HELP! Tundra DC for Tacoma

[streiff]

I currently have a 2005 Limited DC Tundra. I am seriously thinking about getting rid of it because of a change in my life (divorce) and it is too much to be my daily driver - payment, gas, insurance wise. Of course I bought it in Dec and the wife left me in Feb so now I am hurting LOL.

My question is anyone out there have kids and a Tacoma AC? I need to fit my two kids in it occassionally when I have them. My 9 yr old can sit in the front, was wondering if the seating room in the fold-out of the Taco is stable and can host a 4 yr old in a boster seat comfortably for at least a few years?

Although I love the truck, I feel like I'm driving around a monster with me just mainly in it, not to mention I'm lucky if I'm getting 13 - 14 MPG city. I'm hoping to save a couple hundred a month with a reduced payment, better gas, a lil cheaper insurance. I also tow a small boat occasionally (16 ft bass boat less than 3000 lbs).

Thanks in advance for all your opinions and input.

[ABTRD]

Ever think about a DC Tacoma instead of an AC? I'm not too sure about the price difference, but I think it'll help your wallet out by saving you some money on gas. With the DC Tacoma, I can guarantee you that the booster seat will fit in the rear; in the AC I'm not sure.

[R1derful]

Kids fit fine in the back of the Access Cab. My 2 year old son has a rather larger booster seat that is no prob. My 8 year old niece doesn't need a seat any more and she's comfy back there, too.

If you do get the Double Cab, you will get the small bed unless you buy the long bed version. DC + LB = $$$...might not be much of a savings over what you've got now.

Sonny

[j4x4ar3]

Get the DC.. That 9 year old will quickly grow up and will need some more stretching room. If you're planning to keep your truck for any length of time the DC IMO is a better option. As well your kid(s) may want to have you take them and a friend somewhere. I have a 2 year old and plan to keep my truck a long time. Use it camping now and definitely love the extra room. Not to mention it's much easier to strap the 2 year old in the car seat with the xtra door and elbow room.

[tacomatrdsport2591]

Originally Posted by j4x4ar3

Get the DC.. That 9 year old will quickly grow up and will need some more stretching room. If you're planning to keep your truck for any length of time the DC IMO is a better option. As well your kid(s) may want to have you take them and a friend somewhere. I have a 2 year old and plan to keep my truck a long time. Use it camping now and definitely love the extra room. Not to mention it's much easier to strap the 2 year old in the car seat with the xtra door and elbow room.

Yes, I really agree; kids grow up so fast. Not that the Access Cab's rear seat is torture. like some other trucks, the DC's rear seat is plenty big enough and you will thank yourself later on if you choose the DC. Trust me, the DC's rear seat is excellent, much better than I expected. I am sorry to hear about your divorce. Good luck, buddy!

[woodsailor]

I carry two kids in car seats in the back of my Tacoma ext cab but they're much younger. I will have to go to a double cab someday soon. You could run an access cab or ext cab with the 9 year old in front passenger seat and the 4 year old on a booster seat in back. Advantages are that you still have a 6' bed and the truck looks a little better proportionally. If you want to drive the truck more than a couple years, a double cab would be more comfortable, if you can live with a 5' bed. If you can settle for an automatic, you can get a good deal on a used 01-04 doublecab Tacoma I'll bet. Hope things work out well with you and your kids.

[streiff]

Thank you for all your opinions. I would like to go with a truck that I will keep and not have to trade back in a few years if possible. I guess it will ll depend on cost and see if I can squeeze any equity out of my 2005 on trade-in. When I go tit, I had $10 K in equity to put down on it from my previous Tundra. So I'm hoping I can get a couple bucks out of it although its a terrible time to get rid of it. I would be happy to save a few hundred on payments combined with gas savings (6 cyl) and hopefully small reduction in insurance. I'm gonna look har dat both of them and all have valid points .. i.e. kid comfort, room, bed size, etc. Does anyone know of the invoice pricing or what I should be looking at cost wise for the access cab vs. the dc? I would get the SR5 and need the TRD with towing package option. I tow a boat once-in-a-while as well as do a lot of outdoor activities.

Thanks again for all your inputs. This is such a great board!

[R1derful]

Pricing:
http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/N...59/Act/Prices/

Sonny