About to enter Tacoma World...

100%.

Lots of people will get on here to complain about a perceived issue, then the thread will devolve in three directions. 1/3 will say the truck is perfect and you have just blasphemed the holy name of Toyota, 1/3 will say that there is an issue and here is how you can spend money to fix it, and 1/3 will say the issue is so bad that they burned their truck and bought an upside down Ford, and here is why you should too.

Ignore all of it, for your own sanity and wallet. Staying here too long will have you questioning if you hear the rattle too, or if that shift from 1st to 2nd really does feel a bit rough. The power of suggestion is strong here.

 

Welcome to TW

 

You realize that the Ridgeline is made in Alabama and contains the most North American parts of any truck (minus the 2020+ F150s, I believe).

 

I did not realize this - thank you flyingpostman - how do you know this? Or, how do you know the supply chain for the Ridgeline (and other trucks?).

 

quick google typeroo says its made in Lincoln alabama

 

https://www.motorbiscuit.com/the-most-american-made-truck-may-surprise-you/

 

I found a 2015 access cab, 4x4, v6 manual transmission last year about this time. It seems like used prices have gone up but I paid 25k. It had 65k miles and in pretty good shape. Look everyday and im sure you will probably have to travel to get what you want but you say you're lucky so who knows. I had a family member travel 7 hours one way. That was after me checking out 4 other tacoma s and walking away due to frame rust. They were auction vehicles from the north and brought to the south where most southerners don't know what a rusty frame is. If its at a dealership and looks like you want it put a refundable deposit down right away because the good ones seem to go fast. Also if its a far drive (or short I guess) have them take some pictures of the undercarriage.

Good luck on your search. I went with the 2015 because its still a 2nd gen with a 4.0L v6 and I hate the look of the front end on 3rd gen

 

Lucky indeed. 2016 3.5L 4WD crew cab TRD Sport with 50K miles.

We are new Tacoma owners - she’s better than we even imagined was possible for our budget ✨

Thank you all for the encouragement along the way

Besides RTFM, how do you recommend I best learn about how to drive her?

 

Congrats, she’s a beaut! I may be a bit biased as a black sport owner myself though. They look great but get used to seeing it dirty or cleaning it often lol.

As far as driving I’d say just drive it and have fun. Maybe look around TW and find a group in your area to try some off roading too.

 

Nice score, 50 K miles, nice.
Just drive it, push all the buttons and see what they do, mess with the 4 wheel drive system, see what it does. Did you get any kind of owners manual with it? It will show you how to operate the basic systems of the truck. 4 wheel drive high, fast slippery road conditions, low range, slow off road tricky terrain, shift in and out of these drive mode in the transfer case as the manual describes, you'll have to stop to shift into 4lo, etc, etc. A truck can help you do so many things, enjoy.

 

how do you keep yours clean? I’m not averse to seeing it dirty

 

I downloaded all the manuals at Toyota.com; it did not have one in the car.

thanks, I’m excited to push all her buttons!

 

Ya I’ve ended up learning to live with it a bit. Probably doesn’t help it rains all the time where I live. I ended up getting a pressure washer to save on paying for constant car washes. Would definitely recommend The Chemical Guys foaming car wash soap if you plan to wash the truck yourself.