I think I'm about to join...

So, I was at the dealer today and I put down a deposit on a CPO low miles 2011 2WD 4Cyl auto Access Cab.

It's nothing fancy, but it does have the SR5 package. I'm just looking for something dependable with a bit of utility. I know with a 4 cylinder and 2WD I won't haul big loads or go far off road, but I don't do either of those. My only concern is winter, but I figure I'll throw some decent tires on it, put a few sandbags in the back and maybe look at tracking down a locking or LSD rear end.

Here's what I currently drive:


2006 Audi A4 Avant Quattro: 2.0 turbo engine and 6-speed manual. It's a joy to drive on the highway and it's very comfortable, but it has 240,000 KM.
The money I have put into this car in maintenance over the past year is shocking. Almost as shocking as the customer service I've been getting from the dealer and Audi Canada, but that's another story for another day.

I just want a no-fuss vehicle that will get me and whatever I want to bring with me wherever I want to go without causing worry and without pillaging my bank account. I also want someting more interesting and useful than a corolla or a civic. The Audi has broken my desire for a "nice car".

By the way, when did "SR5" stop meaning that it's a Toyota with a 5-speed manual transmission and a bit of a sportier character?

 

^You can get the 4-cyl with a 5-speed manual, but it may take a lot of effort to find such a configuration in the used market.

Is this your first RWD vehicle? If so, going from Audi Quattro to a front-heavy RWD pickup in the winter will be a rude awakening. Get the best snow tires you can for the money, such as Michelin X-Ice3.

 

Don't cheat yourself getting a 2wd, especially if you're in Canada(you're using km?)

 

Go ahead and try to get a 4wd. I have owned both 2wd and 4wd.. trust me spend the little extra so you dont second guess yourself and wish later you had it.

 

I agree on both points. Personally, I wouldn't want the 4 cyl with an auto trans. Depending on how long your winters are, you might want to consider 4x4. If not, definitely buy good dedicated Winter tires.

 

I miss my Audi allroad. That WAGON was a blast to drive.

It was the wife's, and yes the maint was outrageous. I had an 05, green with black leather. I ditched it because of the dreaded oil leak. My seals and EGR were going bad. Had to put oil in it on the way to the dealer where I picked up our Highlander.

 

This isn't my first RWD... I used to own a 1994 Infiniti Q45. There was definitely more weight over the back wheels compared to the Tacoma, but when you turned the TCS off, that 300HP V8 made for some fun times

As for the 4WD, I hear you guys there, but I'm also partly going with 2WD because I know I'd get myself in to trouble with 4WD... I'd fall into the "I can drive there!" trap, I just know it. I know it would make a difference in the winter, but studded tires are legal up here.

As for good winter tires, I am well aware... that Audi on Michelin snow tires is just about unstoppable in the snow!

 

Well, I picked it up on Friday..

2010 4cyl 2WD auto Access Cab with the SR5 package and only 66,000KM

There are several things that I want to do to it, but nothing major and they can come in time. The first order of business will be giving it a proper undercoat. There is a bit of surface rust on the frame so I want to get that taken care of and get a proper rubberized undercoat on the whole frame. Then, I'll have it in to a shop for the oil/tar undercoat.

For improvements, I'm thinking about small things like a bug deflector and vent visors first. Bigger, better tires will come for winter... I'll put up with the dinky stock size ones for the summer because they're practically new and the dealer gave me a road hazard warranty on them.

Burghlar, you have a point about my previous argument for a 2WD being silly... The better reasoning is that I wanted a 4 cylinder for fuel mileage and every 4x4 around here on the used market was a V6.

 

Congrats on the purchase! Now since you said you would like to have your truck undercoated, Toyota released a LSC to put a undercoating on the frame of the truck! If you want to read up, here is the link to the thread:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...ce-campaign-corrosive-resistant-compound.html

 

Wait your op said you put a deposit on a 2011 but you say that is a 2010? How did that happen?

Edited:

Just looked at the pic it is an access cab carry on my bad

 

a loose nut behind the keyboard, that's how! just a typo on my part.

Is there a similar LSC for Canada too?