need experienced opinions

[swise]

hello all!
I may be jumping from tacoma forums member to this one.
I have an 08 trd offroad tacoma with 20,000 mi., but am thinking of trading it in on a 2003 4runner limited v8 with 113,000 mi. on it. My reason being my wife and I are expecting triplets in October and I want to reduce truck payment. Plus, I have always wanted a 4runner - don't ask why I ended up with a tacoma. My big question is on average are there many known issues with that model and year, and am I an idiot to do this?
Thanks for any "biased" answers or comments.
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[MikesToy]

Congrats on your triplets. They're tax deductible. lol Keep your Tacoma and buy a used van or trade-in your Tacoma for the '03 Limited V8 and buy a used van. Just my 2 cts.

 

[audiqtr]

with three kids, you'll need a minivan. three infant/child/booster seats and all that gear you have to haul Strollers/diapers, clothes, toys, Cartoon DVD's.... a minivan is the right choice. Large Sliding doors are a bliss when it comes to loading/unloading. Whatever you decide on getting, it is going to get trashed, I mean trashed. So don't get something nice, until the kids are at least a decade old when you can start holding them accountable...lol Since you want to minimize cost, I'd recommend getting a used Odyssey or Sienna. Odysseys def drive better, Siennas are a bit numm, but they both will drive forever, never break down and get the job done for you. Good Luck with everything

 

[JCR]

Wow, triplets! Congrats.

I personally don't think a 4runner is big enough to handle triplets if it is your main vehicle. I would measure car seats and then see if 3 of them will fit in the back seat. IMO a fullsize SUV or Van is going to be your best bet.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I'd just check to make sure the timing belt was done at ~90k miles, and I'd suggest running a carfax for safe measure. A year ago I purchase a 03 v8 with 125k miles. It all checked out fine, quite a few maintenance records, and thus far it's been trouble free. The only thing I've HAD to do was new brake pads/rotors, but thats just maintenance and should be expected. Not sure about prices in that market, but I got mine for $11,750 out the door, just so you have something to compare to when pricing.

 

[jetboy1975]

You can't fit 3 carseats across the second row, and 3rd row if you have them would be a nightmare to get kids in and out of. I've tried smaller booster seats and even they won't fit. Plus it only has anchors on the outer seats. I see a Sienna in your future. Minivans aren't as bad as people make them out to be. When we had our second kid we decided it was time to bite the bullet. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. Easy access in and out (no bending or reaching to get seats in and out) and lots of storage for the strollers etc. I still miss it. Once the kids are 3 or 4 and can buckle themselves in, then you can get the SUV. (but you still won't fit 3 boosters across a T4R) Good luck.

 

[M1911]

I agree with the other posters that a 4Runner isn't big enough for 3 child seats in the back.

 

[Flyer]

If a minivan is out, how about a Sequoia?

 

[travis0311tide]

I had twins and needed a van badly.. you have strollers, diaper bags, extra change of clothes,(for you and the kids) then whatever else is already in your vehicle and then groceries addded to that and your out of room.. A van makes it 10 times more easier to get everyone loaded and unloaded, I just didn't get one because I couldn't picture myself being a "minivan dad".

 

[swise]

Thanks for all the input. I ended up finding a 2007 v8 sr5 with only 30,000 miles on it. It is as clean as my tacoma. I'm picking it up this morning.
Minivan is not an option to me, although at least now I can appriciate them. I got my wife a Honda Pilot w/3rd row and 3 latch system on 2nd row to be the main "baby hauler." I was able to get 3 infant seats in back of tacoma, but was tight. They fit better in 4runner because there is more room between back and front seats, so should be ok when I need to load everyone up in the 4 runner.

 

[shuly]

Congrats on your find! Be sure to post up picks of the new T4R!