My 2017. The Last of the Old Ways.

Reading all the posts on the 2018 models is the driver for this post:

At the Dealership:
When I started looking for a new vehicle last year, I was not even looking for a truck. I was driving a 5th gen 4Runner Trail Edition and it was fine. I actually used the 4Runner more as a truck (hauling lumber, block, trash) but I was OK with it. I went to the dealership because they had called about a new Land Cruiser that had just arrived. I had spoken with the owner several times about a LC and they wanted me to look at it. So I went.

Wow, the LC was sweet, and it had a sweet price tag. I test drove it and, well, it was pretty amazing. We went back and started discussing numbers, which I was very aware what it would cost. I wouldn't have test drove it if I couldn't afford it but something, not money, was nagging me.

I went home in the 4Runner and started thinking. I had a few beers and pretty much contemplated life in general. I am in a position now (married, grown children, job) that I don't really have to have any specific vehicle but I need 4WD and four doors for my job. I have to go off road some in my job and I have to haul people every now and then in my job. That's pretty much it. That was not what was bothering me though. It was technology. The LC was loaded with it. My wife's new super duper platinum gold-plated limited special edition Highlander is really loaded with it. The new base model Yaris is loaded with it. Pretty much every new vehicle produced from now on is going to be loaded with it. Why?

Transition:
We are now going through a transition phase in the vehicle world. We are going from a fully manually operated vehicle (manual meaning manual control of accelerator, brakes, steering - the three things that every vehicle has) and transitioning towards fully autonomous vehicles. These "self driving vehicles" are not that far away, maybe five to ten years. And sure, not every new vehicle will be fully autonomous. Specialty vehicles, like off road or work related vehicles, will be set up to have dual controls, manual and automatic. Eventually though , most every vehicle will be autonomous, but it might take 30 years for that to happen. What will be the key is the general population's acceptance, and I think most people will welcome it with open arms. Not all, but most.

The 2018 Tacoma versus the 2017 Tacoma:
We all know that the only real difference in the mandatory inclusion of Toyota's Safety Sense.
From Toyota Press: "The next-generation Toyota Tacoma enters its third year with a safety enhancement: all 2018 Tacoma models gain Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P). This equips the Tacoma with Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Sway Warning System (SWS), Automatic High Beams (AHB) and High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). Toyota leads the auto industry in making automatic emergency braking systems standard on most of its vehicles."
In a nutshell, that is the major difference between the 2018 and the 2017. Now, don't get me wrong... I absolutely agree that is is much safer to have these features. There will be many lives saved and accidents will be reduced. I am all for these features. Self driving vehicles will take this a huge step forward and eliminate most accidents.
But I am from the old school. Back in the days when you couldn't wait to get your driver's license and you took pride in your ability to drive well. Even though I have been driving 39 years now I still genuinely enjoy driving, whether it is a five minute trip to the store or a 17 hour marathon drive to Kansas. I enjoy it, and that is what I contemplated over several beers that night. I knew that, if possible, I wanted to experience one last hurrah before technology overtook me. I wanted a brand new vehicle that I could still manually drive, one where I still had control over all the functions, one that forced me to pay attention and be vigilant and defensive in my driving. I now knew what I wanted.

Back to the Dealership:
So, going back to the dealership, I asked the guy what he had in trucks. I really couldn't see me hauling 2X4's or trash in the LC. A few weeks before I had went to the local gravel yard and had them fill up 10 five gallon bucket with gravel so I could haul it in the 4Runner. Again, hard to see me doing that in an LC.
So I test drove a 1794 Tundra. Too big. Too much tech. I then drove a Limited Tacoma. I liked the size a lot. Too much tech. I drove the Off Road. Again, too much tech. Also, these didn't leave much room for my noggin with the sunroof. So I asked what Tacoma they had without a sunroof...
I loved it. Manual transmission, 4WD, four doors, looked great, no additional tech. Yes, it has entune and a backup camera. That's pretty much it. I have to drive it. I have to pay attention. It will not stop for me. It will not slow down for me. It will not change my headlights for me. I have to do that all on my own. And, I even have to shift it! Reminds me of a bunch of vehicles I have owned in the past. So I got it, and I have been happy.

Happy Ending:
Yes, I know I cannot the inevitable march of progress as it tramples it's way towards fully autonomous vehicles. It's time I guess, now that the technology is out there and it's cheap enough for the masses. I know that in a few years when I get rid of this truck and trade for a new one that the new one will have TSS plus a whole bunch of other safety devices. Yes, I know it is for the better, and I welcome it because there are a lot of no drivin', no paying attention people out there now operating a 4000 lb weapon with their eyes cast everywhere except out the windshield. Airbags, VSC, ABS and a whole slew of other acronyms are just the precursor for things to come, and I appreciate these features on my truck.
However, until it's time to get something new, I will have the pleasure of driving one of the last vehicles that gives the operator full control (minus VSC) of their destiny.
Thanks for reading.

 

K.I.S.S.

Glad you are happy with your truck, it looks great!

 

Enjoy the truck. They are great. I still smile a little every time I climb into my Tacoma.

 

Awesome. I have the same truck in the same color. And a lot of the same reasons for buying it. Enjoy.

 

Rad post, and it’s exactly how I feel about my truck. It’s the last of the fully manual off road go carts. Power seats can suck it.

 

I was very glad I got a 2017 late in the year considering the changes. I will like an autonomous vehicle for the day when many have them, they cut trip times, and such. Now is not that day. Gimme full manual for one last hurrah.

 

We goin out strong. Solid builds.

New ways SMD

 

I love that we can still get a Manual Trans in our Trucks and still have some control. While I understand there are useful things self driving vehicles will be good for, I still absolutely hate them with a passion!

 

Not just a manual transmission but still able to fully control the accelerator, steering and brake. I'm all about personal responsibility...

 

Great read!

I must be getting old... Cause that how I feel

 

I should have apologized in advance for the length of the post lol.
I've been wanting to write it for a few months and just now got around to it.
@stun gun it beats another post about lift, tires or colors right?

 

Sure does. And it’s nice to read a well done opinion piece I completely agree with.

 

This is that moment of peace before the hybrid “instant torquers” and “I paid 35k I want power seats” post come in.

 

Thanks!

 

Yeah, i get it. Sort of like that calm just before the enemy swarms over the top of the ridge...

 

Right there with you brother!

 

Mkay, so you bought a manual tranny rigeline?
TSS can be disabled you do realize, so the truck is not near anywhere to be autonomous as you claim, it's exactly the same as 2017 with an optional warnings that all can be disabled.

It seems most of replies here never drove TSS Tacoma, there is absolutely no difference, it's 100% not intrusive, it does not hold line for you because hydrolic steering, it does not drive for you. Research better next time.


































PS.
Let's admit ACLB/DCLB are the only real trucks here, short bed is a dads grocery getter.

 

Nice truck my man. If you don't mind me asking how do you like those tires?

 

I got a '17 for the same reason's, if you can' keep the vehicle between the lines, maybe you shouldn't be driving.

 

I wish my OR came with a Sunroof, which they don't in Canada!!!! I am very happy with my auto trans that also has the manual setting, to downshift instead of using my brakes. I don't miss a clutch! I can put my own headlights on/off at my discretion, or I can leave it on auto setting and never have to think about it.

Other than me not getting a Sunroof, sounds like we both got what we wanted!

And I wish they came with a Heated Steering wheel, as it can get damn cold here in Canada!!!!!