What started your love for Tacomas?

My dad bought a Toyota truck like this in 79 for me and my siblings to use around town...it was white and I drove it until 86 when the floors rotted out...living in Ontario with lots of road salt did that back then! Then I bought an 84 with a 2.4 diesel that I drove until 93...I believe the engine is still powering an irrigation system. Next was my 93 extended cab that I loved dearly...no AC, hand cranked windows From there was my 2001 Pre-Runner Double Cab. I had a break from Toyota during my mid-life crisis stage where I owned a sweet Mazdaspeed 3 but I moved back to trucks with my silver 2016 TRD Sport...my first 4WD.
And as of last Friday, my white 2018 TRD Sport that my buddy at the dealership got me a wicked deal on!

 

The chickens that rule my neighborhood are anything but quiet. BAWK!

 

Kihei Cafe

 

I've always called my Tacomas a Swiss Army truck, good at everything.

 

Kualoa, but quiet.

 

Always like working on vehicles, downsized from a Dodge 2500 MC and found the Tacoma’s.

Something about the 2nds and then the 3rds... Toyota put together an exceptional looking truck. Couple that with the amount of things that you can do with them. It’s like Lego’s for adults!

 

My 2007 Tacoma 2wd MT was the most reliable vehicle that I personally know of.

The second most reliable vehicle was my 1991 MR2

 

My dad bought this new in 03 and I've always loved it. I gave $4500 for it a few months ago. It's been a great truck. It's got around 265,000 miles and it's still runnin good. It's my first vehicle and I'm never selling it!

 

Nu'uano Pali lookout !!!

 

Loved my 1992 pre Tacoma SR5 4x4 from the start. I loved my 2g prerunner, well except for it's complete lack of power and no 4x4... it was a 2wd 4cyl.

Was looking for a truck again last year and the Trd Pro turned me back on to Tacomas, then the Voodio Blue color made me fall in love!

 

Growing up my uncle had an 85’ and then an 89’ Toyota pickup which I partly learned to drive on. Many fond memories in those Toyota’s. Fast forward to 36 years old and finally bought my own Tacoma.

 

Going camping with the old man in this:

1978 Chinook - 20R, manual trans(!). It replaced a 1973 VW camper, the difference in comfort & power was staggering, made it seem like the Millennium Falcon.


Offroading in Trevorton PA in a buddy's 1st gen taco put the tacoma on my short list.

 

What started it for me?

Honestly, sick and tired of keeping a jeep road worthy. Death wobble, blah blah.
Last truck was Frontier. Loved that truck, was very good to us.
Only 2 reasons I went my current over a Pro4x, better financing(even though is was more money), and there was a Fronty available equipped the way I wanted it.

I would buy either one again, without hesitation. It is so nice not having to worry about if it will make the trip, or, anything else.

 

Just the looks and no issues. My mechanic also mentioned that he never has one come in for problems. That made the decision for me. Tacoma's are sharp looking and they sell themselves.
My dealer can not keep them on the lot, so just a few reasons I went and purchased a Tacoma and probably my last purchase. My age plus another 10 I will not be driving any way. Happy New Year to all
Good thread......

 

This vehicle, almost 25 years ago.

 

Wish mine still looked that good.

 

Bought a new 1979 Toyota 4x4 pickup when they first hit the US. Absolutely loved that truck.

 

ME also.

 

Getting a Tacoma was more sentimental and a act of honoring two friends who passed away.
I’ve always been a truck guy and more than likely will alway be a truck guy.

Almost ten years ago, I used to run a gun shop and gun range in the north Dallas, TX metro.
Working there, I had the opportunity to meet some of the greatest people I have ever met.
My first real friend from working there, was Andrew “Drew” Ridge. This man was a genuine and sincere guy because of his simplistic and honorable personality. He was an amazing shooter and had a lot of knowledge of antique and older hunting rifles. He was my go to guy on hunting rifles and my go to guy whenever I needed a lunch buddy. (Mostly went to whataburger, if you know it; you know).
Drew was getting his helicopter pilot license while we worked together.
His love for flying and helping people were what made his a great guy.
He passed away in June of 2012, in a helicopter accident in Washington state.
He had a 2nd gen Tacoma, and my biggest memory was driving it around lake Texoma.

My other friend, also worked at the same fun shop was James “Trey” Rackler III.
He as well had a 2nd gen Tacoma.
Trey was a guy who you can go to for a laugh or just a cool guy to have a beer with.
We would always to “tacticool” stuff at the shop and always train together on competition shooting.
He has the claymore hitch cover and in my early 20s I thought that was the coolest thing you can put on a truck. Haha
Trey passed away in the summer of 2017, by a drunk driver who hit him on his motorcycle.
He was laid to rest by the marine Corp honor guard and he is missed dearly.

These two guys are the reason why I got rid of my 2013 GMC Sierra z71.
These two guys showed me how great these trucks are and how reliable they can be.

Drew’s 2nd gen

Trey’s 2nd gen

 

Had a friend that worked at a Toyota place that could get me a good deal on a Toyota. Did my research and saw that they had good trade in value. So here I am sitting here typing this 5 years later.