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]

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]

:coffee:
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!

[DaveInDenver]

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.

This is what we have going. My truck is XtraCab and our current daily driver is a Civic. The combination allows both to be good at what each is good at and neither is a compromise. Plus my wife and any passengers don't complain about the car being hard to get into, loud, dirty, always up on jack stands or whatever. That goes a very long way towards marital bliss...

For me a 6' bed is far more important than cabin space. BTW, let's get the wording right:

7' = long bed (available 1979 thru 1992 in the US, always regular cabs)
6' = standard bed (most trucks and all XtraCabs have this length)
4.5' = short bed (Double Cab only)

I'm apparently in the minority since like the XtraCab. It's a good balance between usable bed size and decent sized cab. Depending on your outfit, that might or might not be the right choice.

I find that a XtraCab with much of the interior removed in the back of the cab provides a nice mix of useful space inside and bed storage for two people. And that's the rub, if you assume that the XtraCab is just for two people, then the build-out makes more sense. If you ever plan on using the back of the XtraCab for people, then it will seem very cramped. But if you go in with the assumption that a two-door cab, no matter the length, is only for two people, then you remove the back jump seats and maybe build a custom box to replace the storage box on the floor, you will find that you can configure your inside very effectively and still have tons of bed space. If you ever plan on carrying more than 2 people, then seriously consider the Double Cab.

[asteffes]

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

I was talking about an extended cab/long bed versus a double cab/short bed. Those apply to several years of recent Tacomas.

[beerhiker]

Thanks for all the great opinions!
Im heading out today to go look at one, 100miles away.
04 Dcab TRD 28K miles, at a dealer, we"ll see.

[SLOwag]

beerhiker - Good luck in your search, I'm encounterring the same wild prices for the '00 - '04 Dcabs, I'm sure it's a testament to their demand and desireability as evidenced by the previous posts, hold out for the Dcab. As for me, I've grown impatient and will be test driving the the '06 six speed today (switching out my '00 xtra cab for the Dcab).

BTW - been lurking for a while, great forum with polite, informative banter and great exchange of ideas across the many brands of vehicles.

[kcowyo]

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 checked with my buddy at the local Toyota dealership here. They have a stock '04 Dcab, Silver, with no TuRD package with 22K miles for $28K. He told me they probably own it for around $24K -$25K.

When I asked why it was priced so high he told me that dealers are paying over retail for any Toyota Dcabs that go through the auction in Denver and Billings. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it sounds like under 50K for under $21K isn't going to happen around here. So if you find one, you better JUMP on it! :jumping:

Apparently somebody bought one, dressed it out from Demello, Donohoe, Deaver, ARB and EZ Awn. Now everybody wants one and due to supply and demand, prices have gone through the roof!


OK, I made that last part up. Good luck with your shopping! - :beer:

[3 DOGS]

Just FYI. I searched AutoTrader.com and found a bunch of 03 and 04 Tacos, DC, 4wd, some TRD some not. The most expensive was $26,995 and down from there.
I'm sure you've looked there already but if not check it out.
Happy hunting.

[The Swiss]

As for me, I've grown impatient and will be test driving the the '06 six speed today (switching out my '00 xtra cab for the Dcab).
I love my 6 speed DC!:victory: For what the used Tacoma DC are selling for, you can (almost) get a new one and you have the peace of mind of factory warranty.

My clutch went out at 4,373 miles, dealership replaced the broken pressure plate, now the clutch is jerking. In two weeks, the will replace the entire clutch again. It's all covered by the warranty, just the hassle + they managed to scratch my driver door which they have to repaint now.

I hope it was just a bad clutch I got. I have not heard of a lot of people complaining about clutch problems so I'm hopefull. Still, I would maybe consider an automatic... ;)

[Trainwreck]

Ya, ---I looked for a few months before I found mine.-----many times one sold right out from under me, in a day!-----ended up getting an 01 4x4 for a little over 19k before tax and stuff.------65K-----not bad for the wait.

Love the truck-----------did a deckplate mod now its got jump!

[beerhiker]

well the one I looked at on Saturday is just to much $$$$ :mad: . The search continues.

[T-roy]

I just purchased a 04 tacoma double cab 4wd TRD(sticker). Not cheap, but I love the 04 tacoma! Sticker price was 28k and bought for 24K, ouch! I like the low 29k miles and the extended warantee. It only took 8 hour and if I could have stayed 2 more hours I might have gotten it a couple grand cheaper, but I was getting hungry. Next time I'll bring a lunch.

[beerhiker]

T-roy, damn I figured I could get these dealers to drop a couple thou, but the one I looked ar Sat they wanted $25.9K, they dropped to $25.4K, a whopping $500! So I called today thinking they may drop the price since i am interested, nope, no deal.
Found a 03 going to check out tomorrow, just in on trade this weekend.

[T-roy]

Well, I know they can only have the used vehicles on the lot for a certain amount of time and then they get auctioned off to another dealer. The truck I bought had a small dent in the bumper and some mug under the truck so you could tell it had been wheeling in the past. I'm going to change the bumper and the truck has an extended powertrain warantee so I didn't mind the wear and tear. I'm assuming the truck had been on the lot for awhile because of those reasons so they were eager to sell it. Plus, it was way over priced in the beginning. Oh, and no rear locker, but it did come with 32" BFG M/T's and the factory TRD spacer lift which will be replaced very soon. I didn't get a great deal, but these 4wd DC tacomas are hard to find. Maybe that means I made a good vehicle choice.

[david despain]

I was in the same boat over the last 6 months or so. looked around for 3 or 4 months on autotrader and the used lots etc. for a 4x4 DC and the dealers just would not lower the prices. i ran into that same "we'll give a deal on it and knock off 500$" i found a couple with reasonable miles and they were all around 23-24 thousand $. that was just too much monies for me to spend on a 3 or 4 year old compact truck. it was the case all around this area of CO,UT,AZ...so i looked at nissan. I had liked the looks and features i had seen on the comercials and ads and after i saw what mark (articulate) had done with his in the first few weeks he had it i knew it was the best option for me. i had wanted to buy used to save money but ended up leasing a new double cab nismo frontier and i feel i made a good choice for me. as far as double cab vs. extended; i had a 95 f150 ext cab and i love my D-cab. there wasnt a good way to get to the back section and it was akward to try to get stuff in and out. now i just open the door and BAM its right there. down side to this is there isnt nearly as much aftermarket bolt on options for stuff for my truck like there is for the toy. good luck

[Scott Brady]

Wow, I guess resale is doing ok... I paid 23k for my SR5 TRD when brand new.

[beerhiker]

$23k brand new!!!! oh that kills me.
Hows this...03 D-cab TRD 58k miles, price $26K!!!!! its a joke

David D; yes Ive actually looked at the 06 Frontier Nismo, when they have their "sales events", they can be had for $22-23K. I drove the X-terra this past winter and I loved the way the engine pulled on that thing, much power and super smooth. The thing that stops me is the aftermarket for Frontier seems non existant compared to Toy, and body clearance doesnt appear to be as good as the Toyota. Tell me if Im wrong.
When I look at these I try to think which can do moderate trails in Colo and Utah with the least modifications.

[david despain]

the definitive frontier thread on this board: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=669

my thread and observations about my frontier: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1371

my wandering thoughts on buying a new titan : http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1235

i will try not to clutter up the tacoma board with frontier talk but you are right about the aftermarket. there isnt much yet but i feel what is out there is all you really need. sliders, moderate lift 2", skid plates, are readily available. just look at what mark has done. as far as body clearance well its not gonna run the rubicon stock, but as most of the emphasis on this board is for exploring i think its more than adaquate. :taco hijack off:

scott: I looked at an 03 d-cab trd with 40kmiles and the lowest they would go was about 23 grand. so i'd say you're doing just fine.

[ChuckB]

I love my 6 speed DC!:victory: For what the used Tacoma DC are selling for, you can (almost) get a new one and you have the peace of mind of factory warranty.

My clutch went out at 4,373 miles, dealership replaced the broken pressure plate, now the clutch is jerking. In two weeks, the will replace the entire clutch again. It's all covered by the warranty, just the hassle + they managed to scratch my driver door which they have to repaint now.

I hope it was just a bad clutch I got. I have not heard of a lot of people complaining about clutch problems so I'm hopefull. Still, I would maybe consider an automatic... ;)


WHOA!!! I didn't think you could get the new TACO DC with a 6 spd!!! Where have I been, this could change everything :088:

[Scott Brady]

But, it doesn't look like you can get the double cab long bed with the manual

[The Swiss]

But, it doesn't look like you can get the double cab long bed with the manualYou're correct, just the shortbed. With it's extra long wheelbase, I anyhow thought the DC longbed drives more like a boat :088: and I don't think boats come with manual transmission :D

[ChuckB]

That's is great news!!! I'm about 99.9% sold. I have been waiting for them to add the manual to the DC. Am I correct in assuming this is only 06+ models. As far as long vs short bed, I was only considering the shortbed regardless so its a win-win for me!!!

[beerhiker]

Well, I think I found the truck. Incredible find
Details to come when the deal is solid, dont want anybody to snake it from me :littlefriend:
Let the build begin !!

[Scott Brady]

Well, I think I found the truck.

Congrats man! It will be fun to watch the progress.

[kcowyo]

Did ya get it beerhiker?

If not, I found this one near you - '02 Dcab in Denver area (http://denver.craigslist.org/car/188661193.html)

[beerhiker]

I did find a truck, I had called and was going to look at this 02 on Craigslist after I looked at the truck I bought.
Here is what I purchased: 04 D-Cab,TRD, with only 17K miles, its like brand new with 16 mos or 36k miles of factory warranty left. Owned by a 70 year old retired guy who changed the oil every 2500 miles (have receipts), he took immaculate care of it, he was showing me the scratches in the bed from a trip to Home Depot once, I could hardly see them. $22k, I could not pass it up. I have to recover from paying taxes/plates/insurance before I start the mods.

[kcowyo]

Hey great news! Congratulations! :clapsmile

10-4 on the taxes. Colorado plates, etc. aren't cheap from what I recall.

I'll ask since everyone will want to know, what color?

Sounds like a really good deal you got. Your patience paid off! :beer:

[beerhiker]

color is........Gold :smiley_drive:

patience did pay off, i was starting to get discouraged thats for sure

[Scott Brady]

:jump:

Awesome, you are now a Tacophile :)

[beerhiker]

Ha! out neighbors prob think we are crazy with 3 trucks
02 Tundra
04 Taco
05 GMC 2500HD (wifes work truck)

[asteffes]

he was showing me the scratches in the bed from a trip to Home Depot once

This is hilarious. You owe me a new monitor. :coffee:

[Bergger]

Congrats! You've got an awesome truck. Now get it up to the mountains before the snow comes in!

[Wanderlusty]

Found this digging around today.

WOW....barely 6 months ago and 04 Tacos were going for even more than they are now.

Even NOW I feel lucky to have paid as little as I did, $19,500, for a 2004 with 34K.

They are great trucks, no doubt.

The price is what scared me away for so long. I was happy I was able to work out a good deal.

[DenCo40]

I bought my Taco DC TRD in Denver back in November. it had 49K and I believe I paid just shy of 20K for it. They were asking about 23. I trasded in my 02 Standard cab for it. I love my DC.

[Willman]

That awesome that you got your DC!!!

I payed $19,500 with only 40,000 miles on it! Great deal for the Seattle market!!! I looked at trucks same as mine for 25 to 27!!!! You could buy a brand-new one for that almost!!

:sombrero:

[Wanderlusty]

Denvertaco,

How do you like your 882's? I am thinking about those for mine. How is the ride? How much lift did you get from them?

[Martinjmpr]

I just got an 04 Tacoma as well, though mine's not a double cab. Since one of my requirements was the ability to sleep in the back, that ruled out the DC.

As for the shell, yeah, they're $1000+ new, but if you're patient and not too picky about color, you can get a bargain by buying used. I got a forest green shell for my white tacoma (looks great) for just $150.00 off Craigslist. It does have a busted back window which will cost me about $250 to repair, but considering the model of the shell (Leer) even with the window repair I'll be almost $1000 ahead of where I'd have been if I bought new.