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Comments
Thanks for the Tonneau info guys. So anybody hear anymore info on a possible supercharger from TRD for the Tundra. Don't know if I would get it, as I am extremely happy with the truck as is, but it would be interesting to see a TRD/SC Tundra run with a Ford Lightning, which I don't care how brand loyal you are, is a damn impressive truck.
One more question. The other day when I got in the truck there was ticking sound coming from the the left side of the dash, almost sounded like a turn signal, but that was not it. Anybody have any idea what this was. It was very uniform and rythmic so it cannot be a rattle or anything. It just went away and never came back and I am still here so I don't think it was a bomb timer.
I'm in the comparison stage of getting a new truck. I was going after the SUVs except their $$$$ is too much. I'm opting for a good 4-door truck instead. I figured I'd take a look at this forum hoping to find some useful, objective information. I thought wrong.
At least half of these postings are childish and/or remind me of political debates: one bash after another. And it wasn't until someone complained (like a mother would with rival offspring) that you may be privileged to hear apologies. Come on guys! Cut the clutter and stick to the important stuff. Granted, everyone has their own opinions, beliefs and experiences with all the manufacturers, so let's get down to information that everyone can use.
Giving credit where credit is due....
Thanks to dogster, t100todd, and giles for supplying something to work with. (Sorry to omit some others, but as my title alludes....I'm tired of wading through over 300 postings.) Needless to say, I'm still undecided on which to buy.
OK, enough soap-box.
Along with a roomy 4-door model, I'm looking for a decently sized engine (pref. v8) with good low speed torque. I'd also like best-of-breed 4WD system. It doesn't matter to me if it's part-time or full time, as long as it can shift on-the-fly with a 2 speed gear box. Locking diffs would be nice, but I don't NEED them.
With that said, I went to the Washington D.C. autoshow after x-mas and found a fairly dismal representation from everyone except Nissan and Toyota. Unfortunately, I found both of their represented trucks too small: the Nissan Frontier Crew and SUT, and the Toyota Tundra and Tacoma. Now I know they are designed and built well (no debate war here please), but I thought the Tundra, being the largest, would have better back seat room. This would obviously solve several formerly posted complaints/gripes.
The domestics' showcases were even worse. Ford didn't show up with their SuperCrew, they did have the SportTrac though. It looked OK. Chevy didn't have any 3 or 4 door models, but I know their back seat is pretty roomy. Dodge had their Dakota Quad. I was pleasantly surprised with the room in the Dakota....pretty close to a full-size.
Bringing all these into view sets up for the big question that I'm most interested in. Given Toyota's quality record, are they going to make the back seat area bigger? If so, I'd buy it - all things considered.
Thanks for the indulgence.
I know Bluebeast did quite a bit of research before he got his truck and can probably offer you some viable info too.
In a nutshell
Toyota
Pros - Quality, Warrenty, Wonderful engine. Best mix of a truck,car,and sports car. Fits easily in the garage, easy to park and maneuver, best "overall" performance Great personal vehicle.
Cons- If you were originally looking at sport utes the back seat ain't gonna cut it for you.
Chevy
Pros - Extremely nice powertrain. Great gas mileage, back seat closest thing to a sport ute, huge interior, extremely comfortable seats. Lots O Gadgets, Auto trac in 4wd models that you are going to find.
Cons - Spotty build quality, cheap feeling interior, Some major vibration problems in as many as 65% of the 2wd trucks(may have been solved by now.) Lots of ordering constraints right now.
Ford
Pros - They sell like ice cubes in Hell, they gotta be doing something right, 5.4 liter is a strong engine, nice interior quality, good handling.
Cons - Spotty build quality, Fords always tend to get less mileage than they report. I personally found the backseat in the Ford worse then the Tundra. Kinda pricy when I was shopping them. Seemed to consitantly come in higher than the others. More of a work horse than a replacement for a sport ute.
Dodge(fullsize)
Pros - IMO the best exterior styling. Magnum engines are old but bulletproof, Interior space up front is caverness, Rear seats are a little better than the ford.
Cons - Quality control is an oxymoron. You may get a great one, you may get a lemon, its a crap shoot. Very poor company to deal with from personal experience. Magnum engines are very old tech and suck up gss as fast as you can feed em.
Dodge(Dakota Quad Cab)
Pros- 4.7l engine, supposed to be very good with new auto trans. 4 real doors, plenty of room, best sport ute fighter in a truck. Style. You still get a truck bed for the nasty stuff.
Cons - Quality control as above is what I would worry about. Other than that if you are trying to fill the bill of a sport ute this might be the beast.
I have not driven the Dakota Quadcab, but have owned a Dakota R/T and it was a pretty nice truck. Comfortable and user friendly. I would expect the quad cab to be even better. This would definitely be a player to look at but always be aware that Chrysler products do not have a great reliability rep. Be careful with this.
Hope this helps a little
I sold one to a guy who had never owned a truck. When I called him a week later to see how things were going, he said "what did you sell me Steve?" I was a bit nervous to ask what he meant by that. "My buddy just bought a Mercedes and it doesn't ride this nice!"
Check your e-mail. I sent you an invitation for a no hassle test drive in the DC area. I hope to meet you soon.
I have an F-150 which I, in my humble subjective opinion, also thinks rides better than most luxury cars (yes, I have ridden in several of them). Here in Milwaukee they say there are two seasons, Winter and Construction. Outside of my apartment is a rather long stretch of road which was not completed in time for winter and thus it will stay as it lay. My gal (driver of an RX-7 which is running on its last leg) was with me the other day on said road and she said "Hon, instead of getting ME a new car, why don't you let me have YOUR truck and we can buy YOU a new one? This truck drives so much better than a car on rough surfaces!" Ahh, sure dear, what ever you say.
Back to wrwhitte, do the homework, find out what truck you like the best, then visit sites like edmunds and kbb.com to find out what the truck really costs (invoice). Then visit the topic of that particular truck and ask how much over invoice should you be asking. Add whatever you find to the invoice, and head to the dealer. Get his offer and then say you are not going to pay any more than $XX,XXX, take it or leave it. If they laugh, walk out and go to another dealer. Bottom line, get a truck you like looking at, you like driving, does everything you will need it too, and especially one you can afford. You'll be happy.
SM
would love to trade for new tundra. i was
wondering if anyone knows if the tundra will
take a light duty plow? due to the winters we
have were i live it is a requirement to have
a plow (adirondack mtns in upstate ny) I have
no problems with the ford, but would prefer
the tundra. any info would be appreciated before
i go to the dealer to negiotate. thanks-don
If you want to try and discredit an opinion with fact, at least use a good control group and test group. Providing lemon law cases for one state out of 50 is far far far from "facts". As a matter of fact, what you stated was even more rediculous than if I tried to pass my opinion off as factual.
I don't feel I need to grow up just because my opinion contradicts your so-called facts. I think you need to broaden your horizons and realize that just because you drive a Toyota, that doesn't make your Toyota superior and it doesn't make domestic trucks interior. I have no problem with the import trucks, but I am a least open minded to realize that the Toyota isn't the only reliable and viable option in a truck. Your reasons for buying a Toyota are pure preference as mine are for buying a domestic truck. I have owned the Toyotas and they are good trucks, just too small and no more reliable than my Silverado.
Get over it and quit justifying your purchase buy slamming everyones ride and their preferences in truck.
If anyone needs to grow up, you do. I am at least not slamming your Toyota and causing brand wars here. I try to respect everyones opinions and preferences without judgement as an adult would do. Doesn't sound to me, based on your posts directed to me and also posts you have made to others, that you share that same adult-like behaviour.
Toyota is walking a fine line between affordability and features. I think a standard cab V8 without the 4X4 would cross that line. One the plus side, Toyota is shipping 4X4 versions right now with the V8 standard cab. We have 5 in stock right now.
Thanks to ferris47, bluebeast, cliffy1, and smcpherr.....especially ferris47 for putting together something worth while. Everything you mentioned sounds consistent with all I've heard, seen and experienced.
I own a '94 Jeep Wrangler and your comment about the "very poor company to deal with" rings true for the Jeep side of Chrysler too. Ran into a dispute with my dealer when they tried to fix the tranny. We both lost the war. I essentially paid for a new one and they lost a customer. They also took a hit with the regional rep. With all said, I'll probably never buy another Jeep. Worst part is, I find the Dakota Quad most attractive right now. Chrysler's got me over a barrel.
By the way, ferris47, what would you say about the Nissan Crew Cab? Didn't see anything in your response.
I'll take the advice from cliffy1 and smcpherr and drive them all. Planned on doing that anyway. In fact, I may even rent each of them for a weekend just to get a real good feel. Just not sure if this'll be a realistic approach with questionable availability at the rental places.
And yes, smcpherr, the back seat may not seem important. My next truck will replace my Jeep (providing 4WD) and will serve as my daily vehicle - so the back seat isn't important in that respect....I don't haul workers. But, it'll have to be big enough for a family - which is why I started with the SUVs (nixed due to $), and found the Tundra space somewhat disappointing. (I obviously like room.) Of course, maybe I'm not the exact market for the Tundra.
Thanks again for the indulgence.
Hey have you looked at Xterras. Still use that 3.3 engine, but all in all I would have to say a hell of a lot of truck for the money. 25K pretty much loaded. You can't get leather from the factory, if that is an issue, but a lot of dealerships are offering it as a dealer add on. This might be something to pursue also. I was pretty impressed with it, engine aside. I am just kinda spoiled as I have owned an S10 with 195HP, a Dakota R/T with 250 HP, and my Yota with 245 HP. All had excellent thrust to weight and I tend to place a lot of emphasis on get up and go torque and power to weight. That is just me. Between the Crew Cab and the Xterra, check ou the Xterra. More truck for the $$ and probably better to suited to your overall needs.
I have heard that it will be October before the
dealers get them, that it will be built on a Tundra platform, and that it will have a max. tow rating of around 7000#. Is any of this true? Other information? Best guess on V8 pricing range?
Thanks
I have not seen anything except one spy photo in Automotive news. It just looked like a Tundra with a shell and back doors.
This vehicle will be on display at Auto shows coming up this month. I'll keep you posted when I have more.
As to the jack, are you putting it in the correct position under the frame. I have not had this problem when I had my T100 and I think it has the same jack.
Don't know what to tell you about the tires. I just leave them at what the shop sets them at.
mind between 4x4 and 2x4. Will not be towing. Doing the normal family things like lumber and children + gear. Will commute from time to time.
One question I had for the salesman was what about limited slip differential. He said that Tundra does not have this option in either 4x4 or 2x4. What does the Tundra have then in its place?
Perfect example of the adult-like behavior you mention?
I had a Tacoma that was slow turning over too. Never had any problems result from it though. I just made sure I used a good 0-30 synthetic oil. The time while your engine is turning over, the engine is not getting adequate lubrication.
Take it to the dealer and see if they have a fix yet.
They are a smaller dealership but have 30 to 40 Tundras on the lot. When I told them I had been dealing with dealers as far as San Diego over the internet they didn't even argue. Let them know you have done your homework, that your ready to buy but that you are not desperate and will wait for your price. Good Luck
I bought 4wd because of the better traction I would receive in rain and the little snow we get.
I thought the TRD would help with handling and body role. I am wondering about the ride quality between 2wd, 4wd, and 4wd TRD? I first ordered 2wd but thought about the traction issue in primarily the rain. I didn't notice much difference in ride quality between 2wd and 4wd but only drove about 15 miles. First and foremost I but a Tundra because of the quiet ride and the quality. What's up with this Toyota Adv charge?
Experience with the 6 disc? Has anyone had the factory hood protector put on? Has anyone used the Toyota 150.00 coupon voucher? Great chat room!!!!
Your 500 over invoice price is really a good deal.
Would you mind telling me which dealer that you
purchase your 2wd-reg cab Tundra from?
My last pickup was a 1987 Toyota 4x4, great truck. I'm looking forward to the Tundra. Came close to buying a Jeep Grand Cherokee, but heard horror stories about repair and quality issues, plus they're so much money.
Just out of curiosity, how many Tundra owners out there use their truck for work, and how many have it just for pure fun and the occasional heavy project around the house?