Tundra crewmax or Megacab dodge???

[igrip]

I'm so torn. I know this is a Toyota site and I know everyone is biased, but still, tough decision.

I have a 98.5 dually - used for pulling so no pulling vehicle needed. I want the safest roomiest vehicle for my wife and new baby...megacab diesel dodge or tundra crewmax? I don't want to worry about them when they are out and we'll use this for our travel vehicle also.

My wife is comfortable driving either...nice features on the Tundra (parking sensors, power seats with memory, etc) but the Mega just looks bad-a%%). However, reading so many people having issues with their 6.7s make me double-think myself. I am reasonably certain that the Toyota would need very little in repairs (we own other toyotas with lots of miles and no issues). The last thing I want to do is get stranded somewhere with my family. We take a few trips to Colorado (from TX) per year so 4x4 and snow performance is an issue also.

So, any helpful advice? We've driven both, priced both (Tundra a bit more new, but after any Dodge repairs that could/will come with the Mega...it might be even. Fuel mileage..about same (diesel cost vs. gas cost even if cummins gets a bit better highway) so that is an non-issue. Crash ratings and safety - probably real similar. Safety features on Tundra - probably more with traction control, etc. What else should I think about......? Thanks guys.

[Wacked]

To quote a famous saying "you can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig". At the end of the day it is your choice and you will have to be happy with what you choose for the long term unless you want to take a big hit to switch if not happy with the first choice. Go and see Adam ( Tundradreams in here ) over at Atkinson I am sure he can hook you up with a good deal on a Tundra.

[bilztrd]

Is not a gas motor available in a mega cab? Would the mega be a 3/4 ton?

I chose the CM over the Mega, looks, comfort, ride.

[disneydave]

My neighgbor down the street owns a 4wd shop and has a mega cab for his daily driver. He drove my tundra dc the other day and said that the tundra drives better and has less bed bounce than his dodge. I would buy the tundra again.

[rockstate45]

Yeah, if you go up to a 3/4 you'll get a harsher ride. Since you know all the other things, I'll just skip to your answer...

You will have to make this decision for yourself though.

Tundra
Pros:
-Side airbags
-Traction Control

Cons:
-Weak sheet metal that does NOT fair well at all in a low speed crash
-Size and weight are smaller than the Megacab

Ram
Pros:
-Size
-Weight
-Interior room probably
-(does it have side airbags? I think the rest do, so I'll go with yes)

Cons:
-No Traction control
-It is higher up and bigger, so it's harder to stop and even easier to flip.

It kind of depends on what you want. If you want the TC and the side airbags and probably an overall safer car, the Tundra would work better. If you want to push things and want to not have any damage after a 5mph impact, I'd go with the Dodge. I put a Ranch Hand on my truck so I could push things (and I have, and boy is it fun).

Good luck with your decision. I personally would go with the Tundra b/c it rides better and is probably a hair safer - for family reasons. For the bad@$$ factor, I'd definitely buy a Dodge with the 5.9 (sorry 6.7 guys).

-rockstate

[dani7]

megacab isn't gas as I recall. My friend has one and wow its big. He gets around 22mpg with banks exhaust and I think it has a edge programmer or something like that.

[brow]

Originally Posted by igrip

I'm so torn. I know this is a Toyota site and I know everyone is biased, but still, tough decision.

A very tough decision. Same decision I had to make and here I am. I have not regretted my decision at all and am VERY happy with the Tundra. Everyone's posts list all the pros and cons that you need to weigh out. My biggest factors for choosing the Tundra were:
(a) Toyota pricing integrity (which actually went by the wayside)
(b) Toyota resale (I felt even comparing to a diesel you'd get better resale on the Toyota)
(c) Reliability & maintenance costs. Basically I feel the lowest operating cost per KM (or whatever unit you want to measure), including disposal at the end of the truck's use, cannot be beat with the Toyota.

The only thing that I wish I had in my Tundra that is offered in the Dodge is a standard transmission and jake brake. Obviously this was not a deal breaker.

[The Raisin]

Dodge does/did make a megacab in the 1500 with a Hemi. I looked at one but our local Dodge dealers are insane, they wanted almost 50k for a stock one.

Mark

[DavidT.]

igrip are you a Hemi guy? If so, wait for more 2009 1/2-ton Dodge Rams to hit the lot. They should have more luxury options for the wife and the coil-sprung rear springs for the smoother ride (Since you don't need the hauling/pulling power anyway).

If you don't need the hauling power, it's a no brainer to stick with a gasoline engine. These newer diesels have so many gimmicks, DPF, EGR coolers, etc...too many things to go bad and worse of all is they do go bad all the time lol.

[shadyskins]

The only thing good about the dodge is the cummins.... the rest of it will slowly fall apart around that engine......

[dragaeran]

Tundra....Tundra....Tundra......come to think of it, I'd pick.....the TUNDRA!
Even with the market pricing going sideways on us, the Tundra is as solid a platform for the $$ that I could find. I priced all the trucks with similar equipment and capabilities when I got the Tundra, and nothing came close when compairing $$$ vs. features/capabilities. I have rarely seen situations where a Dodge will outlast the Tundra for this level of truck. If you want to get into the $45k+ trucks, then GMC would probably be my choice, but those are purely purpose built. When the dust settles in the truck market, Toyota will still come out on top as they usually do. Nothing they do is half-a$$ed, even if they make a few mistakes along the way.

[brow]

Originally Posted by The Raisin

Dodge does/did make a megacab in the 1500 with a Hemi. I looked at one but our local Dodge dealers are insane, they wanted almost 50k for a stock one.

Mark

That is totally insane! When I was considering a dodge, the ONLY way I would go would be with the diesel. After a few years the gas powered truck would be worth NOTHING on the market.

[igrip]

Ok, I drove home both trucks today and played with them in our driveway without salesman intervention. Sat, drove, turned, parked...had my wife do the same...sat my mother-in-law in rear...drove some bumpy roads...and the Tundra wins.

Nicer interior, smoother ride, a bit quieter on road, many more features (sonar, leather, memory seats, tilt/telescoping, steering wheel audio, traction/stability, side airbags, roll-over bags). The mega did have more legroom (same width though) and had behind the seat storage. Guess what else..with a baby seat in the middle, Dodge had no rear cupholders! Not good for roadtrips.

So, now to the deal part. $43xxx sticker - so far, best price from internet shopping is $35200 plus TTL. How much lower can I go? edmunds lists the price and I am right there at invoice. I don't want options...just the TRD wheels although not a deal-breaker either way. Seems to be the cheapest "limited" out there.

Thanks to everyone out there for their responses and replies. Definetely helped the decision making process greatly.

Rami

[brow]

Originally Posted by igrip

Ok, I drove home both trucks today and played with them in our driveway without salesman intervention. Sat, drove, turned, parked...had my wife do the same...sat my mother-in-law in rear...drove some bumpy roads...and the Tundra wins.

Nicer interior, smoother ride, a bit quieter on road, many more features (sonar, leather, memory seats, tilt/telescoping, steering wheel audio, traction/stability, side airbags, roll-over bags).

<SNIP>

Thanks to everyone out there for their responses and replies. Definetely helped the decision making process greatly.

Rami

I know that you have made a great decision, good for you. And I think you made it the best way possible, take 'em home, give them both a good comparison and go with what feels best to you.

I can't comment on the pricing, I'm in Canada and when it comes to buying a Toyota here you need to reach for your ankles.

[LawShark]

I owned a Dodge once. NEVER again. Biggest POS ever, 27 times the 1st it was in the shop.
According the the numbers the int size not much difference. Resale, reliability, looks go to the Tundra.