EVO/STI owners (and other 4cyl. tur(bros)) that have swapped to a Tacoma

I am missing my old 14 hatch WRX a lot these last few months and have ventured into trading in my Taco on something a little different.

I’ve been missing the driving experience of a turbo 4, and have been thinking of swapping. Despite loving the taco for camping trips, kayaking and housing development.

Anyone here go from a “racecar” to a Tacoma that can share their thoughts on why they traded? It is unlikely I will trade since I have dumped a good $2000 into this rig, but I’d like some peace to my mind if anyone can help lol

 

I traded my 2014 Focus ST for my 2009 4.0L DCSB. The Focus was a hell of a fun car for the price, though I got a lot of tickets because of the attention grabbing colors. I needed something that I could use to haul stuff for fixing up my house. The taco is not the fastest, but It's a reliable truck so far, plus it's a manual which is a must for me. I often look at BMW's and WRX as they pass by and when I fuel up. The Tacoma is very practical.

 

Sold my evo x in 2016 and drove a beater Montero sport for 2 1/2 years before getting a new taco. While I miss the evo my needs have changed. I need the utility of a truck. Ideally I might get a project car some day but I absolutely love having a truck now.

 

I went from a 2013 Tacoma TRD Sport to a 2017 WRX, back to a 2018 Tacoma TRD Off Road. I LOVED my first Tacoma, but like you I wanted the fun driving of a WRX.

It was great for about a year, but the fun factor diminished and the lack of utility started to get to me. I had an absolute blast driving that thing, especially in the snow, but the Tacoma was just a better choice from every standpoint other than strict fun.

If I were you, I'd stick with the Tacoma and somewhere down the road when it makes sense, buy a second "fun" car.

 

My first car was an 04 WRX. Bought it stock in high school and built a 10sec monster over the years I had it. JDM ver7 STI Ej207, JDM ver7 STi 6-spd trans, GT3076r (31psi on a 2.0l!), 100% E85, all supporting mods. (500whp, 480tq- something like that). Sold that and owned an 05 STi and a brand new 16 STi. Had an E46 M3, Mercedes AMG pkg, 2012 GSXR750, 2016 GSXR1k. Been through it all trust me, I think I just got tired of the headaches and tickets. Love my Tacoma Pro, camping, trails, dirt biking- not going back to the racing world world in a long time.

 

Here is my progression. Just missing a pic of my first car which was a 00 eclipse

Edit: just found a pic of the eclipse

 

2010 GTI -> 2015 WRX -> 2016 Tacoma -> 2019 GTI

Loved my GTI and got a WRX instead of an R because I couldn’t justify the price.

WRX rode like shit and had knock off the lot that the service department shrugged at. Traded it in for the Tacoma before a PCS because my wonderful detailer couldn’t pull his head out of his ass and lost my orders, so I no longer needed to own my car X months for an overseas move to Canberra since I wasn’t going there anymore.

Back in a GTI and love it. No Tacoma has this magical power band than 1/2/3 Gen sections fight over. It’s a midsize engine in a heavy rig with bad economy that’ll masquerade as a truck for medium size gigs. I loved it as an around the town vehicle and being able to throw shit in the bed with little regard, but the economy, payment, and maintenance required before 50k (LCA bushings, rack and pinion) is were too much.

I miss having a bed, but I love having a hatchback more.

 

I had a GTi that I traded in on my Tacoma. In a perfect world I would have both.

 

I came from an 04 WRX. I definitely loved that car, but truth is I drive pretty tame. I added 1,000lbs and dropped 70hp switching to a 4cyl taco, but since it's still a stick I still have fun.

Added utility was a big bonus too.

 

Bought an 06 WRX wagon new, drove it till 2018 when I bought a Tacoma OR manual. Got tired of banging up the underside of my WRX (1" lift, 1.5" larger tires) on jeep trails to go camping. I've come to appreciate the utility of a truck, though the WRX wagon had more room for sleeping (with rear seats folded down) than the damn short bed of this DCSB...

I really miss the turbo at the altitude I live at now (6000' plus). There's nothing else that compares to the power delivery of forced induction at high altitude.

Overall it's been a decent swap tho, the WRX was starting to show its age. I like how big the modding community is for the Tacoma for offroading stuff.

 

I miss my Subie all the time.

Don’t get me wrong I love my truck. . But there’s nothing like that Subie love.

 

Tacoma and a Subaru.
No kids.

 

Dood, you GET it! While not a subie, I submit as evidence

 

My old 2011 STi. Loved this car and swore I would never sell it. But of course, lights started blinking on the dash so I sold it. Kid who bought it blew the motor just 3 days later downshifting from 5th to 2nd. Put a tear in my eye.



Excited for what is to come with the new Tacoma.

 

Just traded in my 2015 Evo X a few days ago for my new truck, 2020 TRD OR. I loved my Evo and hoped to keep it forever but needs and wants change. Very bitter sweet letting her go but enjoying the tacoma so far and hope to get a project car to build for drift/track days soon

 

Had a mk7 gti tuned out. Making 350 at the wheels. Was a monster. I mean my kitted out JK on e rated 35s and fully armored had more get up and go than the taco. Picked up one of these and did a lil work. Fixes that speed need... for a bit

 

Here's what I traded in for my Tacoma, 2011 Evo X.

 

Had a '15 STi and loved it! But alas, a little over a year later, found we "needed" a full sized SUV and, regretfully, traded it in for a Yukon. 2 years of Yukon driving kind of bored me to tears so my wife drives it now and I got the Tacoma I had been curious about for a while, an '18 PRO. Really enjoy the functionality of a truck, kind of enjoy the ride now that it's been OV tuned, and still think it's one of the best looking trucks out there. All in all, no regrets, but I really miss that STi! If I can remain patient for a year or 2, and after we trade the Yukon in for something my wife likes better (she thinks an Audi Q7 is the ticket), I'm hoping I can add that "fun factor" to the garage and keep the Tacoma, maybe a GTI or similar mid-priced commuter that brings back that feeling.

 

I’m here with you guys. I had a 2003 Acura RSX type s for 4 years. Pretty much stock. I got rid of that for a 2012 Mazdaspeed3 and had that for 5 years. I had it pretty well modded out for performance along with a 30% ethanol tune making around 320whp on stock block.

it was an awesome car and probably the best one I have ever had. I’ve never had one mechanical issue with it even with all the mods and how I drove it. Bought it with 33,000 miles. Left me at 131,000 miles.

I got sick of the limited room for hauling things around. There was never enough space. Everything started to feel cramped. I needed a bed. I haul my trash to my parents every week so I don’t have to pay to have service at my house. Not worth the extra payment for a few minute trip down the road.

The Tacoma was perfect for me. I always wanted one. Reliability, resale value, styling, and aftermarket support. It’s everything I wanted. No regrets. I test drove a manual since I have been in manuals for about 10 years now....time to relax. I went with the Auto.

Yes the shifting/hunting for gears gets a little annoying but not the end of the world. I know I can rely on this truck and it will go wherever I want it to go.

 

Had a 08 SRT4 caliber 2.4 turbo. Ticket factory! The final straw was watching it be loaded up on the back of a flat bed and handed a excessive speeding ticket. After this final fun experience I knew it was time to get something I enjoyed cruising in. Tacoma is awesome! I do miss being able to rip past anyone any time but I also enjoy being able to drive off-road and go camping lol!! Still have the caliber which does help but I hardly ever drive it anymore.