2002 Toyota Tundra SR5 from North America - All Comments

13:49; Being over 50 and with no points, my personal insurance rate would remain unchanged. It makes sense to check insurance beforehand when looking at more vehicles.

You may save $35 a week on fuel, but be prepared for a $4-5K repair bill just in case of an engine/trans issue. You may think imports are immune, and I can state firsthand I have found otherwise.

I'll take a stronger V8 with 100,000 mile warranty, and 20 MPG with no issues; better than 40 mpg with issues.

My new V8 engine runs easily, smoothly, has good power and performance (especially running many accessories), A/C. But it's doubtful you have driven 2008s to accurately comment... for some reason you feel time stands still on 15 year plus vehicles (that may have been poorly maintained) if bought used to start with.

I would really LOVE to get a concise definition of "cheap" plastic. The Corvette, whose sales have gone up 300% in Europe since 2000, is reputed to have "cheap" plastic in the interior. I've driven and ridden in tons of cars in the past few years, including friends' Lexus, Mercedes, BMW's, Lincolns, Volvos and Acuras. ALL of them had the SAME plastic dash and door panels as my Ford or Pontiac. How am I supposed to know the difference between "cheap" plastic and "expensive" plastic?? Does fake plastic wood count as "expensive" plastic??

My youngest son used Honda Civic has plain plastic everywhere, and my Acuras had plastic plus a marbelized plastic faux look on either side of the console.

This is a good comparison, as I doubt you are paying twice as much for the prettier plastic. It's the larger VTEC engine that has the appeal, in spite of 93 octane and low mpg. I never understood cupholders and plastic focus anyway.

As far as appearance, I like black paint with black leather but that's not about the big price difference.

Take a look at Porsche and the wide price spread. But then look at whats under the hood to understand. Same with the new Vette which has to be the best performance bargain anywhere. You will have to spend 2-3 times or more with an imports and plan to spend a great deal more keeping them running.

Toyota has had a new concept sports car that may be relief for those waiting for one. I just saw a brand new black Challenger that has a waiting list. Nice car. Even with trucks it's nice to have tasteful upgrades with great handling and performance.

I'd take a Prius over a Corvette any day of the week. A Vette is an overpriced Cavalier with a bigger engine, and usually bought by people who want a muscle car and don't realize that nobody has made one since around 1972.

With gas at $4.30 or so and rising, I somehow also don't feel trapped in a fuel efficient car. It's stands to reason that they're the only choice that makes sense at this time, and in the foreseeable future.

If you'd like to buy an overpriced Cavalier for 'status' and feed it $80 in gas to go 200 miles or so... well, I don't know. My car fills for about 40 dollars and goes over 350 miles on that, the insurance is lower, it's a more mechanically sound car than any GM... the reasons just keep coming to light. I'd feel stuck in a Corvette.

So, this review has finally morphed into a "Prius versus Corvette" debate. That's a sure sign that any useful commentary is over. Time to drive a figurative stake through its heart and move on...

21:46...think how trapped you would feel if you paid 3 times as much buying an import equivalent to the Vette.

Europeans have paying much more for fuel as well. As of yesterday 7/20/08 many Europeans are flocking to Florida, a hot vacation bargain, and even if fuel were $6 a gallon, it's still less for them.

All of this is relative. If you are in a recession proof industry, and can afford a nice car, why criticize those that can?

I found the Cavalier comment with a big engine quite entertaining. Typically the comparisons are to high end import exotics costing a minimum of twice as much to Vettes/Vipers.

I know someone that drives a Diablo by owning a comic book store! Taking a chance being an entrepreneur vs. working for others is the beauty of living in America. Buy what you like to drive, but do not condemn others.

I think the discussion shifted from Tundra to other vehicles because the point had been well made many comments back that the Tundra is not now, and never has been any real competition to a full size domestic truck.

Those commenters who can find no means of defense for the Tundra, start grasping at straws in any way they can to defend the myth of "import superiority", and it doesn't work.

10:32 Well, those of you that don't know that 'import superiority' is a fact because of sloppy, disposable workmanship in domestic vehicles have no proof to dispute it, because there isn't any, and can only dismiss it as a 'myth'.

The FACTS remain that Japanese auto manufacturers have had far, far more vehicles rated as 'high quality, 'best buys', 'most reliable, and 'best used cars' than the domestics have had in the last 25 or so years. And these comments are from Consumer Reports, Edmunds, etc, and every reputable car magazine on the market that I've ever read.

Oh, let me guess, ALL of those sources are misinformed and we should all believe YOU? Give me a break.

The only myths are 'Quality is Job 1' at Ford and 'Like a Rock' for GM. Import superiority is a fact simply because they build better vehicles. Plain and simple. Look at the last 2 decades of reviews and they back me up.

I agree if it's has no relevance to a current full size truck candidate, what's the point?

I am not going to rush out and buy a tiny car or a tiny pickup. And if it's a 10-15 year old vehicle, and I am about to buy a 2009, I just don't even see merit.

I do like getting out and driving first hand more than one exact style vehicle... look at the carrying capacity, towing etc. If you need a full size truck, check them out.

16:30 All I have to do is look at half the imports warranty and my empty wallet. Enough for me to immediately buy domestics. Are we back in the 80's again with these comments?

This is my review, my truck. Now that this absolutely off subject, ridiculous debating is over, let me reiterate what my review was about. A now 6 year old Tundra. And it remains the best truck I have ever owned, has never needed anything except a front brake job. It has hauled anything I have asked it to. It has taken me and my family too many a fabulous camping trip with trailer in tow. Is it the truck for everyone? No. But it has been flawless.

This is America. If you like Fords, buy one. If you like GM, hey, buy one. This reviews purpose is to aid anyone thinking about buying a 2002 Tundra.

The truck is no longer a primary vehicle, with gas being what it is. So it sits in the garage now, and is used only for camping, more or less. We love the Tundra, and I will never part with it. I am sure there are folks out there that feel the same way about their Fords and Chevy's, and that is the beauty of America!!

To my knowledge there have never been any frequency-of-repair records that give a clear indication that imports are now, or ever have been, in any way more reliable or durable than domestic vehicles. If such records exist, I'd love to see them. Modern domestics are very reliable, but so were those of the 80's and 90's (many of which are still in use).

I think people rush to look at small imports, and just ask mpg and maybe lock in their options. So let's look what you could have with a superior handling fun to drive vehicle. I will mention 2 new domestics.

The new Vette has 430 hp and with the 6 speed at 70 mph you cruise at 28 mpg with 400 miles on a tank. 0-60 in 4.3 sec, great handling and a blast to drive.

If you have under 25K, the Cobalt SS has greatest front wheel driving, great handling and drivability, and 0-60 in under 6 seconds and averaging on the highway 30 mpg. It amazes me people will rush out and buy imports that take 10.5 seconds to do 0-60, and if you feel they handle great and are fun to drive, that's an individual's opinion.

My whole comment is there are other options and great cars to drive, that perform and are good on gas. I am sold on domestics, meaning the present, and get tired of the same 10 year old plus what I use to have.

I do not see any Toyotas that are a nice combination of features to own. My friend with a new Prius does not care about cars, she bought mpg. Maybe there are others like me left that love driving, want the mpg but not at the sacrifice of everything else. 0-60 in 10.5 seconds is boring to me. And keeping a new vehicle a few years with that outlook is not happiness.

15:18 Well, beyond your realm of knowledge, those records do in fact exist that will illustrate frequency of repairs and so forth.

Toyota's and Honda's go to the garage much less than Fords or Chevy's. I've read it many times, and if you research this, you will find it to be true also, whether or not that is to your liking.

Not true. In fact not only do Toyotas and Hondas have more frequent service intervals, but they have more expensive repair costs as well.

Over the long run American cars are cheaper to operate and to own. They also offer a far more comfortable driving experience, better acceleration, and the same fuel economy on average as well.