SDR: Tacoma V6 Prerunnner

Carl

Carl

Well-known member
Staff member
SDR: Sorta Duck Related.
Wife and I are beginning to think of a new vehicle to replace my standard cab 2000 F150.
Its coming down to either Sienna (which I actually kinda like), a Highlander or a Tacoma 4 door V6 PreRunner. (do you see the Toyota trend here???)

Anyone here driving a 4 door Tacoma V6 PreRunner?
My biggest concern is if there is really enough room in the back seat for the two kids on a long trip. I plan to put a top on the bed for luggage and the dog's kennel.
Also, is the gas mileage really as low as advertised (something like 16/21). Not great for a small truck.
The most I would tow is my duck boat or a utility trailer, 2000 pounds max.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!!
 
Carl,
Dad has had his 4-door Tacoma for a while now and I've ridden with him several times on hunting or fishing trips. A couple times I was in the back seat and there was plenty of room (I'm right at 6'). The ride is a bit stiff, but not terrible. As for gas mileage, he said 19-21 and most of his miles are highway, so I guess it fits into your range. He hasn't had any problems with it that I'm aware of. I'm planning to switch back to a truck with my next vehicle and will definitely consider it as one of the better options. Have fun making the decision!

Scott
 
This is not quite on point, but I bought a used Tundra four-door V8 two years ago. I get 20 on the highway... I wasn't real fond of the Tacoma for space, especially in the back seat, but the Tundra is excellent in all respects except turning radius.
 
Have an '04 Tacoma, SR5 Double-cab and the back seat has way more room than the full-sized Ram 1500 extended cab that it replaced. You won't regret getting the Tacoma. Over double the MPG doesn't hurt either.
 
If you're going to pay the money to get the 4wd suspension, rims, fender flares, etc, why not go ahead and get the 4wd? Ive never understood the pre runner. If you only need 2wd get the standard 2wd and save the cash, just my .02.
 
This is not quite on point, but I bought a used Tundra four-door V8 two years ago. I get 20 on the highway... I wasn't real fond of the Tacoma for space, especially in the back seat, but the Tundra is excellent in all respects except turning radius.
Click to expand...
I have a 2006 V8 tundra 4 door and it has never caught wind of 20. It is pretty much a steady 17 or so, even on interstate only cruise control for 35 hours straight. I love the truck, but i wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for 20 mpg on the hwy. I wonder if we have different engines. Turning radius is horrindous. i am thinking of buying my wife a seqoui but worried she won't be able to make the turns in her parking garage.
 
Hi Carl,

I don't have the 4 door, I do have the Access Cab Tacoma, in a 2006, 4 cylinder-5speed with 230,000 miles on it. Great trucks, very little maint. other than oil changes/grease and tranny fluid changes. I towed my 20' Alaskan about 1500-2000 miles each season for four years with this truck, now I'm towing and 18' aluminum. My next truck will be exactly what you are looking at, the V-6 four-door. Mileage is low for a small truck, only 22 with the 4 cylinder. My daughter in now 15 and 5'7" and she has ridden in the back for four hour trips without complaint, but it is stiff. Good luck, great trucks.
 
Different engines could be the reason or different body styles. Mine is a 2006. I was surprised that it did so well on the highway. It definitely is not one for around town.

One thing I do, though, is try to drive under 2,000 rpm. On my old Explorer, my mileage improved dramatically if I stayed under that threshold. That seems to be the case with the Tundra also. Then, too, my test drive was done at sea level for the most part. That may make a difference. So can fuel.

The turning radius has a plus side: I now have to park in the very end of parking lots because it's a bear to park in tight spaces. That means I get a lot more exercise walking in to the store...
 
Carl,

1. I'm not familiar with these vehicles, but the one tip I would give you is to look at a vehicle that is built on a frame, rather than a unibody.

2. If you want a vehicle that will still drive like new after 100,000 miles, without replacing the struts that are on front wheel drive vehicles, get something with rear wheel drive.

A lot of the small SUV's are built on a "pan" type frame, and are front wheel drive. This is real good, until you hook a 2,000 lb. boat on the back and try to pull it out of a wet/icy ramp.

Take a ride in a Ford Crown Vic or any American rear wheel drive auto and compare the ride with a front wheel drive car, after 60 or 80K miles.

If you can find a small SUV that will fit your families needs, built on a frame, with 4 wheel drive, you cannot go wrong.

My beater is a '93 Mazda B2600, Cab Plus. It's 4 wheel drive, and has 150K on it and drives like it did when I drove it off the showroom floor. This was the last year that Mazda built hem in Japan. I change the oil/filter every 3,000 and change all fluids every 80,000. Plugs, wires and new distributor cap every 50,000.

Never had to go "inside" the engine.

Just my 2 cents!!

GOOD LUCK!

Art

P.S. All-Wheel Drive is NOT 4 Wheel Drive
 
How old are your kids, and how long of a trip will you be taking them on?

If you really don't need 4wd, the Sienna may be your best choice. For the past ten years, my wife and I have taken trips from Wisconsin to Colorado every summer, sometimes with my Ford Explorer and sometimes with her Sienna. The trips with the Sienna were MUCH more peaceful. The boys would lean their seats back and go to sleep in the Sienna. In the Explorer they would bicker the whole time about whose arm was over the line--stuff like that. I don't notice any difference in pulling the boat.

The Sienna is now 13 years old, 160K, and still running like new. The only repair we've had done is replacing the airbag wiring that a hamster chewed through. (long story)

Rick
 
SDR: Sorta Duck Related.
Wife and I are beginning to think of a new vehicle to replace my standard cab 2000 F150.
Its coming down to either Sienna (which I actually kinda like), a Highlander or a Tacoma 4 door V6 PreRunner. (do you see the Toyota trend here???)

Anyone here driving a 4 door Tacoma V6 PreRunner?
My biggest concern is if there is really enough room in the back seat for the two kids on a long trip. I plan to put a top on the bed for luggage and the dog's kennel.
Also, is the gas mileage really as low as advertised (something like 16/21). Not great for a small truck.
The most I would tow is my duck boat or a utility trailer, 2000 pounds max.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!!
Click to expand...


PreRunners are not 4WD. I've heard that they have a rear locker, but I'm not sure. Rear locker woudl help a lot on a ramp in a 2wd, but I would for sure want to confirm that.

Do PreRunners come access cab and double cab? Double cab has a lot of room and would work well, but I wouldn't buy a access cab having two kids and planning it for anything but around town.

The V6 would tow the stuff yoiu list great, I've towed a 2000# trailer from CT to WA, spending a lot of time in the mountains, and never felt I needed more ponies. Gas mileage is not great because the engine is putting out 240 odd hp.

For what you describe I'd look at double cab, V6 Tacomas. I really love 4wd, so that woudl be a deal breaker for me not to have it, but your experiance and use is likely very different.

I also would suggest you look at the Honda Ridgeline if you dont' plan on diong any off road. Cabin is great for 4 people, lots of HP, very fun to drive. Few years back when I felt our access cab Taco was too small for Gus (especially in a car seat) we were looking at Ridgelines and double cab tacos. I was thinking of buying a Ridgeline, but didn't for the single reason that it it wasn't set up very well for the moderate off roading I do. Had no skid plates available, a few things hanging below the frame that could get torn off by brush and you can't put real chains on it. Excellent reliability on that vehicle as well.

As a HUGE side note, my mother sold that boat for exactly 2K on about her 35th call on the boat. Thanks a million for the advice!!!!!

T
 
How old are your kids, and how long of a trip will you be taking them on?

If you really don't need 4wd, the Sienna may be your best choice. For the past ten years, my wife and I have taken trips from Wisconsin to Colorado every summer, sometimes with my Ford Explorer and sometimes with her Sienna. The trips with the Sienna were MUCH more peaceful. The boys would lean their seats back and go to sleep in the Sienna. In the Explorer they would bicker the whole time about whose arm was over the line--stuff like that. I don't notice any difference in pulling the boat.

The Sienna is now 13 years old, 160K, and still running like new. The only repair we've had done is replacing the airbag wiring that a hamster chewed through. (long story)

Rick
Click to expand...


Good to see you Rick!
 
Carl

I have a 2008 Tacoma TRD access cab with V6. Great power and towing capability. I routinely tow a trailer load of 6000 pounds to the hunting property. Wouldn't do it long haul but it can manage it.

My only complaints about the truck are the steering wheel sits too low. It is adjustable but still hits my knees in the highest position when I get in the truck and I'm only 5'9". Secondly the turning radius SUCKS. My F-150 turned much tighter than my Tacoma. If you have to do a lot of parking in tight spaces you won't appreciate the way it turns.

I really like mine but can see a full size truck with my next purchase.

Eric
 
SDR: Sorta Duck Related.
Wife and I are beginning to think of a new vehicle to replace my standard cab 2000 F150.
Its coming down to either Sienna (which I actually kinda like), a Highlander or a Tacoma 4 door V6 PreRunner. (do you see the Toyota trend here???)

Anyone here driving a 4 door Tacoma V6 PreRunner?
My biggest concern is if there is really enough room in the back seat for the two kids on a long trip. I plan to put a top on the bed for luggage and the dog's kennel.
Also, is the gas mileage really as low as advertised (something like 16/21). Not great for a small truck.
The most I would tow is my duck boat or a utility trailer, 2000 pounds max.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!!
Click to expand...

I don't have the prerunner but I do have an '03 TRD 4wd in double cab Tacoma. Love the truck and would buy the same one again. I'm more in the range of 19/21mpg. Never had a problem with kids in the back seat or even adults. It is a bit tight but I've never had anyone complain about it. If you have someone tall in the front and they push the seat all the way back, the person in the rear will have very little room.

I too have a cap and that is where most gear goes to stay dry. Never any issue's towing the boat fully loaded, but it's a small boat (estuary).

From a reliability perspective, I don't think you could go wrong. Mine now has 150k+ miles on it and only basic maint.
 
I have owned two toyota trucks in the past 16 years. One a 94 pickup 4x4 with a 22RE engine. It is still working fine on a farm in Pulaski county TN, roughly 300K miles. Only replaced a starter. And now I own a 04 Tacoma. Have only had to replace the Windshield. It tows fine. Recommendations if towing are to add-a-leaf rear suspension and get a class IV receiver installed if it does not already come with it in the tow package. Since you are thinking about dog kennel in the back you might want to go with air bag suspension as well.

Regards,
Kristan
 
Doug,

Good point, I agree, I dont need all the fancy stuff, just 2WD, 4 doors and a V6. So it might not be the prerunner I am actually interested in, but that is what came up on my internet search.
 
Nope, 4wd is not a requirement.
Kids are 5 & 12, and trips to northeast PA, Charleston, SC, Atlanta, Galveston, etc.., are expected.
The three rows of seats are one reason I like the Sienna: A ton of cargo room and I can put the boy & the dog kennel in the back and the girl in the middle row: no sibling fights!
 


As a HUGE side note, my mother sold that boat for exactly 2K on about her 35th call on the boat. Thanks a million for the advice!!!!!

[/QUOTE]

I will pm you my address so you can send me the commission. :)

BTW: 4 door, 2wd, v6 Tacoma is what I am referring too. Really dont need 4wd down here.
 
Not knocking your choice. Hope I didnt come across that way. Its been a while since I followed the compact trucks. The prerunner or the 4wd might be the only platform that you can get a 4 door on. Its been a long time since Ive seen a yota that had 4 doors that wasnt one of the two. Either way they are good trucks. The one I had certainly owed me ZREO when I sold it, and after 5 years I sold it for what I paid for it. Good luck.

Doug
 
Not knocking your choice. Hope I didnt come across that way. Its been a while since I followed the compact trucks. The prerunner or the 4wd might be the only platform that you can get a 4 door on. Its been a long time since Ive seen a yota that had 4 doors that wasnt one of the two. Either way they are good trucks. The one I had certainly owed me ZREO when I sold it, and after 5 years I sold it for what I paid for it. Good luck.

Doug
Click to expand...

Nope, didnt come across that way at all. Thanks for your input!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top