My new ride, 2012 Tacoma!

Well after a string if nightmares with my 2006 Sierra it was time to upgrade.  My Sierra had 49,000 miles on it and had been in for 8 major repairs.  I just had both front bearings replaced after my trip to Humboldt, and then today the rear diff started knocking, which could be felt through the peddle.  What a piece of crap, it must have been a Friday built truck....

My old Tacoma was such a great truck the decision was easy.  I don't tow anything other than my aluminum boat now, and with gas prices on the rise (my Sierra averaged 14 mpg) I wanted a smaller truck.

It was a tough decision but I went with a V6, 4x4, mica pewter, double cab with the 5 foot bed.  I almost went with the 6 foot bed, but it was not that much longer than the 5 footer, and was not available with the off road package (locking rear diff, skid plates, ect.).  The truck was fully loaded with the off road package, tow package, navigational and enview system, back up camera, ect.  What a sweet little truck, it was so much fun to get behind the wheel of one again.  With my fear after the sierra mishaps I got the extended warranty plan, but doubt (hope) I will never need it.

I will post some pictures when I get a chance, but was so stoked I had to post my new ride.

I just need to get a matching camper shell and roof racks for it now!  I can't wait to try it off road.  It will be great for kayak transport.

Matt

Congrats on your new wheels Matt!!!

I've got a couple years before I'm in the market, but already looking forward to it.

I love my Tacoma and know you are going to love yours. Congrats!!!

I loved my 96 Tacoma and I love my 04 Tundra.....except it only gets 14mpg too! My old Tacoma got uncomfortable on really long, over 3 hour, hauls I think cause the seat was a little too close to the floorboard. Are the new Tacoma's any different on that? Wouldn't mind going back to a Tacoma if they changed that.

Congrat on the new ride.  My current Tacoma is approaching 210,000 miles and still going strong...

Congrats that is an awesome truck! Thanks also for sharing your bad experience with the chevy. It can help keep some of us who already own Toyota's from making a bad mistake in the future.

I don't know why they don't offer the long bed with the locking diff? 

-Eliot

Sweet!  How do you like the redesigned front ends?  I have a 09 double cab TRD 4x4 and a 2010 regular cab 4x4 (both Tacomas).  I had a 04 4x4 double cab TRD and sold it to get the 09.  Great trucks!  never had a problem with any of the Tacos.  The rear locker is awesome, you might need better tires than the stock BFG Rugged trails though especially if you go through heavy mud. 

Smart man.My son and his friend were T-boned in 2001 Tacoma and flipped up on its side,Landing on a pole.Which kept him from landing on his lid.I said to the tow truck driver as he chained it and pulled it down,that truck is done.He said no way a new fleet side and your good to go.I thought to myself no way.A week later he got his truck back new fleet side good to go.I thought from looking at it there would frame damage for sure.Nope.My son and his friend were not injured.He still drives that truck today.Momma and I bought him that truck when he graduated from college.I have wanted one for a while now.

Thanks for the encouragement and good reliability stories guy!  It make me even more pleased with my choice.

Salty, the seats are not as low as my 97 Tacoma and are much more comfortable now.  Not as high and plush as the GMC, but better than they used to be.  I drove my 97 to the norther tip of Idaho one year, ouch my legs and rear were hurting.  I think this truck will be much better for long drives.  They have lumbar support and side supports now which are nice, and are more contoured to a persons body.  The rear seat sits up nicely, almost like Nissan's stadium seating.

atavuss, I agree the tires won't be great for mud or snow.  I will keep chains with me now until I upgrade.  If I buy too much at once the wife will kill me 

I need to decide on a cap.  I will probably go with a Leer or Snugtop with the Thule roof rails.  I am not sure if I will add a rack to the cab or not.  It may not be a bad idea with my long kayak.  I saved my Thule bars off my GMC, so can reuse those to save some money.  it will definitely be easier to load my kayak on the smaller truck.  Loading my Adventure on my GMC was tough.

I am also considering a small utility trailer to haul for hunting trips.  I can also add some cots and make a man trailer out of it!  A coleman stove, a cot, some lights, what more does a man need!  Oh a cooler full of beer!  I am a little nervous with the 5 foot bed, but am sure it will be fine.  Hitch extenders, trailer, roof racks, in cab storage, ect, should all make up for the smaller bed while keeping it nice around town when I don't need to haul much.

Well here she is!  I have not gotten my new camera yet so took some crappy cell phone pictures.  I may have to go on a drive today 





Matt

It's tough to do better than a Tacoma with a shell and roofracks. The only complaint about my Taco is that it won't die! I want to upgrade to a newer model but the damn thing won't die so I can justify a new truck to my wife! 

It's tough to do better than a Tacoma with a shell and roofracks. The only complaint about my Taco is that it won't die! I want to upgrade to a newer model but the damn thing won't die so I can justify a new truck to my wife! 

Good luck with that.  I bought my Taco new in 1997 for my wife, and then took over driving it when I got her an Expedition in 2008.  Still beating the crap out of our Tacoma.  170K on factory plugs and clutch.  Get an average of 80K per set of tires.  I'd like a newer model as well, but can't give up on my old Taco just yet.

It's tough to do better than a Tacoma with a shell and roofracks. The only complaint about my Taco is that it won't die! I want to upgrade to a newer model but the damn thing won't die so I can justify a new truck to my wife! 

Good luck with that.  I bought my Taco new in 1997 for my wife, and then took over driving it when I got her an Expedition in 2008.  Still beating the crap out of our Tacoma.  170K on factory plugs and clutch.  Get an average of 80K per set of tires.  I'd like a newer model as well, but can't give up on my old Taco just yet.

I'm in the same boat with my 2001 4Runner. It has 188,000 miles on it and never had a single mechanical issue. It would have a lot more miles on it, but I've been abusing my GF's 2006 4Runner for the last three years. 

1997 4Runner with 206k on it, runs like day number one.  Great choice Matt, that's a nice ride and will run forever.

I wish i could say i never had any issues with my 2005,i still like the truck and if its ever totaled ill buy another,i like the navigation system and thinking about buying an after market one for my truck.Did you get a Auto Tranny  or standard,next one for me will be standard,mine with auto trans gets about 17 mpg and about 14when towing a small boat.

Wanna b NCKA, I got the new 5 speed auto.  Is yours the 4 speed or 5?  I think they made both in 2005.  Gives me an idea of what I can encounter at least.  My old Tacoma had a manual, but it was hard to drink coffee and drive in the morning! LOL  Most the auto sites are saying the 5 speed auto gets 20-23 highway, and 19 over all.  Only time will tell.  Of course that is probably with real gas, not the oxygen pumped junk they sell in California for 50 cents more.  My gas mileage always goes way up out of state.  California burns cleaner, but you have to burn more of it to go the same difference.  Does it really protect the environment or just cost us more....   My friend's truck gets 16 mpg here.  We went to Nevada and it suddenly jumped to 21, so I know it wasn't just me!