Hello! Picking up a '14 Spruce 4x4 this weekend!

Just checking in and introducing myself. After 3 Subarus in a row (the last of which was a 2011 STI limited), I'm finally getting a Tacoma! I actually tried to find a 6spd DC in mid 2011, but was told by the local dealers that they couldn't find/order me one, so I left it at that.

In the market for a new vehicle, I started looking and located a double-cab TRD off-road in spruce mica, 6spd (best color, only real way to go on the transmission! ) Hopefully will be picking it up this Saturday, cannot wait!

Going to try and resist the urge to dump money into the vehicle immediately (fell victim to that with the STI) and play with the stock tires and 4wd goodies for a while...

Brother has got a v6-powered Wrangler Rubicon on 35s, I imagine it'll take some work to get the Taco caught up to it. He's always had lifted trucks, but this is my first non-Subaru since before I was old enough to drink!

Here's my last ride, pic is in sunny Onslow county, NC. The main complains I had were lack of ground clearance, the fact that you had to drop the seats to fit more than one Pelican 1750 rifle case in the trunk... and THAT WING! Also hoping to see slightly better mileage out of the Tacoma, although I imagine that'll depend a lot on me.

 

Best of luck through the purchase process.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

 

Welcome aboard! Excellent choice on color/power train configuration

 

Got the truck!!!

Insurance is more than 50% cheaper, and I imagine that fuel costs will be similar since the slight reduction in fuel economy should be offset by the difference between the price of 87 octane vs 93.

Initial impressions: Power is adequate, although significantly reduced from what I'm accustomed to. Low-end torque is probably better, and it doesn't mind climbing hills. Lights definitely aren't on par with the HID's, but that may be remedied in the future. Sound system is better, although I've had some hiccups trying to use Google maps on my cell while playing music via XM. The transmission is a little slower than the one in my Subaru, which is a bit odd since it doesn't have to handle as much torque. Interior is worse than the Subie, and that's not saying much. It's a truck!

Quite happy with the vehicle, and had a pleasant buying experience at Emerson Toyota in Auburn, ME. Picked it up as an out-of state buyer, they got me financed and on the road in a reasonable amount of time. Got a color-matched grille and a TRD shifter in the mail (stock shifter really isn't bad)... so it begins!

 

aint that the truth. i just got rid of my evo x and back in my 3rd tacoma. my wallet thanks me

 

oh yea, and.....

 

It's going to be snowy for a while!

 

Congrats on the new Taco.

 

So close to twins... Color match the grill and do a retrofit! Makes the front end look so much better! Oh and plastidip the lower bumper valance

before



Now

 

Nice

 

Just bought my spruce 6 spd about a week ago, I think first addition might be the rigid led grill. I do like the headlights you put in though. Worth it?

 

I traded my WRX for a Tacoma for pretty much the same reasons. I don't go off road for fun but my hobbies often put me in situations where a little extra ground clearance is needed in order to keep your bumper attached. The nose on the 3rd gen Imprezas is a liability.

I will say that compared to my lightly modified WRX - which is far from an STI - the Tacoma feels like an ancient dinosaur. The clutch action, the motor, the shifts, the rev hang between shifts, etc are all slower. My girlfriend and I joke about how the Tacoma sounds/feels like there is an old man being beaten under the hood. It's not hot hatch, but it can get out of its own way.

 

Me? Way more than worth it! Signature has my guide and output pictures

 

Nice man, I think im adding this to the list.

 

What mods were done to your STI?

 

Subaru had an intake, downpipe, tune, some interior stuff, and a bunch of Whiteline/Racecomp Engineering suspension upgrades. Fast enough on anything but dry pavement, and still reliable.