Show me your Pyrite Mica!!!

There is a lot of wisdom in this post.

I currently live in one of those neighborhoods where everyone feels like they have to compete for the nicest and newest things. On at least 3 occasions, we've had friends over with newer cars and the next day or so, someone else in the neighborhood has commented that they thought we got a new vehicle. The most recent occasion, a new Bronco was in our driveway and our Expedition was not at the house. The next day "Oh, man. I saw that sweet new Bronco in the driveway and thought you upgraded!"

With the exception of a few older Hondas that are mostly driven by teenagers, my truck is about the oldest one on the block. It would be very easy to feel left out and like I needed to get something new and flashy. I also know that most of them are living up to their eyeballs in debt and/or have very little savings. Well, I say I know that....I assume that, because the truly wealthy people in my area seem to live in a nearby neighborhood (common to see Lamborghini and Ferrari over there). My only major debt is my house, and I like it that way. I see no reason to part with my 12 year old truck. I do wish it had more power, but it meets all of my needs and I've upgraded/updated several features. I'm also not afraid to add scratches or dents. I don't want scratches or dents, but they no longer ruin my day.

I also fit into the category of people who downgraded when they moved. The house I sold was on an acre with a real fireplace. My current house has a gas fireplace and about 1/3 acre of usable land. The difference is that I moved for work. I had put a lot of money into the last house thinking it was my "forever home," but life didn't work out that way. I basically broke even on it even though I sunk a fortune into that house. The market was up, but no one pays extra for recently replaced sub-fascia (or other maintenance and repair type items). I'm just thankful that the market was up so that I didn't lose all that money....though I probably would have made a decent profit had I left the repairs undone.

 

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Is that a brute force rear?

 

2 of my local dealers now have 47 new 2022 Tacomas on the lots with 32 still in transit.

 

I called 6 local dealerships this week, several of them no longer take deposits because their waitlists are too long. Guessing it's regional? Can you please provide the names of dealers that have unsold TRD OR?

Also, Toyota came out 2 days ago and said they are missing their production goals. Don't know how this new info will impact things moving forward: https://europe.autonews.com/automak...ts-miss-annual-production-target-chips-crunch

 

Checkered Flag Toyota shows 2 magnetic gray in stock, Priority Toyota shows 1 black, 1 white and 1 blue in stock. This does not include in transits. Seems most of the in stock inventory is the SR and SR5. If you are working with a dealer they should be able to show allotments by region including what is in stock. I am between the southeast and mid atlantic region. This won't help you much. When I was looking for the new 2016 when they came out it seems that Texas has the largest available inventory. I was tempted to fly one way and drive back. I got lucky and found something in Maryland. Flights from Reno to Texas 1 way should be reasonable.

 

Just called Checkered Flag and they are marking up $2.5k over sticker on the one that isn't yet sold. Factory options are also pretty awful (the Tonneau cover is $650 worth of garbage - had one on my old Gen 3). Pass

Appreciate the info though!

 

I have been looking in Texas. It appears, in line with the chip shortage, that low tech SR and SR5 models are the ones being delivered the most. I have seen a handful of Limited models. Sports and Off Roads seem be be the rarest ones I assume due to the tech options. I knew Checkered Flag was high. My last 3 new vehicles were bought hundreds of miles away and it saved me a ton. Another high volume dealer is Koons in the DC area. Might be worth a look. DarCars in MD is a high volume franchise and always had competitive pricing. For me I never cared from which dealer I purchased. I have always been a lowest price buyer. The warranty is good anywhere so my initial emails always start with "I am not buying your engines, inspections and oil changes for life. I am buying the best price vehicle and you will never see me for any services"' Surprisingly that always gets me the best price. I wish you luck in your search. I still think you are better off waiting for a little while. Keep that 2nd gen a little longer. It may end up saving you quite a bit in the long run. I just looked at Bayside Toyota, where I bought my last new Toyota. They have a unicorn Green Sport 4 x 4 with a manual transmission, LED headlights and tech pkg, for under $40k. They always beat my local prices. No Off Roads.

 

Tundras here are being marked up 10k,

 

This is my pyrite mica in winter mode with some ugly wheels and snow tires. It will hit 150K in a few weeks. Hoping it lasts a few more years until my kids start driving.

 

thank you

 

it is brute force rear! Good eye!

here’s the build thread
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/squatch_taco-supercharged-squatch-edition-build-thread.690222/

 

Those wheels are cool, I almost bought them but I wanted bronze wheels

 

I usually have black wheels so every time I look at my truck it’s a little startling to see these wheels. The all black look a little meaner. These will probably go back on my wife’s 4Runner next winter.

 

Sweet build, thanks for sharing! I put my order in for my bumper back in September

 

You guys are really making me second guess my decision to sell. I have a pending offer of $28,500 (which is nearly my asking price), but I just don't know if I can do it.

The extra $$$$ I'll pick up won't appreciably impact my life, and I do still love my truck. My decision to sell now is mostly based on the fact that I am moving soon and won't have as much space to store vehicles.

Has anyone ever successfully wrapped something in Pyrite Mica?

 

The reason for my opinion is from my real experiences. I had a perfectly fine 2008 Prerunner V6 DCSB with only 59k miles when I bought my new 2016 Tacoma Sport access cab RWD (I am a pavement guy) in Jan 2016. I wanted a NEW truck for my retirement years. I kept both for a month and then sold my 2008 for $16.5k. Within 6 months I started feeling like I made a mistake for several reasons. The primary reason was the lackluster performance of the 3rd gen powertrain. The second reason was the number of repairs, both warranty and recall, that I dealt with the first 6 months. After a few more months I made up my mind to keep the 16 and start with my mod list. In the 1st 2 years I paid off the truck and had done $4.5k in tasteful mods including a K&N CAI and a throaty Gibson exhaust (gave it better throttle in a poorly tuned engine). I tried my best to love the truck. I always have a spare vehicle and it got to the point that I was worried about potential issues with the 16 and it sat more and more in my back yard. When my truck passed the 5 year mark, as well as the end of the warranty, even with barely 25k miles, I started reading more frequently about rear main seal failures and timing chain cover failures. I have been wrenching since the early 1970's and am no stranger to major repairs. Since I retired in 2020 I really don't desire to do those repairs and the dealer will be ridiculously expensive doing them (especially on a truck with 25k miles). So I set my mind to go back to a 2nd gen knowing how bulletproof and reliable they are. I sold my 16 Memorial Day 2021 for the same price I paid new. The next day I received yet another recall for frame perforation. I smiled when I trashed that letter. In July I bought a 2012 SR5 for $14k. It had 140k miles but drove like new and was the beautiful Pyrite Mica. Did all the fluid flushes, put Clazzio leather in it, 4runner wheels, Kicker speakers, etc. Then in August I found a 2008 Off Road 1 owner with 83k miles also for $14k so I bought it. Unfortunately it is Speedway Blue but the miles made it a great buy. I actually drove both trucks for 3-4 weeks when my son was giving up looking for a 2016 or newer sports car. I told him he could buy either of my trucks for $15k. Damn if he didn't want the prettiest 2012 Pyrite Mica.
I am in no way trying to talk you out of buying a new 3rd gen truck. Like you the selling of my 2016 made no financial difference in my life. My car money is not tied to my bill money, spending money or savings. I just know from experience that, in my opinion, these 2nd gen 4.0 trucks will far surpass the life of the 3rd gen 3.5. I had my 16 automatic re-flashed 2 times and, eventually, it went right back to the lackluster shift pattern. If Toyota changes the drivetrain, or should I say improves it, then I might consider buying one. I look at it this way. There is a very good reason that Toyota still uses a 4.0 in the new 4runner and not the 3.5. Good luck with your decision and you do what is best for you. My biggest mistake was buying a new 2016 when I should have bought a new 2015.

 

I have the same blemish on my hood. Pyrite mica also. Do you know what caused that?

 

Not a blemish. That is the mirror reflection of a cloud. Now my Speedway Blue is losing clear coat on the hood and roof so it has areas that appear white in certain light. I think that condition is more rare on pyrite mica.

 

I too had a 3rd gen AT that I sold (because of the transmission). Very fortunate that I held onto my Pyrite Mica "just incase".

I withdrew my truck from sale. I think I'm going to grab a katzkin interior and fall in love all over again.