I'm currently looking into getting a new Tacoma. Mainly checking out the prerunner with access cab.
I bought a brand new VW GTI just 4 months ago and although I LOVE the car after a few months I'm not too happy with gas (premium), maintenance (expensive oil change), insurance cost. So, I'm leaning towards something a bit more practical and possibly more reliable in the long run.
Here's my question for those who have the access cab model.
Is there enough room in the back area for a passenger? I drive my son (6 year old) to school in the mornings and to his martial arts class 2 days a week. Does anyone here actually use that area for a passenger or is it just to impractical for that?
We have a "family" car (Honda CRV) that my wife drives daily and it's the car we use when we all go somewhere together.....so my vehicle is typically only used by me and my kiddo..rarely do I have anyone else with me etc.
You could put a 6 year old back there. How long do you plan to keep the truck though? Think 5+ years down the road when he is older and grows. It can get pretty tight back there.
As for gas? You may not save any money there. What you gain back buy not *having* to buy premium, you will probably lose with the lower mpg (will you get a 4x4? v6 or 4cyl?)
Oil changes? A synthetic oil change will still cost ~$40 for the truck. You dont have to put it in, but many around these parts do.
Good luck with your research, there is a ton of info on here about these trucks. I looked at the GTI when I was car shopping last year, but the Tacoma won out over everything I looked at It's just so damn pretty...
I plan on keeping it for a long time....LOL....I figure as he get bigger it will get pretty tight...and I don't know what age is appropriate for front seat riding. I would say not until he is at least 12 though.....but he could manage for a few years back there I bet........he's only in the GTI for less than 30 min a week or so.
The double cabs are pretty roomy but I'm trying to keep my payments the same and going up to the double cab will blow that budget...not only in sticker price but gas mileage as well. I would like to get a manual 4 cylinder.
?? If your trying to save on gas and oil changes, a Tacoma will cost much more per year than the GTI. VW oil changes are 10K, Tacoma 5K. The GTI, while premium needed (many of us run plus or premium in our trucks too btw), gets at least 8-10 mpg better... offsetting any savings if your putting 87 in a truck.
However if you need a truck, then the Tacoma is a good choice. A six y/o should fit fine in the back for now on short trips, but down the road he (or any other passenger) won't want to be back there on a regular basis.
__________________ 6-spd, 05' D-cab Sport 4x4, Tow pkg, TRD exhaust Summer: Stock 17's Winter: Blizzaks on 16' black steelies
Right now I'm averaging 19 mpg in the GTI and that is in Town use only. We never take it out of town.
The oil changes are recommended at every 5k miles on it though...at least thats what my man. says...and the dealership charges around $70-80 to do it. That's what I meant by cheaper maintenance over the Toyota's oil changes.
I would assume the mpg is about even on the 4 cylinder Toyota (stick shift) vs. the GTI so I'm not looking at saving any there.
Insurance will be a decent savings though. From what my Insurance company quoted it's close to $40 a month savings. Yeah that's not huge gut it's something...LOL
Overall I figure trading in the GTI for the Toyota will result in about a $100 a month back in my pocket....again, that's not really all that siginificant but if you figure in the long term I think the truck might be the more practical choice....depreciation/resale value etc. would go in favor of the truck for sure.....especially in the area of country I live in (West Texas)
Oil changes? A synthetic oil change will still cost ~$40 for the truck. You dont have to put it in, but many around these parts do.
I do oil changes for around $10-$12! I can get a 5quart jug of Quakerstate for around $8 and filter for around $2 at Wal-Mart. Several people have stated that the Supertech filters at Wal-Mart are good (not great, but good) so I just use those and keep to the schedule. Even when I was buying the 4x4/SUV semi-synthetic Quakerstate it was still only $15-$20 for the change!
Jiffy lubes are rip offs, and I don't trust them due to the horror stories I've read. Dealership was around $30 when I went there. So oil changes can be cheaper.
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Toytec 3" lift & AAL, 285/75r16 Kumho Road Venture
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Right now I'm averaging 19 mpg in the GTI and that is in Town use only. We never take it out of town.
The oil changes are recommended at every 5k miles on it though...at least thats what my man. says...and the dealership charges around $70-80 to do it. That's what I meant by cheaper maintenance over the Toyota's oil changes.
I would assume the mpg is about even on the 4 cylinder Toyota (stick shift) vs. the GTI so I'm not looking at saving any there.
Insurance will be a decent savings though. From what my Insurance company quoted it's close to $40 a month savings. Yeah that's not huge gut it's something...LOL
Overall I figure trading in the GTI for the Toyota will result in about a $100 a month back in my pocket....again, that's not really all that siginificant but if you figure in the long term I think the truck might be the more practical choice....depreciation/resale value etc. would go in favor of the truck for sure.....especially in the area of country I live in (West Texas)
I think some 4-bangers are getting 20mpg or more... So combine same or better mpg with buying 87 gas and you WOULD save money!
wow! $70-$80 for a change! I paid $50 a few times during the winter for a "high mileage" oild change for my car and thought THAT was a lot!
$40/month would still be $480/year savings! That could be mod money, gas money, vacation money, etc!
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Toytec 3" lift & AAL, 285/75r16 Kumho Road Venture
DTRL, Fog Light, locker, & diff breather mods, Bestop Supertop, Hi-Lift mount, hood struts, reinforced tailgate, BHLM, ABS kill switch, bed lights, rock lights
LOL @ the yaris suggestion....If I were about 20 years younger or 20 years older maybe......not to mention I'm 6'4"...I'd look like a clown getting in and out of that thing!
I believe I have the exact same set up that you would be looking for; PreRunner 4cyl manual access cab.
I decided on the 4 cyl due to rising gas costs and the fact that I wont be towing anything significant. I have been around 25mpg since summer and average about 23mpg.
The space in the back is tolerable to ride in for short distances and you wont get anyone back there over 200lbs.
So far Ive had the truck since feb and am very pleased with its performance.
My $.02 is that passengers are definitely doable in the back of an access cab, but only for short trips. There is enough room, but it's not a comfortable seating position, very upright and not cushy, and pretty boring because you're low and can't see out the windows.
We live about 2 miles from his school so he won't even be in the back for that long in the morning.....then only about 15 miles to his martial arts class.....I'm sure he will be fine in the back.
He can't ride in the front until he is big enough....6 year old and only weighs about 45lbs.
Yeah slivertacoma! That's the exact truck I want! Same color too!
isn't the passenger airbag in the Tacoma on a sensor...if he doesn't way enough it won't set off the sensor and therefore the airbag wont work...
Or don't they have an option to just turn the airbag off...I'm sure that's all you're worried about...check into getting it disabled...
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I have a 05 access cab 2x4 5 spd. I4. I love it my son is 13 142 pds and he and his buddy are very good in the back for at most 1hr in back. I think we have to look at it like a kid or teenager not a 30-40 year old trying to get back there. I get about 23 mpg if I drive like a grandma, and +25 on the hwy.
isn't the passenger airbag in the Tacoma on a sensor...if he doesn't way enough it won't set off the sensor and therefore the airbag wont work...
Or don't they have an option to just turn the airbag off...I'm sure that's all you're worried about...check into getting it disabled...
It's probably not about the air bags. It's probably about the LAWS regarding kids and where they are supposed to sit. They have to be in a full car seat up to a certain age or weight (whichever comes first), and then a booster seat until a certain age/weight, then they can sit in the front. Or at least that's the way it is in NY.
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Toytec 3" lift & AAL, 285/75r16 Kumho Road Venture
DTRL, Fog Light, locker, & diff breather mods, Bestop Supertop, Hi-Lift mount, hood struts, reinforced tailgate, BHLM, ABS kill switch, bed lights, rock lights
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It's just so damn pretty...
I can get a 5quart jug of Quakerstate for around $8 and filter for around $2 at Wal-Mart. Several people have stated that the Supertech filters at Wal-Mart are good (not great, but good) so I just use those and keep to the schedule. Even when I was buying the 4x4/SUV semi-synthetic Quakerstate it was still only $15-$20 for the change!
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