Tacoma Questions for a rookie

Hey Everyone!

I'm looking into buying a new Tacoma and I have a few questions.

1.) How are the double cabs with families? Its currently the wife, 1.5 year old and a blue heeler. The wife is hassling me for a second kid . This would be our second vehicle as our primary would be her Explorer. I've been looking at F-150's but I've had terrible luck finding one in decent shape. Most have been beat on or rodded with 40,000 miles and they still fetch 30 grand.

2.) Any opinions on waiting for the 2016's? I haven't heard a release date yet. I think they look good but it seems like the 2015 and before are pretty bulletproof.

3.) What the h$## is up with this Tacoma? It has a $9000 markup? I'd never pay that but i'm curious as to if I'm missing something.... http://www.toyotaofgrandforks.com/n...nd-Forks-0921c0550a0a00de561a87e6e1f3e381.htm

4.) How good are the 2015's with towing smaller trailers? Were looking at a pop up camper and maybe a fishing boat in the future. I found the biggest boat I'd ever buy and it topped out at 3600lbs boat/trailer/motor combined (unloaded). Most likely I'll never go that big. Do these things do ok with smaller campers/boats? I know it won't tow like a 1/2 ton. I'd be getting the v6 with tow package option and would obviously get trailer brakes if I get a larger boat.


Thanks Everyone! Hopefully I'll be in a Tacoma soon and contribute to the forum!

 

1) I just took a 6 hour each way trip with my double cab. All was fine, everyone happy(other than me quickly getting tired of my Dunlop tires). Wife, 1 kid, 2 dogs.
2) Your call, will probably ride better, get better mileage, more power have more toys etc. Who knows about price. Will probably have some teething issues but if you can wait, might as well wait until both are for sale and have the option of a clearanced out 2015 or the 2016.
3) Look at the last picture, it has a lift of some sort(probably crappy spacer), ugly aftermarket wheels and tires, tonneau cover, and tube steps.
4) Don't know for sure but if you get the v6 with towing package it has a 6,500lb limit. The 4 banger could tow what you are looking at. Don't worry, they are stout trucks.

 

1.) plenty of room for 2 adults and 2 kids.
2.) no opinion. Go with what you like. (2nd gens have been tried and tested and have lots of aftermarket mods available...ok I guess I do have an opinion)
3.) looks like they don't want to sell it.
4.) your towing expectations are reasonable.

Now it's time to pull the trigger and drive your new taco! Good luck!

 

I completely missed that last photo. They ruined it for me. Still don't think they put 9k into it

 

Notice I said CRAPPY spacer lift and UGLY aftermarket wheels, no they didn't put 9k into it couple grand tops, typical stealership BS, someone will buy it though.

 

Lol. I missed that too. Now it's so custom that you have to love it or leave it...

 

They are just trolling for an idiot hoping to steal his/her money.

 

I bought a '13 DCSB. I have a young family. I'm 6', my wife is 5'1", we have a four year old son and a seven week old gal. We fit fine with the infant carrier and booster seat in the back. Toddler sits behind mom since she's so small. Plus, I can't stand when he kicks on the back of my chair. We put essentials in the floor behind the driver seat. Overnight bags and cooler are bungied in the bed. We've taken trips to South Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina and it's been a great truck on the interstate, even after the 3"/2" lift & level. I arrived at the Tacoma after driving a standard F-150 for five years. I was at the dealership looking at the extended cab F150s when I decided on the Tacoma. There was a ton of room up front in the F150 but not so much in the back for toddler legs and infant carseats. Overall, the F150 felt like an old man's truck while the Tacoma felt more sprightly.

 

We have a 2008 4runner and I recently traded my sedan in on a 2015 DCSB. The announcement about the 2016 Tacomas caught my interest, but as I considered the potential headaches of a new platform (including a new engine and transmission) plus the availability and pricing of the 2015s, I decided to go with a gen 2 instead of waiting. I gave up some creature comforts (like automatic climate control) but have no regrets about the decision.

We had a small ~1500 lb pop-up camper that we towed with our 4runner for years. We recently upgraded to a hybrid travel trailer that tips the scales around 3500 pounds. While I didn't buy my Taco for the specific purpose of towing the new trailer, I do find it has been able to handle itself very well on the few trips we've taken it on, including one that required hill climbing of a couple thousand feet in elevation.

My kids are 10 and almost 13. Before purchasing the double cab, I tried out the Access Cab and found the back seat a bit cramped for my liking. I didn't take the kids with me when I bought my DC, but I've had it for about 6 weeks, it is the primary family weekend vehicle, and they've never complained about lack of space. We took a one-night family camping trip a couple weeks ago, including our (full size) dog, and we all seemed to fit well. Granted, our destination was only an hour from home and the results may have been different if we were traveling for many hours.

Historically, I have always tried to purchase a couple-years-old used vehicle to avoid early depreciation. Once I settled on a 2015 instead of 2016, I discovered it was less expensive to buy a new 2015 via the Costco buying program than buying one that was a couple years old. I've had my 2015 since mid-April, logged 3-4k on it, and really have no complaints. It's been a great truck for us. This is my third Toyota pickup and our fifth Toyota overall, and although it is early this latest Toyota seems to be consistent with our prior impressions of quality, durability, and reliability.

Good luck with your decision!

 

Thank you everyone for your input! I'm feeling MUCH better about leaning towards a Tacoma now. Now I just need to figure out if I want to wait for the new one. My friends are still trying to talk me into a full size truck but they are so freaking huge I don't really want one.

 

Tell your friends to cough up the money for the extra cost the f the truck and each month for the gas money it will cost you. I have a 2014 Tacoma DCLB 4X4. Does everything I want a truck to do including towing a 4000 lb Hybrid camper and getting me through several large mudholes to many good hunting spots. Have never regretting buying it with only 20 miles on it.

 

After you buy a DC Tacoma the Exploder will become your "second" vehicle!

X2

 

I bought my first tacoma almost 2 months ago. Got the DCSB prerunner SR5. I love it. Got the 2.7 4cylinder. I bought it because I drive a lot. I have almost 7,000 miles on it in almost 2 months. Good luck.

 

And I get 18-20 mpg in the city or hwy. Heavy foot.

 

1) I have 2 kids (15 and 10) and a dog and my '15DCLB is awesome as a family truckster. Wish gas mileage was better but I knew what I was getting into. Since I got it in March I'm averaging 17.9 with mix of hwy and city. My low is 16.1 and my high is 19.6.

Wife, kids and dog all love it.

2)No opinion on the 16 but I couldn't wait and went with the 15.

3)What was said above about the last pic. Wheels and spacer lift (probably) and a 1,000% markup on the parts... sheesh.....

4) No experience towing but shopping for a 2 bike trailer (and trying to convince the wife to get a pop-up)

The taco is my first truck and I highly recommend it. It has its quirks but I am very happy.