Advice requested:$35K budget, what are you buying and why?

[plainjaneFJC]

I’d get the lowest mileage crew cab tundra 2014 or newer.

 

[K9LTW]

Lots of votes for Tundras...and I'll be one of the dissenters. Sequoia. They are NOT the same. Mechanically with the front end? Sure. But functionally? Not in the least. It's just my wife and I, our Malinois, and a Dutch Shepherd. With a truck, there's zero room for one kid and the dogs, let alone 2 or more kids dogs in the cab. We had a 1st gen ('05) Sequoia that did amazing. I had custom crates bolted in the middle in lieu of the 2nd row, and a ton of room in back for a fridge, and all our gear. 2nd gens are even bigger so long as you're good with the redesign, and independent rear suspension. That way everyone is in the climate controlled, and accessible space of the vehicle with enough room should those twins surprise you

 

[beef tits]

For $35k, I’m buying a $8k excursion, swapping in a 7.3 Godzilla/10-speed combo, 05+ axles and 35”-37” tires and enjoying.

You'd then be spending every weekend for the rest of your life chasing oil leaks and replacing parts that fail pre-maturely.

 

[Todd780]

Lots of votes for Tundras...and I'll be one of the dissenters. Sequoia. They are NOT the same. Mechanically with the front end? Sure. But functionally? Not in the least. It's just my wife and I, our Malinois, and a Dutch Shepherd. With a truck, there's zero room for one kid and the dogs, let alone 2 or more kids dogs in the cab. We had a 1st gen ('05) Sequoia that did amazing. I had custom crates bolted in the middle in lieu of the 2nd row, and a ton of room in back for a fridge, and all our gear. 2nd gens are even bigger so long as you're good with the redesign, and independent rear suspension. That way everyone is in the climate controlled, and accessible space of the vehicle with enough room should those twins surprise you

Agreed. Truck sounds good for hauling stuff. But, 2 kids plus 2 dogs in 1 row of seats will be very, very tight.

Especially considering car seats for babies, then as they grow into booster seat there will be tons of stuff to keep them busy on long trips.

Lap tables with coloring books, iPads, crayons, sketch books.... etc... Ask me how I know...

Maybe....Maybe... When the kids are small and if the dogs aren't too big you could get an F150 SuperCrew which has a flat floor in the rear and the dogs could lay there. @Mrbad You said medium dogs.. What breed(s)?

 

[4runnerteq]

Sequoia. And should you need to haul something big or dirty occasionally buy, borrow or rent a trailer. If your hauling stuff all then time it may be different. For a mainly family rig though, be hard to go wrong with the Sequoia

 

[MotoDave]

I've looked at larger options than my GX460 - the third row is an either/or option for people OR cargo, not both. I REALLY think Toyota missed the mark with the raised floor situation in the 3rd row of the new Sequoia. Our dog travels in a crate, and I don't think there's enough height with the platform thing shown here, and not enough length for the crate behind the 3rd row on the floor.

I'm looking at either the current gen Suburban or Expedition Max. Both have vastly more usable cargo space (as do the Tahoe and regular length Expedition) than the Sequoia. The Sub can also be had with a I-6 Turbodiesel which is intriguing.

 

[Ozarker]

I have a $35k budget and looking to get into something that will last me around 5-10 years for myself, wife, my son (and future kiddos), and two dogs. It will be a commuter 98% of the time while the rest will be used for camping, fishing, hunting, etc. I love the utility of a truck but trucks are darn expensive right now.

We’re in VA but want to make the move to CO.

So what should I be looking at?

A used F-150, 2020 or newer, V-8 5.0!!! In CO get 4x4, I think it snows there and they have some hills.

 

[rruff]

Agreed. Truck sounds good for hauling stuff. But, 2 kids plus 2 dogs in 1 row of seats will be very, very tight.

The OP did say he preferred a truck. The bed of truck is a very good place for dogs to travel if there is a cap or shell or something. I assumed this would be an exploring and camping rig, and the truck just has more space. Especially if he can find a DC 8' like mine!

 

[Todd780]

The OP did say he preferred a truck. The bed of truck is a very good place for dogs to travel if there is a cap or shell or something. I assumed this would be an exploring and camping rig, and the truck just has more space. Especially if he can find a DC 8' like mine!

I would not recommend an extended cab for 2+ kids.

Up to him at the end of the day. He posted asking for recommendations, so I gave mine based on my experiences.

Started with a SUV when the kids were small. Now in a truck. Older kids take up less space, lol

 

[XJLI]

Agreed. Truck sounds good for hauling stuff. But, 2 kids plus 2 dogs in 1 row of seats will be very, very tight.

Especially considering car seats for babies, then as they grow into booster seat there will be tons of stuff to keep them busy on long trips.

Lap tables with coloring books, iPads, crayons, sketch books.... etc... Ask me how I know...

Maybe....Maybe... When the kids are small and if the dogs aren't too big you could get an F150 SuperCrew which has a flat floor in the rear and the dogs could lay there. @Mrbad You said medium dogs.. What breed(s)?

My FIL's crew cab Silverado can hold one 55lb German pointer on the floor and a 65lb pointer pit mix on the center seat (he likes to curl up), flanked by two car seats. Both dogs have traveled on the floor, too.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I'd say an all wheel drive Sienna van for the majority of duty and maybe an old 4x4 to go hunting.

I'm not kidding.

A Sequoia with 3 rows would be close and obviously more capable stock for 4wd trails. But for normal stuff in Colorado like going skiing the AWD Sienna is going to more than enough. I'd even say with reasonably aggressive tires the mini van may surprise you.

Also depending on what you define as camping. Will the family really tolerate more than gravel roads to get to camping spots to actually use low range 4WD?

OTOH using the 3rd row in an SUV is less fun than a mini van. The dogs won't care but kid #3 will irritate kids #1 and #2 over it.

And seriously are you going to be allowed to go hunting in the family Sequoia?

Just my $0.02.

 

[rruff]

I would not recommend an extended cab for 2+ kids.

Plenty big for 3 adult sized kids, and the front on mine is also a bench... so you can stick an extra kid or baby right there. Great family hauler! I've traveled across the country many times with far less luxurious accommodations...

 

[Todd780]

Plenty big for 3 adult sized kids, and the front on mine is also a bench... so you can stick an extra kid or baby right there. Great family hauler! I've traveled across the country many times with far less luxurious accommodations...

Yep. Adult sized kids are entertained as long as they have their phones. Little kids take up much more room with babyseats (especially rear facing) and other junk, lol Not saying it can't be done. It just might be more painful for all involved, lol

 

[Mrbad]

Agreed. Truck sounds good for hauling stuff. But, 2 kids plus 2 dogs in 1 row of seats will be very, very tight.

Especially considering car seats for babies, then as they grow into booster seat there will be tons of stuff to keep them busy on long trips.

Lap tables with coloring books, iPads, crayons, sketch books.... etc... Ask me how I know...

Maybe....Maybe... When the kids are small and if the dogs aren't too big you could get an F150 SuperCrew which has a flat floor in the rear and the dogs could lay there. @Mrbad You said medium dogs.. What breed(s)?

I forgot to mention that we will be getting something for my wife ie a long road tripper.

My dogs are Border-Collie Poodle mixes and there’s definitely a lot of Collie in my girl 😂

 

[Mrbad]

I'd say an all wheel drive Sienna van for the majority of duty and maybe an old 4x4 to go hunting.

I'm not kidding.

A Sequoia with 3 rows would be close and obviously more capable stock for 4wd trails. But for normal stuff in Colorado like going skiing the AWD Sienna is going to more than enough. I'd even say with reasonably aggressive tires the mini van may surprise you.

Also depending on what you define as camping. Will the family really tolerate more than gravel roads to get to camping spots to actually use low range 4WD?

OTOH using the 3rd row in an SUV is less fun than a mini van. The dogs won't care but kid #3 will irritate kids #1 and #2 over it.

And seriously are you going to be allowed to go hunting in the family Sequoia?

Just my $0.02.

That’s a good point, I’d really love to increase my proficiency with the Bow but hunting with the family hauler is a no no lol