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Toyota Tundra Owner Experiences

1986 messages,  Last post on Apr 01, 2013 at 10:05 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Tundra, Truck

Messages Page 149 of 199

#1481 of 1986 Ram, the best truck built? by brucec35

Feb 21, 2002 (10:01 pm)

I like the Rams. I owned one, it was beautiful and comfortable, and even though it was problematic and drove like a semi compared to my Tundra, I almost bought a new 2002. But "best truck built" ? Come now.
 
0-60mph in about 9.5 to 10 seconds vs. the Tundra's 8.0 (2wd)?
 
Loud roaring and engine noise under heavy throttle vs. the turbine-like dohc V8 in the Tundra.
 
11mpg city with the big 5.9 V8 vs. 14-15 for the Tundra? (with my Ram I got 12.9 mpg unloaded in mixed city/hwy, it was really bad)
 
36K mi warranty on the powertrain vs 60K mi on the Toyota? That's two more years for most drivers. That's long enough to pay off a loan for the Toyota before you're gonna be out for anything major in repairs.
 
Toyota resale beats Dodge, which isn't bad either, but still inferior. The difference really kicks in on high mileage models, too. 2000 4wd quad cab Rams are advertised for about $18,000 here. A 2000 4x4 Tundra would be hard to find for less than $23,000. The Tundra cost a little more, but not nearly that much.
 
As for "a big truck", well...the Tundra (1950lbs on 2wd V8) is rated for higher cargo capacity than the Ram. Also, with "big size" comes "big handling", which means not as nimble. Even the new models feel bigger on the road. For any driver who doesn't haul passengers in the back regularly, the Tundra is hard to beat. The size/power thing is overrated. I tow a trailer with mine regularly, and it does a better job yanking it around than my previous "big" trucks ( '98 F150, '95C-1500 Chevy, '97Dodge Ram, '01 Tahoe) Yes, this means it's faster. Check on the latest Truck Trend/Motor trend? for comparisons of them loaded and unloaded. The "small" Tundra outhauls the Ram by a long shot.
 
The new Ram is a big improvement over the old, but the old one really needed improving in some areas. Choose the Ram if you prefer the styling or the spacious cab advantage, but calling it "the best" is hard to support with facts.

#1482 of 1986 Los Angeles EMT by quadrunner500

Feb 21, 2002 (10:02 pm)

>So i guess whats happening is all those Toyota owners are reporting trans probs. to NHSTA and not to Edmunds. The GM / Ford owners are too busy posting all their lemon probs. and dont have time to get a hold of NHSTA.< Or, the Tundra owners are more motivated to get a hold of NHTSA because their problems are more severe?

#1483 of 1986 obyone by brucec35

Feb 21, 2002 (10:03 pm)

You need to read more carefully. They don't have to agree with me. They can agree with Consumer Reports, any car mags worth reading, various independent reviewing organizations, JD powers, etc etc. None are perfect in judging quality, but if it barks like a dog and looks like a dog and smells like a dog, it's a dog.

#1484 of 1986 NHTSA by brucec35

Feb 21, 2002 (10:19 pm)

While helpful, I'm not sure that having problems reported to NHTSA is an accurate gauge of problems when comparing different makes. I had two tranny failures with a '97 Dodge Ram and my brother had two with his '98, all within the warranty period, and neither of us reported anything to NHTSA. There really isn't any great problem reporting system out there. I'm sure the car manufacturer probably prefer it that way. But while certainly not perfect, Consumer reports consistently rates Toyotas high, most domestics low. But then maybe it's all a conspiracy. Try attempting to buy a 4 year old Lexus LS 400 and still having to pay $30,000 plus if you doubt the perceived/actual value of Toyota products long term. That's if you can find one in a good color that has been well kept. Those usually are snatched up before you can get there to see them.
 
All I can go by is what I've experienced, what people I talk to who own Toyotas have experienced(they rave about them), and what I can read in magazines and online. I've had a '95 Celica, a '93 Supra, a '91 4runner, and now a '00 Tundra, and the biggest problem I've had in a combined 150K miles of ownership was having to fix the power door locks on my then 9 year old Supra. A whopping $250. Oh yeah. I forgot. My seatbelt sticks a little when I get out on my Tundra. I'd better contact the NHTSA.
 
As for posters here who seem personally attached to defending their particular choice in vehicle, despite the facts, all I have to say is........ Psst...you didn't build it. You didn't design it. Why are you so darn proud of it? All you did was pay for it.

#1485 of 1986 Dodgeramit10yearold is RIGHT!!!!! by modvptnl

Feb 21, 2002 (11:20 pm)

Dodge recently announced a 70,000 mile powertrain warranty!!! Since the toy boys have been saying the 60,000 mile warranty makes toy the best......I guess dodge had to do something to sell their junk.

#1486 of 1986 Quad ... by losangelesemt

Feb 21, 2002 (11:33 pm)

" You can read about Tundra transmission problems reported on the NHTSA website. Right now Tundra is generating complaints for 2000-2002 models at double the rate of G.M. or Ford "
 
While you didn't directly say the complaints were transmission related, I think many of us took it that way since that was topic at time. I for one am not a number cruncher because sometimes the differences are hardly noticeable. Does no good to get all worked up like some, over tenths of seconds and inches.
 
I am not disagreeing with anything you've posted. It seems to me that in keeping up with these threads, the Toyota complaints Vs. GM / Ford / Dodge are minor in comparison. Is that to say that NHSTAs numbers correlate, not at all.
 
I like to stay open minded about all trucks. Personally i have a chev 1500 rado out front that roomate drives. I like the room it has, like look of truck, and definitely feels capable of going to work. As a mechanic, I've always enjoyed working on GM vehicles, chevy in particular. Engines had some room to roam around and it was a nice change up from the foreign cars that were most times compacted together.
 
As far as my postings, I personally feel that Toyota is superior in reliability to all trucks. Will I be able to work the thing like a F-350 super duty ?? maybe not. Yet I dont feel any other truck maker offers a better truck in reliability. I guess when I have heavy stuff to tow and need to work the farm, then i'll give the domestics a look, until then gonna try Tundra.

#1487 of 1986 My Wish by ndahi12

Feb 21, 2002 (11:37 pm)

is for all you domestic truck owners to leave our thread ALONE. We only read your thread and we do not post there. PLEASE give us the same courtesy. LEAVE US ALONE.

#1488 of 1986 And ... by losangelesemt

Feb 21, 2002 (11:37 pm)

As far as forums, I will have to spend a little more time in Tundra solutions I suppose. I do credit the Chev guys with conducting a decent thread, they certainly have enough to post about.

#1489 of 1986 For Clarity - brucec35 and f1jules by krezabek

Feb 22, 2002 (10:34 am)

Thanks for the input. Perhaps my disillusionment is attributable to the fact that my expectations are based on my previous (exemplary) experiences with the Toyota cars I've owned. I never had second thoughts about buying Camrys in the new model years (having purchased those in 1987, 1992, 1997 and 2002). As long as my wife is happy with the Camrys, and they provide the same level of service and reliability to which we've become accustomed, I'll continue to own them. However, Toyota set the bar pretty high, and my Tundra, in my opinion, failed to make the hurdle. Certainly, if this transmission performs without failure to 100,000 miles and beyond, my opinion is subject to change!
 
Having had no previous experience with full-sized trucks of any make or model, I was not aware of the shorter warranty periods provided by domestic manufacturers. This is good information, indeed.
 
brucec35, you were right. It was the dealership's call to replace the transmission. I suppose I just figured they were the specialists, and never questioned the decision.
 
f1jules...hey a witty, accountant surfer-dude. I can appreciate that, and I bet you're all the rave around the water cooler!

#1490 of 1986 Krez ... by losangelesemt

Feb 22, 2002 (4:58 pm)

You may have already mentioned, but I'm curious as to how many miles you have on truck now, and what total problems you've had with it. I personally think that you made out ok by getting a new trans. while still under warranty. Did you necessarily new a whole new trans, i dont know, possibly not. I think the dealer did an honorable thing in replacing unit free of charge, only a plus.
 
I understand the somewhat of a let down after so many other quality Toyota vehicles you've owned. The funny thing is, that you may feel a little cheated in having a trans problem at 52,000 but if you look through the other domestic threads, youll see that trans probs at 50,000 miles are not a fluke but more of a common issue. I'm not talking just the overdrive going out either, more like partial / complete failures. That isn't meant as a knock against non Toyota trucks but it seems to be truth. This isn't based only from the threads, but from my personal experiences as truck owner and mechanic.
 
Im interested to see how the rest of your truck has performed. By your own admittance you haven't owned any other full size trucks so you might not know exactly just how well Toyotas quality and reliability differ from the others. Toyota makes a heck of a product for most part, but its a whole lot easier to set themselves apart, when the domestics continue to fall short of mark.

Messages Page 149 of 199

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