1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Good Car Size for Parents?

Discussion in 'General Automotive' started by Hotdog, Mar 27, 2009.

  1. Mar 27, 2009 at 12:35 PM
    #1
    Hotdog

    Hotdog [OP] My hair is all natural Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Member:
    #872
    Messages:
    10,245
    First Name:
    Hotdog
    Vehicle:
    2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab
    Wet Okole Underwear
    I'm not a parent(and none on the way), but I'm trying to do some planning.

    When you had small children, did you feel like a small SUV (think Honda CR-V, Toyota Rav4) was big enough?

    I've got many nephews and it seems like those small SUVs get cramped very quickly when they want to go for a weekend trip.

    My wife already has the CR-V. I'm thinking that I'll need to get a shell to be able to haul everything that comes with kid ownership.
     
  2. Mar 27, 2009 at 12:38 PM
    #2
    Khaos

    Khaos Big Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2008
    Member:
    #4570
    Messages:
    6,454
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bryant
    Jacksonville, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2011 DC TRD SPORT Prerunner
    3” spacer lift, 285/75/17 KO2, Spidertrax 1.25” spacers
    Growing up my Mom had Chrysler vans. Back in November of '02 she bought an '03 Sequoia. Fit the family perfect and was a FAR better vehicle than any of the Town & Country vans she owned. The Sequoia has got 80K on it now and stills runs like the day it was bought. On long trips I couldn't fathom riding in anything smaller.
     
  3. Mar 27, 2009 at 12:38 PM
    #3
    tacoskim

    tacoskim Tuned By Gadget

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2008
    Member:
    #5252
    Messages:
    2,378
    Gender:
    Male
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    09 TRD 4x4 Pyrite Mica
    Stock
    whats wrong with your double cab?
     
  4. Mar 27, 2009 at 12:39 PM
    #4
    WoadWunner

    WoadWunner Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2008
    Member:
    #9521
    Messages:
    756
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Bridgetown, Nova Scotia
    Vehicle:
    17 Accesscab TRD Offroad Inferno
    Tonneau Cover, Devils Horns on the way, Blackened Grill, LED Low beams and Fogs, weathertecs
    A DC with an empty box should haul kids and loads of extras.
     
  5. Mar 27, 2009 at 12:41 PM
    #5
    Hotdog

    Hotdog [OP] My hair is all natural Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Member:
    #872
    Messages:
    10,245
    First Name:
    Hotdog
    Vehicle:
    2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab
    Wet Okole Underwear
    nothing.

    exactly what I've been thinking.

    I'm contemplating if the CR-V will be big enough and if it isn't, I feel like I will need to get a camper shell to keep everything dry and secured.
     
  6. Mar 27, 2009 at 12:43 PM
    #6
    tacoskim

    tacoskim Tuned By Gadget

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2008
    Member:
    #5252
    Messages:
    2,378
    Gender:
    Male
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    09 TRD 4x4 Pyrite Mica
    Stock
    the cr-v is little, my friends corolla has more room than that thing
     
  7. Mar 27, 2009 at 12:52 PM
    #7
    Hotdog

    Hotdog [OP] My hair is all natural Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Member:
    #872
    Messages:
    10,245
    First Name:
    Hotdog
    Vehicle:
    2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab
    Wet Okole Underwear
    It is little, but I don't know if I'd say the corolla has more room. I think it essentially a 4 door Civic with a hatchback.
     
  8. Mar 27, 2009 at 12:54 PM
    #8
    Anathollo

    Anathollo www.saveadane.org

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2009
    Member:
    #14071
    Messages:
    1,297
    Gender:
    Male
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    07 Tacoma TRD Sport
    Icon coilovers, Rear Fox Resi-shocks, 285/70/17 Toyo A/T's, Touchscreen JVC Headunit, Custom Rhino-lined sub box, Rocksford Fosgate components and Dual Rockford Fosgate 10" shallow subs, Pioneer and Rocksford Fosgate amps, 1250 watts total, Autometer Volt and Trans gauges with Lotek A-pillar, K&N Drop-in filter, WO Seat covers, Tint, NST WP pulley, Hi-lift jack, Diff breather mod, horn relocation mod, extra "D" rings, de-pinstriped, carrier bearing drop, Rear backup 886 bulbs, Camburg UCA's, AMW Catch can, BHLM, OME Dakars with AAL, Procomp 7089's, Front single hoop Demello bumper, Superwinch Tiger Shark 9500, Amsteel 3/8th synthetic line
    I have 2 nephews and 1 niece that all require a different type of car seat. I haul them around around all the time and I never have a problem, nor do they. So you're going to be great with just one kid in your double cab!
     
  9. Mar 27, 2009 at 12:58 PM
    #9
    Hotdog

    Hotdog [OP] My hair is all natural Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Member:
    #872
    Messages:
    10,245
    First Name:
    Hotdog
    Vehicle:
    2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab
    Wet Okole Underwear
    I know that day to day hauling won't be an issue. It is those trips to the beach, Disney, or on holidays that have me concerned. When you have to pack strollers, pack n plays, diapers, nannies, and whatever other crap seems to fill up parent's cars.
     
  10. Mar 27, 2009 at 12:59 PM
    #10
    harshest

    harshest I am the Sofa King

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2008
    Member:
    #8508
    Messages:
    561
    Gender:
    Male
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    05 PreRunner SR5
    Fog Light On, Hidden Garage Door Opener, Scanguage II, Weathertech Liners, Cig lighter always on, Door buzzer removed from dash- Upcoming: 5100s for front and rear, set fronts to 2.5" and Toytec AALs.
    The wife drives an Explorer with the two car seats in the back set and we have more than enough room. When gas prices were at $4 we were looking at the Rav4 and actually took one out for a drive and put both of the car seats in there as well and probably would have bought it but the gas came down. I guess it all depends on what you were hauling around with the little rug rats. Our Explorer is a good size for what we do. Although the vehicle itself is crap....thats another post
     
  11. Mar 27, 2009 at 1:01 PM
    #11
    Anathollo

    Anathollo www.saveadane.org

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2009
    Member:
    #14071
    Messages:
    1,297
    Gender:
    Male
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    07 Tacoma TRD Sport
    Icon coilovers, Rear Fox Resi-shocks, 285/70/17 Toyo A/T's, Touchscreen JVC Headunit, Custom Rhino-lined sub box, Rocksford Fosgate components and Dual Rockford Fosgate 10" shallow subs, Pioneer and Rocksford Fosgate amps, 1250 watts total, Autometer Volt and Trans gauges with Lotek A-pillar, K&N Drop-in filter, WO Seat covers, Tint, NST WP pulley, Hi-lift jack, Diff breather mod, horn relocation mod, extra "D" rings, de-pinstriped, carrier bearing drop, Rear backup 886 bulbs, Camburg UCA's, AMW Catch can, BHLM, OME Dakars with AAL, Procomp 7089's, Front single hoop Demello bumper, Superwinch Tiger Shark 9500, Amsteel 3/8th synthetic line
    Yeah, they have a lot of crap, so I just throw all that stuff in my bed and I'm good to go!

    You'll be fine, no worries.
     
  12. Mar 27, 2009 at 1:02 PM
    #12
    eordonez

    eordonez Living vicariously through mjp2

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
    Member:
    #5340
    Messages:
    8,315
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ed
    Chihuahua, Mexico
    Vehicle:
    TRD Sport Dcab 4x2 Black Sand Pearl
    OEM All Weather Mats, wheel locks, Toyota Silver Tube steps.....
    My brother has a wife, a 6 months year old daughter and a Rav4 with no extra seat row, he has done well so far, he travels very often from Juarez to here and to Obregon (2k miles roundtrip), he does has to use a cargo bag on the roof

    EDIT: Come to think about it, I dont think i would trade in my truck anytime soon for a rav4, my truck bed hols a lot more cargo than the rav4, and with a bed cover (and a tailgate :p) it would be better than any car trunk, also, i fell like the back of the cab is slightly bigger than the rav4
     
  13. Mar 27, 2009 at 1:24 PM
    #13
    Hotdog

    Hotdog [OP] My hair is all natural Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Member:
    #872
    Messages:
    10,245
    First Name:
    Hotdog
    Vehicle:
    2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab
    Wet Okole Underwear
    I didn't think about doing the cargo bag. I think that could also be an option.

    I won't be ditching the Tacoma any time in the near future. The real question is: Do we take the CR-V on road trips, or do we take the Tacoma (with shell) on road trips? I'm pretty certain what everyone here will say, and that is why I didn't phrase it like that.
     
  14. Mar 27, 2009 at 1:24 PM
    #14
    BAT24

    BAT24 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2008
    Member:
    #9361
    Messages:
    321
    Gender:
    Male
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    TRD Rugged Trail
    TRD - CAI Sport Hood Sport Grille Sport Headlights OEM LED Tails Factory Roof Rack
    My wife and I had a CRV prior to getting a Pilot. It was fine hauling my son and his stuff but when we had my daughter it quickly became cramped on a longer trip. We traded it in on the Pilot which has a lot more room for kid stuff especially with the 3rd row seat folded down. I guess I said all that to say a CRV was great for one little one but when the second arrived it was time to upsize.
     
  15. Mar 27, 2009 at 1:30 PM
    #15
    Hotdog

    Hotdog [OP] My hair is all natural Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Member:
    #872
    Messages:
    10,245
    First Name:
    Hotdog
    Vehicle:
    2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab
    Wet Okole Underwear
    OK. Thanks.
     
  16. Mar 27, 2009 at 1:33 PM
    #16
    Hotdog

    Hotdog [OP] My hair is all natural Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Member:
    #872
    Messages:
    10,245
    First Name:
    Hotdog
    Vehicle:
    2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab
    Wet Okole Underwear
    I have to incrementally bump my wife's car size up. She was in an older 4 door Saturn since she learned to drive. She drove the Highlander, but she couldn't get used to the size, so she decided to go for the CR-V. I would imagine that after a few years in the CR-V, she might feel comfortable driving the pilot or highlander.
     
  17. Mar 27, 2009 at 1:53 PM
    #17
    eordonez

    eordonez Living vicariously through mjp2

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
    Member:
    #5340
    Messages:
    8,315
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ed
    Chihuahua, Mexico
    Vehicle:
    TRD Sport Dcab 4x2 Black Sand Pearl
    OEM All Weather Mats, wheel locks, Toyota Silver Tube steps.....
    take the tacoma :D

    and to add to my previous statement, i don't think I'm going on a long trip anytime soon, too much damn expenses lately....:(
     
  18. Mar 27, 2009 at 2:12 PM
    #18
    bobwilson1977

    bobwilson1977 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2009
    Member:
    #12328
    Messages:
    1,357
    Gender:
    Male
    KaliFORN-I-A
    Vehicle:
    96 Tacoma 2WD ( pizza delivery model)
    none except for crappy hub caps and floor mats.
    My Mom has a Cr-V and my Wife and I rented a RAV-4 for a week recently. I liked the CR-V better because for one, it looks better and secondly, I just feel its better built than the RAV-4. But the RAV-4 seems to a lot roomier inside. They've made them a lot bigger. They seem to be about the same size as a second gen Explorer. We had the V6 RAV-4 and the thing was FAST ( at least for us anyway) and it got decent fuel economy. I feel that unless you all are just HUGE people, the RAV-4 would be great for a family.

    Course' I grew up with my Mom's small Camry and we all took trips in that thing all the way down to Florida and we survived somehow.
     
  19. Mar 27, 2009 at 2:13 PM
    #19
    Delmarva

    Delmarva Mayor of TW

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2008
    Member:
    #10148
    Messages:
    36,628
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2013 4runner Limited Looking for a Taco
    It's the wife's T4R so it's stock
    My wife's cousin, husband, and son came to Ocean City in their Liberty -- it was stuffed to the max for a 1 week vacation. I'd go bigger than small to mid SUV. My wife has an 08 Santa Fe -- I think it's a pretty good size, but I guess ya never know. She doesn't like big cars / trucks either (refuses to drive the truck which is a good thing... :laugh:), but she stepped into the SF pretty well.
     
  20. Mar 27, 2009 at 2:28 PM
    #20
    fletch aka

    fletch aka www.BeLikeBrit.org

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2009
    Member:
    #12223
    Messages:
    7,080
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Left Coast
    Vehicle:
    09 Magnetic Gray TRD OffRoad
    TRD cat back exhaust, TRD Cold Air Intake, differential breather mod' Hellwig rear sway bar, 16x8 TRD Ivan Stewart's, Michelin LTX A/T2, DTRL Stealth Mode Mod, custom "Texas Edition" shift knob, Sock's "Classic" bedside decals, MetalMiller custom grill emblem, 20% front tinted windows, tinted taillights, Viper alarm, ScanGauge II, Flyzeye Designs V2W Tacoma Interior LED lighting, de-mud flapped, de-badged, extra D-rings under bed bolts, WeatherTech ED floor mats, G4 Elite Fold a Cover ,Toyota bed mat, tailgate theft deterrent device and absolutely no plasti-dip!
    I bought a Volvo when my second son was born. At the time it was the safest car on the planet. Now with wll the air bags almost anything can get a good rating for a crash test. I know some of the Volvo models still get very good marks, others not so much. Maybe a Camry or 4runner if you want Toyota, I'm not a big fan of SUV's, lots of people seem to die in crashes in those, roll overs and so on. Maybe a used Mercedes or BMW. Consumer reports and a lot of time on the internet is in order.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top