Tacoma vs. Tundra? Reliability, performance, etc.

I have a 2000 Tacoma TRD double cab with V6. Driving sensibly on the highway, 55-70 mph, I get 20-22 mpg depending on terrain. Barely changes while towing a 14' boat that weighs about 1300 lbs including trailer and all the other crap that gets thrown in the boat.

Other things to consider:

1) Because I put things in the bed that would be a delight to a thief (fishing tackle, luggage), I installed a hard cover. Soft covers can obviously be sliced open with a knife. If you're considering the same idea, be aware that some hard covers extend slightly below the rails because of their bracing. This limits what you can store there.

2) I regularly have back seat passengers who are 6' tall. They're comfortable in the back seat. You said you're considering the extended cab, not the double cab. Be sure you "test" the seating before you end up hating the truck.

3) If the truck comes with some sort of BF Goodrich off road tires, tell the salesman to stick them up his pooper, if you intend to drive in snow. They're awful tires. I replaced mine with Nokian WR tires and they've worked beautifully in all weather. I'm sure there are others that would be satisfactory.

You said you need to seat 4 but did not want a DC. Before I bought mine I measured the bed on both the DC and access cab and they were both the same size. I also needed the bed space but thought the DC was smaller than the access cab but was not. There is quite a difference if you set in the back of the DC verses the access cab. I had a 2000 access before the 05 DC and my kids like the extra leg room. However, the gas mileage sucks big time on the V8. I am lucky to get 14 with the bed empty and around 11 with any load at all, I was disappointed in this big time. Good luck in your search. Also if you have to take your kids in it very often you will grow to dislike the access real fast! I did not make that mistake twice.

The Tundra can carry about 1000-1200# before it is overloaded. It never came standard with a locking rear diff, and didn't even have an LSD available until 2002. The LSD does not necessarily relate to the TRD package...moderately stiff shocks, progressively wound front springs, big decals. Some of the 2000-2002 Tundras had the overdrive gear cluster fail. I don't know how to check if one running well today may fail tomorrow--maybe an analysis of the ATF. Overdrive should never be used when towing or hauling heavy with these trucks. I get about 17-18 mpg @ 60 mph in my truck.

Ken

snipped-for-privacy@webtv.net wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@storefull-3337.bay.webtv.net:

The extended cab rides on a 128" wheelbase and the DC rides on a 140" whellbase. The extra 12" of room in the DC is adjusted for by the change in whellbase length. They certainly do not turn in the same circles. ;)

Hey Jeff, I have owned both, a 2000 Tundra and now a 2005 Tacoma. The Tundra I had for 6 years and a 116.000 mi. was a delightful vehicle to live with. I found the TRD package totally unnecessary as I had my 4wd off road, through brooks and streams and over moutains where some people wouldn't walk. I do construction and usually had building debris in my 8' bed. (with a rhino liner) The truck was tough as nails I loved it and miss it. Although I love the new Tacoma it is by no means a small Tundra. The drive train is bullet proof but the rest of the truck is delicate. I sold out for the gas mileage, a mistake. Go with the Tundra you'll be glad you did. Frank

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=>The vehicle will have to occasionally transport my family of four, so an =>extended cab is a must. I don't want a double cab because I need the bed =>space.

There are Tacoma Ext Cab 4x4, Double Cab 4x4 short bed and Double Cab

4x4 Long bed, Tundra Access Cab 4x4, Tundra Double Cab 4x4. Also there are Sports, Xt?, Limited...

Tacoma ext backseat is a joke, make sure you sit on it before you buy it. The taco double short bed is not what you want. The bed of the rest are similar in length. Taco has shorter width and Tundra double has the widest width.

Tundra access cab back seat is ok for short distance. It has uncomfortable seat back angle.

So you best choices will be either Tundra Double cab 4x4 or Taco Double cab 4x4 long bed.

Check edmunds "auto comparison" pages and carsdirect's price quote(for reference).

=>

=>This vehicle will probably see about 5K- 7K miles a year, and I'd like to =>buy a truck with 50-75K miles on it and get at least 15 years of use out of =>it. I'd like it to make it to 175, 200K miles without major driveline or =>engine problems. i'll find a truck with maintenance records and/or have it =>checked out thouroughly. =>

=>I know there's no promises on this stuff. but does a Tacomo or Tundra give =>me a better chance to fulfill these goals?

According to my research, Taco has better track record for decades. Tundra is a new truck model from Toyota and they probably has not weed out all the bugs yet. This does not mean Tundra is bad. Comparing it to other auto makers' trucks it is a far superior product. You do have better chance to get a bad Tundra than Taco though.

=>

=>Thank you so much for your time. I'll check back here, and it's also fine =>to email me. =>

=>-jeff

I have an 05 Tacoma D cab and love it, however the bed is not metal and if you plan to throw wood in it, you may want to look at that.

extended cab is a must. I don't want a double cab because I need the bed space. <

Since you're looking for an older truck... Get the Tundra double cab if you can find one. If you're going to have passengers, the extended Tacoma cab is not adequate for growing kids and has no head rest protection in case of rear end collision (only double cabs have this, not sure about the Access cab Tundra). The bed space in a Tundra (even the double cab) is greater than an extended Tacoma's bed space.

I have a V8 SR5 Tundra. I don't drive a lot, so gasoline is not that important. The Tacoma will save you some gasoline money. Elderly and children may find it difficult to get in/out of the higher Tundra. The drawback on the Tacoma is the smaller capacity and lower towing, but if that's not an issue I recommend the Tacoma. I've found the Tundra takes quite a bit of space to turn around. Both are fine trucks. To expect 15 years more use out of a 75K used truck is expecting a lot, but it can be done with proper maintenance.

Yeah, look how great it is!

I've been using and abusing my plastic bed for 13 months now, with wood, Hardiboard, concrete blocks, pavers, yard debris, bikes, boats, etc...

It will scratch, as would a steel bed, but the scratches WON'T rust. You can also drill it for custom tie points, with zero fear of rust. My only real damage is a tiny hole created by an out of control, 300 lb. sander that hit the side hard enough to break the cast iron tool. THe bed provides all of the benefits of a bedliner, without the extra weight of the under bed. It's really strong stuff!

Get a rubber mat (~$65 online or at any Toyota dealer), as items like tool boxes will slide all over the place on the plastic.

My only other comment is that you're probably better off removing the tailgate if you plan on ramping heavy items, like riding mowers or quads, into the bed. It takes 15 seconds and no tools to take the gate off, and better safe than sorry! Toyota states something like a 250 pound limit on the gate. I've had more than that on it (me ), but since they took the time to state a limit...

Thanks guys! I posted that months ago. In the meantime I bought a new '06 Tundra, access cab, SR5, limited slip, etc. So far so good!

-jeff

in article 9ZD_f.4068$ snipped-for-privacy@bignews2.bellsouth.net, Astro at young snipped-for-privacy@bellsouth.net wrote on 4/10/06 6:56 PM: