Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Toyota Tacoma

Hi guys. Now that I have been convinced that the Rav4 isn't the right vehicle for me, I have a question for those who own a new Tacoma. I'm looking at the Access Cab model and wondering how (un)comfortable are the back seats? I like the fact that the box is longer than with the 4-door, but I have one kid and will probably have another so I want to know that they can ride around back there without too much discomfort. A little builds character, but too much makes them grumpy for the trip! Any of you guys fold your frames into the back of these? Thanks...

SS

I have - its a bit tight but I am a bit *ahem* thick. Depends on how big your kids are obviously. Adults can ride back there if they don't mind cooties ect but for kids - I dunno you know how they like to bug one another. Myself I have one son and he is 5 - I would have no prob with him back there -- With one - VERY doable but 2 might push it if they like to figt - too close and a whole lot of "hes touching me !! " type of stuff.

I guess it really depends on your kids.

The ride itself really is not too bad overall tho. My wife, son and I all drove 1600 miles in 1.5 days in my reg cab Taco. THAT was fun. And we have had 5 guys in an extra cab Ford ranger - I was the smallest at 200 lbs THAT was fun. I don't think you would have too much of a problem in the Taco. Best bet is to take the kids on the test drive - see how much room they have.


Good luck

Thanks teal325. I only have the one son now (about 2 years old) so the fighting isn't an issue. (Yet!) If it is, I can always make them run in the ditch like I used to. Most of my trips will be 3-4 hours long, nothing like the 1600 miles your family did. That could be a little bit tough. I've looked at the GM Canyons and other mid-size trucks, but the Toyota holds it's value the best and just looks better in my opinion. By the way, in Canada you can't get a regular cab Tacoma anymore. Not exactly sure why...

SS

I would say get the 4 door 'cause kids grow so fast. A little extra room never hurt when it comes to transporting kiddies.

The 2005 Tacoma is basically the same size as the Tundra, so you would better of getting the Tundra because it has the V8 and still gets decent mileage. I am not sure why Toyota got rid of the "small" truck. I have a 1999 Tacoma and it is my third Toy truck (1986, 1990, 1999). All were awesome trucks. Pretty sad to see them go.

Did you know that for 2005 Toyota offers the standard length bed in a 4 door? Actually, I think they call it the 4 door long bed. I'm sure it will cost more but it might be worth looking at.

They only offer that in the U.S. Here in canada we can only get the extended cab (6 ft box) in 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive, and the 4-door (5 ft box with manual, 6ft with auto. Go figure...) in 2 wheel and 4wheel drive. The 2.7 L 4 cyl is only offered in the 2 wheel drive extended cab. All others have the V6. The base 4 door models are about $8-10,000 more than the base extended cab models. I can't spring for that much $$, which is why I am looking at the extended cab. It never seems to fail that whatever you set your price limit too, the "perfect" vehicle is just a little bit more. Funny how that works.

SS

Sam,
I pick up my new 05 Tacoma this week in MN and will drive back to AK next week through Edmonton. It's replacing my 98 T100 [240K miles] as it is about the same size. The back seats are large enough for young folks especially with the access doors.
I too found the 4 door to be over priced.
BTW, was RCMP Sam Steele your kin folk?

VernAK,
Your the first one to make a comment on the name. No relation, just a heroic character who did his job. I respect that.

Back to the truck. I think that I am going to take a test drive in one this week. I'll have to sell my car before I buy the truck, but hopefully it won't take too long. The back seat is my only concern, but I think that it would work.

What made you buy the truck in MN? Why not AK? I actually contemplated going stateside and buying the truck since there are more configurations available there. Not sure that it is worth the paperwork though.

SS

Sam,
Yes, your namesake was quite an old boy of the North. Tough and principled men in those days.

There are very few dealers in AK [1ANC, 1FBX] and they want $3-4,000 over MSRP. I bought under MSRP in MN. I priced in Canada but exchange rate isn't favorable for us at this time. It may be in your best interest to try USA.

I finally bought my dream truck which was an '04 Tacoma 4WD 4cylinder auto reg cab....and totaled it 10 payments later. Man that was a nice truck. Lucky no one was hurt and didn't get sued.

VernAK,

I think that I should look into that. I guess a vehicle broker would be the way to go? I'm not sure if all the taxes and levies bringing it accross the border would be worth it. You guys do get a lot better selection though.

Buster,

Man that sucks! Did insurance cover you at least? They should be able to replace it with the same truck...hopefully.

SS

Sam,
For me to buy in Whitehorse, as many Alaskans do, there is not tax, levy or GST. I would think you would enjoy the same.

Okay, I have done some more research on the Tacoma's and found that any with the V6 (which seems like the logical choice if I want to tow anything...) are supposed to use Premium gas. Now, I know that there will be guys that say "You spent all this money on a truck, feed her the best!" but the cut in mileage that I will be taking going from my 40 mpg car to this truck will hurt enough without having to use premium. I did some more looking around and found that the Nissan Frontier uses Regular. Any thoughts on this truck over the Tacoma? The Nissan looks a little bit cheaper than the Toyota. Both are reputable companies, so which truck is worth my hard earned $$?

SS

I have never fed my tacoma anything other than regular unleaded for the 5 years and 85K miles I have owned it and it does not seem to mind. tom

But does it say to feed it premium in the manual? I guess that the new V6's are supposed to (or so I have read...). I'm not sure about the older ones like yours. Also, the 4-cylinders don't. Maybe it is a new development by Toyota to try and get a little more HP or torque to compete with Nissan and Dodge for those numbers? I'm just guessing here...


SS

IIRC the manual does call for a higher octane than the 85 I feed it. I beleive it calls for 90 or something like that. tom

Ok fittin 2 little tikes in the back of an Xcb Tacoma is no problem. My 10 yr old son and 9 yr old daughter have been ridin back there in mine for 3 yrs with no difficulties.

Premium gas is a necessary evil in the supercharged V6 Taco. But I'm fairly certain the in the non charged V6 any decent low to mid grade is AOK.

The insurance paid off pretty well, but I got laid off my factory job (of 7.5 years) a week later, so I just bought the old Dakota. Couldn't have afforded the Tacoma payment on the money I'm drawing now anyway.
I hope to get another one when I get back on my feet...

For what it's worth I believe the Nissan woulld be a solid choice. I feel like their engineering is as solid as Toyota. See plenty of old Nissans still rolling.

My '97 Taco with a 4-banger has 147K on the ticker. I've used premium gas a few times during the heat of the summer. Bosch platinum +4 plugs solved the detonation problem better than expensive gas though. The factory plugs were overdue and almost burned up when I switched to the Bosch.
Oregon's gas quality is one of the worst in the nation. Roadtrips out of state usually yeilded better mpgs because the quality improved. A NWOR header also improved my mileage and gave a noticable increase in power. I only discovered this out of despiration when I had two factory manifolds crack. Still don't know how a simple piece of cast iron can cost so much.

Buy Toyota ot buy some tools!!! : )

OOPS....Buy Toyota OR buy some tools...

Buy a Toyota and some tools to make a wooden bed! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The only tools you'll need when you buy a Toyota are one to help fix the Chevy's, Ford's & Dodge's broken down on the side of the road. Don't forget to have an assortment of metric sizes too!

Ha Ha Ha!!

I have a 2000 Siverado with 37K and my wife has a 05 with 2K . I have pulled our 24ft trailer on several vacations with no problems. My brother in law has a 2002 Toy 4dr that has left him on the side of the road with only 42K miles . $598.00 in repairs not covered under warrentee. He is too embaressed to tell me everything but it overheated or something to that effect. Its a secret since Toyotas are so much better than Chevy ,and he wouldn't be caught dead driving one!! HEE HEE to that. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

There is an oil-change related deposit issue with a number of Toyota engines. They really require oil changes at around 5,000 miles to prevent that sort of problems.

Had to change an A/C seal on my 97 Taco (197,000 miles now) last week. The month before, U-joints. Darn thing is falling apart. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Too bad it is using --0-- oil between oil changes at 5,000. Now I don't have an excuse to get another rig......

I have a 97 Taco too. 210K miles and no problems (yet). It is my main vehicle for work, on the farm, and hunting. Changed the oil at 3000 for a few years, then went to 5000. (It was breaking me up. I drive about 400 miles a week working) Oil after 5000 miles still looks as clear as the day it was poured in! I also change all the gear oil yearly. Just wish we could get these trucks with the diesel engine. In Europe that's all you can get in the Hi-Lux (European Taco) , a gas engine is special order, but here in the US you can't even order a diesel. Wonder why?

The oil sludge issue is covered by an eight year unlimited mileage warranty on certain engines. Some Toyota engines evidently have baffles within the system that allow oil to pool.

I had a 2000 Camry that was covered. I put 156K miles on it before trading without a problem, but did change oil every 5K.

If anyone is trying to decide between the 4cyl and 6cyl Taco I'll tell you this...

The 4cyl has almost the same torque and will never let you down.

It has more power than you're ever likely to need and will pull stuff easily that you can't stop anyway so get the 4cyl and get the better mileage it offers too.

Mine is a 4cyl extended cab 4wd '02 Taco with 82k miles and all I've done is change oil, lube, and drive.

I drove Fords for 30 years and wouldn't have a Ford for free now if I had to keep it!!!

$bob$

The 4 cyl in the Camry has a timing chain now, not a belt. I believe they use the same engine.

The 6 may still use a belt. My mechanic recommended the 4 cyl, said it was less expensive to service.

I've got a '97 Taco 4wd ex-cab 4cyl with 150K. I've had very few problems overall. A NWOR header helped a bunch with mileage. The 4cyl is earning it's keep pushing a pickup with 31" tires------------long hills and headwinds are bad juju. But if I ever want more power, I'd skip the V6 and go straight to the V8 Tundra. The "if" will never happen though. I'm happy with my little Taco just the way it is.
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