Yet another new Taco owner,

Hi guys,

I'm happily married to Toyota/Lexus. On the SUV side, I had 2 4Runner and a Tundra.

I lied to myself many years ago that I would never buy new vehicles. Toyota and Lexus proved me right. Let the previous owner take the hit if of the initial devaluation and then buy 90% of the value for 40% of the cost. Worked for me for a long time.

Here in Canada, there is currently a shortage of new and used pickups. So the price of used vehicle are crazy high. I cheated and bought a spanking new 6MT/TRD Sport/Permium to downsize my amazing reliable, nothing wrong but SO THIRSTY 2011 Tundra that sold for more than I paid for 6 years ago.

I took delivery of the Tacoma yesterday. I bought it out of my home province because we didn't have any stock left. After clearing way to much paperwork with 3 different government divisions. Jeez they don't make it easy. Especially with a trade-vehicle in the deal.

It was long drive back and forth.

Initial impressions, I like it.

• Cost me half the Tundra price in fuel for the distance covered; That's why I bought it.
  
• Better sound damping on highway than the Tundra. No more V8 roaring in the cabin;
• Modern dash and features. OMG that volume button is so tiny!
  
• Brand new vehicle with clunks in the driveshaft, suspension and clutch? WTF Toyota?

I'm really surprised with the last point. I'll stop by the dealer tomorrow. But I didn't have to google much to figure my clunky new Tacoma is no exception.

How's that for an intro?

 

Good intro!

Welcome to TacomaWorld!

I have always been of the same mind as you, I’ve never bought a brand new vehicle.
It sounds like, in your situation, that it was good idea though!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
Grease the driveshaft zerks yourself,
Dealership won't unless you specifically tell them.
Even then it's iffy they will.

 

Thanks, but unlike you it took me a while to trust used vehicles. My first cars (too many of them) where new. But I stayed clear of new cars for about 14 years I hope it's my last relapse since these things are not getting any cheaper.

 

Well truthfully, I could never afford to buy a new vehicle before. As for trust, my first car’s frame rusted through and literally broke in half on the freeway. My second car spun a bearing because who knows why.
After that I learned to be more selective and did lots of research into reliability before I bought anything. I also learned how to work on them, as best I could, so maintenance and repairs wouldn’t be a hindrance.

Now that I technically could afford a new one at this point in my life, I don’t know, I’d have to have a project vehicle or something on the side. I’m so used to it I wouldn’t know what to do with myself otherwise

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Classic, few of my friends turned decent amateur mechanics like you and they keep a project handy.

 

Welcome!

 

Follow up on the clunkiest new car ever I brought the truck at my local dealer (not the one I purchased it 400 miles away)... They and I were in for a surprise. Something they never seen before. I spent $1200 on a "permanent" protection package called Body-Gard® – Sym-Tech "supported" by https://www.sym-tech.ca (they used different products for paint, inside and under the truck).

The dude where I purchased the thing sprayed it everywhere, and by everywhere, I mean everywhere. Nothing was spared, including the spare:



The sensors


And also the electric connectors:


The clunks were caused by the product causing the leaf springs of the suspension to stick together and also interfering with other pars in the front no longer moving freely. It took about 4hours of decontamination/cleaning to solve the issue.

I will not disclose the name of the dealer who did this mess since they are welling to refund the cleanup but fellow Canadians, beware of this Product/Company: Body-Gard® – Sym-Tech "supported" by https://www.sym-tech.ca They have the worst customer service ever. They basically told me the only place I can get this crap serviced is where I purchased the car. Not their problem if I chose a dealer 400 miles away from home. They couldn't even tell me what product was used under my car, since the dealers who apply them can use many.

I'm still trying to find out what is this mystery miracle rust proofing product. Now I want to know if it is petroleum based(degrade plastic/rubber) or plastic/rubber safe. I suspect it is safe, since it is non drippy (already dry to the touch)... I'm waiting for someone from the dealer and/or Sym-Tech to tell me.