- pickup 159,050
- 1,178 below average
- 7,900 good
- Panama City, FL
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- autoshopper.com
- 1,178 below average pickup 159,050 white automatic
2003 toyota tundra review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Finesse triumphs over brawn. introductionthe toyota tundra is a full-size pickup, but it's more agile and more refined than the domestic trucks. The tundra is not as big and brawny as the ford f-150, dodge ram, chevrolet silverado, or gmc sierra, but it's easier to drive, lighter on its feet, and brilliantly quick and responsive. It's also built to toyota's high standard of quality. Its 4. 7-liter v8 engine is truly exceptional, with more than enough power to run with the big dogs. Three trim levels are available: base, sr5, and limited. New for 2003 is the choice of a full-width or step-side box. two engines are available: a sophisticated double-overhead-cam, 32-valve 4. 7-liter v8, and a 3. 4-liter double-overhead-cam v6. The v8 produces 240 horsepower and 315 foot-pounds of torque. The v6 is rated 190 horsepower and 220 foot-pounds of torque. Bumpers are painted, and even air conditioning is a $985 option. access cabs and 4x4s start at the sr5 level, which comes with air conditioning, cruise control, am/fm/cassette stereo, tilt steering, tachometer, chrome bumpers, styled wheels, and other trim upgrades. limited models are available only with the v8, and only with the access cab. The limited's long list of standard equipment includes abs, daytime running lights, an in-dash cd changer, keyless entry, and an anti-theft system. New for 2003 are steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and a power sliding rear window. a new sport suspension package for 2wd v8 models features tokico shocks, springs tuned for handling, a rear stabilizer bar, and a limited-slip differential. Graphite-tone 17-inch alloy wheels wear p265/65r17 tires. the step-side box adds style, but in traditional toyota fashion it's more svelte and subtle than overtly macho. Heavy-looking chrome grille bars faintly suggest the 1947 gmc design, a model now popular with collectors. but tundra's styling is still bland compared to the boldly retro dodge ram and the windswept ford f-150. Instead, the tundra shares a family resemblance with the compact toyota tacoma. The short rear doors are hinged at the rear and open opposite the front doors. We called these suicide doors in the old days, a label manufacturers avoid (and rightly so, as modern locks and body structure have eliminated the danger of such a door flying open in the wind). Fortunately, the inside of the rear door is padded, so this isn't a big problem. Handles for the rear doors are conveniently located on the outside, whereas most domestic pickups with extended cabs hide the handles inside the door jams. Still, the tundra's handle design isn't the most comfortable to use. the pickup bed measures 8 feet with the regular cab, but only 6-feet, 3-inches with the access cab. That's a few inches inches shorter than the short bed of a ford f-150 or chevrolet silverado. Toyota's bed is also a little shallower than ford's. . interiorthe tundra is a comfortable truck with a friendly interior. The 60/40 split-bench cloth seats are welcoming and supportive. Accessory switches are concentrated in the center cluster for easy operation. Instruments are straightforward, with a big tachometer on all but base models. But that means that even the two-wheel-drive tundra feels tall in the saddle, giving the driver a commanding view over shorter vehicles. Toyota claims the tundra provides more front legroom than any of the domestic pickups, including the chevrolet silverado and gmc sierra. Overall, however, the domestic trucks offer more usable room in the front seat area. an advanced seatbelt system with pre-tensioners and force limiters adds to safety, along with dual front airbags and side-impact beams. The passenger-side airbag can be switched off with the key when babies or children occupy the front passenger seat. access cab models add interior storage space and the ability to carry two more passengers. If those passengers are adults, however, the rear seat is mostly a short-term affair. The tundra does not have nearly as much space in the rear compartment of its extended cab as do the ford, dodge, chevrolet and gmc pickups. Plus, the toyota's rear seatback is vertical, forcing the occupants to sit bolt upright, which is uncomfortable for traveling any farther than the neighborhood restaurant. a far better use for the extended cab is carrying dry cleaning, groceries, briefcases, outdoor gear, or anything else that should be shielded from the elements. Unfortunately, the rear seat itself takes up a fair amount of room. The seat bottom on the split bench can be flipped up, but the seat doesn't fold completely out of the way, nor can it be easily removed. This is the quietest pickup we've ever driven. There's very little wind or road noise in the cabin. And the ride quality is extremely smooth. the v8 engine provides excellent acceleration in the 45-mph range. It is silky smooth, quick, and extremely responsive. At the same time, it isn't overly sensitive to the throttle at tip-in, so it doesn't lurch off the line. It also sounds great. Toyota perfected this design in its land cruiser and lexus luxury vehicles. With distributorless ignition and other state-of-the-art features, the 4. 7-liter v8 produces nearly 200 foot-pounds of torque at as little as 2000 rpm. It's the first v8 in the segment to qualify as an ultra low-emission vehicle, or ulev, by u. Government standards. the automatic transmission is smooth and responsive, communicating well with the engine, and always choosing the appropriate gear. starting from a dead stop, a two-wheel-drive tundra limited easily accelerated up a long steep grade while pulling a 3,000-pound trailer. This rig was stable going around sweeping turns, braking from high speeds on steep downhill sections and bouncing over a rough, lava-covered dirt road. There were none of the up and down motions some trucks exhibit when their front suspensions aren't up to balancing weight on the rear tongue. Transmission and engine oil coolers are standard. ride quality is excellent. On rough pavement and bumpy dirt roads, the tundra's suspension really shines. It damps out unwanted vibration and harshness and controls the movement of the wheels precisely, keeping the tires in contact with the road surface for excellent grip and handling. Bouncing up a steep mountain trail, barely a path, on the big island of hawaii, the tundra 4wd's suspension performed amazingly well. It was easy to control over the rough terrain. Bounding over harsh dips and humps, the suspension offered impressive travel and damping. The 2wd sr5 i drove through virginia was incredibly responsive. Everything about it felt exceptionally tight. while bouncing over moguls, we noticed that neither the cowl nor the front hood shook. The tundra's chassis is highly rigid with boxed front frame rails. AM/FM✔ Tachometer✔ Cruise Control✔ CD Changer✔ Air Conditioning✔ Alloy Wheels
7,900 Panama City, FLPanama City, FL at autoshopper.com