Getting rid of my wife's 5.9L Durango for something more efficient. Minivans were getting looked at, but if we are going to spend low 20's on a minivan, then why not get the 4 door Tacoma? This would be great, because then I get a replacement for my 4Runner I just sold. They get the same gas mileage (minivan vs. Tacoma) and the cost would be a bit lower on the Tacoma. The resale will probably be better down the line as well. Not to mention, we get ground clearance and a funner vehicle to drive.

What do you guys think?

Also, what should I pay for a an '05 or '06 Base Tacoma 4 door?

 

well who is the replacement for... you or your wife? sounds like she needs the car but youre going to get it in the end. a tacoma would be great for many of us guys, but would the wife like driving a truck or having to haul kids around in it(if you have kids, im assuming yes if you were getting a minivan)? some girls like trucks, but a lot of wife's like the minivans because of the car like feel. not that im pushing towards a minivan because i hate them and would never buy one... why not consider another suv?

 

my wife loves our Sequoia. A used on of those ain't bad in price. I just wish I could drive it more

 

Nuther SUV... basically can't happen. The highlander is the only option I would consider and she was not impresses. I was kinda impressed with the highlander hybrid. It even had the third row seating. She hates minivans. She likes cars that go fast and big strong truck. Penis envy? Needless to say, the minivan was something she was getting stuck with due to money and all other practicalities. We are tossing out some of our reasoning in order to appease our wants when getting the truck. But if it makes both of us happier, then why not?

 

We need to at least double our MPG. Right now she is doing about 9 driving the kids around and such. It only gets a very minimal 15 when doing 60 for longer then 30-40 minutes. It hurts! Also we want to keep the new car price as close to $20K as possible.

 

Have a look at the Honda Pilot. I've got one and it drives smooth. The only thing I don't like is the gas mileage. We get about 15 MPG in mixed driving.

 

why not a camry or something?

 

my 94 525i gets 25 mpg, 500 miles on a tank of gass, heated seats, room for 4 kids (and there gear) and can be had for the 6k range

 

You will not find a 4 door taco for less than 20k unless its a 2003 or older especially a 4x4. Check out the new RAV4's. better than a minivan and up to 30mpg.

 

I agree with Paul H. go check out the new Rav4. They are almost the size of the Highlander, but you can get the 268hp V6.

 

+1
I think you are looking for people to tell you that the taco is a good idea when it doesnt fit any of the criteria you are looking for.
In your price range...nope
Great gas mileage...nope
Family vehicle...questionable....depending on the size of your family.

If you want "at least double" your current gas mileage i think a hybrid would be your only choice for an SUV.
The RAV4 is another good choice, but I don't know how long the smaller sized SUV would be practical with a growing family.

 

How many of the same thread are you going to start?

 

It is in the price range as I don't want to spend much more then 20K.
It's not great gas milage, but it is right at double the 9 mpg we get now.
I agree that it aint no family vehicle, but 30K for a minivan that we wont even like driving or owning? Personaly, I just don't see a loaded minivan even getting taken care of, but I am willing to bet my wife would love her truck.

You are right, though. I am looking for added justification.

I also want something that will hold it's value and being that I just sold my 4Runner with no engine for $2K, I like the way the Toyota trucks maintain value. Minivans never hold value as nobody "wants" to buy one. They just get stuck with having to get them.

Rav4, huh? I dunno. When it comes time to load up our mastiff or bring more cargo with the family of 5, is there enough room? I think the highlander, might pull it off and there is the 3rd row option there, but the price starts getting a little more then what I want to spend.

Great info so far guys! Keep it coming!!!!!

 

Sorry.... This is it. In fact if you want to merge the other one into here that would be fine. I wasn't getting much responce over there and then realized this is probably a general question anyways.

 

I think the new Tacomas are sweet. When my F-150 reaches 200,000 miles Im trading it in on a regular cab 4x4 Tacoma.
A D-Cab Tacoma will most likely cost you $26,000-$28,000.

 

get the minivan for sure... who would want a 4x4 Tacoma if they could get a minivan...

 

F150's will hit 200,000?



Well, the sticker may say 26-28, but I just gave them an offer of 21K for a base Double Cab. They took the bait. I just may lease the thing though. This will be a low miles vehicle and the lease option is getting more attractive. What do you guys think?

 

 

Here's the answer. Family Truck

 

So what about the new lease options. They are a lot better then what they used to be and they can get me in exactly what I want (special order) for $310/mo. I am having him fax over the black and white right now so we will see.

In a lease:
What should I be leery of or look out for?
Can you build credit if you stay under miles and such?