Hello All! Always loved Tacomas... And Corvettes! :)

The space and comfort importance is simple.

I don't want to trade the truck in anytime soon. My son is 9, in a few years his legs are going to be quite long. Want to make sure he fits then then same way he fits not. Seconly, a child seat needs to fit comfortably in there for my daughter. Thirdly, when my mother in law or parents come to visit, they have to fly in. So... They can't bring their car. This only happens once or twice a year, but... Rather not have to rent unless I have to. The other car is a Mustang. Big enough for 4 people, yet not the most spacious car. This, while a truck, would still be a cramped car inside. Having the ability to load 5 people would be nice...

HOWEVER, yes, you might be right. In fact, I'm leaning heavily toward the access cab right now, so I'm with you there. Just want to make sure that I don't regret it later. Oh, by the way, there's a point of reference too. My dad used to own an F-150 with a similar access cab and a bench seat. I remember that bench seat and it was perfect for what I need now.

But hey, if Toyota provides the option of a double cab is because there's a good market for it. So, nothing wrong with that. Plus, I see the savings between one and the other based on the cab type is only about $1,000 +/-

-D

 

anyone ever sit in the back of the access cab? im around 6 foot, maybe a little less. its cramped as hell if the seat in front of you isnt all the way forward. and that makes no room for the front seat passenger. that and the seats are uncomfortable.

if you need to haul people go for the double cab. you will regret it if you dont.

 

Again, thanks for all the great responses and general attitude of helping. I really appreciate it.

I went to the dealership today to take a closer look. I sat in the back and in the front in both Access and Double Cabs. Looked at a few colors, options, trims, etc. Auto vs Manual (had to consider the auto as there are no manuals with 4 full doors). Looked at a beautiful SR5 with a lift kit too. Sick car. Don't quite understand the lift kit and big tires on a 2x4, but what do I know? You guys are the Tacoma experts.

Anyway, I then drove off and stopped at a Chevy dealership and test drove a 2004 white Corvette in order to get my mind off trucks and get a different perspective. Had to see whether or not I really want to blow $30,000 on a new truck, or go old and put the money away for a 'vette later.

I've got my head jumbled up with thoughts right now, so I'll get back here later when I get them all sorted out...

 

Ok, fast forward a week later.

I decided 99% sure, to halt. I don't think it makes a whole lot of financial sense to buy the Tacoma right now. I think I'm just pushing it too much.

While I still have to make payments on the XB & I would much rather be making payments on a Taco, the debt amount would increase quite a bit.

I've been running the numbers back and forth and the cons pretty much outweigh the pros. I might have to wait a couple of years before I can join the Taco club with you guys.

Bottom line: Selling my XB and using my savings yields a $7,000 downpayment. I can negotiate the Tacoma I want down to a bit under $28,000.

That means:
• $2,443 in tax
• $440 payment over 66 months for a total borrowed of $29,067 after interest
• $29,067 total after interest + $7,000 down = $36,067 total paid after 66 months
• An extra $60 a month in gas over my XB.
• A $25 +/- increase in insurance
• An increase of $60 in car payment over my XB
•*Debt will increase from $9,000 owed on the XB to $23,443 on the new Taco after downpayment and adding tax.

Not to mention the fact that I'll want to add a number of aftermarket goodies to the new Tacoma which will also increase the expense. Not happy about it, but it is what it is. If I weren't thinking about buying a sports car in a few years, I might still go for it. But that's not the case.

 

There's a right time for everything. I can pull it off, but I don't need the extra stress right now you know?

 

Hey man, live the corvette dream

 

I live the corvette dream every day. My challenge is whether or not I will trade my 2008 JSB for the Tacoma or if I will keep it for weekends.

I really want a Tacoma.

The vette has 430hp and will get close to 30mpg on level ground at 70mph. Now, if I could only keep it at 70. I drive Interstate almost the entire drive. I drive at about 80 all the way (I leave for work very early to avoid traffic) and I average 24.9 mpg. I often have people challenge that. I simply show them the reading in the dash. You can go the the corvette forum and search on gas mileage challenges and see others.

With that said, if you need room, the corvette is not for you. It seats people over 6 feet easily but there is no back seat.

It is fast, fun and reliable.

Now if I can just decide about trading or keeping...

 

Tacomas are amazing. However, this is the first time I've heard of anybody wanting to trade a Corvette for a Taco I'm sure there are others though Haha. The Corvette would not be my only car. Originally, I thought I'd buy the Tacoma and then the Corvette in about 5 years when the Taco was paid off. However, since I'm keeping my XB, I'll likely buy the Corvette a little sooner than that and keep the XB too. I surf and play music, I need something I can carry my gear in. The XB is not big inside, but I does carry my boards and music gear just fine. If I need to carry more instruments for a big gig, a hitch and a trailer would solve that problem easy and relatively cheaply.

Back in the day my dad (who's owned 4 Vettes) used to tow his 21 foot boat with a 1972 Corvette. It never complained one bit apparently! I'm not planing on doing that. That's why I'm keeping the XB. Maybe once I have the Vette (It could also turn into a 911 because it can carry my kids too) I might consider selling the XB and THEN getting a Taco. Possibly a used one in case Toyota decides to screw up the new model like they did with the 4Runner! By then my son might be old enough to drive. Who knows, the XB might end up being his college car and I'll have a better excuse to get the truck.

PS. This morning on the way to the office a grey Taco pulled up behind me. Then a lifted white one with low offset wheels (the way I like it) crossed paths with me. Still gets me thinking I should've bought it. But when I think that I'll be increasing my debt about $20,000 over what I owe on my 28,000 mile XB (almost new) I realize I made the right decision. Plus, my new wheels, tires, leather seats and cross-drilled/slotted brake sets are on their way for my XB. I even got a alloy billet ball shifter for it.

 

I have been driving corvettes everyday for 10 years. Going back to when I was 22 I've had C3 (1973), C4 (1988), C5 (2002 convertible) and now a C6 (2008).

I may miss the vette and in that case I'll buy another. I don't like the thought of a vette sitting at home except for weekends (althogh most vette owners use them that way). I owned two vettes a few years ago but I never drove the older one so I finally sold it.

A truck would be very useful and I like the Tacoma best out of all trucks. I just wish the Tacoma had a couple of options like a sunroof.

Good luck with your future purchases.

 

Thank you Draconman,

I don't want a Corvette garage queen. Those cars depreciate just as much as Porsches. I'm driving the heck out of mine when I get it. And honesly, I think I'll go used. Just because I want to wrench on it right away. On a new car, I'll be too careful to want to wrench it. At the stage I am in my life, I can actually drive a truck, or my XB to the beach in the morning to go for a surf. Then I can drive back home, pick up my Vette and drive off to the office. As simple as that. I have 2 kids, but I only drop one of them off at school For that, 2 seats is just fine. However, later on, I'll have to drop off my youngest at school too, so by then who knows? Maybe a 911. Those have 4 seats.

But you get the point. I love sports cars. I don't expect my economic state (which is not bad at all) to stay stagnant. I have a lot of room for growth and I have only began tapping the surface of what my chosen industry can do. Maybe with God's help and hard work I might be able to afford both the Taco and the Vette in a few years. If not, it doesn't matter. I have A LOT to be thankful to God for.

So on we go.

 

BTW, I'm sure you can have a nice sunroof cut into it if you really want it. If you are planning on keeping the truck for a long time it might be worth it. I do have a few complaints about the Tacos options. Why can I get leather seats from factory on the Frontier and not the Tacoma. Why did they take away the manual transmission option on the 4 door TRD V6? Little things like that.

 

Ha! So... what? 4 months later I've changed my mind.

I go crazy every time I see a Taco on the road... so... I've decided to start planning to buy one. But, instead of just going to the dealership and buying one now, I'm going to do it right and plan ahead.

So... I'm going to start saving for a big downpayment and plan ahead for selling my XB. I've got a few things I need to do first rather than simply getting into more debt.

The plan so far will be to buy a 2012 (if Toyota doesn't screw it up) late spring 2012 - 4x4, 4 door, TRD offroad manual (which I likely have to bring into CA from another state, because people in CA are too lazy to drive a manual 4-door).

The Corvette can wait a few years

 

op,
wise decision to save for a new vehicle. its obvious you cant afford one. and if you think a tacoma is more practical than an xb for you and your family then i think your kidding yourself.

if you save and have the extra $$ then i guess thats a different story.

 

@mwtaco - My family spends 90% of the time in the Mustang and 10% of the time in the XB. I'm not one bit worried about practicality. Plus, I've finally narrowed it down to the 4-door to make that 10% more comfortable.

Secondly, there's a difference between being able to afford one and simply preferring to keep the less expensive car just to be more economical.

Congratulations that you can afford a Taco (yes, I'm being sarcastic). In these economic times, I'm sure there are a lot of folks here that can afford one and the next day suddenly cannot. If you can, be thankful for your blessings and avoid judging other's state. Sorry if I took your post the wrong way. I could keep quiet and buy my truck, but like you guys, I chose to talk truck with other folks on the internet.

 

it sounded like u were pushing your familys budget to get yourself into a tacoma.

xb is not a cool car but is prob more practical for a family of four as well as more economical on a budget.

saving up for one vs buying on credit seems to be the wisest move.

"I decided 99% sure, to halt. I don't think it makes a whole lot of financial sense to buy the Tacoma right now. I think I'm just pushing it too much."

 

Hi mwtaco....

No problem man. Like I said, sorry if I misunderstood your post. Please keep in mind that this thread is about 4-5 months old. So it's evolving. Situations change.

I'm not buying 'till next year and for the looks of it the 2012 Taco will look more or less the same as the current one. So, I'll keep enjoying my XB in the meantime.

I have the newer body shape XB... It has it's pros and cons. Gas mileage is not very good for the type of car it is. I get about 22 average. But it's reliable and comfortable. Space-wise it is not as comfortable inside as a 4-door Tacoma. I've test driven one with the whole family inside. Mine is a bit lowered and has some nice wheels. I keep it clean and shiny, so overall it's still a head-turner.

But given that eventually I need the ability to haul stuff and I do a lot of snowboarding and I don't have the Xterra anymore for the mountains... You get where I'm going with this.

Anyway, have a good one. -Danny