Managing expectations. Noob on a budget looking for recommendations.

My wife has a Suby and we love it. It's our primary family car. I've had a few in the past but there's no way you could drive one where I wanna go, no matter how much you mod it.

 

What’s your priority? Family, or truck to get you to spots?

 

Sadly i agree with the 4runner comments. Sorry, Dad.

And you might as well get the one with the locker.

 

Nothing wrong with minivans. If my life required one, I’d be on a minivan forum posting pics of my build. And of course, the ground clearance is gonna suck in one (typically). But again- priorities? For some people, it’s just time to let go of that Tacoma lifestyle. Your life went in a different direction.

 

That. Or. Carpool (lol), buy a beater with ground clearance when you can afford to.

 

Siennas are pretty nice.
All the guys that hate on it probably cut their Tacoma’s cross membrane.

 

My dad used to take my brother and I off roading, camping, fishing, and anywhere else the family went in his 2000 Chevy Silverado. It was fine when we were little but when we got larger even the Silverado was way too small. Do yourself a favor and please get a larger vehicle. I couldn't imagine if their were 3 siblings in the back... we fought enough as it was.

 

Ridgeline is for you

 

3-seats is tight, I have done it with my daughters friends, but not comfortable for long term. Look at the Tundra, not sure why folks say 4R, which is not obviously a pick-up. Gas mileage is not great, but VERY reliable, larger, pick-up, and capable off-road. My father has a 2019 SR-% OR Tundra and has three forward facing seats with my kiddo and two of my nephews. Plenty of room and the folks in front are still comfortable.

 

Agree... For that many ppl Tundra is way more comfortable. I just have a kid and a dog and I wish I had my Tundra sometimes... So I imagine a full big family would drive you crazy in a Taco.

 

Would definitely go Tundra with 3 kids. Three car seats sounds bad, but they grow fast and it will just get worse.

 

If you can’t figure it out my 2010 sport is for sale already with enough dents and scratches not to give a crap about could probably buy for 6k with 185k miles but it’s an access cab but maybe this would give you the chance to have a vehicle for hunting and one for your family

 

I am alone in my Tacoma 90% of the time. Have a teenager that drives, but we make many trips to the country with my 13 year old boy, 9 year old girl (middle back seat) and 17 year old boy, all in the back seat and they don't complain about being cramped. Family of 5 and we make it work when we need to. Obviously it doesn't have nearly the room that my F150 crew cab had, but it works. I love the Tacoma and am glad I finally got one. Go drive one and load the kids and boosters in and test fit everything. Don't let other people spend YOUR money. In the end, the decision is yours.

TO answer the other questions about mods, I don't think you need a lift. Get some good tires, and add a winch if it gives you peace of mind when off the grid. These trucks are very capable stock. I keep telling my 13 year old the same thing about his Honda Rancher, which he thinks he needs huge mud tires in order to get thru the muck. Nonsense, he's just trying to keep up with the other kids who all have those tires. haha.

 

We've got a family of four, 6yo and 8yo in the back seats in boosters right now, they started out in a 2nd gen and now the 3rd gen Tacoma.. Three would be tight- we do it once in awhile when ferrying grandparents around and its a lot of reaching and straining for seatbelts..
Usually I'm in the make it work camp, but you have a pretty strong case for a Tundra.

 

Why not just wait for the 6 door triple cab with the 2 foot bed. Should be coming out anytime now. I hear it’s got Apple CarPlay and flip down screens for the kids
#tacomawagon

 

11, 5 and 8 at the time of this photo. She's in a booster now which makes it a lot easier, I don't think either of the boys were at that time but I think we would have made it work. My wife has a three row Kia Sorento which is our main family vehicle but if we were going camping I would take the Tacoma. My brother in law has a Tundra and yeah it's roomy as hell but it's also an ocean liner compared to the taco - not something I'd want to take up a trail.

 

one word...Diono
https://www.diono.com/us/product/radian-3r-2020/

 

Exactly. Plus, parking/ turning a Taco vs a Tundra is night and day. I love the Taco bc it is nimble. Tundra is a gas guzzler too. We have a 7 seater family vehicle if we REALLY need the room for a big trip.