Tacoma no more

2010 TRD DCSB is gone. ‘Twas fun while it lasted but it ran its course. I don’t like repairs, I can’t do anything beyond changing engine oil and spark plugs. For as lightly as I used my truck over the 10 years I had it, it wasn’t as bulletproof as I thought it should be. One thing I learned from this amazing place is that Taco dudes usually really know what they’re doing and they like working on their trucks; something where I have no experience or wherewithal and have had to mooch off this place a few times. There were a few minor problems with my truck, and bigger problems brewing, so I parted ways with it and its underpowered 18mpg.

Also, my dogs are getting older and one of them kept getting hurt as she stubbornly tried to jump in and out of the bed all the time. I got my Taco primarily to take dogs to trails, so . . .
The replacement is an AWD Kia EV9 . I rigged a hitch caddy that the dogs instinctively knew to use as a step into the rear of the cabin. We’re more limited now where we can go due to the diminished ground clearance, but I’m not as adventurous as I used to be anyway and I’m happy the dogs get to be in the climate controlled cabin with the fam now. Also, no more messy oil changes, spark plugs, annoying driveshaft issues (including that hump down the middle), etc. I’m honestly not a huge fan of all the tech in these new cars, but it is nice to finally be able to play my phone’s large music library through the CarPlay. And the interior is pretty sweet with the second row bucket seats, the kids love it. Only thing I wish was different on it is air suspension rather than coils.

(I did try the R1S, but besides being massively heavy it did not seem like a great family vehicle. Also, it is even more techy than the EV9 and it lacks physical buttons, it doesn’t have a heat pump, and the glass roof was hot af under the sun and definitely seemed to be an energy-inefficient design flaw. I couldn’t believe there was no movable barrier beneath the glass. And the Grand Cherokee 4xe was very nice, but I didn’t want a complicated hybrid system of questionable reliability just to get 25 electric miles around town.)

Anyway, so long to the Taco. I coveted Tacomas for years before I finally got my own. I learned a lot — I didn’t even know what a differential, transfer case or u-joint was back then. I’m glad I got to scratch that itch for a good stretch of this good life. They’ll never not be badass looking trucks.

 

Good luck O.P.

 

KIA EV huh? I like the new logo, that's about it.

Good Luck!

 

Nothing is 'bullet proof' although some things are certainly more durable than others.

So when stuff on the new ride breaks, what's the plan?

Dealer dependency?

 

Not everyone works on there vehicles and I get it, many people part ways with there cars or trucks when things with there autos start having issues. Personally for me I’m in for the long haul, still have my 1986 and 2009 trucks that I bought new.

Good luck with your new Kia, I hope it serves you well for many years

 

I hope you do well with your KIA....

 

I never question other's peoples choices when it comes to cars/trucks, however whatever you go with....nothing is bulletproof.

After hearing the story from my dentist how his Tesla left him stranded one very cold morning, I decided I will pass on EV vehicles for as long as I can.

 

We all gotta get what works for our current situation, right? If an EV were doable for my needs I would love the lack of maintenance aspect.

One thing you forgot, though. Let's see the new ride! I love window shopping vehicles, and I am with cars like women are with shoes. "I wanna try them all. Bring them out here. All of them."

 

Didnt realize the EV9 was a three row. Pretty cool. Good luck with it. Only thing, road tripping that thing past it's range turns into a huge chore when you have kids. Who wants to wait to hunt for charging stations and wait around while it charges.

What did they give you for your Tacoma on trade in?

 

Pretty much. We’ll see how things evolve over the course of the warranty period. I was never not dependent anyway and, not being a hobbyist, my time is more valuable than my money when it comes to cars.

Maybe I’ll turn into one of those lease types.

 

Yep, I never thought I’d have a Kia and I do feel weird/dirty saying that I have one now. But the EV playing field has been quite level. And really, Korean tech is quality, it just still has that “budget newcomer” rep.

The logo reminds me of the Nine Inch Nails logo.

 

I know, I'm just messin' with you. They are fast & quiet, maybe too quiet

As long as you can charge it, sounds good. Most Korean tech is still made in Korea (Samsung, LG etc.), not China. Good stuff!



NIИ

 

I’ll rarely use the third row. That’s the dogs’ spot most days. The powered 2nd row bucket seats are very cool, it’s crazy spacious back there.

I was gonna hold the Tacoma and sell it privately but they gave me 12.5k for it, which was worth sparing me the hassle of weeks and weeks of tire kickers. Plus, it needed a fair amount of work that the sales guy didn’t bother to look into — torn upholstery, some body dents, needed new brakes, the front driver window hasn’t sat properly since I had to replace that door a couple years ago (a constant whistle of wind — and the body shop was not interested in fixing their minor mistake), the transmission felt questionable, perhaps in part from driving up and down a 1500’ elevation change several times daily, and there’s been a weird rubbing low-hum sound coming from somewhere in the drive shaft ever since it required a ring and pinion overhaul 20k miles ago (that was an expensive month when the u-joints, ring/pinion and wheel bearing all went out at 110k miles). Anyway, I don’t think they’ll make much $$ on it unless they cut some corners on the flip.

The longest road trip I take is around 300 miles to the Bay Area a couple times/year, otherwise I’m flying. There’s not much of a lifestyle change for me here. I wouldn’t take the truck on a road trip in its current state, anyway, but I would attempt that trip in this ev at least once for the adventure. On paper it would make it all the way to my destination, but yeah I’d have to coordinate pit stops with charging and stuff. Luckily the missus has the Q7 for road trips.

Oh and my kids are 10 and 12, they rely on me for food, shelter and transportation but otherwise aren’t really fussed about anything as long as they have some headphones, a book to read or notebook for writing and drawing.

 

Yeah,Good Luck OP..Make sure you can get a Rental car,you'll be at the dealership all the time.Hey Rob...I been wondering ..who's that Girl in your sig?

 

I can get whatever I want. That’s how I ended up with the EV9.

I was at the Toyota dealer often enough.

But your well wishes are noted.

 

My daughter

 

I have alot of bilinguil family members and they all say "how is that new brand car out that is KN?" and i have to explain it is a KIA.. to which they immediately say no

 

Didnt mean to sound rude..The group I'm in has several dealerships....including Kia..I have been down there several times,and here about all of the problems they have is the reason i said that...All the guys down there say KIA stands for "Korean Imitation Automobile"...Honda's have alot of problem's to..Seems to be going around

 

Ohh...thats a very beautiful young Lady you got there..she look like Mama?

 

Yup, lol!