From an 09 Prius to a 21 Tacoma: a primary DD experiment

Just thought I posted this because a few other folks might be in the same boat. This site has been extremely useful for information like seat cover options (Clazzio PVC) and what tonneau bed cover to consider purchasing (settled on a LOMAX c/o Luke @ Truck Alterations). My neighbor happened by, peered through the glass, and thought my SR5 had leather. TBH, the Clazzio PVC isn't much different than the "leather" on my wife's Pilot EX-L. He made a comment that his BIL bought a nearly 40K TRD and still had to spend another 1K to upgrade his seats to leather? Anyhow, I drive 100 miles each day for work so that explained the Prius. I am in Ag R&D, and yes if needed, the Prius went on farm visits (pic below) especially when going to farms directly from work or leaving from home. My favorite farmer would jokingly say that one day he will take a forklift and hide the Prius on top of the bins in the back of the shed, usually stacked 3-5 high. I do have a '15 CT-200H, purchased as CPO, as the alternate DD (averaging 42 MPG; has not seen farm action yet . The 21 SR5 is shown below, with 2K miles so far, stock, except for the Clazzio seat cover "upgrade". Averaging 22 MPG so far (15 min interstate; 30 min 65 MPH 4 lane; 15 min 2 lane roads). I had to purchase this vehicle out of state because of limited options in my area. I was actually looking at a 2015 PreRunner with 39K mi through CarMax. We were set to purchase it, drove 2 hrs one way to test drive it, but the rep told me I couldn't test drive because my Prius (set to be "traded in") only had liability insurance (part of their C-19 precautions; however I was not informed that I needed comprehensive coverage and that day we just didn't have our other insurance cards on us). My missus was furious and threatened to purchase the most expensive Tacoma in a nearby dealership . Plus, if we had gotten the 2015 PreRunner, we were going to pay around 30K OTD [!]). We got the SR5 for 4K more, OTD (tax rate in our area is 10% (!)). The 09 Prius with 250K miles was traded in at 500 :-( Carmax offered twice the amount. My buddies asked me why I didn't opt for a 4WD - I told them I had specific budget and although we could have afforded it, I opted to stay within that budget. The other consideration was that my Prius took me to where I needed to go, so I guess that was part of the thought process. Finally, we had two hurricane events in 2020 that knocked power off and during those times, we needed a truck for essential uses like hauling a generator to neighbors and for general clean up. Anyhow, that's my little intro. Thank you for all the information and valuable feedback through this site. I also realize there are age-specific threads and I think I know where I'll lurk

 

Looks good
Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome! We have a 2012 Prius V that is my wife's DD. We love it, I just hate driving a CVT.

 

Thank you. We bought the 09 before the Gen 3 rolled out. Ran problem-free for 250K miles, well, except at 240K the water pump literally fell on the road enroute to a farm visit. I thought I ran over a roadkill and drove on. The warning light came on and then I knew I was in trouble. The farmer was impressed that I was still able to travel another 20 mi to a dealer without the engine blowing up

 

Thank you, I appreciate it.

 

Thanks, I appreciate it.

 

Welcome!

 

Thank you much.

 

Welcome! Nice truck

 

Thank you, I appreciate it.

 

So this is my other DD. When my DD 09 Prius topped 240K miles 2 years ago, I wasn't very keen in getting a 4th gen & searched "Prius alternatives." Siri might have suggested "how about a Prius that looks and drives better, but not necessarily more nimble because all that extra stuff makes it heavier?". There are many of these floating around but opted for a CPO 2015 F-Sport with 24K miles. The original Mulroney sticker was still in the glove compartment and this would have sold for 38K back in 2015. I got it for around the cost of a base 4th gen Prius OTD so that wasn't too bad. I've since added another 24K miles & I think this Prius "alternative" is perfect as a daily driver and for getting around in tight spaces when you are perfectly satisfied with 0 to 60 in 12 secs. I average 42 MPG in mixed driving; while not Prius-like mileage, there's more smiles per mile Lexus discontinued the model in 2017, and helps to explain why Carvana and other similar sites have a bunch of these.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Thank you much, I appreciate it.