Any converts from other makes?

I’m fairly new to Toyota, long time listener first time caller, so to speak. Several years ago when I was looking to trade in my sti hatch for a truck I knew I wanted something that was still going to be fun to drive, so I gravitated toward the off-road midsize market. At the time it felt like there weren’t nearly as many options as there are today, and after months of research/waffling I’d narrowed it down to the Tacoma, the Gladiator which was only just on the horizon, and the Chevy ZR2. One long weekend of test drives later, it was the ZR2 that won the spot in my driveway.

Cut to… after just over 3 years of ownership, I traded that prime condition victory red ZR2 in for a certified inferno TRD Offroad. Why? The shallow answer would be it was a seller’s market and I got more than I paid for it, but I’m an enthusiast who views his vehicles as investment, not financially but in in experience. I honestly loved that truck. Sure it was distinctly “Chevy,” some things about it were tangible proof corners can, and will, be cut on production vehicles. And sure it spent close to 3 full months in various shops hunting down random electrical issues, but it was a truck, my first truck (that 94 ford f150 with dual gas tanks and a shag carpet in the bed I had in high school doesn’t count). It had a truly incredible suspension and drove more like a car than a truck should. It inspired confidence off-road on hole puckering trails and sowed the seed of my growing passion for overlanding. Yet after a certain point I began to lose trust.

With minimal aftermarket support, compared to Toyota, an annual christmas tree dashboard, and a nothing short of dismal GM customer experience, my attention turned back to the Tacoma. The nail in the coffin being a long weekend in Monongahela NF with a friend’s new lunar rock TRD OR with a manual trans.

Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I really miss that ZR2. I was sad to see it drive away, and I must admit I wasn’t overly ecstatic with the Taco Bell orange. But as time has gone by, the miles adding up, faith in my decision grows in direct proportion supported by practical design, a choice JBL sound system, an outlet in the bed, proper rear shock location, perfectly adequate suspension, a sunroof, a POWER REAR WINDOW and a realization I don’t need to jump my truck; the list grows almost weekly.

I guess what I’m trying to say is the ZR2 in my mind was a lustful fling behind a sand dune at Pismo. The Tacoma is the one I’ll bring home to meet my mom.

 

i had a ton of cars over the past years ford and chevy

last tacoma i had i bought a 2013 tacoma new sold it 2 years later

was in the market for a new truck i was dead set on a new crew cab f-150 and for 70k i couldnt justify it
i went to my local toyota dealer seen a 23 trd offroad and was sold on it had everything i needed and wanted and nothing i didnt
plus the reliability and 20k cheaper its a no brainer

long story short for midsize trucks tacoma is and always will be the best truck
yeah they may not be the "fanciest" or have the best "tech" but will do everything perfectly and not have to worry damn did i hurt something

 

I'm not a brand loyalist.

Have owned cars, trucks and motorcycles from all over the place. There are Toyotas that I would never buy and GM products that I would.

 

This is my first vehicle outside of Volkswagen.

 

Came from Reebok and Adidas

 

Lol respect.

 

I go through vehicles like people go through socks. I’ve owned 9 vehicles just since April of 2020. I sold Ford for 9 years so despite their flaws I’ve owned several Fords. I’ve actually had several Toyotas as well (2 Tacomas, FJ, 4Runner) as well as 2 TDIs. There are way too many cool vehicles to drive the same vehicle for 18 years. I do love my Tacoma. However if something cool comes along, I may sell.

 

Full disclosure, I also have a tastefully modified 6spd VW Sportwagen 4motion R, and an early 70s Kawi G7. patiently waiting for the right 964 to present itself on cars and bids.

 

I've owned a lot of makes. I'm no brand loyalist, I just like to be enthusiastic with what I have.

 

This guy

 

Had a ZR2 for last 5 years. Great truck and definitely had a distinctive stance and look. Served me well but touch screen started acting up, factor alarm would go off for no reason and the multimatic shocks I have read started leaking ( not mine) on some earlier models at $800 a piece so it was time to move on

 

I've always been into Japanese vehicles. Still have my Xterra.

 

I'm thrifty and I like vehicles that don't cause a bunch of grief or have lots of down time. I like to keep my vehicles a long time and well maintained. Always V6's, no V8's. I have had luck with 1 Toyota Truck (92) and 1 Nissan Pathfinder (03). Back in a Toyota truck (2020) and so far so good. The QDR and resale attracts me to Toyota. My first Ford Ranger (89) drove me to Toyota initially.

 

7 bmws … now Tacoma. But I’m pretty brand agnostic.

 

I thought the ZR2 was the best looking offroad misize. I'm not that much of a new GM fan.

 

Did VW'S and Honda's/Acura's for years. Bought an 03 Sequoia years ago and it's been nothing but Toyota since...

 

VW in North America is a shell of it's former self. VW discontinued the Golf in the US, really the Golf it's the vehicle VW is known for. I think it's all crossovers now, and maybe the Beetle.

VW shouldn't worry, everyone will be running out to buy an electric Scout. Seriously, the heavy truck market will keep them a float, but I don't forsee the VW lineup lasting much longer.

 

not brand related:
I was buying "nice" vehicles that were mile'd out pieces of shit that I couldn't afford new. FINALLY- I lowered lowered my expectations on my last two vehicles, paid them off (or nearly) and put a large (to me) down payment on my brand new Tacoma,,,, my first brand new vehicle. While not perfect, it is nice, and it is almost mine. For once in my life, I will sell the mile'd out vehicle, rather than me financing someone else's worn out piece of shit.

 

I was into old air cooled VW's. Had a couple oval windows(56' and 57') a 59' convertible and many others. As cool as some of the Golf/GTI's were I never owned a water pumper...

 

I've had Toyota, Honda, Chevy, Hyundai, Ford, Mercury (fancy Ford), and Dodge over the years. I've always been very particular about maintenance, oil/filter & fluid changes, tire rotations, etc. I can honestly say, NONE of them ever left me stranded. NONE of them spent time in the shop for "things that shouldn't go wrong." What I mean by that last statement is that yes, parts that wear were replaced. Unexpected repairs were two axle seals on my 1992 K1500 at about 110,000 miles, a radiator on my 2009 Honda at about 185,000 miles, a transmission rebuild on my 1998 Tacoma at about 130,000 miles, a rear diff rebuild on my 2018 Tacoma at about 66,000 miles, and a power seat that quit working on my 2010 Hyundai.
Other than that, lots of oil/filter changes, tires, brakes, fluids, and coolant flushes is all that I've needed to keep my vehicles reliably running. I have no loyalty to any brand. I buy what I like and take care of it. And, as a result, my vehicles have taken care of me.
Like I said in another thread, EVERYONE seems to know someone with EVERY other truck/car that is NOT a Toyota, and EVERY one of them is apparently taking their life in their hands each time they drive their non-Toyota. Vehicles today are better than ever. Take care of them, don't abuse them (despite what you see on TV or in the brochures), don't drive them like you're in the Paris-Dakar rally, etc. and you'll be rewarded with many, many miles, regardless of what you drive.