What Vehicle for Twins and a dog...

[yzftaco]

So with Twins coming I'm going to have to get rid of my standard cab Tacoma for something more family friendly.. need room for the dog as well.

I was thinking of an 80 series, but the wifey and I thought something newer might be better.. (which would be more $$)

I am Drooling over a BJ74 that I'm going to look at later this week.. The wife isn't too into this option since it's an 88 which is even older than an 80 series..

I'm trying to convince her that for one it's diesel so it gets good mpg, and it's been gone over..


I guess I should add that she has her own family friendly car.. This would be for me..


Let's take a poll
newer suv? (gonna have to finance)
80 series? (less $$)
bj74 (if I'm going to finance a suv, might as well get something I like )

 

[Cube Dweller]

are you ever going to wheel it? if not, much much better options than an 80. (an 80 is my wife's DD with two kids)

 

[Cruisified]

BJ74

But an early 2000's 4runner would be the smertist.

 

[yzftaco]

I'll take it on some easier expedition type wheeling, or maybe easy trails like Deer Valley, Fishing trips etc...
I have the 40 on 40's for the hard trails..

are you ever going to wheel it? if not, much much better options than an 80. (an 80 is my wife's DD with two kids)

Hmm 4runner is definitely an option I didn't think of that!

BJ74

But an early 2000's 4runner would be the smertist.

 

[Cube Dweller]

I would envision $6-$8 per gallon gas and the wifey shuttling the kids to school, soccer practice, swimming lessons.....

 

[Jomama]

I am Drooling over a BJ74 that I'm going to look at later this week..

Wont it be hell getting twins in and out of car seats in the back of a 2 door truck? Especially for your ?



Why not a newer double cab taco? I'm really liking mine.

 

[yzftaco]

She has a family friendly car already, this would be for my hauling pleasure..

I would envision $6-$8 per gallon gas and the wifey shuttling the kids to school, soccer practice, swimming lessons.....

 

[Cube Dweller]

She has a family friendly car already, this would be for my hauling pleasure..

Well in that case, scope mud classifieds for a mildly built 80 with lockers my plan for our 80 is similar.

 

[agomez]

get a used 100 it wheels better than the 80. shotts.

 

[Matador98]

I just had a set of twins in July, and we use the 100 most of the time. Although, I have a double cab Tundra as well, but it won't be as good offroad, but is better for the dogs. I have two golden retrievers as well. I'm happy with both, but if I had to choose one, with offroad as an option, it would be the 100, slightly, over the Tundra.

 

[Doc]

I think you'd like the options of the double taco or 4-skinner better than an 80. The 80 will be HUGE compared to what you're used to.

And worse gas milage.

 

['74 UA FJ]

Seriously? For light wheeling and a daily driver, a 100 series is probably a better choice than an 80. This is from a guy with a nice 80 with lockers and 100,000 miles and a 40 for a wheeler. I will be picking up a car soon for daily driving.

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

80 or 100. you'll curse the 2-door 74 too soon. and the RHD with the kids in the back. and it really has not much room with the rear bench in...

 

[cruiser7773]

100 = 100%

Go for the 100. Super nice for long hauls and very capable off-road. I take the wife, kids (6 and 4), the German Shepherd, and gear on 1K mi. trips regularly with much comfort. I can fit 7 adults if I need to. Good luck doing that with a 4-runner.

 

[scottm]

4Runner, 4th-gen. It's a little smaller in weight and dimension than the 80, but not much. Much more modern, safer IMO, fairly simple and rugged for a newish car. The dogs will love the rear sliding window. Much better on road, still plenty capable off road for camping and exploring.

 

[LockedLX]

Early 2000s Sequoia? Pretty much a hundy in disguise for less $$, still capable of mild wheeling.

 

[ATLcrusher]

I'd get a 100.

 

[bigndn]

Add it up. Twins = two car seats, large diaper bag, stroller(s), and probably a bunch of other junk I've long since purged from my mind.

Our kids are 11, 4, and 1, so I do have a few solid recommendations. 4-doors is a must. Sliding doors are better for larger and easier access. Car seats take up more room than you think, especially while the little ones are rear-facing. Plus add the dog.

My recommendations: 4runner or 80 series. We have a Sienna, a '40, a Toy Hilux, 3/4 T Dodge, and now a Jetta. Everyone, including our two labs fit in the Sienna and Dodge comfortably, but obviously there's limitations on the '40 and Toy truck. Everyone will fit in the Jetta, uncomfortably, minus the dogs.

 

[yzftaco]

Thank you everyone!

I just needed to hear it from my Mud brethren that the bj was a stupid choice...

I'm leaning towards the 4th gen 4runner now.. Not too into the 100's, and an 80 well.. its old

 

[NaterGator]

Seriously? For light wheeling and a daily driver, a 100 series is probably a better choice than an 80. This is from a guy with a nice 80 with lockers and 100,000 miles and a 40 for a wheeler. I will be picking up a car soon for daily driving.

Completely agree. The cabin space in the 100 is much more comfortable. Sure it isn't quite as good offroad, but your purpose doesn't sound that extreme either.