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In an effort to steal more sales from the "Big 3" Toyota has announced the addition of 13 new variations of the Tundra that are at the lower end.
The new Tundra Grade slots in above the plain base Tundra but below the SR5 and Limited models. The new Tundra Grade allows customers access to the CrewMax and Double Cab models, but without having to pay for some the extras on the SR5 or Limited models. The pricing starts at $24,715 for a V6, Double Cab, 4x2, automatic, and goes up to $27,685 with the addition of a V8 and the CrewMax cab.
This is all part of Toyota's plan to sell more than 200,000 Tundras in 2008.
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PRESS RELEASE:
October 2, 2007 - Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. (TMS), Inc. expanded the Tundra full-size pickup truck lineup for 2008, adding 13 new model variations and enhancing standard equipment levels to create a greater value. The 2008 Tundra now offers a choice of 44 model variations in three cab styles. Since its introduction in February 2007, Tundra's share of the half-ton full-size pickup truck segment has more than doubled, going from eight to 17 percent.
"Tundra has been an outstanding success for Toyota and its dealers, and additions to the 2008 model line are intended to maintain our momentum," said Bob Carter, Toyota Motor Sales group vice president and Toyota Division general manager. "Despite tough market conditions, Tundra retail sales were up 57.9 percent through September YTD, and we are on track to achieve our goal of 200,000 unit sales for 2007."
The biggest change for the 2008 Tundra is the increased availability of the two most popular cab styles – Double Cab and CrewMax – in the newly named "Tundra Grade," to increase their appeal to price conscious customers. Previously, these four-door models were available only in the intermediate SR5 and top-line Limited Grades. The new Tundra Grade, positioned just below the SR5, is equipped with all of the key standard features consumers expect in their truck, adding up to a great value.
Toyota is bolstering the value of the Tundra SR5 Grade Double Cab and CrewMax by increasing standard equipment. For 2008, these models include the previously optional power bucket front seats, AM/FM stereo with 6-disc CD changer, cold kit, heated mirrors, and mud guards as standard, at a lower price than for a similarly equipped 2007 model.
The Tundra Limited Grade Double Cab and Crew Max models add the formerly optional front and rear parking sonar, cold kit, and mudguards to the standard equipment list, all at a lower price. Finally, the Tundra Grade regular cab model features more rugged work truck styling for 2008, with a new chrome bumper and matte-black grille surround replacing the shiny black front bumper and grille surround.
The Tundra line-up sets a new benchmark in the full-size pickup truck segment for performance, capability, and standard safety features. The 2008 Tundra is available with 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains and offers three cab styles, three wheelbases, three bed lengths, three engines, and three trim levels.
The Double Cab is the top-selling volume Tundra configuration, accounting for 68-percent of non-fleet sales. The larger CrewMax accounts for 26 percent of Tundra sales. Tundra's available 381-horsepower i-Force 5.7L V8 is one of the most powerful engines available in a half-ton full-size pickup and is chosen by 72 percent of customers.
All Tundra models feature the Toyota STAR SAFETY SYSTEM™ as standard equipment, giving Tundra one of the most comprehensive suites of standard safety technology in the full-size pickup truck category. The system includes ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC).
The manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2008 Tundra Regular Cab ranges from $22,290 for the Tundra grade 4x2 with V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission, to $27,770 for the long-bed 4x4 with 5.7L V8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission.
Tundra Double cab MSRP ranges from $24,715 for the Tundra grade 4x2 with V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission, to $38,770 for the Limited grade 4x4 with 5.7L V8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission.
Tundra CrewMax MSRP ranges from $27,685 for the Tundra grade 4x2 with V8 engine and five-speed automatic transmission, to $42,070 for the Limited grade 4x4 with 5.7L V8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission.
2008 Tundra will begin arriving in dealerships in mid-October. The addition to the Tundra lineup consists of 13 all-new "Tundra grade" models for each of the Tundra SR5 Double Cab and CrewMax models.

Comments (6)
I went to buy some furniture last weekend, rented a trailer at U-Haul without any brake fluid whatsoever. I got really mad with that, what if had already loaded it and hit the highway?
I could have avoided the situations like that if I had my own truck, my wife wants me to buy one (she loves garage sales, moving sales, carpet sales, etc), but I resist. She wants a 4x4 one to avoid putting her car on the snow, but she wants to keep her regular awd car (and so do I). Maybe I should try one of those double cab Tundras? I can't see myself on the Ridgeline, but it seems it makes more sense to a occasional trucker like me.
Any suggestions? Does it make sense to buy a truck, or should I keep renting one (truck/trailer)?
Posted by Sphere | October 3, 2007 12:53 PM
Posted on October 3, 2007 12:53
Maybe look into buying a trailer. I bought one from the local classifieds for $500 a few years ago. I would much rather drive effecient, nice handling cars everyday than a 2 1/2 ton truck.
Another option is buying an older Nissan or Toyota truck from the early 90's. You should be able to find a clean model for less than $3,000 and it would easily move the occasional items that need to be moved.
Posted by Noya | October 3, 2007 2:44 PM
Posted on October 3, 2007 14:44
Its far more economical to rent the truck and trailer. Your cars get far better mileage and if they are AWD will work just as well in bad weather sans a full-on blizzard, but a storm of that magnitude will sideline most trucks too.
Instead of doing U-Haul, try Home Depot or Lowes. Both have commercial grade trucks available for fairly decent rental prices. We rented a Ford F550 (the Chassis crewcab version!) once: it moved 3 couches and a bookshelf that weighed several hundred pounds with all the books on it all at once.
I think it was less than a hundred dollars to rent it too. It did eat 40 gallons of diesel fuel, but then again, what costs more: renting the truck and paying for 40 gallons of diesel just the two or three times a year you need to, or buying the truck and paying for 40 gallons of diesel every week.
I realize that the truck was a commercial grade chassis cab, but now the Ford trucks out there all use the same engine, that 6.4L, so the differences could not of been that great.
As to buying a Toyota, Sphere, even though that truck gets wonderous gas mileage compared to the others, like I have stated above I recommend against it. If you were to use this like a truck is meant to be used once a week every week or greater, then yes. But for that once in a while crappola? I'd rather see you spend your money on something other than high gas bills.
Posted by Allen | October 3, 2007 2:53 PM
Posted on October 3, 2007 14:53
@sphere,
Unless you are gonna use it as a truck at least once a week, i dont think you should buy one.
Do some math about the cost of buying and living with it versus the cost of renting.
Few months ago, i did that for a couple friend of mine (they just got married). And it did more sense for them to just have one better car, than to have 2 "middle" cars, and her wife that works closer to home go to work by taxi.
(i know taxi can be expensive in some citys, but in this case it made sense, and this is just an example)
Posted by Rafael Fernandes | October 3, 2007 2:53 PM
Posted on October 3, 2007 14:53
Thanks everybody for the valuable input! I'm gonna cut and paste and e-mail my wife for proof.
Now, I wish I could park a trailer on my driveway, but my homeowners associations won't let that (nor boats, rvs, etc.). I'm gonna keep renting, makes more sense really. As long as I keep it a twice a month thingy, it is not that inconvenient for me (not sure about wife though). And I'm gonna try home depot/lowes, see what I can get there.
Thanks again
Posted by Sphere | October 3, 2007 3:30 PM
Posted on October 3, 2007 15:30
Spere, get yourself an Audi quattro hatchback.
And sell your wife in the next garage sale.
Posted by Staedler and Waldorff | October 4, 2007 7:05 AM
Posted on October 4, 2007 07:05