Adding a second Tacoma?

Hello, considering a second Tacoma and need input...


We current have a 2nd generation Tacoma double cab! My husband is the primary truck driver. My primary is an older, high mileage, manual transmission Honda Civic. I love the manual transmission! We have a toddler and a baby on the way, possibly a third eventually.


We are looking to replace my Honda with a new car. We plan on keeping the new car for a long time.


All new cars today have way more bells and whistle than I need or even want. I also can’t stand push button starts or electric parking brakes. I would love a manual transmission.


I have it narrowed down to the Toyota Sienna L (base) or the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-road MT 4WD with a bed cover / camper shell.


I do not need the 4WD capability. We do tow things fairly frequently, but can use my husband’s Tacoma.


If we went with the Tacoma, I would need to frequently use the truck bed cargo space as two carseats will take up a lot of the front seat. Has anyone used the bed cover to put cargo on a regular basis, not just the occasional road trip? Is it a much bigger pain than a regular car trunk? What kind of cover did you use? Did you have any problems with it leaking? Any problems with it wearing out quickly? Were you able to lock the cargo inside?


Minivan pros:

- Cheaper purchase price

- Better fuel economy

- Plenty of passenger room, especially with the carseats

- Easy to access cargo


Tacoma pros:

- Much, much cooler (obviously)

- Manual transmission


Husband doesn’t care what I decide. Any thoughts here?

 

Welcome to TW

 

The Sienna sounds like a more practical approach for what you need it for - the Tacoma will feel cramped with 2 car seats, but it's doable especially if you go with the Diono Radians that are pretty narrow. We only have one toddler and we have her carseat forward facing in the middle and can actually fit 2 adults in the back (barely) when needed on short trips but it's tight.

We still use the Tacoma for most trips over my wife's CRV though. I have a Truck Covers USA rolling tonneau cover (they aren't cheap, but they are quality). You can mount racks to the top of it to easily carry bikes and whatnot if you're into outdoors / sports. Tons of storage under the bed and if you get the right cover, it's gonna be dry and lockable. We can easily fit paddling gear, camping gear, coolers, high chairs, pack n play, suitcases/bags, etc., in the bed with the cover closed. I pack it full so it can be a bit of a tetris game and sometimes I think a camper shell would be more practical however I prefer the tonneau bed cover b/c it makes loading gear so much easier than having to load things on my roof all the time or hitch racks... To each their own though.

Sienna may not have the cool factor and I'd have a very hard time driving one, but I know many friends who own them and absolutely love them and for comfort on road trips with kids and whatnot they really can't be beat.

Still, we make do w/ the Tacoma b/c it's cool and capable and equipped to keep the dirty stuff outside of the cab...

 

Welcome!

I’m sure there are ways to make a bed cover more water/dust resistant. I have a cheapie vinyl cover on mine and it is pretty good for keeping water out, but dust still gets in. I keep a couple of large plastic storage bins in the bed for things I want to keep dry/clean. I’m sure a hard cover or camper shell with some weather stripping would be much better.

But there’s also nothing wrong with a minivan.

 

Thanks @bshammer0! I've set next to my son's carseat in the back too and yes tight, but doable. I'm pretty sure we could even fit three across if needed.

Do you find it pretty easy to lift the cover and access the cargo area? Is it about like lifting an SUV hatch?

Unfortunately I know the minivan is more practical for what we need at this stage.

I've been trying to think up alternatives where I could have a manual transmission and some cool factor. I haven't looked for a car in about 15 years and I was surprised how few were available with MT now. I saw some very old Toyota minivans were stick shifts... would have been the best of both worlds for me.

 

Let the tacoma do all the work....

And get the Sienna for the little ones for better family trips... Welcome and congrats!

 

Thanks @Kabogski!

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

How about, hear me out on this, a Honda Accord manual. Nice looking car, comes in manual (I'm almost positive), room in backseat for car seats, reliable and has a trunk for storage?
And Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW.

Remember one day those little ones are gunna have friends. And those friends will need rides somewhere, and they’re gunna need somewhere to sit. Our Tacoma is already pretty tight when loaded down with camping gear AND the dog, wife wants to add financial burdens soon and I’m already worried about giving up my truck.

 

Welcome to TW! Go for it.

 

welcome

 

Thanks! Will try to go to the Honda dealership this weekend - that looks like it would work well. I've been really happy with my current Honda.

 

Minivan con --- it's a minivan..... Tacoma pro --- it's a Tacoma....

 

Sienna, or Tacoma, both are hard choices to make. Either way you go, you can get a set of Volks for the Toyota of your choice.

 

I don’t see a point to owning 2 Tacomas. Seems like you get more versatility from a Tacoma + 4Runner or new highlander or Van or something considering need for cargo space.

 

You answered your own question. Look at the "pros" of each. Practical vs. "cool". With three kiddos and something that you plan to keep for a long time...the minivan makes the most sense. As a long time manual transmission guy, I have learned to love an automatic. p.s. Have you ever considered an SUV? They have a bit more of a "cool" factor than a minivan. (Just as JdevTac suggested and 4Runner has a "cool" factor at least equal to that of a Tacoma.)

 

You could always look for a Manual SUV.

 

I would get a Highlander. Of your choices...Sienna.

 

One word: Ridgeline