Back in the (Toyota) Cult

[shotgunshooter3]

... but that doesn't mean that See Pee Jay must cease sending me scissor wagon memes on Instagram...

Not often chronicled here, I have been driving a 2008 Subaru Outback since returning from working overseas. While it's proven to be a fairly useful car (when it works) I have learned the hard way with this project that the 15+ year old car with under 50K miles would still present me with many of the "high mileage" maintenance issues due to age. Lesson learned, and Dave Ramsay be damned. While I have been frequently frustrated with repairs on my "beater," nothing new on the market hit what I considered a proper "cost/value/utility" intersection for me to take the plunge. Toss in a career change, with a substantial reduction in income for the first few years, and I have tolerated the quirkiness of the Outback.

That is, anyway, until I noticed it was burning coolant. A trip to a local specialist, and sure enough, it's showing the early signs of the dreaded head gasket failure that this generation of Subarus is known to have. I hemmed and hawed quite a bit about repairing it versus ditching the car, but see above about being underwhelmed by the current vehicle market. Fortunately I wasn't driving much, so I was able to procrastinate on the decision.

Enter my local Toyota dealer, with a tantalizing email advertising a significant amount off of all new Tacomas on the lot. At first I resisted, but a few days later I got a text from the sales manager that they were upping the discount by another 15%. Logic be damned, I'm tired of driving a car I don't like. I perused their inventory, and found one to my liking. A few phone calls later and it was reserved in my name.

So, without further ado, behold my new 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road:

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Definitely not the compact pickup of yesteryear, but still noticeably smaller and more nimble than a modern half-ton. The Off Road package, and heated seats, pretty much tick all my boxes of wants and needs in a vehicle. I've only made it through one full tank so far, but it returned 22 MPG, which I am quite pleased with. Additionally, the comfort far exceeds that of the old Outback (and, to be honest, of my old 2014 Tacoma).

I'm a happy camper so far! No mods planned, though it will probably get severe weather rated tires before the winter hits.

But please, CPJ, the memes are still entertaining.

[breamfisher]

Nice TuRD.

[sakodude]

Whatcha doing friday? were heading to the Snowy's if you want to get it dirty Congrats BTW.

[Elk Creek]

Very nice! It’s called personal finance for a reason. Dave Ramsey can buy everything with cash because he sells the crap out of his teaching materials and classes!

Nice truck, no great truck!

[GrapeApe]

Nice, and my second favorite color, Let me know whatcha think of that Turbo 4

[Chiro1989]

Nice, I went Tundra back in 2018 and a 4Runner in 2022 for the wife and have been pleased, wish we could get 22mpg in either, but can’t complain. We were Ford before then, I am reluctant to buy anything from them without a V8 and the transmissions have way to many speeds these days, trying not to sound like Zorba with the vehicles . Kids are driving F150’s x3 and one Expedition, costing us some money but less than payments so far

[Wambli Ska]

That’ll do for sure

Hummmm, did they take away your Birkenstocks?!?!?

[shotgunshooter3]

That’ll do for sure

Hummmm, did they take away your Birkenstocks?!?!?

Millennials wear Chaco sandals, thank you very much, and there's some crossover in the communities (footwear wise, anyway).

I'm also waiting for my COEXIST sticker to show up... that might have just been for the original owner.

[shotgunshooter3]

Nice, and my second favorite color, Let me know whatcha think of that Turbo 4

So far so good! Time will tell in the long run.

[Diver43]

Nice Truck, I almost got one last year.

[shotgunshooter3]

Nice Truck, I almost got one last year.

Thanks! I was VERY close to buying a 2.7L Ranger, but the dealer wouldn't come down enough for it to be worth it to me. The Toyota dealer cut me a genuine good deal, and didn't try any underhanded crap during the buying process to boot!

[shotgunshooter3]

Whatcha doing friday? were heading to the Snowy's if you want to get it dirty Congrats BTW.

Thanks! Unfortunately I'm working that day. Dang.

[GrapeApe]

I hope it's as dependable and long lasting as my '07 has been.
Mine hasn't let me down in almost 19 years (purchased Dec 16 '06) and 200k+ miles
(Yes, the same one you went hunting in)

[Admin]

I hope it's as dependable and long lasting as my '07 has been.
Mine hasn't let me down in almost 19 years (purchased Dec 16 '06) and 200k+ miles
(Yes, the same one you went hunting in)

My '07 FJ Cruiser is still rolling strong. And after driving a few newer vehicles over the last few weeks... I don't see getting rid of it any time soon.

[GrapeApe]

Mine could use a new coat of paint, and that's about it.
Silver is the WORST long term color I know of

[shotgunshooter3]

Thanks! Here's hoping. I'm a tad leery of the newer engine, especially since when the 24 rolled out Toyota had some teething issues, but most online reports show satisfaction with the 25's (and who goes online to say good things??). My '14 had the same 4.0 1GR that your respective Taco and FJ have, as did a Land Cruiser that I had overseas that we fueled up with excess aviation fuel. Bomb proof engine for sure. Had I not gone overseas I would still be rolling in that truck.

I also think some of the online noise about the "over complicated" turbos is just that, noise. It still has less parts than a modern V8, and modern turbo engines are built from the ground up with the turbo incorporated in the design. I'm more leery of all the electronics, and have been mulling over an extended warranty for those.

[shotgunshooter3]

Nice, I went Tundra back in 2018 and a 4Runner in 2022 for the wife and have been pleased, wish we could get 22mpg in either, but can’t complain.

Great choices. The older naturally aspirated Toyota engines are the gold standard for reliability. Too bad the used market shot up, I was on the lookout for a 2020-2024 4-Runner.

[Diver43]

I don't know what the TOYOTA extended warranty runs, but under guidance of the persons input that sponsored the Ranger under the X plan, I got it. He strongly suggested because of the electronics. So many sending units, monitors and sensors on new vehicles. Some of which go out, it deadlines your ride.

[Wambli Ska]

LOTS of electronics in the new Toyotas, actually just about all cars. Just backed up my Jeep unintentionally into the bumper of a 2025 Tacoma and hit that cute plastic part that houses the camera. Literally touched it with the corner of my bumper!!!

This is the total outside damage on the Toyota that you could see.

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My insurance just paid up a $1,900 repair bill for the parts, electronics AND recalibrating all sensors (that was $500) by itself to fix the Taco.

Swift reminders that not all vehicle’s costs are on the dealer sticker. Not puting down the Taco in any was shape or form, they are exceptional vehicles. But for comparison, my damage was $0.

[shotgunshooter3]

LOTS of electronics in the new Toyotas, actually just about all cars. Just backed up my Jeep unintentionally into the bumper of a 2025 Tacoma and hit that cute plastic part that houses the camera. Literally touched it with the corner of my bumper!!!

This is the total outside damage on the Toyota that you could see.

IMG_5925.jpeg

My insurance just paid up a $1,900 repair bill for the parts, electronics AND recalibrating all sensors (that was $500) by itself to fix the Taco.

Swift reminders that not all vehicle’s costs are on the dealer sticker. Not puting down the Taco in any was shape or form, they are exceptional vehicles. But for comparison, my damage was $0.

Fortunately my Taco doesn't have those backup sensors

[Wambli Ska]

LOTS of electronics in the new Toyotas, actually just about all cars. Just backed up my Jeep unintentionally into the bumper of a 2025 Tacoma and hit that cute plastic part that houses the camera. Literally touched it with the corner of my bumper!!!

This is the total outside damage on the Toyota that you could see.

IMG_5925.jpeg

My insurance just paid up a $1,900 repair bill for the parts, electronics AND recalibrating all sensors (that was $500) by itself to fix the Taco.

Swift reminders that not all vehicle’s costs are on the dealer sticker. Not puting down the Taco in any was shape or form, they are exceptional vehicles. But for comparison, my damage was $0.

Fortunately my Taco doesn't have those backup sensors

Oh man, you didn’t spring for the Sinaloa Cartel Limited Edition?!?!?!?

[Justsomedude]

Nice truck, I REALLY like the color. It always amazed me to quite often see those coming in the shop with mileage in the 300k range doing just fine and only needing maintenance. The only thing the older models were notorious for (can't remember which years) was right rear outer axle bearings. It was always the right rear and I still can't figure out why that was.

[Chiro1989]

I just had to replace my bearings this year, only thing I have had to do besides brakes

[CPJ 2.0]

It cost us like 600 effing bucks to CALIBRATE THE DAMN SENSOR on the windshield after it was replaced.
And it’s a cheap ass Chevy Trex. A $25,000 vehicle.

[GrapeApe]

Matt, you get the txt I sent you, or have you changed numbers since we hunted together?