2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 from North America - Comments

Also suck water straight into the intake and bye bye motor. What's the point crapping up a mint new truck riding in mud.

"Well, I'm not a physics professor, so I'll leave that to you, but since I am a mechanic, I do know that the Tundra puts all of the F-150s to shame."

I'm a mechanic and also happen to have a very strong background in physics. I totally disagree with this statement. it offers not a shred of verifiable, objective evidence to back up the claim. It's just another "It's better because I say so" comment.

I'd highly recommend viewing the 2007 video of the comparison between the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, Chevy Silverado and Tundra. Note the Tundra is the only one flexing on the bumps, with body panels flapping in the breeze like paper. Also, it might help to compare the TINY size of the Tundra's vital parts, such as frame components and axle shafts, etc. to the thick, robust materials used on ALL domestics (not just the F-150).

True, Toyota DID greatly improve some of these shortcomings in 2008 (by copying some of Fords frame design) but overall the Tundra still comes up short. There is no reliable evidence to support a claim that the Tundra is mechanically superior to ANY domestic. On the contrary, there is a history of bad brakes, bad suspension, bad steering, sludging issues, and that all-time favorite of mine, the bad camshafts that were (according to import fans) installed "without Toyota's knowledge".

I still laugh at the idea of evil domestic car makers slipping into the Toyota factory dressed in all black in the dead of night and sneaking those "bad" cams into all those Tundra engines, then slipping away silently into the darkness.

I have seen those videos but I disagree with your observation. First did you notice that the Tundra was also the only one to maintain all four wheels on the road? To me that seems to be a really important aspect of a vehicle. Also did you notice the speeds of all four vehicles? The GM and Dodge traveled at a much slower speed to help maintain some control over the vehicle. The Ford was doing 10 mph less than the Tundra and still couldn't keep all four tires attached to the road. Me personally, I will take a vehicle that has some bed flex and all four tires on the road. Plus the videos never tell which suspension packages are being used on which trucks, and seeing how they all have numerous options available, we don't know if it is a comparable study.

The best is to test drive full sizes maybe even rent... haul and tow extensively. You want to ride and bounce in the mud empty that's your choice. I see a pickup as having a bed and a strong frame and hitch/tow package. If it handles well, roomy and comfortable that's a plus. If it skips and bounces on expansion strips empty that's not a plus. Get behind the wheel and test them is better than printed tailgate reviews.

I'd be VERY hesitant to drive a truck that had so much frame flex it twisted like a pretzel over bumps. That causes stress cracks to form in vital frame components, leading to premature and often disastrous failures of structural members. If you'll notice the videos of rock-climbers and Hummer H-1's traversing very rugged terrain, the frames don't flex an inch. The tires come off the ground (as they should) in going over very rugged terrain. To argue that a FLEXIBLE frame is an asset is REALLY stretching things in order to support the Tundra.

Thanks, but no thanks. I'll continue to support the 91% of Americans who work for domestic auto makers rather than buying Japanese and helping only 9%. The domestic trucks are far better and helping my own country is far more satisfying than making a contribution to Japan's economy.

I'll continue to support the manufacturer that's given me the best product for my money every time - Toyota.

Did anyone hear GM's pathetic new ad? They said they're now 'smarter' and 'getting down to business'. Which, I suppose, means not so bright and not taking their jobs seriously before now. That was obvious to anyone who owned one.

Toyota was smart and got down to business decades ago. Which is why they're wiping the floor with what's left of the once 'Big 3'... which is kind of a joke to even use that phrase now.

But not anywhere near the historic sales volume of the domestic full size trucks. Check your stats. Get behind the wheel and tow or haul something. It's not small hybrids when looking at full size trucks.

I like the handling, room, comfort, capability and far superior warranty on my new Silverado. And I bought after test driving them. I do not combine statistics of an entire line up to and including small little economy cars. Especially on a full size truck review. Full size to full size specs pertain. Then look at the warranty. Everyone should be at 100,000 miles I feel in 2009.

Manufacturers who refuse to offer 100,000 mile warranties have VERY good reasons not to: Namely, they know their vehicles aren't capable of that kind of reliability. We have never once had a mechanical problem with our Fords, Dodges or Chevys before 100,000 miles. our company trucks routinely go 300,000 miles before being retired. Needless to say, none of them are Tundras. We'd go bankrupt on repair costs.

In addition, thousands of people in the U.S. are currently out of work due to our citizens thoughtlessly buying from foreign countries. There is no way I'm sending $25,000-$35,000 of my money to Japan when our own citizens are hurting. The lack of patriotism in this country is appalling. Even if domestic vehicles WEREN'T superior, I'd still buy them. As it is they ARE and I save money on repairs as well as helping my country.

Buying imports is not helping our local community... large and small businesses going away means higher costs for the rest of us. And it is not just automotive related. Buy an import or even buy on the Internet to save a quick immediate buck. In the end someone pays, and I have found there is no free ride. Those of us still working can benefit the businesses that keep our taxes down, buy the same local utilities we do and keep our neighbors and friends working. I could buy an import and pay cash as I fortunately have a good job. But I am not doing so. I have been looking and buying new domestics made here, patronizing local stores, especially small family owned, more than ever. I am willing to pay a little more and feel in the long run it may net out to the same.

I have found zero issues with our new domestics, and that was not the case with our last new Hondas. Our warranty ran out rapidly and we sold our last. Between the quality concerns, limited warranty and certainly the current state of the economy it was sound decision.

Everyone has an opinion, some may disagree, it's all about me and forget everyone else living in your community. We use to not care and just bought what we liked. The economy is terrible right now and that former attitude seems out of sync. We switched and also like what we own. Good luck on your 2009 and upcoming 2010 vehicle choices.

"Buying imports is not helping our local community... large and small businesses going away means higher costs for the rest of us. And it is not just automotive related. Buy an import or even buy on the Internet to save a quick immediate buck. In the end someone pays, and I have found there is no free ride. Those of us still working can benefit the businesses that keep our taxes down, buy the same local utilities we do and keep our neighbors and friends working. I could buy an import and pay cash as I fortunately have a good job. But I am not doing so. I have been looking and buying new domestics made here, patronizing local stores, especially small family owned, more than ever. I am willing to pay a little more and feel in the long run it may net out to the same.

I have found zero issues with our new domestics, and that was not the case with our last new Hondas. Our warranty ran out rapidly and we sold our last. Between the quality concerns, limited warranty and certainly the current state of the economy it was sound decision."

I totally agree and staunchly support your desire to help our own local economies. Too many people fall for the argument that "Japanese companies build cars HERE" without bothering to do any research. The truth is, 91% of American jobs related to the auto industry are tied to DOMESTIC manufacturers. Only 9% of such jobs are through Japanese auto companies. When you buy a Japanese car you are hurting 91% of the people in the U.S. who work for the auto industry. We are trying to get the word out on this issue locally and it seems to be working. domestic sales (Ford primarily) are going great here, and outpacing Toyota and Honda 2 to 1. There ARE still patriotic Americans who do care about helping their neighbors.

We make it a point to buy NOTHING that is not made by American industries. Our appliances, electronics, cars and home furnishings are made by U.S. based companies. It goes without saying our vehicles are as well. We have found that we are out far less money all around with domestic vehicles. They never require repairs, cost thousands less to purchase, and last as long as we choose to drive them. The idea of my buying a poor imitation of a full sized truck, such as the Tundra, and paying thousands more for it while getting 1/3 the warranty of a domestic is laughable.

It is the repetitive 91 Vs 9% argument that is laughable.

You no right to judge who is and who isn't patriotic.

It is a shame that you have chosen this fine automotive web site to continually spread your propaganda.

"It is the repetitive 91 Vs 9% argument that is laughable"

Putting 91% of U.S. auto-related jobs in jeopardy is "laughable". And I thought I had an odd sense of humor!!

The ironic thing here is that we have the same two sides arguing: "domestic" (which I assume must mean Ford, Chrysler, and GM) and "Imports", which I assume must mean Toyota since they have taken the spot of the world's largest automaker.

I fail to see how this is even an argument. GM and Chryler went bankrupt because they build decades of poorly engineered, utterly clunky vehicles. You can only get away with that for so long before the public becomes wary and distrustful of your brand. It's not a coincidence that pretty much every consumer publication has ranked the former big 3 at or near the bottom of the quality ratings, and for the last 20+ years below the levels of Toyota and Honda. You can only get away for so long with screwing customers over by selling them products that break down, fail to deliver, or provide reliable transportation before they will look elsewhere. Toyota provides the answer and once these people found that their Toyotas often ran for decades with few problems, they gave their trust to Toyota.

This didn't happen overnight. It took decades. Years of the Big 3 screwing up and making faulty products. Years of more and more people jumping to Japanese brands. Years of people being satisfied with their reliable Toyotas giving them no reason to "try" the big 3 again. Then one day the Big 3 realized they had a serious problem of losing market share. We were promised that they had "improved". Yes - we still read about how Ford or GM has a higher INITIAL quality than (name that evil foreign car company's) car or truck. But the public doesn't care. They know what works and that would be a no-nonsense, reliable car or truck. Hence why Toyota is in the position its in.

Thus I'm confused why this is so completely intangible to some of you who act as if it's a giant conspiracy and that all of us who drive Toyotas are totally wrong. If we were wrong then Toyota would have gone the way of the Yugo long ago. We are right and you know it, and trying to tell us how crappy YOU think our cars or trucks are doesn't belittle reality.

Lastly, yes - I'm all about supporting the US economy. I buy American when I can. But I'm not about to waste my hard-earned money on junk neither. If US car companies built good products - products that were better than Toyota, sure - I'd buy them. But they don't and that's why I have little reason to switch.

If you want to buy inferior products and call it patriotic, that's your business. I buy the best products Toyota and Honda) and call it smart.

The truly funny thing here is the handful of people here that will actually argue that Ford, Chevy, or Dodge produce better engines than Toyota or Honda, which is absurd. Honda simply makes THE best engines on the planet. Period. But you can't tell that to the "patriotic" guy who thinks the engine in his Dodge Neon is as good as the vtec in a Civic. I truly do love spreading that kind of 'propaganda' around... it's called FACTS.

Are we on cars or truck production. If it sales figures meaning the best, it's not Tundras. Maybe go to the Prius forum.