New Here. A Story, a Rant, and Welcoming Input

I know you said you don't want a full size truck but why not look at the old dodge ram srt10's? You can get a quad cab with 500hp v10 viper motor. They also have leather and you could haul your kids toys and yard tools. You can get a NICE one for 20k.

 

I've always thought these were sweet!

 

Welcome to TW. Obviously we can't answer for you but felt compelled to chime in since my wife had a similar issue recently. When she went back to school and finished her degree she treated herself to a fully loaded brand new Accord and had only had one brand new vehicle before and wasn't near what the Accord was so yes, she loved her car. Well after having a little one the Accord still served just fine with a car seat in the back and she has a grown daughter btw so the car is maxed out with the family. FF a couple years and my little boy at 2 yrs old is now an uncle. even though her daughter has moved in with the father we all still go places together so the Accord was no longer big enough as we'd have to take both vehicles just to go out to eat. Kind of a pita so we decided a mini van would be in order.

The Accord was just about to be paid off so hated to start over and there is no way we could afford the top of the line fully loaded van either. So we looked used to try to trade as even as possible not wanting to take on a new loan. We looked and drove used Sienna's and Odessy's but it just never felt exciting to her to go from a top on the line sporty car to a middle of the road mini van. So I realized we'd have to buy new to make her get excited about it and she even admitted this.

After a couple of months we finally traded for a brand new Sienna LE which is nowhere near the level of the Accord she had. Gave up leather heated memory seats, sunroof, and navi were the biggest features. She still never really felt the excitement like when she got the Accord but she seems happy. And it definitely serves it's purpose and is a lot easier to load the kids in and out for sure.

Short part of the story is she isn't thrilled about it but still likes the van and is coming around on it more and more but it was for the family. Now could I have gave up my beloved Taco for it? I guess she's the more mature one than me.

I know the isn't the home run answer you're hoping to find but thought it may give some input. Sometimes you have to do things you don't really want to. I hated that she had to give up her car but in my case I love trucks and as a homeowner it's kinda a win win for me in that sense. If I had the love of sporty or luxury cars I'd probably be in the same boat.

Good luck!

 

Great forum guys, glad I stopped in here regardless of what happens. Thank you for all the great input and feedback, very welcoming and much appreciated.

Someone asked if I need 4x4, and that answer is yes. My Audi is all wheel for those who don’t know Audi’s. My wife’s little Rogue is all wheel. The truck must be 4x4. We didn’t get slammed like Boston (man, feel sorry for you guys this winter!), but here at the south end of Lake Michigan we get severely dumped on.

dBeau, thank you, that certainly helped and had me laughing quite a bit. You are certainly well experienced. I've been either very lucky or too meticulous. Yes, oil changes have been expensive, but my 08 S4 has spent very little time in service. One warranty power steering hose, one warranty seal, and one non warranty brake job. But my odometer is just rolling over 68k. And the headlights...oh my, that is one of the greatest things about that car! I LOVE those headlights! I hope the yellow hue of the Tacoma lights is slightly whiter than you're implying.

Loud and clear on the full size suggestions, and I even looked at a Raptor. But I don't want, need, or even think I have the room, tolerance, and patience for a full size truck. Saw that pretty GMC for $50k and if it was $25k even with the creature comforts, it wouldn't happen. It's just too damn big. Different place, different time. I have immediate family at a Ford dealer, but I'm still not going there. Oh, and the Honda Ridgeline? Gross.

As for the 3rd vehicle or a junker, also not an option for multiple reasons. I don't want to squeeze a third in my garage, I don't want to park a third in my driveway (allowed in our neighborhood, I just prefer everything tucked away in the garage), and one of the components of this vehicle is to get the family in it. So I really have to trust whatever I take because the car seat is going in. If I kept the Audi and got a junker, I could work around the house, but back to square one with the family.

Loud and clear on the 2016. I considered it, but I’ve got a long summer of lots to do, I don’t think this decision is going to get much easier, and by the time that ’16 becomes available, our nice beach here on the South end of Lake Michigan will be cold.

I have not found a used in the area that would make financial sense to me. I don’t know if it’s local market or what, but there is a very small price difference as far back as 2010 used to the 2015 new. I only hope that this thing holds it’s value that well in the next 5 years or so.

So as I said before, this is going to happen. I am slowly talking myself into it and trying to ease into this. Sales staff at the dealer knows the story, has been very helpful. Not pushy. Four visits already.

An update as of this evening...she is 100% for this happening. Says she loves the Audi for me (doesn’t like riding in it that much, too rough for her), but it's time to move on. Other posters remarks rang clear…just time to move on. I took her to the dealer this evening and we went for another ride in a Tacoma, she loves it. Well good for her, isn’t that special.

Looks like it’s going to be the 2015 Sport Package. Split between silver and gray. The gray will remind me of my S4. I’m still thinking of getting the Nav in hopes it will help the resale, but it’s not that important to me really. iPhone or Garmin works just fine. I liked the gadgetry in the Off Road version but I will probably never use them. I like the idea of the larger wheels on the Sport. Turn signals in the mirrors are different.

Sales lady keeps blabbing on about this app suite. I guess she doesn't have an iPhone.

So, let’s see what they offer up as a trade in on the S4. I’ll keep everyone posted, and thank you again for all the great input. You’ve got a great community here.

I hope I can learn to love this thing.

-N

 

my two cents. If the ride is too spongey, put a small lift in. NOT spacer. Coil lift. 2" or less if you don't want lift. As for the missing gadgets/switches. You can add switches for what you need. Accessory lighting, locker ect... That's why there are extra IMO. If you want power... well, that won't really happen. But the URD supercharger will give you less fuel econ for a little more power. Ive honestly never needed it. With a canopy, steel bumpers front and rear, box full of tools, and every interior pocket full of first aid, tools, and other. I still don't feel it needs more power even with 33" tires.

Good luck, and I hope you enjoy your truck.

YES

 

I think it helped OP see the light!

 

The fact that Tacoma is pretty much your best bet for reliability, style, and durable simplicity?

 

My input would be that the Tacoma will win you over no matter which route you choose. I had a 2010 Nissan Maxima SV sport model. Had ALL the bells and whistles, well life came at me fast and jobs changed and it got tough to carry tools and what not in my car or risk getting paint on my steering wheel. So I had to sell it.

Things happen for a reason and turns out my girlfriend decided to buy it from me as her dealership endeavors had fallen through. So I marked the price a few thousand under retail to get her in with the bank so she could purchase a super nice car straight out of college and in a round about way keep the Maxima in the family.

I however, was left riding my 2008 Honda CBR, (hence my forum name), to and from work while hunting for my "new" truck to me. I decided that all the bells and whistles I once had I no longer needed. My father always says "its just stuff", so I took his advice and searched for a truck without "stuff". However, the only thing that I did stick to for myself, and resale value, was a 4x4. Surprising enough I found a 2011 Chevy work truck 4x4, with low miles and literally "just basics". This truck didn't even have carpet in it, it had the rubber mats and no CD player! Just a radio with am/fm and a headphone jack input. I was thinking this will be perfect for me.

So I contact the dealership through online sales and I square up the the nice lady on the phone. I head up there with my father to test drive and get a good feel for what i'm about to buy. Of course while i'm waiting for her to bring me out the keys I look over and see this beautiful white 2012 Tacoma, extended cab V-6 Off-Road and fall slap in love. So ask her about it and she says "i'll let you test drive this one when you get back". So I drive the chevy, and i'm telling you, this truck was bone stock...lol....simple as simple gets. I chat with my dad and he keeps saying "if this is what you want, its your money". Fathers right?....Anyway, I get back and test drive the Tacoma and man i'm drooling over this truck. Problem is, its about 3-4 grand OVER my budget and I decided i'll just have to keep dreaming.

Next thing I know my dad says "what about that truck over there" and points at a Tacoma Regular Cab, 4x4. Already had the spacer lift kit on on and the sticker said 2013 with just 2002 miles on it. Tough looking little truck, let me tell you. I look in the window and it's got a manual transmission. I'm thinking, geez, can I GET any MORE basic than this?! We take if for a drive and I feel like this truck has been handed to me by the truck gods! Rides great, I feel "tough/manly" driving the manual. I've got 4x4 and pretty good gas mileage and crank widows! This is the truck for me and my dad and me both agree...lets get this one. So we say we'll take it if she'll match the price to what I was going to pay for the Chevy and she did. So I left with what is now become the second greatest purchase of my life! (First being my motorcycle).

Since i've had this truck, I tow a bass boat with it. I've had crushed rock and painted six acres of fence line with a generator/sprayer set up out of the back. I'm on and off again teaching my girl how to drive a manual on the local dirt roads around here and when we get bored with click on the 4x4 and do a little off roading. and at the end of the day its all you'll ever really need. Maybe some day i'll be more about buying the decked out trucks with all the shiny stuff, but for me, right now in my life, this Tacoma has me "reborn", if I may.

-Hondah-

 

I think you will pleasantly surprised by how handy your new truck is going to be.

Your Audi and my 04 GTO are both single use tools. Really really good at gobbling up pavement, but not much else.

Think of it as trading in your calvary saber and sword leather for a tool belt loaded up for being at peace instead of going to war.

Beware the stock tires. They are OK on hardpacked snow and not bad on dry pavement. Haven't had them in fresh fallen snow, don't like them at all in mud.

 

I get where you're at...I came from a GTO which is a blast but just not practical. Unlike you though, I kept the car asmy weekend toy.

I wanted all that wazoo crap too: heated seats and leather. I quickly realized I can do those things down the road for A LOT cheaper than driving one off the lot like that. Just takes a bit of modding.

Navigation is nice...but I only got it because it was on the truck I liked. Didn't really want it. Its easy to use and works well.

Full size trucks have full size price tags.

 

Oh...another GTO brethren! Lol

 

Ok, let's back up a minute.

Somebody said "supercharger". What's that all about?

 

For what it's worth....Ever since I bought my Tacoma, my two "nice" cars sit in the garage and my wife and I fight over who gets to drive the truck...not joking. There is something about its simplicity and the feeling you get when driving this truck that I can't explain, you just have to own one. You said it yourself, a used one is almost as much as a new one. So if you buy one and decide it's not for you, the amount you'll eat will probably be marginal. Good luck with your decision!

 

definitely seems like a Sport with a supercharger is what you need..! I wish I ad an SC, but a tad out of my price range.

as for color.... I LOVE my Magnetic grey, I think its is by far the best looking color. that being said, it shows the scratches almost as much as a black one, so if you plan on bushwacking then silver or white are better colors.

but you can't go wrong with a taco, it doesn't take long to realize why it has such a huge cult following (I mean look at all us whacko's in here!)

 

Well, in price negotiations now. Three components. Price of the truck, trade in price, and financing. Local dealer is stuck on this "best price is in the window" stuff, and won't move $1. Go out about 50 or so miles and there are quite a few options, except the package and color aren't on the lot anywhere locally.

I'll keep everyone posted.

Thanks again!

 

Pics of the audi?

 

What parts is require for a tow package on a 2015 Toyota Tacoma

 

The ones on the list that come auto when you order it on a new Taco.

Better back hitch. Bigger tranny cooler. The wiring. I'm not sure but that prolly covers it. Tranny cooler and wiring are the ones that matter. You can always buy a better towing hitch, a few out there, even TRD sells them.

BTW, this is called post stealing. it's not about you or made by you, make your own post next time.

 

The 4WD DBLC Sport with the full nav package is pretty good! You'll be well served with the 4WD package up there. I'm a more of a city driver (I went 2WD because I'm where the sun always shines). It rides decent and the overall quality is nice. Had my 2014 for a year now. Almost 6k miles. Stereo is decent, bluetooth is fine. To get in the truck you need to duck your head, it's a low sill. Maybe side bars would help, haven't looked at that.

Ohh, for sure get the bed liner, that surface is slick as snot. Groceries slide all over the place. I wen't with the Toyota brand, some good comments on it, I think will last forever, thick and solid.

If your used to a bit of horsepower (you will miss it) please consider asking about the supercharger after you buy it. If you buy the 8 year warranty and then have the SC installed at the dealer, it's good for 8 years and lots of miles. Increasing HP by 29% makes me smile, so please drive the truck a few months and consider that in the future. 2nd gear, 20 MPH, go WOT, tires are loose, 60 MPH in wow time! No problem merging or passing now.

I'm really happy, going from an old 2000 Dodge Dakota that repair bills that got silly, to a truck that will last me till... Then.

OHh OHH! Get the white, with the white door handles and fancy mirrors. Silver is soo ... silver. It stands out.

 

Thats what they were telling me for 45 minutes till I shook their hand and started walking out...then surprise surprise the price dropped! If they won't budge I would go elsewhere. There was no way I was going to pay what the window said.

Depending where you go, you could order the package you want for less.

Keep in mind the turnover on these trucks is QUICK. So if they don't have what you want this week, they might next week. They sell fast, so inventory is constantly changing. If you hold off till closer to the 2016 release I would bet prices drop more.