Sierra or Tundra

picturethispicturethis Member Posts: 16
edited March 2014 in GMC
I think I've finally narrowed my choice down to the Sierra or the Tundra. The truck I desire will be 2X4, extended-cab, short-bed, V-8.
I know the Tundra is a smaller truck but it would meet my needs fine, so the size difference is moot.
What I need is a comparison from those who are familiar with both trucks, but who are unbiased by brand loyalty. Too many threads turn into soap-operas and "brand-bash-a-thons".
If you chose the Sierra over the Tundra, or the Tundra over the Sierra, please tell me WHY?
If you chose the Sierra because it has a larger bed, great. That is something I can understand. But not because "Toyota suks"-- that is NOT an argument I can believe.
Thanks in advance for your advice and thoughts.
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Comments

  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    i chose the silverado (or sierra same truck basically)

    mainly because of the ext cab room and probably another good reason was the 5.3 V-8 and because chevrolet is proven with their trucks. They have been making trucks a long time.

    Test drive them both (with passengers also you will be hauling around) do some reaserch and buy what you think will suit you best

    Ryan
  • eric2001eric2001 Member Posts: 482
    Sorry, I am biased, but what are your needs, driving habits, environment you drive in (rural/city)... The real unbiased truth is they are both excellent vehicles, but based on the previous questions, either could be the better choice for you.
    -Eric
  • btate2002btate2002 Member Posts: 64
    Well, we bought the Sierra over the Tundra because of size. The back seat is much more cramped in the Tundra. The bed is also much smaller/shallower. We have not had the first moment's trouble with our truck, which is just like the one you will be buying (2wd, v8, ext cab) the 5.3 is a great engine too. With flow master's i get 17-18 mpg consistantly.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Didn't look at the Tundra. Just bought the Chevy cause I was looking for a full sized truck. Like you I didn't consider Dodge cause of the tranny problems, however, did test drive a F150 and thought it wasn't too bad. Would've bought an ext cab version of the Lightning if they had one.
  • mrurlmrurl Member Posts: 116
    is the reason I bought the Silverado. That and the arrogance of the Toyota dealers here in Memphis. I got the Sierra for $700 over invoice, while the Tundras at the time were over sticker with dealer addons.

    I gather that the pricing situation has changed, but the back seat room has not. My 12 year old son is 5'5" and growing. He would not be able to handle the back seat for more than 30 minutes in the Tundra.

    The back seat is big enough that I have had my two adult daughters and my 6'3" son-in-law in it together while running around town without problems.

    If you are going to have more than 2 people in the truckwith any regularity, go with the Sierra.

    Peter
  • kit1404kit1404 Member Posts: 124
    When I bought my 1999 F-150 ext. cab 4X4 off-road, 5.4 XLT, I looked seriously at the Tundra. Then I looked at the Dakota and thought it might be a little nicer than the Tundra - the engine vs. weight ratio felt better. Bought the F-150 and have been very happy with it - no problems at all, just routine service @ 30,000 miles. And, those miles include daily travels of 15+ miles of rough, unpaved NM roads and then pulling boats/dock out of sinking NM lake. The F-150 is an older design than the GM truck, but sometimes that's not so bad. GM has had a lot of problems with these new trucks, so has Ford and Toyota but they have had a little more time to work thru them.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    "GM has had a lot of problems with these new trucks, so has Ford and Toyota but they have had a little more time to work thru them."

    The Tundra was introduced in year 2000, the GMC in 1999. So how did Toyota have more time to work thru the problems?
  • tundradudetundradude Member Posts: 588
    When it comes to resale there is no comparsion. Lets see, the 93 sold for a 1000 more than I bought it in 94. The 94 sold for 3000 less than I got it in 99.
  • tundradudetundradude Member Posts: 588
    Let me rewrite this so you can understand.

    Bought new in 93 and sold in 94 for 1000 more than purchase price

    Bought new in 94 and sold in 99 for 3000 less than purchase price
  • tundradudetundradude Member Posts: 588
    youre doing this on purpose right

    93 Toyota truck
    94 Toyota T100
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    If I'm not mistaken you are the one who originally brought up the T100.
  • modvptnlmodvptnl Member Posts: 1,352
    You're getting buried here, dude. You better quit while your behind!!! Even Oby aint backing you on this one!! LMAO!!
  • modvptnlmodvptnl Member Posts: 1,352
    Very smart!!! When getting whupped on.......RETREAT and DELETE!!!!! Gotta give that round to the Toy boys!!!!
  • frey44frey44 Member Posts: 230
    avoid the rampant quality control and electrical problems in the General Motors trucks.
  • akauthakauth Member Posts: 1
    If you're looking for a "full size" pickup and you'll be mainly driving it like a car to work and back and room in the back seat doesn't matter, I'd buy the Tundra (it's what I got). But if you're going to be using it like a truck quite a bit (1000+ pound loads regularly) and/or the rear seat space matters (i.., you're transporting more than toddlers regularly) than I'd get the Sierra due to the more space in back.

    The weak point in the Tundra is that while "rated" for a higher load, the rear springs really flatten out when you load it. But the upside to this is that it has a *really* nice ride inroad AND off road ride. No one else compares in ride quality. Even when loaded, the Sierra is still a bumpier ride.

    The Tundra is a VERY sophisticated ride and to be honest it's more like a truck built by nexus (but a nexus would have better options). If you were going to drive 100+ miles - hands down you'd prefer to do it in a Tundra. Even with the TRY package (a must I think, and not for off road reasons - it improves everything) it's smoother than my girl friend's baby mercedes for everything put a mild washboard surface. I'd much rather ride in it for a trip than her C220. I don't know why, but the shocks on my Tundra don't absorb the fast washboard type bumps done at high speed (on the freeway) like her Mercedes (but then again, isn't it kind of absurd to compare the two considering one is a truck and one is a luxury car?) still it's better than most cars and for just about every other road surface, my truck wins (isn't that a shock?) and it's a better (even quieter) vehicle to take a trip in. Around the city, I'd probably rather ride in her mercedes due to much easier parking and quick handling. Roaring around the city with the power of a v-8 is nice on everything but your pocket book.

    For towing, either one is fine unless you're going with more than a 4-5 thousand pound boat regulary - I'd take the Sierra for that.

    There is a very accurate article written in the july\august issue of Truck Trends on the two.

    Bottom line: If you want an extraordinarily nice riding truck mostly for commuting with some towing, weekend loading, and you're not transporting adults in the back, the Tundra is the way to go. You'll love the quiet, comfortable ride. And you'll love the lack of trips to the dealer. Oh, gas mileage is about 15 average. Rated at 13 or 14 to 17. But in reality, I think it's more like 14 to 18 or 19 tops (with the 265-70/16 tires). Smaller tires will get better gas mileage. Too, this is with California emmision gas, you'll get better than this if you aren't using the blended gas (most of the country)

    If you are definitely going to be loading your bed with 1,000 plus pounds (this is a pretty good load on the Tundra, just starting for the Sierra) or are going to be towing 6-7 thousand pound trailers, or you are definitely going to be moving adult sized people in back regularly, go with the sierra.

    Hope this helps. From a reliability standpoint, the Tundra is going to be better. Towing doesn't cause quite so much a hit on the gas mileage on the Tundra for some reason. The sierra loses a few more mpg (from normal) when towing comparible loads.

    Read the Truck Trends article comparing the two trucks of the year. It's accurate and might help your decision. Driving both is the thing you should do. The only thing you can't test drive is off road (Tundra's outstanding) and loading. Tundra's okay, Sierras better for loading, but the Tundra will give you the better ride under medium loading conditions and less under any conditions.

    That's why I took the Tundra - ride quality. That and they have less problems than the other guys in the long run. The back seat is too tight for passengers though unless they're kids. But the room they took from the rear passengers, they gave to the people up front. So I think of the major 4 trucks, you actually have more leg room for the driver and passenger up front. The two up front have a VERY comfortable ride. The back is temporary adult or kid riding only.

    Alan
  • tavgradtavgrad Member Posts: 201
    I liked the Tundra's exterior appearance over the GMs. Muscular, Nice size, and it appears to have a higher groud clearance than the GM's. BEd size is good enough for me and my toys. Tows enough for me. Then I took it for a drive. It drives very well. However, my 6 yr old (at 4'6" ) said the rear seats are completely uncomfortable. I can forget taking my fat buddies anywhere. The interior is also pretty bland. This truck would not last me 3 years before I had to get something else.

    Looked at the GMC SIerra X Cab with the Sportside. Cab space is good enough, far more ponies, and aftermarket friendly. I just don't like the blocky exterior appearance at all. It's truly a workhorse truck vs. the Tundra is a consumer's truck.

    Basically, if toyota massaged those rear seats, or better yet, made a crew cab version, it will make more sales. It might not make die hard chevy/ford/dodge fans go to it, but I would.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    "Tundra is a consumer's truck."

    I bet your 6 yr old would disagree with you. Poor thing hope they dont have to ride back there to often. Also they do grow up and get bigger.

    "From a reliability standpoint, the Tundra is going to be better."

    And how do you figure? Facts to back this up?

    There are plenty of OLD sierras still out there on the road. How do we know the tundras will do the same?

    Ryan
  • tavgradtavgrad Member Posts: 201
    "I bet your 6 yr old would disagree with you. Poor thing hope they dont have to ride back there to often. Also they do grow up and get bigger."

    Ryanbab, it is apparent that you did not read my post well. I said that my kid was COMPLETELY UNCOMFORTABLE.

    "Tundra is a consumer's truck."
    Consumer's truck as in recreational activities and very light duty. There are no heavy duties, dualies, power strokes, mega motors, diesels right? True, all of the others can be liveable, but Tundra beats it in the ride category, for the front passengers, of course.

    BAsically, the press is praising the tundra in terms of its engine and everyday liveability.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    so do you own a tundra?

    Obviously if the tundra cant accomondate rear passengers then it is not a "consumers" vehicle.
  • tavgradtavgrad Member Posts: 201
    I do not own a tundra, nor am i considering one anymore, based on the rear park bench. As i said previously, if toyota did something with the rear seating, i would put it back into consideration. I will be in the market for a pickup in the fall.

    btw, if you see my "profile", you will see where i've been soliciting. there's a gm vehicle in there...
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    i couldnt tell by your last post if you owned one or not kinda left it to the imagination.

    Yea i seen you posting in the Avalanche topic. Thats why i started to wonder.

    Ryan
  • tavgradtavgrad Member Posts: 201
    of my purchase. I never liked gm pickups. They had no style, just function. Only the Dodge Ram had looks (to me). The 2002 RAm is another one I am strongly considering.

    I saw a yellow sierra regular cab with the sportside or flairside on a platform one day. It looked real cool, and that's when i started liking the sportside models.. .

    The Avalanche makes that New Hummer H2O Concept(Watered down Hummer) look like a chump.
  • hillhoundhillhound Member Posts: 537
    For honest discussion of GM trucks see the boards here at Edmunds. For honest talk on Tundra problems see tundrasolutions.com (you might be surprised).
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    Yeah, there are at least 50 times as many posts to the Chevy problems topics as there are to the Tundra problems topics here at Edmund's.

    While not all posts are problems - I would say both topics have the same ratio of real problems to total posts.

    Read Tundra Solutions. While Tundras have problems - they have the lowest rate of problems and are the most reliable truck out there. Consumer Reports does statistics on reliability and report failure rates. They rated the Tundra "better than average". They rated the GMs "Much worse than average".

    The '99 Chev is rated a used vehicle to avoid by Consumer Reports.

    The most dependable 1/2 ton full size pickup is the '96 T100. This is the result of a 5 year study by J.D. Power.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    'Nuff said...
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    The Chev managed to put weak disks on their wimpy truck. Could they have gotten them off of a Chevette? I think the Chev brakes are borderline dangerous. Typical Chev partsbin engineering - Cheap!

    The Tundra brakes stop shorter when the Tundra was loaded with 1350lb. than the GM which was empty! (Source - Trucktrend magazine)
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    The tundra will be upgraded to 4 wheel disk and optional limited slip....why would they do that if the drums are sufficient? Hmmm...

    BTW, thinking of trading yours in for a newer, safer, tundra?
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    is gonna dump his tundra faster than the titanic sunk
  • mrurlmrurl Member Posts: 116
    There are 50 times more GM trucks on the road than Tundras. Consumer Reports can say all they want about reliability - the Tundra isn't old enough for their opinion to be anything more than a guess.

    Peter
  • tavgradtavgrad Member Posts: 201
    are biased. If it not a toyota or honda it is not recommended.
  • gator36gator36 Member Posts: 294
    Consider the following....

    99 and 00 GMC and Chevy trucks are considered "New Model year" As a rule I NEVER consider buying a new model year truck.
    Initial reviews on the 2001 GM line trucks have touted that the build "problems" have been taken care of. From what I have seen this is true.
    Did someone say "electrical problems?" What electrical problems?
    Personally I didn't even consider a TOY. For just that reason.. Tinniness, small, and in general, looked like it wanted to be a full size truck.
    I just purchased a replacement for my 97 GMC Sierra Ext Cab 2wd. It had over 150,000 miles and a flawless track record. Loved it. For further maint reasons and future mileage. I decided to move up.

    Went and bought a 2001 Silverado. Good incentives and excellent truck with no hint of the earlier problems in 99 and 00..

    Just my opinion...
  • tavgradtavgrad Member Posts: 201
    Chevy right now has $1000 cash back, and GM emailed me two $500 "Coupons". And Chevy mailed me $1000 coupon off a 2001 SIlverado. And I could use them all towards a 2001 silverado.

    Too bad it's not on the Sierra. I don't like the silverado's face
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    Keep collecting them $$$ off coupons maybe you can get $30K worth of coupons and get a truck for free
  • tavgradtavgrad Member Posts: 201
    I don't think I can get 30K worth of rebates by October 1 (that's when they all expire.)
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    You are doing better, you are only half wrong this time. The '02 Tundra will have an optional limited slip. It will not have 4wheel disks.

    Why should it? it already has the most powerful brakes on any 1/2 ton pickup. I hate having to watch for Shakerados in my rear view mirror. Those bowties are a [non-permissible content removed] to pick out of my tow hitch.

    How are you going to make that Hyundai of yours stop shorter?
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Doh! You truly amaze me dude. And still claiming Tundra as a half ton....man o man
  • chevytruck_fanchevytruck_fan Member Posts: 432
    picturethis:
    first don't trust CR, they poll their readers, who are generally anti domestic, don't do something that biased.

    anyway-another thing you might want to consider when deciding which truck to buy is to look at the options you want-a lot of things like different suspensions/locking rear diff, etc aren't available on the tundra, and some options like towing hitch are hundreds of $'s more expensive on the tundra.

    also the Silverado with the 5.3L gets better gas milege than the tundra 4.7L. Also in the latest truck trend test tundra vs Chevrolet the silverado (same as sierra) went 0-60 better and went through the slalom faster (ie the silverado handles corners better)

    also you will be interested in knowning that intellichoice picked the Sierra ext cab 2wd as the best value for pickup truck over $22,000 with an excellent value rating. (insufficient data on the tundra yet) but insurance costs will be higher on the tundra, fuel, and financing.
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    CTF:
    "first don't trust CR, they poll their readers, who are generally anti domestic"

    Why should american car buyers be anti-domestic? Could it be that they are tired of paying too much for the same domestic junk? If I could have found a comparable domestic truck - I would have bought it. I am actually biased towards US products. I just won't spend my hard earned cash on an inferior product no matter who makes it. This is the essence of capitalism.

    CTF:
    "the Silverado with the 5.3L gets better gas milege than the tundra 4.7L"

    Actually - the Truck Trend comparison article you referenced said that the Tundra got 1mpg better mileage unloaded and 3mpg better loaded. Go figure!

    CTF:
    "silverado (same as sierra) went 0-60 better and went through the slalom faster"

    It went .2 sec faster in the quarter (B.F.D.) It also did marginally better in the slalom, but had a punishing ride.


    The Tundra was rated better off-road, better in the sand, better value (The Chev cost $2400 more with less options) and had a better ride. It has far more powerful brakes (The Tundra stopped shorter loaded with 1350lb than the Chev did empty!)

    It won 7 out of the ten categories Truck Trend ranked. The Tundra was rated by the same magazine "Best in Class" Full Size extended cab pickup.

    The Tundra will also have better resale (it's a Toyota - need I say more?) and be cheaper to insure(The IIHS gave the Tundra the best rating in the offset crash test. The Chev got a "marginal" rating - the second worst.)

    The Tundra is also cheaper while offering 40% more powertrain warranty.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Bama...you've outdone yourself again. SSDD!!
  • chevytruck_fanchevytruck_fan Member Posts: 432
    punishing ride, funny you mention that it was interesting that when the tundra had any load in it it was completely useless cause the rear end sagged so bad.
    BTW did you not notice that this guy wanted differnt peoples opinions not you arguing everything to make it go your way in some convoluted way. Everything I said was the truth and meant to help this guy, not to provide you with some way to argue your same old stuff.
  • hillhoundhillhound Member Posts: 537
    "Why should american car buyers be anti-domestic? Could it be that they are tired of paying too much for the same domestic junk? If I could have found a comparable domestic truck - I would have bought it. I am actually biased towards US products. I just won't spend my hard earned cash on an inferior product no matter who makes it. This is the essence of capitalism."

    Truly amazing! Same statement you call American autos junk and then say you're biased towards US products? I'll one-up you Bama. The Tundra is overblown & overpriced when you compare it to the amount of performance and options you give up when choosing it over a Big3 pickup.
    Oh yeah I forgot. Less is better with the Tundra apologist crowd!! Truck Trend says it's a great vehicle for trips to the grocery store but a minvan can do that for alot less $$!
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    "Everything I said was the truth"

    No - actually everything you said was YOUR OPINION. I don't have a problem with you expressing your opinion, but you can expect other people (such as me) to question your opinion.

    You said that the Chev gets better mileage. I pointed out that the source you quoted said the Tundra has better mileage.

    You claimed that the Chev would be cheaper to insure. The IIHS (Insurance Institute of Highway safety) rated the Tundra more crashworthy.

    You said that Consumer Reports was biased against domestic vehicles. That is your opinion. What facts do you have to back up such a rash statement?

    You claimed the Chev has better resale. What facts do you have to back this up? In general, my experience has been that Toyota resale is better than domestics. That is my opinion.
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    SSDD?
  • eric2001eric2001 Member Posts: 482
    Same stuff, different day, incase you hadn't figured it out... Yea, I knew you did.
  • chevytruck_fanchevytruck_fan Member Posts: 432
    bama that is your opinion on the IIHS- if oyu look at intellipoint that show specific numbers that the silverado is cheaper to insure

    on gas milege I used EPA numbers

    and I never said Chev had better resale, if I did I'm unaware
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    your translation is close...very close.
  • eric2001eric2001 Member Posts: 482
    Trying to keep it respectable, for a change.
  • tavgradtavgrad Member Posts: 201
    I've noticed that the war between the Full sized pickups domestics and imports have always been between chevy and toyota. This is a GMC topic against toyota, yet the heat is flaring up with a Chevy! Out of curiousity, what is it that you chevy guys have against toyota and vice versa. And no one threw in Dodge or Ford (although technically speaking, Dodge is not a domestic).

    Both vehicles serve the purpose of the customer that puts their money down. I prefer the toyota because of the looks, and prefer the GMC/Chevy because of the rear seat space and more horse. I chose none for my final decision. . I read those Motor and Truck Trend books, too. Chevy is a workhorse because of the strength, Toyota is more of a play truck.

    And not all imports are built well. Anything from the Volkswagen camp have problems within the first year, Toyota has head gaskets that crack early, and their fabric on the seats rip. BMW's notorious for electrical problems (My wife can vouch: the's a 3 bmw vet). Want to go on?

    bamatundra, If you want information on a car, truck or mommy wagon, get the advice from the PROFESSIONALS. Auto Journalists! Not a Consumer Journalists! Consumer Reports exist because of the public not wanting to research extensively on a product. And no, they are not biased towards Domestics, but they sure keep to their favourites because of the POLLS, not do extensive road tests like Motor Trend and Truck Trend. They spend a couple of hours in a vehicle and turn it back, then give their OPIONION off of a couple of hours. At least the other magazines can give you a thorough reason why this is a good or bad pick. The Ford Taurus, Windstar, Chevy Malibu have been "recommended" vehicles for a while now. CR is against SUV's and pickups, too, except the 4Runner. The 4Runner is now obsolete, because there are far better 4x4's out there now. But no one knows that if they are still relying on Consumer Reports!
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    This is not a topic of Tundra vs. Sierra, it is everyone vs. Bamatundra....haha!!
  • rwellbaum2rwellbaum2 Member Posts: 1,006
    And it seems in the everyone vs. Bama game, your "everyone's" cheerleader.

    The Tundra has better brakes, powertrain, build quality, off-road capability, etc. Unfortunately, unknowing, easily persuaded consumers buy-off on that "like a rock" hype. If selling more makes a car better...that escort must be better than a lexus.
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