Any Tundra Owners?

[Seahawk]

I am in the final stages of purchasing a new truck. I have had my F-150 for over ten years and it will go to farm status. Since the kids are gone, I plan on putting a flat bed on the F150 with a lift on the back: my old a$$ can't throw crap in the back of the truck as easily as I used to, including moving generators, tools, other equipment, etc.

I've gone from a strong back/weak mind to weak back/weak mind. The F150 with a flat bed and lift will be perfect for most of the hauling I do without a trailer: more cube than weight. The old F150 will be my best friend, trust me.

So, like Kaisen often says, if you admit your emotional opinions concerning vehicles, it becomes easier. I am not interested in a Chevy or Dodge. Sorry if my ignorance is an impediment, but that's where I'm at.

So it is between the Ford F150 and the Tundra. I know Fords and have driven the new 2014 a number of times (a buddy two farms over owns one).

But I drove the Tundra and was impressed, especially in price. But I'd like real world opinions on the Tundra.

I appreciate in advance any help.

Best.

[sammyg2]

I had a 2001 and a 2007 tundra.

I don't know anything about the new ones, but I liked the 2007 except for a couple of things:

The visibility out the back was non-existant and it did not have a back up camera.

The rear suspension was too tight and would hop on the freeway at certain speeds.

It handled great for a pick-em-up but it ate front tires quickly and they weren't cheap.


I'm betting they've fixed most if not all of those issues by now.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

I'm betting they've fixed most if not all of those issues by now.

According to the reviews, they have. I did an extended test drive and, while my current truck is ten years old, the difference between old and new is, uh, impressive, and that goes for the new F150 as well.

[Shuie]

I bought a 5k mile CPO 2013 Tundra w/5.7 and the longer bed earlier this year. I looked at new F150s for months and just could not get the options I wanted for what I wanted to spend. I really liked both trucks.

Finally driving the Tundra was what sold me on it. I still cannot believe how tight the truck turns given its size. The backup camera was also a major deciding factor. The backup camera on the Tundra is amazing.

[Cajundaddy]

I have owned 3, I still have a Tundra in my fleet with 280k hard-workin' miles and she doesn't burn oil yet. Killed most of my Ford trucks in 150k and I am putting my 2005 Chevy Silverado out to pasture with 170k. If I needed another full-size beefy truck I would get a Tundra in a heartbeat. As it is I value quick and nimble over big and beefy right now so a new 2014 PreRunner V6 is sitting in my driveway.

Consider this a "yes" vote for the Tundra.

[Seabear]

I've had 2 Tundras, my first a 2000 that I put 150K miles on with one small problem at 90K (transmission cooler hose failed and drained all the fluid). I'm still driving my second, a 2008, with 100K miles and zero issues. Mileage is ok, around 18 mixed, except when towing my boat then it sinks down to appx 10. There have been 2 recalls, the infamous Toyota throttle problem, which took 2 visits to get right, and one other small item.
In the 80s and 90s I had Chevies and Fords for work, but now I have a lot more confidence in the Toyota.

[Seahawk]

Thanks. And please, additional responses most welcome.

My sense after driving both and looking at the specs is that is pretty much a tie in terms of capability, now I'm looking at "feel".

Reliability is so subjective these days: Compared to anything before 2000, today's cars and trucks are so uber reliable it is a bit weird from a guy who grew up in the "vapor lock" days. I have had exactly one problem with my F150 in over 130k miles, so it owes me little except future work.

Price will most likely be the deciding factor. The owner of the local dealership is a good friend of a good friend and neighbor of mine.

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. My friend, Chip, is an amazing entrepreneur and very talented. He owns several businesses, all successful, mostly because he'll do anything, manual labor, admin, you name it.

As I was pulling out of the dealership today, I noticed a guy pulling weeds on my right, the hat looked familiar. It was Chip. I roll down the window and we chat for a few minutes. He owns the landscaping company that does the Toyota dealership, had a guy call in sick so he's out picking weeds in the landscape. Great guy.

He tells me he's playing tennis with the owner later (again, truth is stranger than fiction) and asks me who the salesman was, what am I looking for, etc.

You can't make this stuff up. Timing is the essence of life. I had no idea Chip knew the owner.

If I am lucky, this truck will shift to farm duty in ten years or so.