D-cab owners opinion

[beerhiker]

Sold my TJ 6 weeks ago and searching for 01-04 low mileage (under 50k) D-Cab Tacoma, Im having trouble finding one for under $21k, I swear some dealers are selling them for more than what they cost new
I can get a extended cabs for $3-4k less. I figure D-cab probaly ride better and would be good for the dog and keeping items secure on a daily basis, if I went extended I would need to get a shell where d-cab I wouldnt. Either way I would be modifying suspension to handle moderate trails here in Colo and Utah, so maybe ride doesnt matter at this point, I have driven both and there does not seem to be a huge diff between the two, but hard to tell on 10min test drive. So my question to D-cab owners; do you think they are worth the extra money as far as comfort, interior space, ride?

Thanks

 

[seth_js]

Doube cab was a requirement for me. I needed more interior room and some where to put more than two people. It all depends on what you plan on doing with it. If you get the extended cab to save a couple bucks, but then plan on putting a shell on, you'll be adding $1500 right off the bat.

 

[Scott Brady]

I came from SUV's, so the double cab was a great compromise for me. If you need to transport three or more people, the double cab is the only consideration. If not, then an xtra cab can really shine. The big utility area to configure for sleeping and storage is impressive.

 

[Ryanmb21]

made the mistake of buying 2wd..

This is a really good question.....

I owned a 2002 ford ranger ext cab, the interior space was too small to lock up my surfing gear so I got a shell. I loved it 90% of the time, but you lose a lot of the utility of carrying tall items in the bed of the truck (heck you can't even fit 2 bikes in the thing). Constanly using the key to lock and unlock the rear window to get at anything in the bed also got tiresome.

My second truck was a 2004 tacoma double cab (I would still have it but I bought 2wd). You'll be amazed at how much you can fit up front with the rear seats folded flat (and lock). The ride is great.......a very balanced feel, unlike an unloaded extended cab. I loved the ability to carry four guys and you don't lose that much cargo room in the bed (if you put the tailgate down). I think if you look around you could find one for ~$21K, I sold my 2wd with 29K miles for ~$19K. If you don't plan to sleep in the bed, I say go with the double cab you'll be very happy.

 

[beerhiker]

I dont need it for extra people, maybe here and there out to dinner but that it. Im 6 1' and my wife is 6 0', dont really fit in the bed of a small pickups, really cramped in our old Nissan when we tried it. I was thinking maybe rooftop tent set up just like Scotts :bowdown: for the sleeping arrangements.

 

[asteffes]

I'm spoiled. I have a DC with a shell. I can't imagine owning a truck without a shell, unless I needed to haul loads of dirt around.


A few random thoughts:

You can sleep in a long bed easily. Not so easy with a short box, unless you're, well, short, too.

You can carry five people instead of just two, and sometimes this is a really great feature, like when going skiing.

You can hide stuff inside the cab more easily with an extended cab. With a DC, you don't have convenient out-of-sight stowage space for a backpack or whatever because of the large rear windows.

If you do get a shell, be *sure* to get one with win-doors. I wish my truck had these but it wasn't available on the factory shell. If I could have bought an ARE shell for what I paid for the SnugTop I would happily get the ARE with win-door option.

 

[seth_js]

You can sleep in a long bed easily. Not so easy with a short box, unless you're, well, short, too.

He's looking for an 01-04. Long bed wasn't an option.

 

[atavuss]

a co-worker found out the same thing you did about the DC tacos, hard to find and expensive, he finally gave up trying to find one at a decent price and bought a Camry instead. I have a 04 4x4 DC taco because we needed the extra room for three people and a dog. I traded off an extended cab Dodge Dakota for the Taco, my son outgrew the back seat of the Dakota.

 

[beerhiker]

a camry? oh jeez no way!
I had been throwing the idea of getting a 80 also but just cant see it as a good daily driver (mpg, size, hi mileage).
So it will have to be d-cab or ext cab, I really want the d-cab but everyone Ive looked at so far is starting at $24-25k, so i assume if i really find one I like should be able to get it down to $21-22K. Dealer in Boulder just got one in with a shell, 04 with 51k miles,TRD, rear bumper dented, pasngr seat has a hole in it, they are asking get this......$26.9K for it. Did they not cost this in 04 brand new?
I checked the lot on the 06 ext cab TRD, sticker on it is $29k, whats wrong with this picture.

 

[3 DOGS]

I will put my 2 cents in here - especially since I just went through your situation. Stick with the DC. I have had an ext cab (Silverado) and you cannot believe the convience factor of the 2 extra regular doors over the reverse doors on the Chevy.
I searched on the internet up to 500 miles from Omaha for an 03 or 04 model for almost 2 months. I finally found my 03.
It is the SR5, TRD, DC 4X4, 39,000 miles with a snugfit fiberglass topper and a bed rug. Listed at $23,995.
My truck was on the lot 2 days when I found it. There were no other DC's in Nebraska (listed). The closest I could find was Colorado and a couple in Missouri. They go fast
I love it. I have now been bugging everyone here with newbie questions. One thing I can say is this group knows their stuff and have been very helpful with ideas. The infor I have received has been greatly appreciated.
Stick with a DC over the ext. cab. Keep looking and check every day on the internet one will pop up.

 

[Willman]

It is well worth the money!! I have a family building and this truck is going to fit great!! A shell is the way to go! Its like having a extended 4running!! One thing i have noticed...DC do get a little less mpg and the reg ext cab. Another thing is the auto trans....A stick in these bad boys would rock unless you have the bling bling for a new one with a stick...what i am getting at is you lose a little power due to the trans....

Overall...I really had to dig deep for the cons.....I wouldn't sell it for the world!!! Great alround rig!!!

:arabia:

 

[erin]

Having a ext cab, I would say if hauling area in the bed is not a concern, I would go with the dbl cab, over the ext cad. I went from a std cab, so any upgrade was a big plus, but for me being in constructon, I benefited from the longer bed, more then the ability to haul more people. If the ext cab had a rear door, I might suggest otherwise, but it doesn't and it's a pain in the butt sometimes loading gear. I also wanted to be able to add a tool box that had more fullsize depth, which you are limited in with the dbl cab. As to price, it will work on both ends, so you will have more value in the end also. Just something to keep in perspective. I have been trying to find an older truck to make into a crawler, you should see those prices, 180,000 miles, 5000$, and thats 14-15 yrs old. Just my 2 cents, good luck!

 

[chet]

I would say go with the double cab as well. If you ever plan to have kids in the near future the Xtra cab is useless. I have owned an Xtracab mazda and it was just big enough to be annoying and not big enough to be useful to everything went in the bed with a canopy on it!

 

[3 DOGS]

One thing I forgot to mention is that with my DC I am getting 18.5 mpg/city - I haven't even had it on the highway long enough to get a true reading. It looks like everyone is in agreement that the DC is the way for you to go.
As far as room on the inside the cab area I am 6'1" and a svelt 265. The comfort level is fine inside the cab. As for the bed area you've already got the right idea with the roof tent.
Keep looking. Like I said before I spent almost 2 months hunting for one. I missed out on 2 because they sold in less than 5 days. Both of the ones I missed were under $23K for list price - DC, TRD 4X4 autos.
I love mine with the 4 doors and automatic. I won't be doing anything extreme and plan to build it for daily comfort and off road ability (hunting and trail driving). Tires, suspension and maybe a few toys but again nothing too nuts.
Make sure to hit Edmunds and MSN in the used auto section - that's how I found mine.
03 Taco DC, 4X4, auto, TRD with Snugfit topper and Bedrug - stock for now

 

[atavuss]

a camry? oh jeez no way!
I had been throwing the idea of getting a 80 also but just cant see it as a good daily driver (mpg, size, hi mileage).
So it will have to be d-cab or ext cab, I really want the d-cab but everyone Ive looked at so far is starting at $24-25k, so i assume if i really find one I like should be able to get it down to $21-22K. Dealer in Boulder just got one in with a shell, 04 with 51k miles,TRD, rear bumper dented, pasngr seat has a hole in it, they are asking get this......$26.9K for it. Did they not cost this in 04 brand new?
I checked the lot on the 06 ext cab TRD, sticker on it is $29k, whats wrong with this picture.

I paid 24k for my 04 TRD 4x4 DC, MSRP on the window sticker was 27411k. I am 6'3" and 215 lbs. the seats in the taco are not the most comfortable but I will tolerate them because everything else in the Taco is so great!