Pondering a Purchase

So I drive a 2003 Jeep Overland GC that is starting to come apart at the seams. It has been a wonderful vehicle but I've sunk far too much money into it and now it has rear end issues, dead a/c system, etc. So I'm looking for a truck. I'm a late-40s dad of three great kids (13, 16 and a surprise 2-year-old) so naturally I need a crew cab. I fish the Everglades in a little flats skiff once a month or so which means I also need a tow-capable ride. I've been focused on the Silverado 1500, GM Sierra and Ford F150, but lo and behold a few days ago I'm driving past the Toyo dealer and saw a used 2011 Taco crew cab 4x4 on the lot. We stop by on a whim, dealer hands us the keys to test drive and whammo! I'm in love. I was completely surprised with the smooth driving characteristics, brisk acceleration and refined interior of the Taco. My wife really liked it's size and nimble handling, and I was surprised to find that I liked the 3/4 size over the larger Silverado. Just felt, more, I dunno, "right".

So there's the backstory. Now I need some input/advice. I've spent hours in this place researching Tacos, but folks disagree on a few issues so the verdict on a few important topics is not clear. I'd sure appreciate the opinion of the resident experts (on, say, 2010-2013 Tacos) re: the following:

1. Is the Taco crew cab big enough for a family of five? My 13 year old sat in back during said test drive and said he had plenty of space but I've gotta fit three back there including a little one in a child seat in the middle. Any parents of a larger brood out there who love their crew-cab Taco? My kids are tall and I go about 6-2, 190. My wife is a wee little thing.

2. Is the Taco a competent tow vehicle? My skiff (hull, motor, tackle) weighs in at about 2000 lbs. If I buy a Taco it'll be the 4x4 which is rated for 6500 lbs. On the other hand some folks in here say the 4.0 liter 6 is not an ideal tow vehicle. I'd love to hear from those who tow boats.

3. Is rust an issue on recent models? Does my location (Florida) have a big bearing on the likelihood of rust on frame or body?

Again, I know this joint is lousy with opinions on the topics above but many of the entries are dated and there is anything but a consensus. I'd just like to hear come current takes from current posters.

Thanks in advance for any helpful input.

 

I have three kids 14, 11, 7 and they fit ok. My 7yo daughter is little so she still sits in a booster seat. Your kids will fit but it will be tight no doubt.

I have a 19.5' bass/ski boat and pull it with my tacoma no problem. 2000 lbs will be no problem especially in your area since it's pretty flat.

Not sure on the rust issue since I live in AZ where rust isn't an issue.

 

welcome to TW we'll be waiting for pics of your taco in a few days not sure about 2 or 3 but im the oldest of 4 and i have a GF and a kid. Most of the time its me my gf le baby in one of those big convirtable car seats and my 2 brothers 15 and 13. they all fit but like mentioned earlier its a bit tight.

 

and if you ever need to fix something or decide you no longer "love" your truck, TW has many tips ad tricks for everything and usually alot of parts both OEM and aftermarket and reseale value is pretty good compared to any of your other choices

 

I think it's going to be a bit cramped for your family. I would eitherwait for the Tacoma redesign anticipated for next year (wumored to be bigger than the Tacoma now, same size as the old T-100), or go full size.

 

I don't have three kids but I've placed 3 adults back there on a 1000 mile road trip with no problem but definately not as much room as a full size.

I don't have a boat either but I've towed numerous cars weighing between 2-3K lbs with no issue. Also being a 4x4, I believe it's rated at 6,300 lbs. I recommend upgrading the leaf springs if towing regularly.

As for rust, not as much issue as the 1st generation (95-04) but carefully inspect the frame and under carriage before purchase.

Welcome to TW.

 

I have a 4.0L V6 double cab. I have no problem taking people in my truck anywhere. I'll load up the truck with my friends and go to camp and these guys are all about 6' tall. I can get two in the back without having to kiss my knees granted I am only 5'7". They don't seem to mind driving the 2 hours or so to camp and never complained about being uncomfortable.

As for towing... I load that truck up with an 18' Fish and ski boat with dual 115 V4's hangin from the back and drag that thing all over PA. Never had an issue not even with the steep launches we have here.

For rust, this is PA, I expect it. But it hasn't been too bad at all and I have an 09.

 

Thanks for all replies.

Sounds like the crew cab is snug for five...which means a full-size truck has the advantage there. Haven't been in the F150 but the Silverado's back seats are very spacious. Leather is nice, too. But the size of the full-size domestic trucks just seems TOO big, to me. Tough to fit into a garage, tough to park, much less nimble.

Sounds like I should be able to tow my small boat without issue...though a bigger truck would no doubt be safer/easier. I don't even know my skiff is there behind my 4.7 ltr H.O. Jeep. When it's running, that is.

Sounds like rust could be an issue but not a likely one. Amazing to me that with all the Gen 1 rust issues Toyota has not figured out a way to make it a non-issue entirely. If a guy like me who knows little about Tacomas knows that it's an issue worth researching it must be costing them customers.

Sounds more and more like a full-size pickup or SUV is a wiser buy. What a letdown. Been a long time since I was as impressed by a vehicle as I was that Tacoma.

 

The most accurate way to find out if you will be cramped is to load your family up in the crew cab then make the decision. Honestly, if you were to buy the Tacoma and let's say a month down the road it just isn't working size-wise for your family, you will be kicking yourself in the ass.

When I used to ride with my family of 4, my parents up front and my sister and me in the back of the 2004 Tacoma was a little cramped but plenty manageable. Not ideal, but it worked okay. And with my 2nd gen the difference in space is phenomenal.

The same goes for any SUV. Fullsize SUV's (ex: Sequoia) versus something smaller (ex: Rav4 much smaller, or 4Runner) you should still load up your family and then make a decision on space. Obviously a full size is like riding on 2 couches so no big deal

We all rode down, including my girlfriend, to the beach, loaded up in a new 2013 4Runner and I ended up riding bitch and it still felt manageable but cramped for me. I was touching shoulders with the person on my left and right. Just to put things in perspective.

 

The 4.0 Toyota Motor is infinitely better than the 4.7 Liter V8 in that GC. I had one, and will never be back! I would rather have the 4.0 6 cylinder in a GC. If you are looking for more than the GC in size, a Tundra will more than fit the bill.. If you are looking for comparable, the Tacoma will offer about the same room as the GC for front and back seats but out class the GC in everything else (except for that damn straight axle in the front!!!).

 

Jdev, I'm sure you're right about test driving with the child seat but the sales dude is already blowing up my phone. Guy down the street has a recent-vintage Taco so I may trouble him to let me pack the kids into his second-level seats this weekend. A cold six pack should convince him to be neighborly.

Bshack, I would only consider the 5.3 or 6.0 motors in the Chevy. The H.O. motor in my Jeep has spoiled me on power.

 

Trust me, the 4.7 Chrysler mill is no more powerful that the Toyota 4.0. Mine made a lot of V8 noise with not much forward motion. Just wait till' you drive a Tacoma... It will surprise you! My wife has a 3.6 in her 12' JK that is rated at 290 HP, The Tacoma is rated at like 240... The Tacoma gives nothing up to the mighty 3.6! I love the old Cherokee's and I'm in the process of getting another for a woods weapon, but for daily work and transportation duties, I'll Take the Tacoma! The Chevy will need cab corners replaced with in 5 years... Other than that, I don't mind Chevy trucks.

I suspect you ventured on the Tacoma site because you are REALLY interested in a Toyota... Make the jump, you know you want too!!!!

 

A larger truck would be more spacious, but I put 3 of my 4 kids in back all the time and they are fine. 13, 11, and 8. I'm no good for the other questions.

 

Whatever you do, DON'T buy a Chevy over a Toyota. You will curse the day a Chevy rolls into your driveway! (Rust, alternators, rear end carrier bearings, 4x4 control modules and switches, starters and that is just a partial list from my auto wholesaling days)
As far as towing, I pulled my 2200# pop up with my 4.0 DC 4x4 with tow package like it was nothing. I recently purchased a Jayco X18D that weighs in at 3700#. It also pulls that like a champ but it does down shift on the hills. It is more the wind resistance than the weight. If the wind goes my way she will stay in overdrive.
I have 2 teenage boys. I test fit them into a local 2nd gen Tacoma backseat and everyone fits fine. Once in awhile we have 3 boys in the back, and nobody complains.
Take your kids to the dealer and load up like your all travelling somewhere and go for a good test drive.
If you can't make the Tacoma work and you have to go full size you will want to make sure you get a Ford.

 

The space in the rear of my DoubleCab tacoma is nothing to brag about, with a kids seat it is pretty sad. Rear facing is ok in the middle so you can keep the seats at the normal position. Putting it behind the drivers seat would not be ideal for me at all more than a mile or two.

As for fitting a grown up in the rear you can but there is not that much leg room. The last fullsize quad cab chevy I sat in the back of was a 2007 and it did have more room but not by much as well.

The crap dodges are much bigger and the tundra but they are just to big for a daily driver in my eyes unless you need them.

Towing with my tacoma is ok at about 3500-3700 pounds. I feel it is ok on the truck but I would not tow much more and feel it is easily up to the task. I am on flat land.

Tacomas in my area rust since the frame had nothing more than a crap layer of paint on them. All my previous brand trucks never had the issues my tacoma does.

 

Honestly the Tacoma would work for you and if you need power try a supercharger. Or if you want a full size truck get the tundra I would drive ethre new one if I needed full size

 

Welcome from Orl..The taco will do everything you need but the back seat room..I tow TT And its all good ..I also love the taco for as you said around town ez to park, quick from the light and simi ez on gas. Just me & the wife now but I can tell you there will be a toyota of some kind in the drive way when we go tits up.

 

Just bought one a few months ago. Previous truck was a 2011 3/4 ton dodge diesel, before that was a 2006 1/2 ton Z71. I have a 4 yr old and a 7 yr old. It's cozy but comfortable. I am 6 ft and wife is tiny so 4 yr old sits behind me and 7 yr old behind her. Very little room for any bags or grocery with all of us loaded in it. If I had a 3rd kid I would go back to a full size truck hands down. Don't get me wrong I love mine, smooth driving, easy parking, easy towing, all the things that are attracting you. I like it, it's fun however at 17 mpg it's not like I'm saving chingos of money on fuel, the payoff is longevity and resale value. I've had full size trucks all my life until now. While I like my taco I have a little buyers remorse not going with the tundra. Don't settle for cozy if your budget allows for comfortable.

Be patience in your search, take lots of test drives with the family, and don't let the dealer make you feel like your walking away or form some great deal, there are always great deals to be made!

 

Why would you not put the groceries in the bed of the truck? What's the point of having a truck if you don't put things in the bed

I agree with pretty much every thing else you said though.

 

In all honesty towing is what made me like this truck again. I came from a 2005 cummins and the towing this little v6 offers is impressive. They do like rpms but the towing mpgs is respectable. I towed about 4500lbs from idaho to arizona (900 miles) and got 15ish mpgs average. That's just as good if not better than any 1/4 ton truck. I have the exact truck your looking at FYI. I'd buy this truck again given the chance. Commutes are easy, off road is better than average from factory and the mpgs are good in my book.