Tacoma for family.

Hi, everyone. My wife and I have been in the market for a car and currently drive typical 4-door sedan. But sometimes, we feel that we need a pick up truck kind of a car to move a big stuff.

We do not want to own two cars, so we are thinking of buying a usual SUV type car. But we are wondering if Toyota Tacoma is a good idea or not.

We have two kids, they are 10 and 8 year old. Mainly, we use a car for a local drive, like picking up kids, shopping, but sometimes go to farmer's ranch because my wife takes care of accounting of the farm.

Does anyone here own Tacoma and use it as a family car and for wokr, I delivery flowers Moscow? I am just curious what people think.

 

Your kids are going to get bigger. The seats and room in the Tacoma will not. We have a 4runner for our family vehicle and I drive a Tacoma mostly by myself. Unless you really use the bed a 4runner will be a much better option

 

Honestly, your kids are at the right age for the Tacoma to work fine. Car seats suck, and adult size humans in the back aren’t good either. If you need the bed, it could work fine for you, if you don’t, just get an SUV

 

Also great first name, I like your moms style!

 

Never met a female with that particular name.

 

You never know these days

 

Probably an unpopular opinion, but here goes:

We bought a 2020 Sienna AWD in October because that is what my wife wanted.

We bought all weather floor liners including one for the back that folds out to cover the entire deck if the rear seats are stowed.

This vehicle is really versatile, drives great in rain and snow, fits all kinds of gear, and can fit seven people comfortably when needed,

Maybe go check one out at least,

And welcome to the forum.

 

My neighbor use to have too. Took those things all over the place skiing and snowboarding and to the coast. He loves them

 

I have two boys (5 and 6) and right now, the space in the back seat is enough. We will not be using the Taco as a long-trip vehicle and instead will use the Santa Fe for several reasons:

• Cargo space and ability to lock it. Non-existent inside the vehicle with 4 people and unless you have a Tonneau cover or shell, you will not be able to secure cargo (suitcases, bags... etc.) in the bed of the truck. Yes, anything can be broken into but why make it easy on the thieves.
• Interior legroom. I'm 6'3" so my seat is pretty far back and all the way down, same with passenger. As kids grown, the rear legroom becomes very cramped (especially if your kids bring stuff along for the rides). Also if you have a pet, forget about sharing the legroom space with it unless you literally hold it in your lap.
  
• Gas mileage. Though not the best, the SFS gets 32+ MPG on highway fully loaded so the 17 gal tank will go farther than the 21gal taco tank.

I had a sedan that I traded in for the Taco as, like you, needed a more utilitarian vehicle. Again, plan on using the SUV for longer trips as it's just more comfortable for everyone and leave the Taco for work/home projects/fun closer to home. It's all about how comfortable you want you and your passengers to be and how much stuff you will need to carry and if you care about it being secure/dry. It's a great truck; just not the most comfy.

 

If I needed a truck and the kids were still at an age that they were riding with us everywhere we went, I would not even look at a Tacoma, I would buy a full size 4 door truck. Tundra or equivalent. The only reason a tacoma works great for me is 90% of the time it is just me in the truck and the other 10% is the significant other. Kids have their own cars and other than the occasional all of us ride together for dinner, its usually just one or two in the truck. You have to remember, your gonna want to take a few longer road trips over the years....space gets really tight in a Tacoma with 2 people in the back seat etc.

 

It's not ideal if you're over 6 feet and the kids are potential of the same.

I'd shoot for a 4runner or highlander with a hitch if its going to be the primary people mover.

 

This is our setup. We have a Sienna and a taco. They compliment each other nicely.

If your only option is a single vehicle, then I’d not recommend the Tacoma. Those kids are going to keep getting bigger.

 

Just rent a pickup when you need it

 

One car that satisfies many needs for a family would be a minivan or suv.

I do not think that a pick up truck would be a good fit being the only car you’ll have.

 

Station wagon with a roof rack is what you need. Plenty of inside space, plenty of roof space, good mpg, and comfortable... as a bonus, many come in AWD.

 

not a family truck..4runner is more a family ride.

 

If on those rare occasions you need a truck, it might be better to just rent a truck to move those big items.

 

I don’t want this Tacoma forum to sound like we don’t want you to get a Tacoma. If you aren’t large people, and with your children’s ages, you could enjoy a Tacoma for several years with your around town driving and such. But what you are seeing here is honestly from Tacoma owners, that if you don’t need the truck, there are other options you’d likely enjoy more. That said, we drove 1000 miles with a 12 year old and 5 year old in the back, and it wasn’t unpleasant.

 

I was skeptical when my wife wanted another minivan, but this Sienna is slowly winning me over.

It’s really nice for road trips.

We have a large extended family so seven passengers isn’t uncommon.

Ride comfort isn’t bad around town.

We have been going away a lot this summer and we leave the third row seats stowed away- the amount of room in the back for gear is large and it’s secure to boot.

The people that might be best served by a minivan but scoff at them because of some perceived “nerd” factor or insecurities tied into what vehicle they drive are probably missing out.

And I am old enough to remember a time before pickup trucks were cool...lol

 

We have 4 kids home, one on the way in a few days, and one just 18 and moved out.
Honda Odyssey, Tacoma, Accord. It works.