New Here. A Story, a Rant, and Welcoming Input

Ok, someone requested pics of the Audi. I'll post a few as a last goodbye.

Then check the upcoming post.

So here are the Audi pics. Most of them are from when I picked it up at the dealer because they take way better pics than I do, but it looks the same. I didn't do anything to the car but drive it.

Well...except for the Escort, and some red interior lights.

 

All done, truck is home.

Been negotiating back and forth all day yesterday and today. Local dealer didn't want to budge. Took a few hundred off sticker, said it was "Your way no hassle pricing!", and wouldn't move off that. Pft. Ready to walk out and they offered me two $100 gift cards. Thanks guys, see you around.

Found the truck with the TRD Sport and NAV in a few places, and got some good prices, but was just too far and with the work schedule I couldn't make it work. So I took the advice of others, gave up the NAV.

Found three within an hour and a half of here. One dealer in particular negotiated quick, was very responsive, and worked with me to a great price on the truck over an already very good internet price. Perfect, step one over.

Negotiated again for my car. I had in mind my dream price, the realistic price, and the lowball price. They came within 1% of that realistic price. As much as it pains me to see that car go, step two is over.

Talking financing, I'm a strong buyer. Went in with a guaranteed rate from a local bank which wasn't the best, but it wasn't bad, and made a good backup. They did perfect and beat that up. Step three is over.

Just after lunch time I got the finance quote, told them it was a deal, and I was on my way. Went over, the confirmed the Audi was everything I said it was, and got to work. Signed, done, out of there in about an hour and forty five minutes. Longest wait was when they were going through my car looking for something to beat up, but they couldn't find it. It was perfect.

So...the drive home was different. I fit it in the garage. Little more of a squeeze than my car, but it's in there. It will take time for this relationship to develop.

Pic attached.

 

Congrats!

 

Nice Truck!

 

Nice choice with the TRD sport!

The truck will grow on you. Mine felt off at first, a bit tough to control. At first I thought "maybe I made the wrong choice...I'm not feeling control of this car like I did in the GTO." Then I reminded myself I drove the GTO daily for 5 years, so of course I would feel total control in that.

2 weeks later, I love my truck and it handles amazing. I'm already feeling connected. I just took the GTO for a spin today and it was a different world...the steering was heavy and the ride was rough. I finally started to feel its age!

I still love my car, but the truck is actually a blast to drive. It grows on you quick!

 

Congrats! It's a great solid long lasting truck and holds it's resale value very well. Unless the 2016 is the bom.com, it will hurt somewhat.

You will even like the way it leans in corners, it's pretty fun. That was odd at first. Ohh you'll want the Tacoma bed mat. The plastic is very slippery, groceries go everywhere! The Tacoma mat is very thick, heavy and stuff don't slide.

Lastly, get the S/C, it's all that's missing.

 

Thanks for the congrats, and the great tips everyone!

Sat in the garage last night with a Peroni, going through the manual and checking the truck out. Lots of stuff in there. One of the things I thought when I got home was that there isn't even a light in the doors or under the dash. Then after reading about forging water in the manual, I guess it makes sense.

I have taken the advice of others and began looking at some accessories that others have mentioned. Bed mat is a great idea, that composite does indeed look slippery. Order directly from Toyota, or aftermarket?

Undecided on step bars or not. It's ok for me without them, but for the family maybe it would be a good idea. No running boards for me, but maybe the bars. If I got them, any special brand everyone prefers over another? Back in the day I had some Dee Zee's on a Chevy 1/2 ton, but that was decades ago, they filled up with sand/gravel, and weighed 100lbs each when I took them off.

Probably looking for some kind of blanket, mat, or something protective to lay across the back seat underneath the car seat. Same with the floor mats. Even if I'm letting the family in, I'd still like to keep it nice. I like the Weathertech stuff, but I don't really want full rubber. Wish they made Weathertech style mats that were carpeting. So they trap everything, but don't look like rubber.

I like this supercharger idea, but I need some more information, and probably time to get used to this thing first. What is the price tag we're talking about, installed at the dealer?

Nope, didn't get any extended warranties, extended protection plans, tire plans. Not worth it to me. Factory warranty is good enough.

Who can tell me how to get the stupid dealer stickers off my tailgate? Hair dryer work ok and not cause damage?

A problem that I may yet get to in the manual...when my iPhone is paired, I cannot hear my messages. No text message or email alerts go off. Permanent, or some setting I haven't found yet?

Looking at all of your pictures, I guess I never realized how customizable these were. Hmm.

Generally speaking, does the group take original Toyota accessories more then they are available? Is there a really good company or list of trusted brands that focus on Tacoma's?

Last but not least...do we have any firefighters here? Sorry I didn't mention that before. If so, please stop and visit us any time, you are always welcome! www.TFT.com

 

Firefighter here, and congrats on the new truck! Entertaining thread covering your decision, and I think you made a great one. You will love the sport. Tons of upgrades. As for a list, I think this may be just the thing you are looking for http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/deals-coupons/31623-list.html . Before you know it you will be going crazy with mods. My suggestion is to never, EVER, have your wallet nearby while visiting us at tacomaworld.com. Enjoy!

 

Supercharger, is around $6,000 installed.

 

There is certainly the list of accessories around this place. I knew Jeeps were pretty customizable, but I didn't know Tacoma's were on the same level. Interesting!

Also spent some time finally looking through some of these builds. Wow. You guys are brave. It would take a lot for me to start cutting and hacking into this thing.

Who else has the supercharger? Is it worth it? What's it do to the mileage?

Figured out the thing with my phone. If it's paired and the audio is on "phone" I hear my messages and such, but the minute I go to the radio, the phone is mute. I'm looking to find a way around that.

The set railroad tracks in front of work are annoying. It's a single set of tracks, but channeled into the pavement. Because of all the trucks, the pavement is heaved and rolled around the tracks making some nasty, nasty speed bumps. I have had to crawl over these tracks ever so slowly and it still hurt twice a day in and out. Amazing that in the Tacoma I just don't feel them at all. Bonus!