Newbie...that's not so new

Hello All,
Just thought I'd pop in and introduce myself. After many years of trolling the site I decided to finally join up. After much debate, today I just bought my first Toyota product in 21 years (ya I'm an old guy) she's a pretty 2015 DC 6spd TRD OR and I'm excited to spend the next bunch of years with her. I actually owned Toyota's for many years after getting frustrated trying to keep my 1970's full size trucks running, I started with a brand new 1982 SR5 4x4, then a 1983 SR5 4x4, 1989 SR5 V-6 X-cab 4x4, and then a 1994 Toyota 4Runner...when the kids came along I went back to full size trucks and owned diesels for the last 19 years, towing, hauling big loads and campers and boats and toys. Now that I'm gearing toward an empty nest and retirement in the next few years, I'm downsizing dramatically and the Tacoma seemed to be the right fit for me and my lifestyle at this juncture. Growing up as a kid in AZ I cut my teeth playing baseball and building 4x4 trucks. I played college and AAA ball down there. I worked part time in high school and college as an auto parts counter guy to support the bad habit. I've always been an automotive guy (Master Tech and owned 5 shops for 20+ years), built SEMA rigs, rock crawlers, and was engaged with custom off road builds, fabrication and design since the 1970's. Seen some incredible evolution of the auto world. While owning my shops I also served as a senior executive for a couple national automotive labels and then about 11 Years ago I sold my shops, told the corporate world to have a nice day, and became a consultant full time for small businesses and have never regretted the move to help others be more successful or get into business for themselves. I love going to work each and every day to help others reach their dreams. I'm also an avid outdoorsman, live to hunt and fish, have been a pro guide and outfitter for both and have raised and trained bird dogs as a hobby for the last 20 years as well. These days my passions are fly fishing and bird hunting and I spend as much free time as possible chasing fins and feathers in MT, SD, ND, NE, KS, AZ, UT, and CO. I also still enjoy having a nice vehicle to get me around in my pursuits so I'm sure the new rig won't stay stock for long (although the serious off road mods of my past aren't on the menu for my old bad back these days). I've always thought this forum was a great group of folks and I'm happy to be here, I hope that I can contribute something of value in comment or knowledge to earn my keep here along the way as well. Thanks for having me. Best, Outlaw.

 

Hello,
You sure can help us with your knowledge here...What makes you buy a Taco '15?

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Well I really debated, months of thought actually, and I also thought about waiting for the 2016, but decided to go with what may potentially be the last production year of the tried and true. When Cummins came out with the H.O. motor and 6 spd manual the trucks were as hard to get as a hemi charger in 1969 and remain "collectible" or at least highly desired yet today. Having owned two of them and selling each for about what I paid new when I ordered them with 160K miles on them, I learned that the rare and desirable vehicles that serve folks well and they have confidence in will most likely be sought after years later. That being said, I ordered the Taco with those thoughts in mind, and went with the rarer 6spd manual (controversial but I felt appropriate choice for me and my reasoning)...I also made sure to get the TRD OR (diff locker option reasoning) Tow pkg, and all other "popular" options. The only thing I could not pull off was getting a rarer color (Pyrite Mica was my thought) but, none (optioned as I desired) were on the ground anywhere in the U.S. in Toyotas system and no new production was being allowed in that color. I had one located but it sold within an hour of finding it three states away. So I shuffled to an acceptable "new" color Silver Sky...feeling that resale down the road at some juncture would not be an objectionable color...I actually like that is different than the older SSM...and may not be offered in 2016 making it a 1.5 yr production color if that turns out to be the case....all of this being said, the truck meets my needs as a hunting and fishing rig and daily driver now that I don't have the same towing demands that required a bigger rig. I'm certainly a minority taco owner at my age...but none the less it's hard to argue that the truck fits my needs at this juncture. An economical, durable, reliable, cheap to maintain, vehicle for recreation and daily errands, that also has the ability to tow a smaller boat or camp trailer and safely transport you around in the inclement weather and mountainous terrain, with solid resale value. Guess that's more than you likely wanted to know, but that was my reasoning.

 

Thanks for the welcome guys!

 

Welcome!

 

I didn't make it to the 2nd paragraph........but, welcome!!

 

Thanks much. Glad to be here.