Thinking of getting a Tacoma double but not sure it's right for ME

Hi,
I'm new to this forum. This is my first post. I have never owned a pick up truck. Always loved them though, ever since Back to the Future I've loved Toyota trucks. Just love the look of them, heavy duty. etc. I have two kids though, one is five other is two (so both in carseats). Is the ride really truck like? Or is it somewhat smooth? I have owned Jeep Cherokee and a Wrangler, as well as a Corolla, and now a Subaru Legacy sedan, on a lease. I'm thinking of trading in the Legacy eventually for a Tacoma. How is it in the winter in Minnesota? I know it has 4x4, but it's not on all the time, so normally the rear wheel drive version would slip around a lot. The Subaru is pretty nice in the winter. Do you think this is a good truck for me? Is it difficult to go from a car to a pick up truck? Again, never had a truck before, just love the look of it and the utility. Was thinking I'd put a topper on and sleep in back during road trips. Is it a decent truck for road trips on the highway or is it a really rough ride?

Please let me know when you can, would like the advice.

Thanks,
Steve

 

Love mine, very smooth, comfortable ride, and the added room of the 4 door is very nice. Back seat is comfortable, and folds down for added room.

 

Only way to tell is to take a test drive with the kids.

 

I would recommend it!.. I have a Double Cab Short bed.. def enough room for 2 kids and camping equipment...

 

It is just so hard to take carseats out and put them back in. Do any of you have carseats in back? Is there enough space?

 

^^ test drive.

I love my double cab. The truck is comfortable, roomy and quiet on the road. I've owned another

$151 4-door QAA is Compatible with 2016-2020 Toyota Tacoma 6 Piece Stainless Body Molding Insert Trim Kit, 1.5" Width MI16172

4-door truck (Ridgeline) and absolutely love the Tacoma.

12Tac

 

you had a cherokee AND wrangler lol, its smoother than that. atleast i think so, even if the tacoma has leafs in the rear.

 

its very easy for carseats.. I used to take one out of my truck to my ex's car all the time

 

Is it good in the snow and winter? Again, I'm in Minnesota. I really have grown to appreciate the symetrical all wheel drive in Subaru. But, it's not like a truck. I love the rugged look.

 

get a TRD 4x4 and you should be fine!

 

yeah, the Cherokee and Wrangler I had when I was a bit younger, (33 almost 34 now) and wife and I love taking road trips. We have one planned next winter to drive from Minneapolis to Southern Florida. Just wondering how a Tacoma would feel on my back that far.

 

The access cab is a little tight for larger kids and my kids complain that the seats are too hard. The double cab is roomier with much better seats.
Both trucks have the same wheel base, so the trade off is a shorter bed on the double.
I went with the access cab due to I need bed space more often than I haul kids.
I've driven both, and the ride is very smooth. Almost car like.

 

Yes, and it's no problem. As far as the ride, you won't regret it. I bought mine with similar intentions as yours for use. Plenty of room for four adults. I'm 5'10" and like my drivers' seat back, and I get no complaints from back seat passengers.

 

youre not going to get many negative reviews on there. but i will say in 2wd the rear of a Tacoma (any pickup) can be like ice skating when youre in the snow. im going to assume you have good snow driving skils cause you live in minnesota.

i did just fit a 65 gallon fish tank into the back seat no problem.
basically like an 18" wide box thats 24" tall and stretches practically from door to door 36" ...if i can get that in no problem a baby seat should be a piece of cake.

 

with two kids that young i would definitely recommend getting a topper. Once everyone is loaded in the can you won't have room for anything else. personally if you feel like you will use the truck then get a truck. don't get for looks. you will hate the gas mileage and the size.

 

is it hard to put in groceries in the bed even with a topper? doesn't everything slide around?

 

get a bed mat

 

Buying a DC was the best choice I've made. But like the poster above me stated, if you like your seat a little back, there will be little leg room behind the driver's seat. Otherwise, everything else is exceptional.

 

DCLB FTW

 

It's good on the highways, even with my Goodyear Duratracs (read as: fairly aggressive all terrain tires). Folks that have ridden on the highway with me were surprised. Kids, I have a 4 year old and my gf has a 10 year old. We were fine coming back from NJ last August (about 580 miles).

Yes, you'll need a bed cover (soft: $200+) or a topper (MUCH more expensive) or you'll have no protection for your luggage from the elements.

Good in the snow? I drove through a 2ft blizzard in Dec 2009 with not one problem while many cars and trucks were parked or slid off the road, including a 4X4 TRD OR that was stuck in the median on I95. So yeah, a 4X4 would be great in the snow if my Prerunner was but that is mostly dependent on the driver.

Go do a test drive but whatever vehicle you decide on, do your haggling online by pitting multiple dealerships against each other for the best price.