've heard the Tacoma accelerates pretty quickly. Like I said, no speed demon here, but it's nice to be able to power up and merge with no problems, especially with some of the "merge-challeneged" drivers we get up here in Seattle, too busy yakking on their phones and drinking their lattes (!).

To clarify, I probably only get 17 when highway driving and under ideal conditions - a lot less than that in traffic, of course. I think like jkib said, though, the Tacoma may be more my style/a better fit for me.


Thanks again!

[2000Tundra4x4]

Honestly, now I have more power . But my Tundra was a first gen V8, with 130K miles, and when I got rid of it I was getting 13mpg. When I was looking for a new truck I test drove an 08' Tundra and then my Tacoma, in my experience both had about the same acceleration when I put it down. Scarred the crap out of the sales guy .

I've been on the the highway a few times now with the Tacoma, and I'm well up to speed when I merge off the on ramp, and have no trouble passing at higher speeds. Just go take one for a test drive, you'll be hooked .

I've heard about some of the "Starbucks" drivers out there, my aunt and uncle lived in Puyallup for two years .

Jared

[DUKFVR]

We have both here at the house. Wife drives a 2004 Tundra 4X4 DC. I sold a Ford F350 crew cab & bought my Taco. It is an 06 DC TRD 4X4. Love the truck. Like has been said, the tundra is more refined ,but the Taco ain't no slouch. The Tundra get 16 at best on the frwy with me driving.It is basically stock ,but does have 4:10s in the towing package. I drive like grandpa ,so my wife says. Whatever I get in mileage she get about 2 mpg less. The Taco gets right at 20 mph on the frwy. That is with 265/70 /17 BFG A/T's & lifted about 2 inches. The taco is like driving a sports car compared to the tundra.

[gwol]

Well I finally did it in Oct 2007, I traded in my 2005 Tundra SR5 Double Cab with 49,000 miles. The gas mileage was killing me, driving 80 to 100 miles a day and was only getting 16 mpg. It sure was a nice truck but something had to go. I traded it for something that fits my needs better, a 2008 Tacoma 4x2 access cab, 4 cylinder with a SR5 #2 package. According to the stickers the MPG is 21~27 based on the new mileage calculations and the fuel system in the Taco. I picked it up Friday (10/12/07) and I now have 7,250 Miles on it with an average of 23.45 MPG I love it.

[Mike from Texas]

Originally Posted by DUKFVR

We have both here at the house. Wife drives a 2004 Tundra 4X4 DC. I sold a Ford F350 crew cab & bought my Taco. It is an 06 DC TRD 4X4. Love the truck. Like has been said, the tundra is more refined ,but the Taco ain't no slouch. The Tundra get 16 at best on the frwy with me driving.It is basically stock ,but does have 4:10s in the towing package. I drive like grandpa ,so my wife says. Whatever I get in mileage she get about 2 mpg less. The Taco gets right at 20 mph on the frwy. That is with 265/70 /17 BFG A/T's & lifted about 2 inches. The taco is like driving a sports car compared to the tundra.

I'm in the same boat as you. I currently drive an F350 Crew Cab 4x4 dually and diesel at $3.75 per gallon plus 13 mpg at best is killing me. I am trying to decide between the Tundra and the Taco. I guess I need to spend a day or two comparison. Normally it would be a slam dunk decision but with the rebates that are on the Tundras and the extra markup in them, they are comparably priced to a fully loaded Taco.

So, how long did it take you to adjust from the F350 to the Taco?

[TUNDRA786]

A tacoma is nice for its fuel economy and off road ability.

The Tundra rides better IMO. It has a lot more interior room (especially in the CM) the interior room is what made me get the Tundra. I was just talking to 2 co workers about it. The lady that sits accross from me traded in her 05 Tundra double cab for a DC Tacoma and loves it. She said it drives like a sports car.

If you need fuel economy get the Tacoma. It will hold its value better and is the best midsize pickup hands down there is no competition to it.

If you dont have a big family or arent worried about interior room too much get a Tacoma. Id drive them both and depending on how many miles you drive a month i would make my decision.

[tdaddy]

I have an 06 Tacoma access cab, automatic, 4x4, v6. I have been tracking the mpg. I live in Florida so no hills. I am averaging 19.5 mpg. That's going the speed limit and not heavy off the line. Highway combined with around town.

[Tug]

Originally Posted by VTer

Gotta be a few guys out there who made the switch, and since I'm mulling it over, myself, I figured I'd solicit some opinions.

I'm considering trading in my 2006 DC SR5 Tundra with 15K on it for a Tacoma. Not sure whether I want a DC or AC, but I know I want 4wd.

I'm basically looking for something a bit more economical, but a lot of the stats I see don't seem to show that much improvement in the Tacoma over what I'm getting now (about 17 mpg). Does that statistic seem to hold true in real-world driving for those of you who actually made the switch? I'm no grandma, but no speed demon, either.

I also don't really "need" as much truck as the Tundra right now. I don't really haul anything besdies a couple of kayaks and I don't tow anything. It's just the wife and I and 1 dog, no kids and probably won't be any (unless some of those kids wandering around in the Philippines catch up with me from my military days ).

Still mulling it over. Thanks for any feedback!

17 mpg?? I drive my truck around like an old man and Im only getting 16.5 mpg and it only has 2500 miles on it. I thought by now my gas mileage would start to improve.

Sorry about hi-jacking your thread.

[rearview]

I have an 05 DC 4x4, and I've been trying to take it easy ont eh gas pedal lately. I get between 18 and 22 on the highway (on my recent trip to Colorado with 3 grown men in the truck, I got around 21 on most tanks!). I get about 17 in town usually. Like I said, I accelerate slowly unless I'm in a hurry and it really helps the fuel economy.

I've had as high as 22.3 on the highway calculating miles per fill-up, but that particular pump may have cut off early or something, because 22.3 with 3 men in the truck is way better than expected (using cruise control most of the time).