since the toyota tundra was first introduced... i've seen one on the road.. only one... are these trucks even selling??? thats what i've always wondered...

 

I am not going to tell anyone that they bought the wrong truck or flame them for it, I am only here to represent the facts. I don't really care which truck you buy, I guess thats why I hang out in the 73-9 forum so much.

 

http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_rat...y_lgpickup.htm

They haven't tested the new F-150 as of yet though..

 

one thing that you are forgetting is that very few crashes happen between stationary objects in those tests and reality.

I will take a truck anyday, i don't care if a toyota scores better int he tests. The F150 will win, it weighs more, simple physics says that it will win. I hate to call it winning, maybe a better way to put it is that the F150 will transfer less kinetic energy of forwrd movement to the driver and more to the ground (friction) and back to the item causing the collision.

 

I hate to bust that guy's bubble...but the Tundra is probably the most unreliable "fullsize" truck on the road...well, OK so maybe the GM truck is a tie with it. Anyway, those Toyotas are breaking differentials, having electrical issues, and spending too much time in the shop for minor repairs. If he really researched his decision for a long time, and still bought a Tundra, then I think there is something definitely wrong with this picture.

 

Cuz I'm 6'7" and I need the room!!!

I've owned 3 series BMW's and I love them, but I'd much rather have my F150 on a day to day basis. When I was younger I used to like those cars that fit me like a glove, but nowadays I like the truck!

 

I am actually toying between a toyota tundra and '04 f-150 for my next truck. I find toyota's reliability and low maintenance/solid construction very attractive after the 94 f150 I have now which needs about $1600 in maintenance a year. I realize the Toyota is not as tough though- no contest there. Ford rules that department. But I would hazard to guess that the tundra more reliable.

It's also sort of a mid-size truck, like the size of the old f-100s. I like the size category, but I do wish it was tougher. It's neither full size nor compact - kind of like the dakota, but bigger.

I was looking at a tundra at the dealership and I was impressed how little clutter and how much room there was under the hood on the v-8 model. There are very few hoses and canisters and wires running all over the place making the hood look unlike the ball of rubber bands that most modern cars do. It reminded me of looking under the hood of a 70's car. There's huge voids of space on either side of the manifolds. I can see clear down to the transmission easily by the fire wall. Everything is neat and organized.

Reliability + simplicity + lots of room to wrench. For me that's a big part of what a truck is all about- simple self reliance. Ford should take a hint from the competition and find out why toyota's don't go to garbage after 100k like domestic vehicles tend to. Maybe the new assembly process on the 2004 f150s will redeem the truck, but if the new ones turn out anything like my 94, toyota is gaining ground on a dying dinosaur. No one likes to deal with mechanical problems. People like reliability and durability. The portion of the market that needs the extra towing capacity and power provided by ford is probably smaller than the portion looking for a truck that will live long and be a good friend.
Matt

 

Lots of people have gotten 200K+ out of the modular 4.6/5.4 V8's.

Also, maintenance will be a lot more expensive on the Toyota. Parts for japanese cars are high dollar.

Just a counterpoint.

 

mrak, go to a Toyota tundra forum (if there is one) then look at what problems the owners are having with their trucks, then come back and compare to what the problems the owners of the F series with the 4.6/5.4 are having. This will help out with your decision, because you'll see real world comparisons, not just what the magazines want you to see.

Good luck on your decision-I can almost guarantee the Toyota will be more reliable and cheaper in the long run. Flame away.

 

So you are willing to pay more than twice as much for the same reliability, a smaller truck (Toy), a lower GVW (Toy), and an uglier truck(Toy)?

I have a bridge to sell you!

The intent wasn't to flame here, I do apologize if thats what it came down too. $1600 in maintenance is awful cheap compared to a monthly payment.

Apparently there are an awful lot of people that don't know anything about economics. Too bad for them, yay for me.

 

I thought the tundra and F150 were pretty comparable in price - both in the mid-20's for how I had it configured:

v8 (4.6)
2wd, extended cab.

 

This years Tundra '04 is supposed to be comparable in size to the
F-150 Supercrew but with a 6.5' bed. Toyota should be a bit more expensive but nowhere near double.

 

the base model toyota and the mid range F150's are the same price.

The I Force V8 is almost a 5,000 dollar upgrade, the 4.6 is about 1,200.

Only the Titan is comparable in size to the F150. A price has not been set yet.

 

The 04' Tundra is 13" longer than the '03.

 

I just built the tundra. I am amazed at the lack of options, I built the two trucks for the best towing capability and the prices were similar, at 29,---.

The Tundra had no where near the available options. The truck colors were better, I don't think that the Toyota is a more reliable truck.

Trucks are for towing and payload capacity, the tundra lacks in both areas. I can't see the use of buying a truck and not being able to use it as one. The tundra is a glorified minivan.