I want this Tacoma!

Congrats, glad you got the truck you wanted.

 

Whew! I was beginning to worry that someday *I* would go to check out the pictures and get that message.

They send out an email with a site for private viewing once the truck ships. When I get that link, I'll post it up here XD

btw, I made it 18-miles yesterday and only killed the 5-speed twice!

 

Good job!! Once you've been able to shift through all of the gears, try a small incline. That's the fun part.

 

Oh man, it had been years since my husband drove a stick, so as luck would have it, within our first week of ownership of the 5-speed, he got stuck on a hill and nearly turned it sideways with the burnout he created. Since then, we've both been practicing a more...err....graceful....hill start

I did a pretty good little hill last night. Our clutch catches really high, and you can see the RPM dip just a little when it begins to catch, so I've developed the habit of keeping my foot on the brake while letting out the clutch, dropping ~100rpm then switching over to gas. I heard the hand-brake is easier, but dang, that thing kinda sticks out there when engaged!

 

Practice makes perfect as they say.
I taught my friend a couple years ago how to drive a stick and we went out and practiced in parking lots and backroads every night for weeks till she got comfortable enough to drive it everyday.
I wish I had heard the car talk tip about shifting with no gas at the time (heard it like a month later of course).
Sounds to me like you are doing great. Hell I still kill mine every now and again.
As far as the price on the steel wheels.... $10 + shipping!
Just kidding of course. I have seen prices all over the place but shipping is usually the killer. Just let me know if and when you sell them. If I have the extra $$ maybe I get them from you.

 

Too bad we couldn't have done a deal where I take your old ones, and you take mine while the truck is still in Kansas. I don't think Carmax would smile upon that though, seeing as I haven't finalized the big ticket yet.

Do you visit the surrounding states much? It takes 8 hours (edit: okay, 5 if I conveniently go straight north) to get out of Texas in either direction, but if you're ever in OK, NM, CO or UT I could meet you there (I go through NW/CO/UT frequently enough, OK is kinda out of the way, but possible).

I do also owe you a beer, so I'm willing to hike a little to get these to you if need-be. Mebbe not the entire 9-hour drive, but somewhere in OK looks to be a day-trip for both of us.