Thank You Tacoma

Bought this Tacoma new in 2012. Going on 10 years and will cross 200k in a month. Hasn't cost me much until recently I had a bunch of suspension parts replaced. The truck has treated me well despite me driving the sh*t out of it and really kinda beatin on it this whole time. I had paid the dealer an extra $900 for an appearance pkg that included rustproofing, paint seal and 7 re-applys. For buying it new, my dealer has given me $20 oil changes with 0W20 FS and OEM filter for as long as I own it. So I change it every 3000 roughly and also I'm about 90% highway miles. At $20 per change, why not?

Earlier this year I was rear ended (BF'd really). First shop I took it to (multi brand OEM) had it for a few days then tell me it would cost more to repair than it's worth saying the frame was bent so it's totaled. I took it to a dedicated frame shop and paid them $102 to tell me the frame was fine.

So back to the OEM body shop... They wrote their markings all over the truck, including 'total loss' on the windshield. Really made me mad. In total they wasted 7 days of my rental car coverage and $102 inspection fee from the frame shop which I was reimbursed for after my Google review was discovered. I feel like someone there wanted it and thought they could get it for a grand if they would just need to know someone at the scrap yard it went to.

After I was done with that shop, I took it to a well known, very reputable independent shop in town that always had an FJ in their parking lot. I figured there must have been a Toyota fan there and yes it was the owners vehicle. The job they did was above and beyond good. Even, without me asking, or them asking me, rebuilt and repainted my rusty half broken gas tank door which is on the other vehicle side than the accident. One blessing of the accident is my brand new ABS tonneau was undamaged.

In total the job cost $5500 for new tailgate, bumper and bedside fender and yes they did order and charge for the gas tank door but I'm just glad they did that and charged my insurance. The vehicles Insurance value was only 6k so it'll never get another job of that level done again unless it is out of pocket.

I now have a major renewed interest in my truck. It does look very close to new and I get more compliments than it did when it was new. Probably because the little Tacoma's are a dying breed. In this day of rising prices for everything, it is damn nice to have a free vehicle to drive as much as I want, that runs great, drives great and looks great. I can rely on as if it was still new. I haven't had a car payment in seven years and hope to not have one for another ten.

Living in Michigan, Toyota drivers sometimes experience a little 'vehicle prejudice' from the UAW diehards who believe in belligerence towards foreign car owners to promote their buy American beliefs. I am finally at the point where any domestic truck would certainly be falling apart, rusting big, or killing their owners with repairs for the most part. I will gladly buy a big 3 vehicle again when they can last 400k at least without significant repairs. Until then I'm looking forward to seeing how long I can keep this truck running, driving and looking good.

 

They did an amazing job! Hold onto that ride as long as you can.

 

What a gem of a truck. I hope you get another 10 years and 200k out of it.

 

She turned out fantastic. She's definitely a keeper

Glad to hear that it all worked out in the end.

 

Good to hear. It looks great.


Those little trucks to hard to find where I live.
If you find one, it either been abused.
Or the owner doesn’t want to sell it.

 

This. Love my 2010 single cab (same colour)..read my signature for the recent frame swap tale.

Paid it off 4 years ago and hoping for 10 more years.

 

Thanks guys. This is a great forum.

See my other post on trying mount a bike rack to Undercover One Piece ABS tonneau.

 

Looks great.I love these little trucks. Besides my 2013 single cab I still have my 2007 Corrolla.It still runs like new with 175,000 on it. Thats why I bought the Tacoma.

 

I added these 'helper springs' when it was new.
"Roadmaster Active Suspension". The more weight is added in the back, the stiffer the ride becomes. I got them because I thought it would help with the 'Roly-Pohly' feel when getting on the highway. It did that and more. Compared to the ride without, it made it feel like driving a full size truck. I know it is pricey but I highly recommended after 9 years of use.

https://activesuspension.com/products/toyota-tacoma-pickup-2005-2020