Tundra to Tacoma with 2nd baby on the way?

Need some help folks. Long back story so bear with me. I currently have a 2006 Tundra Double Cab 4x4 that's getting about 14.5 mpg on my 50 mile per day commute. I've also got a 2nd baby on the way due in November. Gas is only going up so it hurts to fill up the Tundra and see a bleak future of rising gas prices but its paid for. I'd like to get back in a Tacoma to save some fuel. I had a 2005 Tacoma Dbl Cab 4x4 Off Road that my dad now has. He wanted it so I bought a 2007 FJ Cruiser. My wife wanted more space when the 1st baby arrived so I got the Tundra and she got the FJ.

Which brings us to present day. I'd love to have a Regular Cab Tacoma to scoot to work and back in. I'd only pick up the kids 1 or 2 times every couple of months and only drive 5 miles home. Is it even possible to fit 2 car seats for a 3 yr old and new born on the bench of a Regular Cab? I have also dabbled with the thought of trading my dad for my old 2005 Tacoma Dbl Cab. He is generous and its his "going to town" Tacoma as he has another one so he might take pity and trade me. Would the 3-4 mpg gas savings of the Dbl Cab make it worth the trade at all?

Any insight from the awesome community would be appreciated.

 

2 car seats = forget the Regular Cab Tacoma.

Personally, I'd probably keep the Tundra, unless you can sell it and buy your old DC Tacoma back for the same (or less). The less out of pocket money spent, the better.

 

I have a feeling the Regular Cab is out.

I think my dad would straight up trade me for the Tundra. I looked them up on KBB and the the Tacoma is a year older but same mileage and is worth $600 more than my Tundra. He has kindly helped me with vehicles in the past.

 

I am even thinking of trading in my Tacoma for a Highlander now that our second child will be here the 1st of May. I would either trade dad or keep it.

 

Pictures of respective vehicles are attached.

 

Trading Dad seems like a good option to me.

 

I would keep the Tundra, especially since its paid for.

If your father would trade you, that would be interesting and fine imo too, but DC Taco is still a bit smaller than DC 1st gen Tundra, isn't it? So essentially you will be trading 2-3mpg gain for less room.

If I was you those would be the two options I would look into. I would not spend money on another vehicle or try to fit two car seats into a regular cab.

I realize a 4 cyl Regular cab would get substantial gas savings over your 4.7L Tundra or 4L DC Tacoma but not sure it that is the best idea to put two car seats into one or if that is even possible.

 

Keep the Tundra, I wish I did.

 

3 mile saving? Keep the tundra and change your driving habit. My buddies 2007 tundra gets 17mpg and and my 2007 double cab taco only gets that much on a good day.

 

I'd love to have that style Tundra. If I were you I'd keep it

 

With a second kid on the way you will be swapping out the FJ.

 

The gas trade isn't worth it. I went from a 2005 Tahoe to my 2011 Taco, I get about 1-2 mpg better in the taco. If I were you, I'd get a small car to drive to work every day if you are driving that much. My commute is only 10 miles each way, and I still try to take my wife's car when I can because I can do 75-80 on the highway and get good mpg.

 

I concede that I could granny it a bit more but I drive mostly highway and at about 70. Driven both the Tacoma and Tundra with same driving style so I know it will be 3-4 mpg difference no matter which I drive or how.

 

The wife likes the FJ and doesn't have an interest in switching. She isn't as risk tolerant as I am. We had our first child in the FJ and the old DC Tacoma when she was in a rear facing carrier. They both have about the same space for a carrier with a base. In the FJ, it is more convenient to scoot the front seat forward slightly to insert and remove the carrier but we handled both easily. Six and half a dozen to us.

 

Keep the tundra, more room for sure. I get 15 mpg in my double cab.

Brett

 

...and you're awesomely lifted. I love the look but I know it wouldn't help my current situation.

 

I'd love to get a commuter vehicle but any extra out of pocket expenses are a no go. As it is, we have are going to be redoing our garage to accommodate the new baby's room and give the wife somewhere new to craft, have the family computer, store all the stuff we were keeping the extra room, etc.

 

I would keep the Tundra and enjoy the extra room. My Dad's got a 2005 DC and I love it, I'd trade my Taco for it in a heartbeat. He claims 15.5 mpg combined.

Say you traded for the DC Taco:
Taco gets ~17 MPG/250 miles = 14.7 gallons per week.
Tundra gets ~14.5 MPG/250 miles = 17.2 gallons per week.
So, you'd save 2.5 gallons of gas/week by trading for the Taco, ~$8.75/week.
For the extra space, power, and that glorious V8 sound, I know what I'd do.

 

I have to agree with you on there being quite a few advantages to the Tundra. JBL sound system, big bed, plenty of space, sweet 4.7, & buttery smooth ride. It does have some downsides though, no aftermarket support, turns and parks like a cruise ship and drinks gas like one too.
I'm willing to forgo the niceties but I agree the fuel savings may not justify the end.

 

I love my tacoma (double cab), but I say maybe keep the tundra. I have two kids and we use my truck on occasion. We fit fine, but extra room would be nice. Especially in the leg department. Car seats and boosters move then forward some so I'm getting my seat kicked a lot.

Of course I'm comparing it to my wife's Honda element which has a ton of leg room. I've never seen the back of a tundra to compare.