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Comments
I think toyotas quality makes up for any of the complaints I have. If only it looked like a dodge
doors are coming out. I'm tired of having to move
over for my kids to get in the back of my T-100.
A little patience! The Toyota factory in Indiana has optimistic over capacity. Deep discounts and rebates should abound in 6-9 months.
Rich
Where do you get your information re: optimistic about production. The only dealers in my area that have Tundra on their lot are asking MSRP. I spoke to one yesterday who said he was discounting 1,500 to 2,000 off MSRP, has sold 5 and has NONE on his lot with 5 more presold. I hope your right because I'm not about to pay MSRP.
Toyota Blew it by not really increasing the size of the cab. The V-8 is nice, but this truck is offered at a steep price for what you get.
Try a Chevy Silverado for more interior space and options for less.
I saw the first Tundra on the street this week. A Black 4x4....looked pretty good, but not $30,000 plus good. Quality and resale matter, but no way is it worth the nearly $10,000 premium. Especially for a smaller truck.
A dealer called me and told me that the base price for the Tundra SR5 V8 4WD Access Cab is not available in this region. It is available with Option:AL, CK, DZ, and LF for the price of MRSP approx. $28K. I need to find a base Tundra SR5 V8 4WD Access Cab up to $25K, can any direct me to one?
Any ideas?
I need one bad...before my wife changes her mind
The gas mileage is getting better with each tankful. The first tank was 15 mpg the second was 17.75 mpg. That is combination of city and highway driving with probably 70% city.
The engine/transmission is incredible. It has excellent pickup and you cannot even feel the transmission shift. I really enjoy driving it.
I was able to negotiate the price off of MSRP. Although most dealers in my area, Wash DC metro area (and I went to many throughout Maryland) did not want to even discuss discount. I got about $1500 off list. I also got a very nice price for my trade, better than I expected. So combined discount/trade-in price, I was pleased.
One thing I forgot to do both time test driving was starting the truck. Both times the salesmen started it and backed it up for me. I heard from other discussion forums that some people are complaining about that one has to crank some usually long time (about 5 secs) before the engine will start. The proud owners of the new Tundra trucks, did you ever have the same problem?
The Tundra is made in America!!!! Hey I owned a American car once..and I still see parts of it on the roadside. I don't feel to bad buying a truck which is made in America and helps support a large number of American Families.
As far as my Tundra, I love it. I do have to let the starter crank alittle longer than I was used to on my other vehicles. But I am getting used to it now.
I think it looks better in person than in the pictures, but doesn't look "full-size" though.
Now if they would just put on some 4 wheel ABS disc brakes, a slip sensing automatic 4WD system, a locking rear axle, a tow/haul transmission mode, a bigger back seat, and improve the EPA fuel mileage ratings, it would be as good as my '99 Silverado!
The guy that writes for the Rocky Mtn news car stuff said they got 18mpg in a 4wd v-8 access cab in "mixed Driving". I do beleive the Tundra v-8 will get higher than the posted markings, but since this engine hasn't been in a truck before they aren't sure.
Now I do agree with you on the back seat, but if I have the Chevy Xcab, it doesn't fit in my garage very well. Decision decisions...
Greg Hoppes
The only configuration I care about is the one that fits my needs and lifestyles. If I don't need/want extended towing capability, then offering that feature to me does not enhance the product.
Toyota continues to do a good job anticipating my needs, and apparently those of many other American drivers. I don't need multiple engine choices if the one offered is satisfactory.
I'm remiss for not pointing out that 4 wheel ABS is an option on Tundra. However, I'm right to point out the Tundra drivetrain is not superior, for the obvious reasons they don't offer advanced technologies like a tow/haul mode, slip sensing 4WD system, limited slip differential, nor do they match the Silverado tow rating, or get the Silverado EPA mileage for city/highway even in a lighter truck.
You are entitled to your perception that the Tundra can better those EPA mileage ratings, but one has to ask then, what problem does the truck have on the treadmill that would create the error, since it's good enough to zero its emissions? Don't the other competitors have to run the same test?
As Chris Berman says, "That's why they play the game!"
barlitz-What do you do when it snows? I don't think that lightning can even get out of the door when you have 6 inches of snow on the ground. It would be like trying to drive a rear wheel drive sports car in the winter. I am not sold on the triton engines. I think the new Chevy and Toyota engines are a better choice. I think they need to advance their technology and increase HP, torque and mileage.
Greg Hoppes
I think what GM has proved is that a good flowing, efficient head design combined with simpler pushrod technology reduces the parts count, lowers the engine height, and gives equally good results.
And although I don't know how the EPA conducts its fuel mileage tests, I suspect they are sophisticated enough in their methods to do better than using a Landcruiser as a substitute for a Tundra. Maybe Al Gore knows the answer. Afterall, he invented the internet.
Greg Hoppes
I also have a 96 ranger supercab 4X4 which is excellent in the snow.The reason I bought the lightning is for the performance and the value compare any other sports car out there and match it to what the lightning has to offer and I got a steal plus I can tow a boat or jet skis no sports car can do that.take a look at last months popular mechanics the lightning is the 13 fastest production vehicle made including lotus, porsche vette,camaro and it outweighs all those vehicles by at least 1200lbs.I'm not saying the lightning is the best thing in the world and in 2 or 5 years they'll always be something else out there,but there's something about a mean pickup that draws attention.check out edmunds most wanted list and see whats at the top,anyways good luck.
I read a publication by the at a dealership one day that was dedicated to comparing mileages of all makes and models. They have a set procedure they use for all vehicles: trucks, cars, anything they put they're stamp on.
Its been a couple of years, so I can't remember the specifics, but for the highway mileage, they drive them at 60 mph for 70 or so miles, and stop once or twice during that run. For the city mileage number, they run at 35 mph for some amount of miles and stop several more times.
Can't remember the exact procedure, but I assure you every vehicle gets the same test.
Respectfully, pat
I haven't read the Popular Mechanics test, but in the past they always seem to have optimistic numbers for 1/4 mile ET.
In any case, I believe the top speed of the Lightning is around 140 mph. Fast, to be sure, but not anywhere near the fastest 13. Camaros/Firebirds are around 160, Vette around 175, Viper up there too.
Bottom line, it's a fun vehicle no doubt. It may or may not have a good resale value. This depends on the condition. Many see far too much abuse, and die prematurely. The GMC Scyclone and Buick Grand National had good resale at first, then suddenly they're scrap. Blown engines don't usually survive in the real world jungle.
,anyways its a fun truck to drive it comes loaded if you price any 2 wheel drive pickup with the options the lightning has and a decent size engine it's gonna cost in the 20000's anyways,so why not have a little fun you only live once.
of course, it was rumored for a long time that SVT would put a 400 hp DOHC 5.4 in the GT, and they never did.
They probably use the same imprecise method in arriving at "zero emissions" certification for the Tundra.
Bob
I have always stuck with the US makers even though the UAW behaves like jerks (going on strike when they already make more than most of the guys who drive their vehicles).
The clincher for me was the way Toyota stood behind the 1990 pickup my son had. He bought it in 1992 and got it at a good price because had been wrecked. No problems except that the head gasket went about 3 years ago. When he bought a new Solera recently he mentioned this to the salesman. Salesman said send in receipt and Toyota may pay because they recnized it as a flaw. He did and the letter he got from Toyota apologized for causing him the problem and sent him reimbursement plus interest from the date of the repair.
My loyalty to Ford and GM has not been rewarded similarly, so I'm going to try the Tundra.