Rusty again...

I hate to begin my first post with this, but the ending is good (IMHO)....

In 2008, I was one of the first in my area to do a buy-back. I had a 99 access, V6, SR5, 5spd etc. I loved that truck - but it was low mile, needed some work & I got almost 18k for it.

I went for the same thing to replace it, but with a 4cyl. 5+ years later (mileage in the low 30's), my AC goes belly up. Then I look under at the frame.... Now before I go further, I'll say that I was pretty irresponsible in never washing the underside of the truck. I am very faithful about carefully maintaining the mechanical end, but the rest, well...Anyway, I saw lots of surface rust - about 20-25% on the rails, etc. The paint was gone on the cab mounts and the plugs in the cab (sheet metal) were ringed with rust bubbling through. The paint was also flaking off the alloy wheels big time & my Geolanders were getting near the last 1/3 of tread.

Okay, so I've been a Taco owner almost 2 decades with no complaints. However, I'm now in my 60's, the homestead has been all fixed up and my back is starting to hurt from the ride on the back roads where I live...so, sorry guys, but I went to the dealer to get another - instead, got great $$ for it and went with a Rav4.

I've loved my Tacos and will always be a big fan - I guess I've just outlived my truck days. Big "full size" more cushy trucks just don't appeal to me either. Truth be known, my all time favorite was my "middle Taco" - the '99'. I much preferred the V6 and the floor lever for on the fly 4wd changes. It's probably just me, but my '99' seat was more comfortable, too.

Maybe someday again in the future - if they improve the ride. Until then, keep the faith - Tacos are still the best and only truck I would ever own.

 

aww, dude , you could got an aftermarket seat, there's a ton out there and they're hellaciously more comfortable than yotas stock ones.

 

nothing wrong with getting a rav4, wife just got a 2013 limited. like it just as much as the tacoma, besides its still a toyota.

 

I actually like the Rav4 as well, pretty nice little SUV and it does have a great ride.
I think you made a smart practical decision and you can't knock a guy for that.

Tacoma’s are great, but I can easily see switching to something more comfortable in the future. In all honesty my truck rides horrible on road and most of the time I prefer to commute in my wife’s Corolla. In the dirt though, the Tacoma’s super fun and eats those bumps up pretty dam good.

 

So you've owned two Tacomas over the last 14 years and your first post to TACOMAworld is to say you sold it and got a Rav4?? Welcome either way but this place could have really benefitted you while you still had the truck!

 

Are you from up in Goshen or Chesterfield? (Or beyond)?

 

...I have been remiss & sorry about that. I did lurk quite a bit for several years starting about the time of my 99' buy-back. I'm not much of a forum poster, but I did get a lot of helpful, informative info & enjoyed reading the threads on a "civilized" forum. Just too much to do & too little time to be more active, but I figured better late than never to basically say I had a good time & would do it all over again.

Lived in Western Ma most of my life - in another life I was a wrench & autobody guy...

 

Nothing wrong with a RAV. They are great vehicles.
Just keep in mind that the RAV will also rust, so maybe keep that side of the maintenance up also.
Congatulations, good luck and enjoy the new ride!

 

...absolutely. No more complacency on body maintenance. There was no excuse with my later Tacoma, because a couple times a week I drive by a car wash that has an underbody wash.

When I had my 99 I use to go to a manual wash many times a year (during salt season) and just use the rinse water on high pressure to do the frame, etc and everything with a high exposure to rust. However, I did notice after the first year or so that the frame paint had kind of vanished. I didn't think anything of it until I went in for service in early 2008... the service manager showed me a hole the size of a grapefruit in the frame...the rest you know.