Buying a Tacoma tomorrow - Help Please

Hello folks. Considering buying a Tacoma next few days. Any suggestion on cab size?

 

Sounds to me like you should get the standard cab based on your needs.

 

First off, Welcome!

I did find myself in a similar situation when before I bought my Tacoma. I only needed enough space for myself, and my fiance, however I too wanted to be sure I had room for lugging around shopping bags, groceries, etc. What eventually had me sold on an Access Cab, was the available options it came with opposed to the Standard Cab. I much preferred the V6 & TRD packages opposed to the 4Cyl in the Standard Cab. I suppose your situation requires more thought since the size of the truck affects your parking situation though. Good luck tomorrow! I think you'll be happy with the truck regardless of which cab size you decide on - Tacoma's are awesome!

 

It sounds like you could get by with a standard cab and maybe a tonneau cover for the bed.

But, what's all this talk about the garage? If you're living in the far north, you should keep your truck parked outside during the winter. I know this seems counter-intuitive at first. But, a warm(er) garage will significantly increase the rate of corrosion caused by road salt and moisture on your truck. Better to park it outside where chemical processes are at a standstill at 0F and use a block/oil pan heater.

 

Welcome to the forum from Vermont
Another vote for outside parking & tonneau.
Once the truck is outside driving in the snow, salt & slush that junk will will fall off in the garage & if its that small could make a mess around your bike.
I dunno about the cab configuration. My only reg cab was an 88. My situation is similiar no kids to tote around but own a DC. I like the room & 4 full doors.
Congrats on your new truck, whichever model you buy

 

I had a '99 extended cab when I was single. I always regretted it cause whatever I put in the back of the cab stayed there forever. When I bought this truck a few months ago I decided I wanted the standard cab. I really don't miss the extra 18" of space and it is easier to drive around in with tight spaces (I used to drive an 18-wheeler but I still notice the difference). With regards to the options, my theory was to spend less on the truck itself and pick and choose what options to install at a later date. For example I saved anywhere from 5-8k on the new truck but just put the bigger tires on that I really wanted, after Christmas I'll put on the Bilstein 5100's to level, fog lights, and the intermittent wiper switch. Very happy with my standard cab.

The only other thoughts I have are 1) Now I'm married and whenever we go somewhere more than an hour away, we take the wife's Camry so I didn't have any need at all for the extra cab space. 2) With the access cabs that have the swing out doors it would be a lot easier to get stuff in and out of the back of the cab.

 

Standard cab, weather tight box..or..Hard Tonneau...or...leer 100XL or similar color matched topper. If it were me up north, the topper would be my only choice. Welcome to TW! Look up some of the topper pics here on the website. Good luck and take your time with your decision, no need to rush it. Also, you can find these items used for significantly less on TW if you keep an eye out

 

My first was a standard:



And now have an AC:



From what you wrote, I would lean toward the standard, with a tonneau or cap (I have a Leer in both pics, a 100XL on the new one). You don't need the extra space, and if and when you park in the garage, the extra length is a PITA. I have a tennis ball hanging from the ceiling of my garage to tell me when to stop, but even with that, the first few times I felt like I was going to run into my workbenches on the back wall!

 

Op...Not sure of your height, but a standard cab has not much room to recline the seat back or leg room for that matter. Just make sure you drive it a while prior to making your purchase to sse if your comfortable.

 

I had to get the access because I am 6'2". I love having the extra room behgind the seat. But my needs are not the sama as yours. Either way you will love your new truck. And she will treat you great! Congrats

 

1st of all welcome ....... I had an '06 regular cab which I enjoyed very much. A nice ride, easy to park, great mpg ... .fun to drive. I went into a '10 AC to use a little inside storage (and it was a great deal). As far as parking ..... with the RC I would think that I was very close to the car behind me, I would get out and see that I still had 3 - 4 feet to spare. With the backup camera in the '10, parking is a breeze.

I guess your decision is going to be based on your garage space ...... that'll be up to you.

I really like the AC .... below is what I did to use the rear seat space to better fit my needs.

It is a case of not missing what you don't have. As I said, I really liked the RC (as I had an '84 and '94 regular cab) but now that I have the AC I know what I was missing.

Good luck.

 

If you're set on the Std cab go for it. Personally, the access cab relieves the claustrophobic tendencies my old truck gave me - especially when I needed to get comfortable in it for a few hours. Of course the Tacoma is a bigger truck than my old '88 Toy was. I could NEVER go with a Std' cab again personally, only because of seat room. I'm 5'11"

RZ Rob

 

I'm 6'0" and I just bought a std cab back in August. For me, I find there's plenty of room. I don't even slide the seat all the way back - its 2 or 3 clicks forward.

As far as keeping "stuff" dry and secure, there are a mind boggling array of options: shell, hard tonneau, soft tonneau, toolbox, toolbox with short-tonneau, etc...

When you go to buy any of this stuff, check out our site sponsor Truck Alterations: http://www.truckalterations.com/html/tacomaworld.html They ship promptly and have *much* lower prices than anyone else.

Most people buy access or double cabs, so in 2011 the std cab is now kind of holding up the "low end price point" option for Toyota. That's great if, like me, simple is what you want. I love my 4 cyl engine, 5 speed manual, drop-dead-simple-bench-seat-hand-crank-window configuration. But lots of folks want a little more plush in their ride. If so, you'll probably find yourself getting the access cab, because that's now the only way to get the V6, electric windows, climate control, 6 CD, navigation system, etc...

EDIT: Before you SR5 std cab owners jump on me - Toyota changed the lineup for 2011. There are fewer std cab options available now than there were in previous years.

 

Go with the access cab and leave it outside.

that way you will have plenty of room for the motorcycle

and alot more.

 

Just my two cents.

Go for the regular cab. That way you can put it in the garage if it makes you feel safer. Although, i'd listen to these guys about the snow etc...i'm in Ca and never lived in snow.

That said, my first new car was a tacoma access cab and it was nice because it felt roomier and i could throw stuff behind my seat rather than in the bed and it wasn't that much larger or anything. It was a joke for me that the back seat was a place to keep my recycling...since i'd throw my empty water bottles back there...horrible i know!

I had a tonneau cover as well and i liked it but i hardly had it on because i went dirt bike riding so much.

Either truck you get, you'll be happy though, I miss my Taco immensly and can't wait to get my new one!

 

Preparedness gear, first aid kit, hmmm sounds like me. I carry a lot of things around in my regular cab Tacoma. It's just a 5 lug regular cab but it does everything I need it to. I am amazed at how much I can put behind the seat, I carry a backpack with lots o goodies in it that would help me survive for a couple days if need be. There is also a bag with jumper cables, tow straps, and tie downs. All this stuff fits neatly behind the seat.

The only thing that I wish mine had were bucket seats, but I didn't want the extended cab just for that.
Good luck with your possible purchase tomorrow!

 

Spoil yourself and get the Access Cab!

 

I love my access cab. Great for when I need a little more security for items I don't want in the bed, even through I have a tonneau. My dog like the access cab part too. As for seating, I've never had them opened. I really bought it for the extra storage.

Good luck with your purchase! I came from Explorers too and live in snow country. When you do get your Taco, get a tonneau cover for it. Beats cleaning out snow and ice during the winter when you need a dry bed for something.

 

Well...hate to say it but you cant go wrong with a subie. They have much improved the look on the Forestor as well from the past models. The rav-4 is also nice. The Subie may fit your needs better. Let us know.

 

Welcome to TW!! I really love my Access Cab- convenient for putting items in the back seat without having stuff rolling around in the bed. Also, don't have to walk around to the other side to put in groceries etc. Parallel parking is easier with a back-up camera- only available on Sport and Offroad packages. The SR5's '09 and '10 had the harness run for the camera- I was able to add one with parts I got off ebay. I am not sure if this is still true.

Regarding winter climate- the thing that is going to piss you off is no heated mirror option on Tacomas. Since there is no rear defog, the mirrors are often your only option for lane changes. Yes, you can scrape them, but then they are out of adjustment and you have to re-adjust them! The best work around seems to be Sienna mirrors with a Highlander switch and custom wiring. This is my next project- I have already run the wires when I took my doors apart for speaker installation.