Toyota Tundra or Ford F150?

So I'm looking to get another pick up truck.  I've narrowed it down to these two trucks and I've read the industry articles as well as various forums.  Many of those aren't much help as they're either Ford or Toyota forums so there is a lot of bias. I've never owned a domestic vehicle but I'm wondering if it's not time now especially for the full size pick up truck.  There has to reasons the F150 has been the top seller for over a decade.  I just hope it's not superior marketing.

NCKA has the most helpful folks I know online, and I know some of you are in the auto/maintenance industry so I'm reaching out to you guys for your experience and/or professional opinions.  Actually I'd like to hear what everyone has to say on the comparison.

I've had two trucks, both imports.  Toyota tacoma and Nissan Titan.  I was happy with both.  I sold the Tacoma because we started a family and needed something bigger which was why we moved to a Titan.  With the Toyota, all I had to do was adjust a squeaky clutch peddle and regular maintenance.  It was sold for $6K less than what I bought it for six years after I bought it.  It has great value retention.  I am not the kind to sell a vehicle every few years.  I drive it till it doesn't suit our needs anymore, or till it dies.  The 05' Titan had the known brake issues and they were taken care of by Nissan.  Regular maintenance was all that truck needed too. 

My only requirements for the truck are that it's a crew cab, 4x4 with tow pkg. 

The MPG on the Tundra sucks ass and made worse when the gas tank is so (relatively) small.  But everything else I like.  It's perceived or reputed dependability is a plus.  The adjustable back seats is a plus for the kids and dog.  It's familiar.

The Ford claims much better MPG.  But the eco boost is untried (IMO).  I've read complaints about various problems that result in MPGs that were no where near those claimed on spec sheet.  I understand the F150 outsells the tundra something like 6 to 1 but I consistently see complaints.  The instrument panel provides a lot of information which is very cool.  I'm not sure if I need all that info.  I don't see many Toyota owners complaining about their tundras.  I like how the Fords can be customized to your exact specifications.  Back seats aren't adjustable. 

Price wise, for the features I want, they come out very close.  I'll probably just search online, but have a big radius to search. 

Anyways, thanks for reading my ramblings.  Appreciate your input.
Nate

I was a manager in a busy toyota service department for three years. We serviced 5000 cars a month and I can say I was really impressed with Toyota. Plus i think you spent just $2.73 a day plus maintenance to drive the Toyota if I did the math right.

Base on my own experience with Toyota truck (4 Tacoma so far) I would go with the Tundra but that's me since I never own the F150.

I did the same comparison. I can't argue Toyota's are rock solid. My father owns one but you pay heavily for that. I ended up getting a F150 with the crew cab (4x4) and have been very happy.  I did have to have the 4WD control module replaced but it was fully covered by the drive train warranty. I have towed with it hauled full cargo beds and its great with the two kids in the car seat. I can say after having the truck for a 2 yrs gas mileage isn't to bad. I get between 17-20 mpg (I have a V8 non eco boost). I will be at GS and you are more then welcome to take my truck (2010) for a drive. 

Having owened an F-100, F-150, a Toyota HiLuk, and a 1st gen tacoma I would provide the following input.  The AC unit on my 95 toyota still is orginal, thats almost 20 years old, and i am the 3rd owner.  Paint on the 95 toy was better than my 01 F-150.  All of my trucks have been manual shift.  The fords have always had a stiffer shofting mechanism, and this is going back to my Dad's F-150 from the 1970's. 

Maintenace on the F-150 seemed to be replacing an electronic speed sensor every 18 months, that was it.  Never had to replace the brake pads in 80,000 miles.  The ford v-6 is underated.  When I bought my truck the 4.6 v-8 had a mere 20 hp over the 6, not worth the money imho.  The totyota quality wise, to me, seems better overall then the ford.  Not sure of payload or towing, but to me the 5.7 is overkill in the toyota.  I would prefer to see them come out with a good 6 to get a few more mpg.  Repair parts, I think ford would have the edge, but you would most likely need fewer repairs witht he toyota.

My 2 cents

Toyotas are great, but the price of admission is high, and parts can be expensive because you really need to use Toyota genuine parts.  But they are rock solid and easy to wrench on.  Fords have ,or use to, have the spark plug issue.  The plugs break off quite often during changes and it can turn a simple job into a real PITA.  But thy are cheaper to get into and pretty solid trucks.  I wouldn't even consider MPG because all full size trucks are gonna let you down. I think the f150 being the best selling truck is a little unfair considering GM is split into two companies offering the same thing.  I don't  think you can go wrong either way.  The new tundras are BIG tho.

I went through the same dilemma and went with the Tundra 4x4 double cab. I wrecked my 2004 last year and nearly cried! Went out a week later and bought a 2005 last year. The Tundra is superb and rides like a car on the road. The horsepower is enough for me and the new models have way more. I say go with the Tundra. shannon

Are you buying new or used, Nate?
Also, why not a Tacoma doublecab instead of a Tundra doublecab?

Out of those two I'd go with the f-150 with Eco boost yeah nobody I now gets the millage ford claims but that truck is fast and all the guys I know love it, for me though I'd only want a dodge or Chevy, those new ram trucks are nice.

2004 Tundra 4x4 double cab owner. Also 2003 Ford. No comparison the Toy is a much nicer vehicle. Mpg is 14/16 with a 4.7l. My friend has a newer 4x4 DC with the 5.7l & mpg is worse. Like 12 average. But u gotta have the 5.7l if you're gonna tow.

For quality ID get a Toyota.

My last two vehicles have been a 1989 Tacoma 4 spd. pickup followed by a 2002 Tacoma 5 spd. SR5 pickup. Both bought new. 492 thousand miles between them. My newer one (2002) is just getting broken in with only 157k on the odometer. I'm hardly the maintenance king, but I do replace fluids and filters quite regularly. Three or four brake jobs total between them over the years. Never had to replace a clutch yet. They just don't die or break down....

The Ford F150 is an institution. If I ever went domestic on a pickup truck, that would be it. However, if the Tundra is anywhere near as good as a Tacoma (maintenance/repair wise), then I would probably lean toward the Toyota for obvious reasons.   



 

Are you buying new or used, Nate?
Also, why not a Tacoma doublecab instead of a Tundra doublecab?

Looks like we'll buy new. 

We have a travel trailer that we're on the fence about selling.  I had considered the Honda Ridgeline and the v6 Taco but those won't be able to tow our trailer. 

I don't know anything about these trucks Nate...but I know you need one that is SUPER safe and sturdy for you and the family so make sure you take that into consideration.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

For a new truck I'd say tundra all the way. Reliable and made in America.