I love my Tacoma because….

I have owned (2)70’s fj40’s and a 88’ truck. All of which I wish I still had. In high-school a buddy was in search of an international scout. We found a LC FJ40, a little green from sitting under a tree. We walked up to the house asked if they were interested in selling. To his luck they were. Power washed it, slapped new bfgs on it we were off on many, many adventures (impromptu road trips). Never let us down. I fell in love with Toyota trucks. I’ve had many other trucks, Titan, Dodge, jeeps. So happy to be back in a Toyota. Now Tacos (Yotas). Just as I remembered, eager to push its limits, asking to go further, steeper, harder. Always reliable, fun, peppy and ready to go again. Not luxurious, comfortable, with bells and whistles. But that’s not why I bought it. I knew what I wanted, another Toyota. Simple. Im not surprised, people’s expectations are set too high these days. Every Toyota that I have owned always met mine and much more.

 

Great experiences, I like it!

 

Interesting thing is that if you were new to Tacomas and spent a couple of days reading TW you'd probably never buy one. Posts on premature engine failures, crappy drive trains, anemic performance, oil leaks...the list goes on. I do agree though, it's all about expectations. Set them unrealistically and you're bound to be disappointed.

 

When I bought my Tacoma, I researched the Ranger, Colorado, Canyon, and the Frontier and felt they all had their issues. The Tacoma, to me, had less issues. I almost feel that anything you buy is a crap shoot.

 

I wish I still had my 3rd gen 4runner. That thing was perfect in every way. I'll see this Tacoma the same way if it gives 300k miles of flawless performance but somehow I don't see that happening.

 

I love how rough and mechanical it all feels. There’s something about the tapping and growling of the engine that makes it feel more like a piece of adventure equipment vs a kitchen appliance.

I just had a ‘23 Wrangler as a rental. It looked great, but it felt like driving a Camry. I loved driving my friend’s TJ, but everything I liked about it was missing in the new version. It’s better by every objective measure, but totally uninteresting.

I’m worried that the same transformation is taking place with the Tacoma.

 

A rented GMC Canyon convinced me I should consider a mid-sized truck. Of the trucks you listed, only the Tacoma had an available manual transmission so it was a no-brainer for me.

 

My first experience with Toyota was when I was 17. I bought a 81 Celica Supra (mk1). inline 6 (5me), 5 speed (I didn't know how to drive a manual). This one was a performance package car. two tone silver and black with front air dam and rear spoiler, burgundy leather interior. The radio was all factory and pretty wild, it has a am/fm radio, cassette and equalizer, but it was all separate from each other. The car already had the mk2 wheels on it. I taught myself how to drive it. I beat the crap out of that car. It took everything I could give it. One time the brake line for the rear brakes got a hole in it. I didn't repair the line, I just removed one of the rear caliper bleeders and installed it into the master cylinder where the rear brake line was. Fixed!! They made everything so easy and simple, unlike other brands that do all sorts of dumb things. If you have a 10, 12, 14, 17 sockets and wrenches, you can basically repair anything on the fly with Toyota's.

From this car, I have had all sorts to 84-88 Toyota trucks, Toyota Cressida's, and other Celica Supra's.. About 10 years ago, I wanted to get a Tacoma. I have had mine for 3 years now and I love it. I don't plan on giving it up at all.

 

My 2018 Tacoma has really been a great truck , a little quirky here and there but no problems overall and I still enjoy it every time I drive it … or just look at it , such a great looking truck .

 

I started with my 1991 toy pickup, 4x4 5 speed manual. While loving that truck and driving it 300k, I discovered land cruisers as well. Have had multiple fj40s, fj60s, fj62s and one fzj80. I miss them all. Every toyota I've had has always been great, including a 2008 4runner and 2013 rav4. I love this 2023 because I literally feel like I'm 17 again, great being back in a Manual. When I get in my tundra now,a 2007 with 219k trouble free miles, which is going up for sale, I'm bored. Manual forever

 

Had a 75’ Celica, baby cragers with GT qualifiers baby ! Hammered that lil car.

 

Love my Tacoma because... for me it's almost the perfect size, not too big, nor small and gets good mileage if, you drive it like a truck not a race car !

 

Mine's done everything I've expected of it, and more! No complaints.

 

Slowly creeping up to 100k miles (93k currently) on my 3rd Gen. Absolutley loved every mile so far. Yeah its quirky and vibrates and rattles here and there but I wheel it almost daily and it hasnt left me stranded yet. I grew up in jeeps and have owned a couple, this is my first toyota and I probably wont be switching up any time soon. Very happy with my truck.

 

Manual, Access Cab, reliable, great looking, hood skeeewwwp, huge after market accessories availability, high resale, cheap to insure. I could go on but I love mine!
Oh and most important...We call them taco's which is one of my favorite foods!

 

Nice share. The vast and relatively quiet majority of owners would agree with your assessment. Even my 6yo already knows that there’s Toyotas, and then there’s everything else.

 

I can drive comfortably all day on a highway, then find an old forest service road and it turns into a different vehicle. Then when I'm done exploring, head back to the highway, put on my cruise control & a podcast and be home for dinner.

 

I love my coma because...I dont owe a dime on it

 

I like my Tacoma because it only has two seats so I can’t Uber my friends anymore.

 

For the win!
The pay-off mod!