When my divorce is finalized I'm getting a Taco

It's cheaper to keep her!

 

OP didn't say that it is his main concern. Just one of the first things he will be doing. A divorce process takes so long, by the time it is settled most of the trauma has been processed in some way or another. We don't know or need to know those details. I have been going through it and my final settlement is not until middle next year, but I am also planning what to do for my new future after that is done. I am not planning on a new truck, but I am working on plans for a new workshop. Nothing wrong with planning for the future, in fact, it's part of the healing process if OP plans to go out biking and fishing as he has mentioned.

 

Go ahead and spend the extra $$ for a 4-wheel drive. My personal experience over 42 years of driving Toyotas, including 6 years in the Lake Tahoe area Sierra's, is that generally, the 4-wheel drive is not often needed but when it is?? It is priceless. Buy once - Cry once.

 

My Tacoma (2002) was 2WD. I only needed 4WD a few times, but really wished that I had it those times. My Tundras have both been 4WD and I have used that many times. So I would say look for that. As far as year model I think although some are better than others, none are bad. Whatever good deal comes your way should serve you well.

 

Agree.......4x4 resale when/if needed will return your investment

OP......best wishes on the Big D....

Been there/done that........

 

Ya if you live in Sarasota you don't need 4x4 unless you off road. Those of us in Canada have 4x4 for the 7 months of snow.

 

Thx all for the great truck advice and appreciate the words of support and witty quips.

In response to the harsher critiques and assumptions about my divorce... This has been going on for over a year now and I've definitely been to hell and (on my way) back. The ex thought she could file for divorce, say 'me too', and take the house, money and kids. While it's been a battle - a very expensive battle, I've currently got some momentum and the system is starting to recognize her delusion.

Yes, this has been one colossal mind fucking adventure, but thus far I'm still standing and still fighting. Exercise, family and friends, hobbies have all been helpful parts of the process, but the real wild card has been paying attention to my mental health - not at all something I have been fine tuned to do. Turns out, taking a closer look at the anger and sadness, etc. is super helpful. And it turns out, your buddies are pretty happy to talk about this stuff too - so long as it's over a beer and/or there's a chance to leer at big chested women. Anyhow, stepping down from the soap box, be good to your brothers and working to understand feelings/emotions is a worthy effort.

In the end, once I win primary custody of my daughter, rebuild some semblance of normalcy, and prove to the world my wife is a filthy lying succubus, I would like to upgrade my current transportation from a 15-year-old mercury to a newish 4d gen 3 tacoma - a perfectly moderate and fiscally responsible set of wheels. Please keep the suggestions/advice rolling.

 

Think these guys covered it. My thoughts exactly!

 

I feel sorry for the young children in these situations. Adults have generally already learned that life is not fair.

 

Very true. I got my freedom 2 1/2 years ago, but pretty much the only thing of value I came out of it was my truck.

 

I wonder the same thing. Toyota may be making a mistake here... I think with the 4th gen dropping the V6 and only having a turbo-charged 4 ... I wonder how many will pass on it as 'I want a Tacoma.... But I don't really want a turbo anything..'
And that's only because a turbo adds another layer of complexity, and they don't have the longevity of a normally aspirated engine.

 

They have no choice. EnvironmentalPoliceAgency says "higher gas mileage or you cannot sell cars in the US". Pricing will likely stay "business as usual" if those demands are part of business now.

I am not defending Toyota, just saying that things are changing. I will not use the "old hippy" quote again.

 

What I was gonna say too....

 

Hang in there dude... I went through the same meat-grinder. Luckily for me, my sons were both grown and on with their own lives, so thankfully I didn't have to deal with that. but I can tell you, it will get better.
The 1st year was brutal... Very depressing and I was in a very dark place for awhile. But it will get better.
And I kept remembering some advice my dad gave me as a teenager.. 'Women are like busses. Another one comes along every 15 minutes' .. LOL!
It also helps to remind yourself, not of your losses, but all the bullshit you don't have to put up with anymore.
Rock on!

 

That's what I did, only not quite in the same way. I and my wife divorce was pretty amicable. We didn't even get lawyers, we just sat down and figure out who got what then went from there. What I got was half of her retirement, which worked out to about 230k. Paid off all my bills and bought a truck.

Now before anyone starts preaching, the wife talked me into leaving a job I liked and moving years ago with the promise of her making lots of money, us being rich, and me not having to work. None of that happened, in fact quite the opposite. I lost about 20K a year leaving my old job and taking one here. That was 11 years ago, that's 210k out of my pocket, so she kind of owed me.

 

My brother divorced his wife (remarried now ... happy). I do not know the financial details, but I know they are amicable for the sake of their daughter who is now at college and seems quite happy not having to deal with being a bargaining chip.

Not criticizing the OP actions, just saying both my brother and his ex-wife thought better of making the daughter life a hell.

 

I wish you good luck, but..

Unless your ex-wife is a meth using Junkie, living on the streets, and unable to keep a roof over your daughter's head or food on her plate your chances of getting primary custody are slim and none from my experience watching a lot of people around me get divorced. The one real chance you have is if your daughter is older, and makes it clear to the court that she'd rather live with you, then you have a chance. Short of that, your wife could find a man from New Zealand, marry him, move herself and your daughter there, and there's not a damn thing you can do about it. Seen it happen many times, well not New Zealand necessarily.

I've seen more than a couple men ruin their lives over this. I hope you fare better.

 

Divorce is expensive because it's worth it.

 

cant put a price on your sanity.

 

Agreed. Nobody should have to 'win' custody of their child, its not a contest.