After almost 200k miles

I just ordered a new truck. My 2009 Tacoma has 197,000 miles of which I've put 184,000 of them on her myself. It's been a hell of a ride and a lot of fun. I don't really post much anymore mainly because my Tacoma has been "done" for a long time...

New truck should be here in about 1-2 weeks.

How she sits now:



What she looked like off the lot:



What I'm going to:



2021 GMC AT4
6.2 w/ 10 Spd Allison
Standard bed (7')
Cat back exhaust option
Loaded with all the options (Surround vision, Tech Pack, Driver alert pack, AT4 Premium pack etc.)

I have two rapdily growing boys who no longer fit in the Tacoma so fullsize it was. Why GMC? (I know you don't really care ) After taking multiple trips in the F150 and RAM, it just wasn't close. I also drove a few different Tundra TRD Pros because I really... really.. wanted to like them but after deciding to go new I just couldn't leave that much tech and options on the table again. The GMC was the best on the road for me. My life is changing and I currently pull a 4k lb trailer which will be going to something a bit bigger soon, probably closer to 6-6500lb empty.

Its really came down to the FX4 Lariat or the GMC AT4 and the fords are just everywhere. Throw in a few buddies that have had turbo issues with the 3.5 and well, pretty easy decision.

I almost went with the new Druamax diesel, which looks like it will be a great engine but for once I also wanted the so 6.2 it is.

 

A buddy has that exact GMC. It's nice, every option possible and the diesel gets good mileage. His wife hates it, very high and hard for her to get in and out. The thing is often too big to park in the city. Nice truck though.

 

I'm in the PNW where I swear there's as many full size trucks as cars around. I avoid Seattle like the plague lol. The GF loves it and she's tiny.

 

It looks good, we will all come to a point wherein we have to let go of the old stuff to make a room for a new one.

 

Congratulations!!!

Post a few pics when you pick it up!!

 

More space, more torque, more hp, better interior and fuel mileage? What's not to love! Congrats on the new truck.

 

Just out of curiosity, what made you decide against the Ram?

I've often considered stepping up to a full size truck. I've not driven too many (or really even been inside) newer full sizes. My dad has a 2019 Ram and I must say that if I had to choose one right now, I'd probably choose Ram. Everything about it seems great (except I'm still not sold on the turn dial shifter knob).

 

Congrats on the new truck.......For towing anything over a couple of thousand pounds, there is just NO substitute for "more" truck. I've had a Tundra Crewmax since 2007 and my Tacoma since 2015. The Tundra only has 72k miles, and tows / hauls what my Tacoma can't, so I will likely keep it for another 10 years. As you have demonstrated with your Tacoma, Toyota reliability is legendary.

 

I was going to sell some parts off of is but they wanted it as is, they'll make a nice profit on it and it helped me talk them down on the "aftermarket markup" that all the dealers around here seem to be doing on new trucks. At the dealerships I shopped the only way they're even budging on price is with a trade in that has value to them and using brand financing. GM Financial actually gave me the best APR as I was prequalified through my local credit union.

 

If I'm honest I'm biased against RAM. Just out of high school I had two full size RAM 1500's as I loved the styling in the late 90's early 00's. Both of them we bought as 2 year old trucks with less than 20k miles. A 97 in 1999 and a 2001 in 2002. Both had major transmission issues and front diff issues. I just can't trust the Jeep/Dodge/RAM reliability as it doesn't seem to have gotten much better. Admittedly the RAM brand does seem to be the best of that group. Aside from that their interior seems to be what sets them apart and I just don't care all that much about it. Coming from a Tacoma I'm not use to that much luxury lol. My GF has a loaded Durango which is really nice but I don't like how everything is buried in a menu. If you want the heated seats your 2-3 menus away in the touch screen. In the GMC is a simple button. Lastly, I was looking at the off-road packages and I'm not a big fan of the Rebel styling.

 

Well we’re sad to see the Tacoma go, but life happens! I hope you enjoy the new truck!


With loaded options I would imagine you got the fancy tailgate right?

A friend of mine got a GMC a couple of years back with that tailgate and it’s awesome. I didn’t think I’d like it because it seemed kind of gimmicky but I was incorrect

 

Yes, I thought the same thing until I actually went and used one. It's awesome lol I love that I can use longer items with a tonneau cover on and not have to lift it and I think it's the best step solution out there. I didn't get the option with kicker speakers in the tailgate but that would be really easy to do. I have it on my list of mods.

 

Chevy/GMC was my 2nd choice when shopping for a pickup. Nice truck, good call.

 

Fair enough. I do know they've always had a bad rap for their transmissions, but apparently I was wrong to assume they had gotten that figured out by now haha..

Didn't know about everything being buried in menus, that's ridiculous for heated seats.

Anyways, nice truck!! I've ridden in a 2021 AT4 Carbon Pro, and I must say they are damn nice!

 

Beautiful truck!!! Congrats on the trade

 

I love my Tacoma, but I’m always scared that I might need a full size, and it won’t be a tundra.

 

How can you even consider a Dodge Ram after owning a Toyota? They are literally on complete opposite ends of the reliability spectrum…

 

New truck finally arrived... hard seeing the Tacoma go it did the job well for 200k miles. It's on their lot with a sticker of 19k.... a 2009 Tacoma SR5 with 198,000 miles. Wow. They said they won't take anything less than $17,500. Insane.

 

I hope you have good luck with GM. I had to lemon law my 2019 trail boss. Super nice truck but the thing could not stay out of the shop.

 

Was that the 5.3 8 spd?