Have already ordered a Tundra for daily and occasional towing needs.......currently I have a 1994 Honda Accord for daily needs a and a 1987 Dodge Ramcharger for truck needs. It actually has great low end pulling power but is nothing for the highway and is bad (I mean REAL bad) on gas....thank god for its big tank.
I think that my Tundra is the best truck made. As stated on previous posts I owned International Harvester, Ford and Dodge Trucks and a company that I worked for had a fleet of Chevys. The International was mechanically (drive train) far superior to Ford, Dodge and Chevy but had problems such as the doors falling off, weak front end and poor quality ride.
I still have my 1986 Toyota pickup that has survived all that I could dish out. Tundra would have gotten my vote even if it cost thousands more.
Tundra SR5 Thunder Gray Metallic now sitting in our driveway! What a "fine ride"! Had 97 T-100 for 3 years preceded by 90 4-runner.....Looked at numerous other vehicles - came back to the Tundra - the moment I pulled off the lot for a test drive I knew that was it..... For all those leaning in that direction but can't take the final step - welllll... In my opinion you won't be sorry.....
I've owned a GMC Sierra 2500, Ford F 250 & F 150. Shivy LUV (I know, it's an Isuzu). Also had a Blazer, Bronco and a couple 4 Runners. It was after I bought the first 4-runner I realized I'd probably never buy another domestic vehicle again. Over 100 K without a single problem. I actually was contemplating a Dakota at first because I wanted to save a little and I don't really need a full size P/U but do need a V8 for towing. After talking to a co-worker about his though I didn't think twice about spending the extra money and getting the Tundra. It's true, you do get what you pay for.
I had a 91 Toy PU w/ +130K and only changed the battery 500 miles before my trade in.
I only need to haul my race bike (RS 125 ~150lbs) and a couple dirt biks (~500lbs for two). If I decide to race a lot again, the most I would throw into the bed would be about 1500lbs (2 750's and all my race equipment). My compact would have sufficed, but now I have two kids and need something a hair bigger to put two car seats into the back.
I really didn't need the 4WD, but I've always wanted one. About the only time I will use 4WD is when it snows around here, or when I pull jet skis, or a boat from the ramp.
I really liked the GMC, but I really needed a fourth door (ever chased a 2yr. old kid around the back of a pickup from only one side?). I would have bought a F150 lighting if it came in an extended cab.
A lot of my friends and relatives own Big 3 trucks, and they're all looking at mine and starting to sway.
BTW, the only friend that I doubt will sway is my friend that drives the Lightning. I don't blame him, that's one NICE truck. Everybody should check that one out.
owned a couple of 70's full sized Blazers and should have owned a gas station.
had a 74 Landcruiser
bought new a Datsun 710 2x4 in 80
had a 74 Jeep wagoneer (the kids party wagon)
currently own a 92 Pathfinder (155 HP)
also owned many cars during that time while the kids were teens, and some of these overlapped, and motorcycles, now as an "empty nester", we will have the Tundra and our Maxima SE.
My wife wants to drive the Tundra to work since the Max is 5sp.
After about 3 weeks the disks would not change or play, the radio worked for about 1 week after this, than nothing. Dealer was able to get the disk out so the radio would play until a new radio could be ordered, been working fine since than ( About 6 weeks now ).
All respondants to my query on post 65: Thankyou. Some of you may know me and some may not. I'm an owner of a roofing firm. I was curious to see how many Tundra owners have owned trucks before. From my unscientific poll, it seems that most(if not all) of you have owned trucks in the past. To myself, that lends credibility to this make and I'm starting to take it more seriously. You have opened my eyes over the past month since I've been lurching around. Unlike Rube, I figure NOT to post in a topic that is not designated as a "debate" subject. As for Rube, he was caught violating the agreement in another topic. Thankyou again and I'll continue to learch here. I'm slow to come around(as artp probably knows) but eventually the blinders come off every once and awile. Roc
Like Roc I see a lot of good things about the Toy and am curious; Has anyone towed close to the max (aprox 7000 lbs) with both the Toy and a full size 1/2 ton truck? I don't question the Toys power just its weight and size. Does a full load move the Toy around more? Thanks, Jack
Roc, Trucks in my personal history are a 1989 S10 2wd and a 1996 Tacoma 4x4(had a 1995 Blazer 4x4...not sure if this counts as a "truck", though). The rest have been cars.
49' shivvy pu 65'shivvy pu 72' shivvy 454 pu 74' Datsun pu 83' shivvy blazer 91' Furd F-150 pu 97' T-100 pu (Best pickup I ever owned until . . .TUNDRA!) 00' Tundra
Earlier, someone asked about the Tundra oil filter. Yes, the skid plate is below the oil filter.
I changed the oil once. I held a rag under filter mount to try and catch the oil. Problem - about a gallon (exagerate) of oil came out, way to much for the rag to catch. When I was, done I parked on a steep dirt hill and let the excess oil drain.
Ivstang: I towed almost 6500 lbs. last Saturday from a limestone quarry. 3000 lb. flatbed trailer, 3433 lbs. of landscaping limestone. Sometimes I forgot I was towing something. I felt like Tim (The Toolman) Taylor except I was saying, " I don't need no more stinking power!" I towed the haul almost 60 miles at about 55 or so over relatively flat land ( we're talking about Kansas after all), and had no trouble whatsoever.
Past Vehicles '75 Toyota HiLux P/U '82 Toyota SR5 4x4 P/U '86 Toyota 4Runner (Kids) '95 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 P/U (I was sorry I bought the Ford a couple of months after I bought it) '00 Tundra (The best Truck I've ever driven!!)
As far as the oil filter, try cutting a plastic milk container to act as a scoop to catch the oil. Haven't done an oil change on the tundra yet but it worked for my wife's old Subaru.
If anyone is interested in purchasing a new Tundra, I will be happy to tell you where to buy one for $500 over invoice. This dealer has 5 stores and willing to deal.
I owned a '96 T100. Toss up between F150 and Tundra but Tundra won, even though F150 5.4 had more power and towed 1200 lbs. more (5.4 and 3.73 gears) Love the Tundra but it lacks a little power below 3000 rpm. I towed 4600 lb. trailer with T100 so I hope the Tundra will do it even better.
I called and visited tons of So. Ca dealers and the only one doing much of a discount was Longo Toyota in Cerritos. They quoted me $1000 off a LTD 4x4 just on the phone. The Toyota Regional Office told me they're the highest volume dealer on Tundras so they probably offer the greatest discount.
TRY THIS ONE! I have changed the oil twice on mine and it works great. If you do not mind removing the skid plate, which is very easy, the filter is EASILY accessable from below.You are already down there anyway to remove the drain plug. There are 5 bolts to the framework holding the skidplate on and 4 screws and two plastic plugs holding on the plastic sidewings of the skidplate. Oil will pour down from the filter and will slightly drip on the frame. You can put a paper towel there. No mess on the skidplate!!!
#88 - I'm interested. By the way, I'm in Texas and wondering why the posts about the dealer in Marshall stopped. Last I remember, several regulars to this forum had ordered Tundras at great prices but were waiting a long time for them to be delivered. Are you still waiting?
72 Chevy Cheyenne Super short box - owned 8yrs 72 Chevy Blazer - owned 2 yrs 85 Ford Bronco - owned 1 year 89 Toyota V6 X-cab - owned 6 years 95 T100 V6 SR5 X-cab - owned 4 years 99 Chevy Silverado 5.3 LT X-cab - 9 months
Toyota does know how to build a VERY reliable truck, however it ALWAYS comes up short on what people want in the USA. If you don't mind being cramped in the small trucks/now called the Tacoma with a underpowered 4-6 cyl engine but will last forever your ok. Now we have a new, "quote on quote" "full size truck", this is the reason I did not buy a Tundra, I along with all the other people who buy the Big 3 full size trucks want the room inside the cab. Which the Tundra lacks in the rear. I would definately buy the Tundra right now if I did not have kids (6 & 15) who like the extra room. I had my 89 Toyota until 95 and was very happy with it, but when you strapped in a car seat in the front seat (the only place you can), my wife did not want to squeeze thru the drivers side to get in the rear. Along came the T100, wow, more room, not full size but ok...bought it and my main compliant was: lack of power & rear seat room. Waited for the Tundra, and the one critical area of being a full size truck the engineers went to sleep on.....rear seating comfort/space. This is why I bought the Chevy, 9,000 miles, 2 problems (leaking power steering pump & non working cruise control). Everything else has been great, love the truck. Nice change from seeing the same controls that I would have seen that have carried over from the T100/Tacoma into the Tundra. I pray that the 2005 Tundra grows up to be a man instead of a teenager.
'76 Ford F150 4x4. First vehicle out of college. Loved that truck. Held everything I owned and would go anywhere. '84 Chevy 3/4T 4x4. '89 Ford Ranger 2wd ext cab. '00 Tundra SR5 2WD
Agree with bluebeast that size was a trade-off. I could live with it for the trade-offs I got in hand. Maybe toyota will add six-eight inches over the years, but for now it is the truck for me. Besides, when they do make changes worth trading for I know my truck will carry a higher resale value than the Silverado.
Hey Roc, I have never owned a "Full Sized" Pickup buy I have owend an S10 and a Dodge Dakota R/T. I have had the chance to work with and drive just about everything under the sun and should probably be working for an auto magazine with all the info and comparisons I have done in my short 25 year span. Just my observations and again I have had plenty of time in Fords, and Chevys and Dodges. I honestly believe the hardest working truck out there right now is the Ford F250 with the 150 right behind it. They have their quality problems but no other domestic or foreign truck that I have ever driven can match their overall reliability in harsh working conditions. I think that the new Silverado, which I was planning on buying and had ordered, is probably the best designed pickup on the market right now. Problem is they have a few major bugs to work out that they don't seem to be able come up with answers for. This, unfortunitely, makes the Chevy nothing more than an over glorified concept vehicle. This dissapointed me greatly due to the fact that I would have owned one if I thought it would stay together and not vibrate my teeth out. Dodge has a long way to go to catch up to the technology of everybody else. I think the 4.7 is a good start but their quality has always been spotty at best. They make a damn nice looking truck though and I have to say my R/T was fast as hell in cool weather. I just had some problems with Dodge as a corportation. Well This brings me to my new Tundra. For me, the best truck I have ever driven. Best brakes of any truck out their by far. The 4disc of the Chevy doesn't come close to the braking of a Tundra, nice feel etc. The Tundra is, however, not a full size truck. It isn't a Dakota either. For a personal use truck, home owner truck or somebody like me who wanted the performance of my R/T in a nice, reliable, even a bit classy, package it is perfect. From my first month of owning it, I can say it is a capable truck. She can do the work of the big boys when called upon, I just don't think she could do it everyday simply because she is a bit smaller and the bed is a bit shallower. Sorry for the book I just wanted to respond with my opinions of your survey. Give the Tundra a chance and you will be surprised. If you are looking for another Roofing truck, buy the Tundra as your foreman's vehicle, but keep the Fords for all the heavy stuff. I try to be impartial and try to reserve judgment until I have driven everything in question. Well I will shut up now. I don't post much so I don't feel too bad for the book.
Sir you need to re-read what I've posted. I gave you prices of MANUFACTURERS SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE on BOTH vehicles. Yes there were a few more gizmos on the Chevy, but the basic options one looks for were the same (v8, auto, cruise, pw, pl, cd player). Can you equip a Chevy closer to the price of a Tundra? Yeah, but since Chevy puts everything in one package it would be tough. My point is that the 2 trucks I compared, with comparable equipment, the Tundra was almost $3000 less. If you don't or won't believe me, fine, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
ferris47, Good luck with your Tundra. I'm a little confused. Did you order the SIlverado and buy it or did you cancel the order? I don't think I got that or not. I agree with the Heavy-duty issue. Fords still have the lead. I have yet to see a good Chevy in that area in the past 15 years.
I shopped around and decided that the truck that suited my needs,that was American, was a 2wd Silverado LT. I had a stipulation regarding the gearing. I had to have 3.73s. Well long story short my truck came in after what seemed like 10 years and low and behold somewhere between here and Canada the gearing changed to 3.42. I like my low end grunt so 3.42s just were not going to do it. I really don't blame my dealer, it is the new GM ordering system. So I got my deposit back and went shopping. During the order wait I looked into various dealership service dept. and determined just how widespread the vib. problem was. Well we are closing on a new house Tuesday and I decided that I would soon be destitute and probably won't be able to buy a new truck in 4 or 5 years so I went to seriously check out the Yotas. 4Runners and Tundras. They had a Tundra Limited there, spec'd out exactly like I would have ordered so I bought it on the spot. Not as good a deal as the Chevy as I had worked them down to $20 over invoice but I was tired and fell in love with the truck. I hope between my, some would say anal retentive, car car nature combined with Toyota's well known reliability, backed up by that nice standard 5 year war. I should have a truck that lasts me a very long time. Let's face it, even an avowed Ford guy like yourself has to give Toyota credit for overall reliability and when they haven't lived up to it that have at least back up their customers by full recalls. I am speaking of the valve seals in the 3.0 litres. I mean they may have been defective but I think the whole situation showed Toyota very favoribly in my eyes because I now people that had there T100s fixed freee of charge with rentals, well out of warrenty. That says something about a company. Everybody screws up, everybody makes lemons. Not everybody stands by their products when they frag out. Take Dodge for example.......sorry we won't go there I do not like flaming anybody, just the facts.
ferris, I agree that Toyota has had a fine record for reliabilty. They have had problems though, especially when it comes to head gaskets and seals. Then again, I could ramble all day about the Big 3 as well! Thanks for clearing the story up. I'm still amazed that you got your deposit back.
tp4unc, Yeah, I saw it. I whined in an e-mail to Meredith to probably no avail. I just don't understand why the whole topic gets blitzed because of a few guys in a heated debate. Geez, the topic was really the "third" one that didn't even mention Rublutoo and was really designed to just have a conversation on ALL trucks. Too top it off--notice M's coments? He violated his own policy with the "innuendo". Oh the HUMANITY!!!!!!!!! OK--I'm over it now.
It is nice to see this forum get back to people talking about their Tundra's. I really don't care what the other 3 are doing and if I did I would go to their sites.The reason I come hear is to see if other people are having problems or good times with their truck. Tuck.
You'd be amazed how quick you can get a dealership to work with you or give you your deposit back when you walk in with your buddy dressed in a suit with a briefcase and make a comment like, this is Mr. So and So, he will be representing me if need be. Hell I never said he was a lawyer, I just said he would be representing me. Could a been my gardener for for all they Knew. The moral of the story use peoples perceptions against them. My buddy loved he, he is just looking for the chance to "represent" me again.
Comments
606
I still have my 1986 Toyota pickup that has survived all that I could dish out. Tundra would have gotten my vote even if it cost thousands more.
On that VIP alarm, it uses the horn.
I only need to haul my race bike (RS 125 ~150lbs) and a couple dirt biks (~500lbs for two). If I decide to race a lot again, the most I would throw into the bed would be about 1500lbs (2 750's and all my race equipment). My compact would have sufficed, but now I have two kids and need something a hair bigger to put two car seats into the back.
I really didn't need the 4WD, but I've always wanted one. About the only time I will use 4WD is when it snows around here, or when I pull jet skis, or a boat from the ramp.
I really liked the GMC, but I really needed a fourth door (ever chased a 2yr. old kid around the back of a pickup from only one side?). I would have bought a F150 lighting if it came in an extended cab.
A lot of my friends and relatives own Big 3 trucks, and they're all looking at mine and starting to sway.
89 Toyota 4cyl 4x4
97 Dodge Dakota V6
had a 74 Landcruiser
bought new a Datsun 710 2x4 in 80
had a 74 Jeep wagoneer (the kids party wagon)
currently own a 92 Pathfinder (155 HP)
also owned many cars during that time while the kids were teens, and some of these overlapped, and motorcycles, now as an "empty nester", we will have the Tundra and our Maxima SE.
My wife wants to drive the Tundra to work since the Max is 5sp.
Some of you may know me and some may not. I'm an owner of a roofing firm. I was curious to see how many Tundra owners have owned trucks before. From my unscientific poll, it seems that most(if not all) of you have owned trucks in the past. To myself, that lends credibility to this make and I'm starting to take it more seriously.
You have opened my eyes over the past month since I've been lurching around. Unlike Rube, I figure NOT to post in a topic that is not designated as a "debate" subject. As for Rube, he was caught violating the agreement in another topic.
Thankyou again and I'll continue to learch here. I'm slow to come around(as artp probably knows) but eventually the blinders come off every once and awile.
Roc
Thanks, Jack
Roc -
It's refreshing to see an open mind.
Roc,
Trucks in my personal history are a 1989 S10 2wd and a 1996 Tacoma 4x4(had a 1995 Blazer 4x4...not sure if this counts as a "truck", though). The rest have been cars.
65'shivvy pu
72' shivvy 454 pu
74' Datsun pu
83' shivvy blazer
91' Furd F-150 pu
97' T-100 pu (Best pickup I ever owned until . . .TUNDRA!)
00' Tundra
I changed the oil once. I held a rag under filter mount to try and catch the oil. Problem - about a gallon (exagerate) of oil came out, way to much for the rag to catch. When I was, done I parked on a steep dirt hill and let the excess oil drain.
If anyone has a solution, please post it.
I towed almost 6500 lbs. last Saturday from a limestone quarry. 3000 lb. flatbed trailer, 3433 lbs. of landscaping limestone. Sometimes I forgot I was towing something. I felt like Tim (The Toolman) Taylor except I was saying, " I don't need no more stinking power!" I towed the haul almost 60 miles at about 55 or so over relatively flat land ( we're talking about Kansas after all), and had no trouble whatsoever.
'75 Toyota HiLux P/U
'82 Toyota SR5 4x4 P/U
'86 Toyota 4Runner (Kids)
'95 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 P/U (I was sorry I bought the Ford a couple of months after I bought it)
'00 Tundra (The best Truck I've ever driven!!)
As far as the oil filter, try cutting a plastic milk container to act as a scoop to catch the oil. Haven't done an oil change on the tundra yet but it worked for my wife's old Subaru.
I called and visited tons of So. Ca dealers and the only one doing much of a discount was Longo Toyota in Cerritos. They quoted me $1000 off a LTD 4x4 just on the phone. The Toyota Regional Office told me they're the highest volume dealer on Tundras so they probably offer the greatest discount.
72 Chevy Blazer - owned 2 yrs
85 Ford Bronco - owned 1 year
89 Toyota V6 X-cab - owned 6 years
95 T100 V6 SR5 X-cab - owned 4 years
99 Chevy Silverado 5.3 LT X-cab - 9 months
Toyota does know how to build a VERY reliable truck, however it ALWAYS comes up short on what people want in the USA. If you don't mind being cramped in the small trucks/now called the Tacoma with a underpowered 4-6 cyl engine but will last forever your ok. Now we have a new, "quote on quote" "full size truck", this is the reason I did not buy a Tundra, I along with all the other people who buy the Big 3 full size trucks want the room inside the cab. Which the Tundra lacks in the rear. I would definately buy the Tundra right now if I did not have kids (6 & 15) who like the extra room. I had my 89 Toyota until 95 and was very happy with it, but when you strapped in a car seat in the front seat (the only place you can), my wife did not want to squeeze thru the drivers side to get in the rear. Along came the T100, wow, more room, not full size but ok...bought it and my main compliant was: lack of power & rear seat room. Waited for the Tundra, and the one critical area of being a full size truck the engineers went to sleep on.....rear seating comfort/space. This is why I bought the Chevy, 9,000 miles, 2 problems (leaking power steering pump & non working cruise control). Everything else has been great, love the truck. Nice change from seeing the same controls that I would have seen that have carried over from the T100/Tacoma into the Tundra. I pray that the 2005 Tundra grows up to be a man instead of a teenager.
'84 Chevy 3/4T 4x4.
'89 Ford Ranger 2wd ext cab.
'00 Tundra SR5 2WD
Agree with bluebeast that size was a trade-off. I could live with it for the trade-offs I got in hand. Maybe toyota will add six-eight inches over the years, but for now it is the truck for me. Besides, when they do make changes worth trading for I know my truck will carry a higher resale value than the Silverado.
Good luck with your Tundra. I'm a little confused. Did you order the SIlverado and buy it or did you cancel the order? I don't think I got that or not. I agree with the Heavy-duty issue. Fords still have the lead. I have yet to see a good Chevy in that area in the past 15 years.
I agree that Toyota has had a fine record for reliabilty. They have had problems though, especially when it comes to head gaskets and seals. Then again, I could ramble all day about the Big 3 as well! Thanks for clearing the story up. I'm still amazed that you got your deposit back.
tp4unc,
Yeah, I saw it. I whined in an e-mail to Meredith to probably no avail. I just don't understand why the whole topic gets blitzed because of a few guys in a heated debate. Geez, the topic was really the "third" one that didn't even mention Rublutoo and was really designed to just have a conversation on ALL trucks.
Too top it off--notice M's coments? He violated his own policy with the "innuendo".
Oh the HUMANITY!!!!!!!!! OK--I'm over it now.
Tuck.
Bonnie Rick
Town Hall Community Manager, Edmunds.com
Appreciate your patience!
Bonnie Rick
Town Hall Community Manager, Edmunds.com