OT: We are looking to buy a new vehicle

[UConnChapette]

My husband has a very arthritic left knee. His CR-V has an manual transmission and it is getting too painful for him to drive in stop and go traffic. So, we are in the market for a new vehicle.

He wants to get a small pickup because he wants to be able to transport the snowblower between our house and his mothers. It also needs to be a higher off the ground - but not too high - so his mother with two artificial hips can easily get in when he takes her shopping, etc. And so HE can get into it with little difficulty, his hips aren't in the best of shape either.

We are thinking of a Toyota Tacoma - dual seats so it will hold 4 people and with a longer than standard bed. Anyone own one of these? Do you like it? Would you buy it again?

 

[pinotbear]

My son-in-law had a "Taco" for many years, in Arizona. Put lots n' lots of miles on it, drove it "off-road" in the desert - and, really liked it. Now, being a bit older, his "off-roading" days mostly behind him, he's gone "Prius".

If it wasn't for the need for the truck bed, I'd suggest a Subaru Outback or Forester. I just drove my Outback to DC and back, and got 32.5 mpg on the trip.

 

[trisailin]

As people with access to trucks, vans and cars...my wife says "Get the car you want and get a small trailer". Don't be limited to the pick-up when you don't have to.

 

[slug25]

I had a Tacoma for about six months and didn't care for it much. I traded it just about even up for a Nissan Frontier, which I love. In January I had a total hip replacement and have no trouble getting in and out. Good looking truck, decent mileage (21 mpg hwy) and very comfortable on long drives.

 

[HuskeySlim]

I've had my Tacoma for 14 years and wouldn't trade it for nothing! It's needed no major work except the standard battery, alternator replacement. And after 14 years, 225,000 miles she still "purrs". Will b keeping it until the wheels fall off! Love my Tacoma!

 

[ctfjr]

I was in the same position about 6 months ago. I wanted a 4X4 truck but the wife was insisting on anything but one. She drives an old 350Z that is useless in the winter (we put it in the basement) and wanted a 4X4 car type vehicle. I wanted something that could tow my Kubota and had some carrying capacity. Ok, enough said, she won. We ended up with a Grand Cherokee with the diesel motor. On our trip to Florida this winter I got just over 31 mph. It gets 25 around town and can tow over 7000lbs. Works for us


btw I did all my shopping on the internet. I 'built' the car I wanted and then contacted about 6 nearby dealers. The only time I went to the dealership was to sign the papers & pick it up. Must less painful than the normal 'root canal'.

 

[60'sfan]

I have a 2008 Tacoma and I love it. However, I bought mine used and I would recommend the same for you. When you buy new, you throw away $5,000 when you drive it off the lot. If you buy one used, you will not only save yourself a lot of money but you will probably still have the manufacturer's warranty.

I have the off-road version. While it is nice to have the off-road capability, the rear-end is geared way down. It accelerates like crazy but only gets around 18 miles per gallon on the highway.

 

[Catsailor]

As people with access to trucks, vans and cars...my wife says "Get the car you want and get a small trailer". Don't be limited to the pick-up when you don't have to.

I agree with your wife

I haul a lot of gear for play and for my profession (photographer primarily location work). For many years I shot all the cars for Consumer Reports which usually rated Toyota vehicles highly.

I also occasionally haul a snow blower, log splitter, chipper, generator as well as my 18'catamaran.

I've owned a Tacoma and (Previa), both had strong engines, their hallmark, and very reliable. I found the Tacoma rather limiting. It was decidedly better for stuff than for people. Always the cargo question, what if it rains or snows? What to do to protect the stuff... it is always a compromise, either open bed or closed with cap or tonneau which limits the load you can carry... both are a pain IMHO. And if you live in snow country you need weight in the bed to avoid disaster which reduces cargo space.

For my needs (not for everyone) I much prefer a closed vehicle with high ground clearance, strong engine, AWD and receiver for utility or boat trailer.

I highly recommend considering Suburu (we currently have two, have owned seven total).
It does everything, goes just about anywhere. Our Outback is a pleasure to drive, relatively fuel efficient for AWD and very comfortable. Some of my fly fishing buddies have the Forester and love them, more room, little less cush, lower price point.
Suby is great bang for the buck. JMO

 

[intlzncster]

My husband has a very arthritic left knee. His CR-V has an manual transmission and it is getting too painful for him to drive in stop and go traffic. So, we are in the market for a new vehicle.

He wants to get a small pickup because he wants to be able to transport the snowblower between our house and his mothers. It also needs to be a higher off the ground - but not too high - so his mother with two artificial hips can easily get in when he takes her shopping, etc. And so HE can get into it with little difficulty, his hips aren't in the best of shape either.

We are thinking of a Toyota Tacoma - dual seats so it will hold 4 people and with a longer than standard bed. Anyone own one of these? Do you like it? Would you buy it again?

Toyota Tacoma is the best pickup truck in the world. Hands down. If he likes that vehicle, and he wants a pickup, that's your best option.

 

[Catsailor]

Toyota Tacoma is the best pickup truck in the world. Hands down. If he likes that vehicle, and he wants a pickup, that's your best option.

Don't disagree that Tacoma is great vehicle, if he's set on a pickup. However getting a snowblower in the bed of a pickup is a lot more difficult, even if it is self propelled, than getting one onto a small utility trailer about 18" off the ground. ...especially with a bum knee. One slip and... yikes. Question is: other than transporting a snowblower what does he really need a pickup for? It's a "manly" vehicle but not necessarily the best solution to his particular condition. Most contractors use trailers for a reason, load capacity, versatility, ease of use. Some trailers have integral fold down/slide out ramps.

 

[SubbaBub]

Tacoma pickup
Mine was very good to me
Too tall for grandma

Ramps for snow blowers
Can be too steep to push up
Need strong core muscles

For a 4 by 4
With lower gate and threshold
Get a highlander

 

[UConnChapette]

UPDATE: We ended up going with the Tacoma.

I think my husband had already decided that was what he wanted, all he had to do was take a test drive to make sure he could comfortably get into it and it would be comfortable for his knee. Of course, it was presented to me as "I am thinking of getting"... Better than the stunt that he pulled shortly after we were married and he walked into the store I was working at, smiled sheepishly, and uttered those three little words "I love you" - and then broke the news he had purchased a Lincoln Mark VI without even mentioning it to me before that day.

His reasons for a pickemup truck was not just the snowblower. His mother, at 91 and soon to be 92, isn't going to live for ever. A sad fact. Her house - basement and top floor - is packed with things that are no longer needed or used. None of the kids want the stuff, and most of it isn't worth donating. So, part of his thought process is that that stuff is going to have to be hauled to the dump sooner or later. And (true confession time) OUR HOUSE has a fair amount of "horded" items that as my kids grew up I always said I would have a tag sale, only it never happened. So the truck bed WILL get plenty of use

Since he is the primary driver of that vehicle, I "let" him get what he wanted. I did try to sell the "previously owned" route, but he wanted new.

The specific truck we bought is on its way and should arrive at the dealership in the next week. But the deposit has been put down and the order has been signed.

It was an absolute pleasure to buy the vehicle. The salesman also works part-time at my husband's work place. He is a foreign national who is here on a green card, and my husband helped him out on an issue when he wanted travel to his home country and there was some snafu with his documents to return to the USA. He and the general manager of the dealership made us a great deal, and the GM even threw in running boards for free because of the help my husband provided to the salesman. (The running boards were essential to help his mama get in and out of the truck. )

I appreciate everyone's thoughts and recommendations. In another 5 years when the truck is paid off, it will be time for me to get a new car. I have NO idea what I would want if I was looking today. I think my 10 year old Honda Accord can survive that long. We have an 18 year old Accord as well, so I think I can hold out that long.

 

[intlzncster]

UPDATE: We ended up going with the Tacoma.

I think my husband had already decided that was what he wanted, all he had to do was take a test drive to make sure he could comfortably get into it and it would be comfortable for his knee. Of course, it was presented to me as "I am thinking of getting"... Better than the stunt that he pulled shortly after we were married and he walked into the store I was working at, smiled sheepishly, and uttered those three little words "I love you" - and then broke the news he had purchased a Lincoln Mark VI without even mentioning it to me before that day.

His reasons for a pickemup truck was not just the snowblower. His mother, at 91 and soon to be 92, isn't going to live for ever. A sad fact. Her house - basement and top floor - is packed with things that are no longer needed or used. None of the kids want the stuff, and most of it isn't worth donating. So, part of his thought process is that that stuff is going to have to be hauled to the dump sooner or later. And (true confession time) OUR HOUSE has a fair amount of "horded" items that as my kids grew up I always said I would have a tag sale, only it never happened. So the truck bed WILL get plenty of use

Since he is the primary driver of that vehicle, I "let" him get what he wanted. I did try to sell the "previously owned" route, but he wanted new.

The specific truck we bought is on its way and should arrive at the dealership in the next week. But the deposit has been put down and the order has been signed.

It was an absolute pleasure to buy the vehicle. The salesman also works part-time at my husband's work place. He is a foreign national who is here on a green card, and my husband helped him out on an issue when he wanted travel to his home country and there was some snafu with his documents to return to the USA. He and the general manager of the dealership made us a great deal, and the GM even threw in running boards for free because of the help my husband provided to the salesman. (The running boards were essential to help his mama get in and out of the truck. )

I appreciate everyone's thoughts and recommendations. In another 5 years when the truck is paid off, it will be time for me to get a new car. I have NO idea what I would want if I was looking today. I think my 10 year old Honda Accord can survive that long. We have an 18 year old Accord as well, so I think I can hold out that long.

If he's over 65, that truck will last until he passes away. They are money. If he has problems getting in the cab in the future, you can install side steps or running boards on the side to make it easier.

EDIT: never mind, I see you already got the running boards. Good call. There are other devices that assist entry as you get older too. Not to mention, the Tacoma isn't that big anyway. You aren't trying to get into an F350 here.

 

[mhshuskies]

I drive a smaller (non-full size) pick-up for work and I hate it whenever the road is wet at all. Because the back end is so light, it slides on any wet pavement. In winter I have the sand bags in the back but still need to run in in 4 wheel on any wet pavement. If you are going to get a pickup, get a full size.