Test drive in Tundra DC
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Test drive in Tundra DC
This is going to be my first truck purchase ever. I am going into the purchasing process with an open mind. I have test drove the Ford FX4 Scab so far.
This post (apologies for the length) is to show my objective impressions on the differences.
My impressions. My first impression was that the sales guy knew more about toyota cars than toyota trucks. I knew more about his product than he knew of his product. Sheesh.
Walk-around: It's a nice looking truck to my eyes. Conservative yet pretty strong. It was the Limited Pearl Grey. The bed was the size needed (6.5') and deep enough for what I would use it for. Good height but not as tall as the F-150. A great feature was the power back window. The ENTIRE back window rolled down.
Inside: The seats were of the leather variety and my test drive with the f-150 was in the FX4 with sport cloth. The overall comfort of the Toyota seats were better, but I'm not comparing apples to bananas (or whatever.) The gauges were well laid out and the interior trim was of nice quality (I'll get arguments here, but it was on par with the Ford.) The Ford did have a more visually appealing interior, however.
The center console on the Tundra had more utility than the f-150. It has a flip up top for change and small items. What I found cool was the top could store a small pad of paper. Flip it all the way open and use it as a writing tablet. Pretty sweet thinking. The truck had a DVD player for the curtain climbers in back. The playing unit was in the center console for easy access to switching out Elmo for Dora.
One thing I did notice was that **MAN!** I close to the steering wheel. I'm 6'4". I tried to move the seat back, but it was already at the limit. Ford had more leg room and I felt further away from the wheel and the windshield.
The back seat was very nice and comfortable. I'm not comparing this to the ford because I drove the scab. The seats themselves were comfortable just not so much rear seat angle - not by much. Legroom wasn't comparable, of course.
Overall interior: Advantage to Ford.
Test drive: The truck was a little slow off the line, but so was the Ford.....and MOST trucks. It's a truck. A huge, heavy vehicle. I have to get used to this being a sedan man for my lifetime.
Once up and going, I punched the gas. The shifting was smooth and we got going in a hurry. Nice acceleration.
I had more feel for the road in the Tundra. This means that I felt every single bump in the road! I was stunned by this. My wife has a Highlander and that thing is smooth and very nice to drive. The Tundra, although smooth, it was NOT better than the Ford in this aspect. At highway speeds (which it got up there in good order) there was more wind noise than the F-150. Again, I was a little suprised by this. Now, I was going INTO the wind during the test drive and even the Highlander will have wind noise in that scenario.
I took a hard left (and I mean HARD) and the body did lean more than the Ford in this maneuver. The Ford didn't lean at all surprisingly.
Test drive: Advantage goes to Ford.
Overall impressions: the Tundra is a nice truck. I can't tow anything huge with it, but I don't have that need. The handling was good. Noise in the cabin was nice but not as nice as the F-150. The smoothness of ride was acceptable, the windnoise was acceptable. Major concerns: leg room for my 5' long legs, and body lean in corners.
Price? $39,500 completely loaded. Again, I can't really compare because this was the DC and I'm interested in the Scab Lariat ($35K-$37K sticker)
Could I own this truck? Yes. Was it better than the Ford? I can't say it is right now. But it is a close second.
I have a couple more trucks to try and then I have to re-drive all of these suckers one or more times.
Peace.
This post (apologies for the length) is to show my objective impressions on the differences.
My impressions. My first impression was that the sales guy knew more about toyota cars than toyota trucks. I knew more about his product than he knew of his product. Sheesh.
Walk-around: It's a nice looking truck to my eyes. Conservative yet pretty strong. It was the Limited Pearl Grey. The bed was the size needed (6.5') and deep enough for what I would use it for. Good height but not as tall as the F-150. A great feature was the power back window. The ENTIRE back window rolled down.
Inside: The seats were of the leather variety and my test drive with the f-150 was in the FX4 with sport cloth. The overall comfort of the Toyota seats were better, but I'm not comparing apples to bananas (or whatever.) The gauges were well laid out and the interior trim was of nice quality (I'll get arguments here, but it was on par with the Ford.) The Ford did have a more visually appealing interior, however.
The center console on the Tundra had more utility than the f-150. It has a flip up top for change and small items. What I found cool was the top could store a small pad of paper. Flip it all the way open and use it as a writing tablet. Pretty sweet thinking. The truck had a DVD player for the curtain climbers in back. The playing unit was in the center console for easy access to switching out Elmo for Dora.
One thing I did notice was that **MAN!** I close to the steering wheel. I'm 6'4". I tried to move the seat back, but it was already at the limit. Ford had more leg room and I felt further away from the wheel and the windshield.
The back seat was very nice and comfortable. I'm not comparing this to the ford because I drove the scab. The seats themselves were comfortable just not so much rear seat angle - not by much. Legroom wasn't comparable, of course.
Overall interior: Advantage to Ford.
Test drive: The truck was a little slow off the line, but so was the Ford.....and MOST trucks. It's a truck. A huge, heavy vehicle. I have to get used to this being a sedan man for my lifetime.
Once up and going, I punched the gas. The shifting was smooth and we got going in a hurry. Nice acceleration.
I had more feel for the road in the Tundra. This means that I felt every single bump in the road! I was stunned by this. My wife has a Highlander and that thing is smooth and very nice to drive. The Tundra, although smooth, it was NOT better than the Ford in this aspect. At highway speeds (which it got up there in good order) there was more wind noise than the F-150. Again, I was a little suprised by this. Now, I was going INTO the wind during the test drive and even the Highlander will have wind noise in that scenario.
I took a hard left (and I mean HARD) and the body did lean more than the Ford in this maneuver. The Ford didn't lean at all surprisingly.
Test drive: Advantage goes to Ford.
Overall impressions: the Tundra is a nice truck. I can't tow anything huge with it, but I don't have that need. The handling was good. Noise in the cabin was nice but not as nice as the F-150. The smoothness of ride was acceptable, the windnoise was acceptable. Major concerns: leg room for my 5' long legs, and body lean in corners.
Price? $39,500 completely loaded. Again, I can't really compare because this was the DC and I'm interested in the Scab Lariat ($35K-$37K sticker)
Could I own this truck? Yes. Was it better than the Ford? I can't say it is right now. But it is a close second.
I have a couple more trucks to try and then I have to re-drive all of these suckers one or more times.
Peace.
Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 29
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From: Keokuk, IA
Tundra back to F150
I'm trading my 22K mile '02 Tundra (SR5 V-8 Access 4x4) for an ordered '04 F150 (XLT w/ 5.4). The Tundra is a nice vehicle and better than the Heritage F150 (IMHO and having owned both). However, anyone who's considering one should research the common problems:
a. headers that crack
b. oxygen sensors that go out much soner than they should
c. cross winds effecting them more than other trucks
d. major brake issues (prior to '03) (TSB)
e. higher expense to maintain them (check the maintenance schedule)
f. expense to insure them (fewer sold, so parts are higher)
I bought the new F150 after considering all (except the Nissan due to my personal taste) and several test drives in GM and Dodge. I also considered waiting for the '05 new Tundra.
PS I like this site! Great information that really helps!
a. headers that crack
b. oxygen sensors that go out much soner than they should
c. cross winds effecting them more than other trucks
d. major brake issues (prior to '03) (TSB)
e. higher expense to maintain them (check the maintenance schedule)
f. expense to insure them (fewer sold, so parts are higher)
I bought the new F150 after considering all (except the Nissan due to my personal taste) and several test drives in GM and Dodge. I also considered waiting for the '05 new Tundra.
PS I like this site! Great information that really helps!