So, I previously owned a 2000 Tundra with a V8. But my mpg was horrible at 13 all-around, so I sold it and bought a Subaru Legacy. Great mpg, but I'm just not a car person. So here I am back to buying a truck but I want the best MPG possible.
Both the Tacoma Double Cab Short Bed with auto tranny and Tundra Access Cab are EPA rated at 18/22. Of course the Tacoma Double Cab has more interior space, but the Tundra Access cab will still fit passengers (albeit not as comfortable as the Double Cab), but does have a more solid chassis and the larger bed. Right now, I'm leaning toward the Tundra since crash protection and cargo space are more important than looks (The Taco is sweet looking) and interior space. Plus I can get the Tundra for at least 2K less than the Taco!
The real difference is the real-world MPG. That would be the deal-breaker for me!
Anyone out there owned/own both and have some advice/opinions to offer? What are your MPGs out there? I'm in the Bay Area of N.CA.
So, I previously owned a 2000 Tundra with a V8. But my mpg was horrible at 13 all-around, so I sold it and bought a Subaru Legacy. Great mpg, but I'm just not a car person. So here I am back to buying a truck but I want the best MPG possible.
Both the Tacoma Double Cab Short Bed with auto tranny and Tundra Access Cab are EPA rated at 18/22. Of course the Tacoma Double Cab has more interior space, but the Tundra Access cab will still fit passengers (albeit not as comfortable as the Double Cab), but does have a more solid chassis and the larger bed. Right now, I'm leaning toward the Tundra since crash protection and cargo space are more important than looks (The Taco is sweet looking) and interior space. Plus I can get the Tundra for at least 2K less than the Taco!
The real difference is the real-world MPG. That would be the deal-breaker for me!
Anyone out there owned/own both and have some advice/opinions to offer? What are your MPGs out there? I'm in the Bay Area of N.CA.
Thanks...
I just went from a V8 Tundra to a V6 DC Tacoma.
I can't give you an MPG rating cause I havent even broken 200 miles yet.
But I call tell you this. The over finish and features of the DC Tacoma sold it for me. So much room and storage. I have a friend who gets 17-18 with all city driving.
EPA ratings aside, in all-around, real-world driving, the smaller truck with a smaller engine will yield somewhat better mpg than a larger truck with a larger engine. I've had my '05 DC Taco for a year and 13K miles, and average mpg is close to 18, with a bit over 20 on trips. The search button may get you more results. Also, there are several Tacoma mpg threads at Toyota Nation - International Toyota Enthusiast Community
How you drive makes a difference too. If most of your driving is on the highway, the diffence will be fairly small, perhaps a couple mpg. A lot of in-town, stop-and-go (or short trips) seems to hurt the larger rigs more. Since you only got 13 from your old Tundra, I'm guessing you fall into the latter, and you'd see much better results with a Tacoma.
FWIW, the all new Tundra will be released early 2007. You may want to factor that into your decision-making
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'06 Super White Dbl Cab, V6 PreRunner AT, Sport,TRD Exhaust, SnugTop, Westin Step Bars, Toyo Open Country AT's
'07 Sun Fusion FJ Cruiser, AT, UP #2, TRD Exhaust, Roof Rack, Rock Rails, BFG AT KO's
EPA ratings aside, in all-around, real-world driving, the smaller truck with a smaller engine will yield somewhat better mpg than a larger truck with a larger engine. I've had my '05 DC Taco for a year and 13K miles, and average mpg is close to 18, with a bit over 20 on trips. The search button may get you more results. Also, there are several Tacoma mpg threads at Toyota Nation - International Toyota Enthusiast Community
How you drive makes a difference too. If most of your driving is on the highway, the diffence will be fairly small, perhaps a couple mpg. A lot of in-town, stop-and-go (or short trips) seems to hurt the larger rigs more. Since you only got 13 from your old Tundra, I'm guessing you fall into the latter, and you'd see much better results with a Tacoma.
Yeah, the 13mpg I was getting was with me even driving like granny....60-65mph on the hwys, slow acceleration. I finally said no more! But those older, first generaton V8's were not as efficient as todays V8s. But that's why I'm thinking V6 now for a Tundra.
Hmm, its still a hard decision. I have to think practical, not with my little kid side. The little kid in me says, get the Taco because it is so sweet looking, but the Tundra is more practical for me. Stiffer chassis, more cargo space, more of a work truck than a sport truck.
Well, sounds like the MPG is about 2-3mpgs different in favor of the Taco, which is what I thought. And then there's still the fact that Tundra's are a better value now that they're trying to blow them out.
Decisions, decisions....
HELP! Maybe I need a little slapping around from Don Corleone
Dont forget you can get the Tacoma double cab with the long bed. Personally, if you need the extra bed, and the "luxury" of the dc, Id go that route than any access cab. I wouldnt call a dc a luxury option. Being able to comfortably fit 4-5 adults might not be a need for everybody, but if you do need it every day or even for those once in a while things, its a must have. I know a access cab Tundra will have more room than a extended 04 Tacoma, but I can say that I was not happy at all with the amount of room it had. And thats coming from a bachelor that rarely needs anything more than 2 seats, heck I had a MR2 for about 13 years before I decided to get into a truck. Plus, being able to put stuff in the rear without having the adjust the front seats is awesome, along with the nice storage bins that are tucked out of sight.
The $2,000 shouldnt be a deciding factor. I can think of more wasteful ways of spending that money than buying the truck you will be happy with. Test drive both and give it some thought, you'll lose more than 2k if you end up turning around and trading it in on the truck that you truly desire a year down the road. I know, been there did that.
For mileage really depends on how I drive and on what. On the Vermont highway the limit is 65, other roads are 50. On them I get around 19. Otherwise, driving around town, backroads, etc I get about 17, sometimes less if I do some playing around either off road or whatever. Ive never been known to granny it off the line, I figure the quicker you get to speed the less time you speed accelerating, within reason of course. In NM, at 75-80mph, the engine tended to burn more gas of course at the higher rpm. So I think around 55-65 is a good cruising speed for the best mileage.
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Roger
05 Tacoma 4x4 TRD DC Off-Road
Shrockworks Front Bumper, K&N Intake/AEM Filter, XM Satellite, Retrax Tonneau Cover and Yakima track rack system, OEM roof rack
Dont forget you can get the Tacoma double cab with the long bed. Personally, if you need the extra bed, and the "luxury" of the dc, Id go that route than any access cab. I wouldnt call a dc a luxury option. Being able to comfortably fit 4-5 adults might not be a need for everybody, but if you do need it every day or even for those once in a while things, its a must have. I know a access cab Tundra will have more room than a extended 04 Tacoma, but I can say that I was not happy at all with the amount of room it had. And thats coming from a bachelor that rarely needs anything more than 2 seats, heck I had a MR2 for about 13 years before I decided to get into a truck. Plus, being able to put stuff in the rear without having the adjust the front seats is awesome, along with the nice storage bins that are tucked out of sight.
The $2,000 shouldnt be a deciding factor. I can think of more wasteful ways of spending that money than buying the truck you will be happy with. Test drive both and give it some thought, you'll lose more than 2k if you end up turning around and trading it in on the truck that you truly desire a year down the road. I know, been there did that.
For mileage really depends on how I drive and on what. On the Vermont highway the limit is 65, other roads are 50. On them I get around 19. Otherwise, driving around town, backroads, etc I get about 17, sometimes less if I do some playing around either off road or whatever. Ive never been known to granny it off the line, I figure the quicker you get to speed the less time you speed accelerating, within reason of course. In NM, at 75-80mph, the engine tended to burn more gas of course at the higher rpm. So I think around 55-65 is a good cruising speed for the best mileage.
Yes, very good points indeed. My friend like you is also inclined towards the space in the rear of the Taco. And he's driving a full size F150.
Price difference so far for quotes I'm getting are right at $2k for the Tun vs. Taco. I'm sure I'd be happy with either truck, but I did have the Tundra before. I would be nice to have something a little more sporty and tighter, more compact. And with potential to get even better MPG. Hmm, am I talking myself into the Taco?
Yes, very good points indeed. My friend like you is also inclined towards the space in the rear of the Taco. And he's driving a full size F150.
Price difference so far for quotes I'm getting are right at $2k for the Tun vs. Taco. I'm sure I'd be happy with either truck, but I did have the Tundra before. I would be nice to have something a little more sporty and tighter, more compact. And with potential to get even better MPG. Hmm, am I talking myself into the Taco?
Sounds like it. Go talk to a dealer, see if they are willing to give you some test driving time in each one to decide. The 05+ Tacoma is a different breed than anything prior to it. I think this newer design is more fitting to a lot of us where the 04's wouldnt be.
If I wasnt worried about having a longer truck I would have gone with the long bed, but the short bed fits the bill for what I need. Although the LB would work better for one of those bed tents.
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Roger
05 Tacoma 4x4 TRD DC Off-Road
Shrockworks Front Bumper, K&N Intake/AEM Filter, XM Satellite, Retrax Tonneau Cover and Yakima track rack system, OEM roof rack
But those older, first generaton V8's were not as efficient as todays V8s. But that's why I'm thinking V6 now for a Tundra.
Oops -- I missed that you were comparing to a V6 Tundra. I doubt the mpg gain (over a V8) would be significant or would be worth giving up that wonderful Lexus-derived V8. You would have a smaller engine working that much harder to move a heavier truck.
I bought a Tacoma b/c I like the size -- I didn't want a full-size truck. But I love the smooth, solid feel of a V8 Tundra. If a full-size appeals to you, I would say get a Tundra -- with a V8.
Face it, as much as I like the Tacoma, it rides stiffer and has a less -- well, sophisticated feel than a Tundra. It's a nice trucklet -- but it's no Tundra.
Spend as much time as you possibly can behind the wheel of a Tacoma before you commit to purchase. Then drive a Tundra one more time, just to be sure.
I actually did drive both. I was about to drop the bomb on the Taco, when my agent said he had a V6 Tundra that he likes. I drove his and was very impressed. It's got plenty of power.
That long bed Taco would be nice too, but boy that adds a lot to the wheelbase and overall length. Funny you mentioned sleeping in the bed because I do that all the time. I wouldn't be able to get my 5'6" body supine in the short bed Taco, so no more truck bed sleeping.
The mileage on the LB Taco also drops 1 MPG on the EPA ratings. With that, I might as well go with the Tundra if the longer bed is what I really needed. Damn, now I'm confused again.
That long bed Taco would be nice too, but boy that adds a lot to the wheelbase and overall length. Funny you mentioned sleeping in the bed because I do that all the time. I wouldn't be able to get my 5'6" body supine in the short bed Taco, so no more truck bed sleeping.
I had the BedRug in my 04, man that was comfortable. I could only imagine if a mattress and/or sleeping bag was thrown in. Much better than the ground with rocks and whatever else.
Perhaps with the SB a tent could be used if the tailgate was dropped down. Which it would have to be. With the tailgate (18" ?) that would put it up to 78". So that should be plenty for most of us. You just wouldnt be able to have a cap on the truck and expect to sleep inside with it closed. Unfortunately a retractable cover would eat up too much space. They do have some roof mount pop-ups, just install some supports from the bed sides, and youd have storage in the bed still plus someplace to sleep. Or get one of those cool off-road camper trailers...
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Roger
05 Tacoma 4x4 TRD DC Off-Road
Shrockworks Front Bumper, K&N Intake/AEM Filter, XM Satellite, Retrax Tonneau Cover and Yakima track rack system, OEM roof rack
Let's see. You bought the Tunda the first year it hit the market (2000), and you are considering buying another Tundra at the tail end of it's cycle? It's the same truck! Yes it's improved, but I would lean toward a Tacoma or wait 4 months and check out the "new from the ground up" 2007 Tundra. If you purchase a 2006 Tundra now, you will have buyers remorse when you see the 2007 Tundra on the road in early 2007. Be patient Grasshopper!!! From what I have read, Toyota will finally got the Tundra right this time. No more "almost" full size, will tow 10,000 pounds, and will have a drivetrain that will be the envy of the full size truck market.
Yes, very true. I'd have owned the beginning and end of a generation. I loved the truck though. Good point about wanting the new ones when they come out, but what I want and what I could afford are two different things. The $2K price difference between the Taco and Tundra is a lot for me. The Tundras are so much cheaper now. But the new 2007 Tundra's I'm sure will start at a much higher price point.. Any ideas how much?
But oh, that Taco is soooo swweettt looking. I think I'm now leaning towards the Taco, but that might change in another 30 minutes...
I think the new Tundra will be nice, but I personally don't want the hassles of driving a full size truck around. And the new Tundra will be FULL SIZE!!!
You can't go wrong with the Tacoma DC and I fully understand your budget. If you are patient and don't have an exact color preference, look for the local dealer ads in the newspaper starting on Friday's. Every weekend at least one LA dealer is blowing out brand new $26,000 2006 Tacoma TRD DC's for around $22,000. That's a killer 4K off the sticker. That's how I bought my truck. Good luck!
I think the new Tundra will be nice, but I personally don't want the hassles of driving a full size truck around. And the new Tundra will be FULL SIZE!!!
You can't go wrong with the Tacoma DC and I fully understand your budget. If you are patient and don't have an exact color preference, look for the local dealer ads in the newspaper starting on Friday's. Every weekend at least one LA dealer is blowing out brand new $26,000 2006 Tacoma TRD DC's for around $22,000. That's a killer 4K off the sticker. That's how I bought my truck. Good luck!
At this point, it looks like the Taco is in the lead. I really don't need a full size truck, or even the near full size of the Tundra. I was after the crash protection and bed.
So, you bought your Taco with TRD for about $24k OTD?!!! Wow. The best OTD I got was $24,5 w/o TRD.
Tacoma DC vs. Tundra V6 Access Cab
Re: Tacoma DC vs. Tundra V6 Access Cab
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