15th Nov 2019, 18:05
"Maybe this person came from very little and skimps in every area"
And here you are again, only on a different review assuming your way is the right way and getting personal.
Just go back and read the author's review and updates and they clearly state from day one the very reasons why they are holding on to the same truck year after year.
Only thing I don't buy is getting "thumbs up" in a basic Tacoma that has the same generic look of all the other 1990s compact pickups.
15th Nov 2019, 21:14
Putting down full size trucks is commonplace with this owner. I am willing to listen to a really serious viable alternative with the very few of us with children and active families. They go with us. The trucks have plenty of room. Even our bikes (5). A large SUV is a realistic alternative, but limited headroom knocks it out. That’s why there are other trucks manufactured. Not just small ones The full sizes certainly are utilized by industry, and contractors as well. The number one vehicle for decades that is sold has been a full size truck. The newest offerings can be equipped with almost every new luxury option. As nice as a luxury SUV with a family. I really don’t care what income one makes as it’s irrelevant. It’s what you spend, not what you make. And where you live and work. People keep cars and trucks for various reasons. May hang on to from student loans, high housing costs, cost of living factor where even a high 6 figure income leaves a much lower disposable sum. For us with families there is another side why we can’t go small. To each his own. Hope not to see derogatory comments on roomier alternatives that many of us enjoy together.
18th Nov 2019, 16:42
I have no issue with full sized trucks. I have issue with the fact that they've gotten so big. A full size F-150 of today makes my grandfather's 1985 F-150 look like a compact. When trucks come with ladders or steps to help owners get into them, when the height of the bed is at above chest level meaning there's no easy way to throw stuff into the bed and so on, then that all indicates that they have simply gotten too big. Apparently Americans just love things to get bigger, and BIGGER and BIGGGGEEER because it's not just the full sized trucks, it's the supposed "medium" sized trucks too, which for all practical purposes are the same size as what a full sized truck used to be.
And as far as getting thumbs up? Yes - believe it or not I do in fact get thumbs up on my truck again - because few of these have survived without being beat to death and abused. In fact, just try and find used Tacomas on dealer lots. You won't hardly find any.
18th Nov 2019, 21:41
"BIGGER and BIGGGGEEER" if you haven't noticed doesn't really apply to a so called full-size car from today.
A good example from GM's current long lived nameplates such as Impala or even a midsize Malibu have nowhere near the size that their predecessors from long ago. Inside and out.
Thumbs up must also be a common thing on mint condition S-10's and Ranger's from the 90s as well. They didn't look too much different to a Tacoma.
18th Nov 2019, 21:52
I have a power rail step full length that is automatic. Disappears when the door closes. Keeps nice lines. 2 regular size doors with narrower suicide rear doors. At 6’2 no issue loading. Even my daughter is 5’11. I agree an F series above the 150 or a crew cab is huge. Have a full color black matched color fiberglass flush bed cap. Removable if necessary. Won a trophy at a show first time entered against cars. Not a first place, but still neat that a truck won. Also thumbs up on the road. The factory chrome 22 inch wheels are really sharp. We are all proud of what we have. Certainly not a daily driver. But very luxurious with glass moonroof and all the goodies. Console with straight chrome shifter. Former owner always had detailed monthly; true pride of ownership. Wish I could post a pic. Not going to get the fuel economy of a Tacoma with our 5.4 V8. But it has so many amenities and qualities fuel is not an issue at all.
19th Nov 2019, 18:45
Interesting that you should bring up that car. My parents had a couple of Impalas in the early 60s. Spent a lot of time on trips and family outings. So like the sentimental Tacoma guy, I wanted to find one of my very own. Either a 62 or 63. Beautiful body. A bubble top especially. This was the day of really only the Swapper or Auto Trader magazines. No internet. Hemmings would have worked, but usually super expensive then. So I found a light blue similar 63 automatic. Pretty enough, but boring and I wanted a 63 SS with 4 speed. So not finding one I found a 64 SS 4 Speed. Then I found another 64 SS 4 speed but with a power top. Didn’t lose money on these cars, but didn’t find the “perfect” car. Sold each, still searching for one I really liked. 64 became too boxy, but every quality I wanted otherwise. I am a picky owner. I wanted the nostalgia of my parents' car, but with a 4 speed, and especially a dual quad 409 car never materialized. Later the 70s gens appeared some as donks or with hydraulics. Hideous for a guy wanting a stock look. Lost the complete desire to have one. The number one car in the mid 60s was the Impala. I had one like my parents, but moved on to others.
14th Nov 2019, 21:53
We have lived in 5 states; job transfers with the company picking up relocation expenses. Doing that it’s hard to get that attached to any one home, car or location. And parting with possessions is part of it too. It’s impossible for us with children and family to work out of an old small 2 seater pickup. There’s no compensation factor, it’s finding a truck size that works. You know in your own mind if you have been successful. Ours is only designed to tow a pleasure boat, weekend trips to the shore, and many sports activities. Ideal is a 2 seat full size. I am 6’2, and the best headroom is full size trucks. Even our 911 has a rear seat, but is tight. Headroom and legroom is also amazing. If we travel in the city together, a back up camera makes parking a breeze in 2 of our newer full size cars. Then I have always had classics - fun to drive short distances, but not family favorites.
At any rate, no matter what the destination, the sentimentality factor is being together. Less so the car. As you get older, having creature comforts, warranty loaner cars, and technology becomes a lot more inviting overall. I’ve bought newer versions of the same model over 30 years. They got better in many areas and that worked very well. A little truck isn’t practical or enough utility to own for us anyway. If just 2 people it works I guess.