2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 from North America - Off Topic Comments

The V6 Toyota owner may not realize that many full size truck owners prefer the V8 engine, stronger drivetrain, bed and towing capability as well as more interior room and far superior warranty.

In addition, the MPG is quite impressive on the open road with the newest V8 models. Maybe you never tow... maybe off road or cruise the interstates with little strain on the drivetrain. I know that the Toyota would not be up to the tasks I expect and would not be durable on various tow applications I do on an ongoing basis.

Taking out cost, as I do not buy that way, never going the cheapest... I buy function and capability, and the full size domestics have superior power, load and towing characteristics. If Toyota impresses me with more than I can currently attain, and have at least a 100,000 mile warranty as standard, I will check them out yet again next year.

The manufacturers are not staying in business by the way if everyone takes the logic I will; keep my vehicle 10-15 years and tack on 300,000 miles. I am a consumer that likes the newest technology, features, safety benefits and will buy ever 2-3 years because of design advances.

Import or domestic, I buy what has the best at the moment. Currently it is domestics. I run 50,000 miles tops and expect no issues up to that mileage. I have had issues with imports in as little as 30,000 miles. That is unacceptable.

Hello All:

I saw a few people mention GM's unfortunate losses last year. Yes, they were large. But, that as due to employee buy outs and union contract settlements - things Toyota never had/has to contend with.

GM's sales grew last year and were actually the second largest the company ever had.

One person wrote in saying that GM was good because he had 3 new GM trucks since 2004 with no problems. That is not a show of quality. A quality made product is not seen by driving a vehicle a year and buying a new one.

I had a 99 S10 4x4 and what a pile of junk. Everyone that has ever had a Blazer, Jimmy, S10 knows what it like to have to get your 4x4 fixed. Mine broke twice with less than 90,000 miles. Along with failed idler arms, water pump, alternator, etc.

Oh, now let's talk about the GM Malibu with failed gaskets, theft system, ignition switch, blower motor, AC switch problems. Yeah about the Dexcool law suite that finally passed so people could be reimbursed for dexcool failures.

People, GM is not loyal to you, they are loyal to stock holders. Stop thinking that if you buy a foreign car you are not supporting American worker. So you think that GM cares what you think, NO! If GM was so concerned about the American worker and being patriotic, why do they move to abroad. They save money and produce trash.

If you think that I would want to buy a new 2008 Malibu, you have got to be joking. Nor would I replace my S10 with a Canyon.

Now I have a 2003 Nissan Frontier and could not be happier with the replacement of my S10. Plan on a foreign vehicle to replace the Malibu.

Auto sales variations have far more to do with economic factors than with "quality" issues. No one who has driven any new domestic can question the quality.

The biggest factor hurting sales of domestics at the moment is high gas prices. The sales of Ford's highly economical Focus shot up 23% in the first quarter of this year, and Ford plans to increase Focus production by 30% to cover the demand. Also Europe has experienced a 9.5% decline in new car sales in the month of March from a year ago. Heavy, less fuel efficient vehicles are losing their appeal to a public looking at skyrocketing gas prices. Since the majority of domestics are rather fuel hungry, people are left with the option of buying whatever gets the best mileage. At the moment that is basic transportation appliances such as the Ford Focus and almost all Toyota, Nissan and Honda models.

When people advocate destroying American businesses, as import supporters do, they are hurting their neighbors, their children's futures and our entire standard of living.

As we watch the value of the dollar plummet and gas prices soaring, and hear news that the U.S. no longer has the highest standard of living in the world (we reached that dubious distinction in 2007), we can thank the buyers of Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans. If we want to destroy American businesses, we hurt no one but ourselves.

14:14 I bought Hondas/Acuras every 2-3 years for many years and stopped buying them. Driving 20-30,000 miles minimum a year is a good indication of quality, not duration of ownership. If your new Honda/Toyota starts coming in 25,000 miles plus for major repairs, you take notice during its first year of ownership. 36,000 miles comes up quick with heavy driving.

I would have never looked at a total domestic ownership household, but it has happened. Usually there was a new import and domestic, my wife mainly being the import driver. At any rate she loves her new GM SUV, and I love not picking her up at the import lounge after work with yet another issue anymore. It got old really quick.

If you drive a lot a miles per year, even if you only own it 2-3 years, it has significance... import or domestic.

14:14 Thank you. I get tired of hearing people's favorable 'opinions' about domestic quality. Just like you said, anyone who's ever owned a Jimmy, S-10, or, God forbid, a Blazer knows about domestic and 'GM' quality. Each of the three of those vehicles, as well as most everything else they make or made, is pure junk. I know enough people too that have owned that scrap.

A few friends for instance that had S-10's, with the 4-point-whatever liter V-6, guaranteed to blow up in under 90,000 miles. Every one I ever saw had serious, usually terminal problems somewhere around that mileage. Try using it off-road like a Toyota truck. It'll last about a week at best before something falls apart.

Anyone who claims the Jimmy was a good vehicle needs to join a circus somewhere and put on a big red nose and floppy shoes. The Blazer was and is even worse. At 30,000 miles, my sister's sounded and ran like a Toyota might after 300,000. Worse probably. I could go on and on about that one. The paint literally WASHED OFF of the bumpers the FIRST time she washed it. Engine sounded like someone threw a pocket of sheet metal screws into the intake. Horrible. That's not opinion. It was horrid. Thank goodness she finally had the sense to switch to imports. She hasn't had an issue yet, and feels safer driving her kids around in something well built instead of that death trap Blazer that went through 3 sets of rotors in 30,000 miles. And yes, she lost her butt on the trade in. Apparently a Blazer is worth next to nothing after 30,000 miles, which I already knew just by listening to it run and driving it.

23:52.

I am not sure what you are talking about with American manufacturers not making fuel efficient vehicles.

The 2007 Chevy Malibu with the V6 gets 30MPG, while the Toyota Camry with the V6 only gets 28MPG.

The Malibu is a heavier car and has a more powerful engine than the Camry, yet still achieves better mileage. Anybody can make a small car with a small engine that gets good gas mileage. My '03 Cavalier gets 36.5MPG even though it is only rated for 34MPG. But, achieving good fuel economy on a car with the power and room to actually haul a family around is a lot more impressive. My family cannot fit in a Focus or my Cavalier, nor would I ever compromise their safety trying to do so.

The Malibu is an example of very good engineering to achieve fuel economy on GM's part, but of course nobody will ever give them credit for it.

I would like to see more long term mileage durability reviews on full size trucks with V8's instead of 4 cylinder mini pickups. And reviews with loads and towing not just empty. This is about Tundras and full size domestics. If you are going to buy a truck, especially full size, why skimp whatsoever, get a V8.

On domestic ownership I have historically owned full size sedans and pickups with V8's. Many GM, but I have also had 2 Crown Vics work vehicles with small block V8's that ran forever and were extremely reliable. They also ride better on long trips. Hard working overreving small engines, especially towing and carrying heavy loads, seems senseless to buy. If all you do is cruise the interstate empty or go on a back road once in a while, maybe it works for you. I have a family (4), usually carry a heavy load of some sort in the bed to our weekend home, and also tow a boat that no little wimpy truck is ever going to hold up. We could take 2 vehicles, but it seems more practical to have one to go from point A to B in one trip.

I see small trucks straining at the marina on the steep ramp and shake my head wondering why. If you want small, buy an economy vehicle, go to the home centers etc and tie the trunk down. I would rather own a decent full size truck with a V8 that lopes effortlessly on trips and will last. I realize gas is high, but why compromise the purpose of having a truck? Buy a car instead.

You wonder why they don't hold up? Is it that every component of your drivetrain is working overtime; even the A/C brings it down with these small overworked engines. If you drive around empty, maybe my comments are baseless..... I use my truck as it was designed. My 50,000 miles of usage per vehicle would most likely be 2-3 times harder. Perhaps more of the average empty or near empty ones are just commuting around. My new full size GM V8's cruise and run effortlessly. In 2 years I average 50,000 miles and buy new......

I may go with the new green GM V8 hybrids next, which get the same fuel mileage as a Camry. And you are getting a V8. The hybrid SUV is out now, and I am looking forward to the new GM hybrid pickup, hopefully out next year.

My "opinion" of domestics is based on family ownership of many over a 40-year period. Many were driven well over 200,000 miles. One was driven over 300,000. Not a one of them ever had a transmission or engine replacement or rebuild. Not one ever had the heads, pan or intake manifold off the engine.

During that period we also owned Toyota, Honda, Mazda and VW. The Toyota made 100,000 before beginning to have serious problems. It was the best of the imports. The Honda began having very serious problems at 50,000-60,000 miles. The Mazda and Volkswagen were some of the worst examples of poor build quality I ever saw.

All-in-all, we've owned far more domestics than imports, and the domestics have always proven more reliable in the long run. ALWAYS.

We currently own an 8 year old and a 6 year old GM, neither of which has ever required even 1 repair.

No amount of unsubstantiated comments from import owners can ever take the place of real world experience. I'll never spend my hard-earned money on another POS import that is in the shop every other week.

21:16 And no amount of comments made by domestic owners can get in the way of real world experience; that being that imports are built better, are doubtless more reliable, last longer, are worth more than any domestic in the long run, are cheaper to own and drive, and are generally better cars and trucks in every single possible aspect of vehicle ownership.

People live and learn, and that's why each of the Big 3 are and have for years been losing money and in serious trouble while the imports sell more and more vehicles every year and make boatloads of money.

Just because GM sales have an occasional spike and are 'up', the only place they are 'up' from is the complete bottom of the barrel, which is where they deserve to be given the garbage they've been selling people for decades.

They suffered their biggest loss ever this year and deserved it, while Toyota, Honda, and Nissan continue to blow them out of the water with better products.

If GM or any of the Big 3 ever decide to get serious and make something that can compete, I'll gladly look into the purchase of one.

The trouble with that is, my Toyota only has 90,000 miles on it, and since it's built right, unlike any domestic, I won't need another vehicle for probably another 2-300,000 miles.

15:15 Then perhaps specific comments from a domestic owner might be beneficial.

The new Tundra found itself on the bottom of the pack on braking, needing 140 feet to stop from 60 mph. Also the bottom of the pack on stability. Granted this is a full size truck, but I buy drivability first and the total function.

The 6 speed transmission constantly hunts for gears.

The plastic tailgate linkage is prone to failure.

The interior is far below the new standard for GM, with horribly cheap hard plastic on doors, dash and console.

The frame is not on par with Ford or GM, with a C channel design that is noticeably wiggly in the rear.

The TRD package makes for annoying wheel hop on concrete expansion joints especially.

I didn't buy this vehicle, but bought a new GM full size truck. I suspect the last commenter with an earlier truck will drive on and on with vague domestic comments. A few very well defined specific Tundra comments were due.

I'm a long time supporter of U.S. vehicles, and have owned one of about all of them.

Every manufacturer has the lemon models, and the ones that last.

I've replaced 3 Ford transmissions, 1 Nissan tranny, and 2 Chevy ones. Been stranded an hour from nowhere in my 4runner with a water pump/timing belt issue. Plus a list of other brands and models with various issues.

At one time I put 72000 miles on an 88 T'bird with no repairs in 11 months doing multi state travel. It all comes down to what you drive like, what you use it for, and your states environment.

The question of domestic and import is blurred now with most of GM and Fords new models being built in other countries (Canada and Mexico). And more and more imports being built entirely in the U.S. by hard working high paid Americans. The Toyota Tundra is the only truck sold in the U.S. that is built parts and all in the U.S..

Yes I own a 2008 Tundra that is driven hard and a lot with no problems. It was a tough couple month long choice between the Silverado and the Tundra. But in the end the specs, safety features, and track record made my decision.

Auto manufacturers get roughly 2% of the sticker price as profit from every car. They make the money by volume. the workers in the plants that make and assemble the parts get the biggest share. (Look it up!)

15:30.

You are forgetting the double standard import lovers have; Toyota is allowed to put cheap hard plastic in their interiors, GM is not.

Most GM, Ford and Dodge vehicles are made in America, a few are made in Mexico and Canada but not a majority that's for sure. Toyota may make some of their cars here, but they don't allow labor unions, which means they can pay the employees whatever they want. And the profits still go back to Japan, so it isn't even close to being an American company.