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My Tacoma - The life story of my Toyota Truck

Ranked #309 in Cars, #19,113 overall

A running History of my Toyota Tacoma

This lens is dedicated to Toyota Tacomas in General and mine in specific.  Here I will share the ownership history of my Tacoma, as well as how it performs for me day to day.

My Stats

The low down on specs on my Tacoma

I found a great site recently. Pimp My Tacoma has a huge selection of Tacoma Parts, Accessories and Trucks for sale. This is what I usually use to find the resale value of my truck or parts I wish I could have :)
  • 2005 Double Cab Long Bed
  • 4 wheel Drive
  • Black Exterior
  • Leather Seats
  • Towing Package
  • 6-Disc CD Changer
  • Running Boards
  • V6 engine

My Personal Tacoma Photos and Stories from the Road

Here's some Images from my Personal Collection

This gold Tacoma 4X4 got stuck in a drainage ditch while on a Job site a few months ago.

Luckily I was there with my trusty Black one!

A tow rope and 4-wheel low and we were able to pull him out.

This is one of the major factors that led me to upgrade my tires (that and the warranty :) ) as I had plenty of power to pull him out but was a little light on the traction. All fixed now!


4X4 Tacoma Stuck in a Muddy Swale Tacoma Stuck in a Drainage Ditch Front End of 4X4 Toyota Tacoma Stuck

Maintenance Record

A list of Repairs and Maintenance I've had done

This is a list of repairs and Maintenance I've had done on my Tacoma. This does not include the regular scheduled maintenance recommended by Toyota. All of that is done regularly within 500 miles of the recommended mileage. This is a list of breaks and warranty related repairs and maintenance that I have done.
  • 5,000 miles - Check engine light was on. Bad alarm wiring harness. Dealer replaced under warranty.
  • 15,000 miles - rear tail light burned out. replaced at oil change - under $10
  • 20,000 miles - retread came off of a semi truck and hit my grill, cracking the plastic and knocking off my chrome emblem - local mechanic epoxied the crack and installed new emblem - $100
  • 30,000 miles - The last of my mudflaps was torn off while off-roading. Toyota does not offer a heavier duty mud flap I am aware of. No plans to replace.
  • 45,000 miles - Rear tail light went out. Replaced at regular maintenance - under $10
  • 57,000 miles - Front right Fog lamp and Headlight went out at the same time. No wiring issues were found by myself or the mechanic. Replaced bulbs myself - $30

Toyota Tacoma Reviews

Reviews from the best in the Biz

2005 Toyota Tacoma Review from Toyota Off Road
2005 Toyota Tacoma Review. This is a Fantastic Site all about Off-Roading With Toyotas!
PickupTruck.Com - First Drive: 2005 Toyota Tacoma
A very positive design oriented review from pickuptruck.com
How Stuff Works Review
How Stuff Works Rated the 2005 Tacoma as the Best Compact Truck Available. A good breakdown of different driving aspects and functionality

My 4X4 Toyota Tacoma 60,000 Mile Review -12/1/08

A report on the first 60,000 miles in my 2005 Toyota Tacoma

I took my Tacoma in 8 miles shy of 60,000 mile for it's regular servicing at the first of the month. My bumper to bumper warranty ended at 60k (Powertrain is good for 100k :) ) so I wanted to make sure I was covered for one last checkup.

Besides costing $585 (Ouch!) , everything is running great. The truck is still getting 16-19 MPG and runs as well as the day I drove it off the lot.

I replaced the rear tail light from my little fender bender. I haven't had the scratches buffed out yet because..well.. it's a work truck.

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Toyota Tacoma Mileage Update 10/14/2007

57k and Still going strong

I roared past 55,000 miles this past month and am sitting at about 57,500. No major repair issues to date. I have some fantastic pictures of my Toyota Tacoma getting dirty that I'll be adding in the next couple of days.

Story:

As I was sitting at a traffic light a few months ago a Ford Expedition decided to try and squeeze by my left side. He scraped the corner of my Tacoma with the side of his car. Damage: I have some light scuffing around my tail light and I had to replace the tail light. The whole side of his Expedition was torn up, with both fender flares being torn off, a large scrape down the side, and a loose bumper.

Toyota Tacoma Wins!

Toyota Tacoma Mileage Update 50k 7/19/07

50,000 miles in 16 months in my 4X4 Tacoma

Rear fold down seat in 2005 Toyota TacomaThe Tacoma hit 50,000 miles this week. I'm taking it on a Road Trip to Lafayette, La. this weekend. After the trip, I'll get the standard 50k maintenance done. She's still running exactly the same as when I bought her 16 months ago. The BFG Tires are fantastic. This truck was built to drive with the wider 265 tires. It sticks to the road way better. I was in about 6 inches of mud yesterday and having zero problems going where I wanted as fast as I wanted to. Go Taco Go!
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New Tires! How I got them with the Extra Mile Warranty

This is the best deal I've ever heard of for tires!

Tacoma on a HillOn Friday, I went to the Toyota Dealership in order to get my 45,000 mile service. (45k in 17 months...wowza) While there, I asked them about my Tire Warranty. When I purchased my truck new, part of the extras and goodies I received was their "Extended Life" Tire Warranty. This means that they will warranty the tires on my Tacoma for 100,000 miles.

Here's the caveat:

  • You have to have the tires rotated every 5,000 miles. I have done this at the dealership along with all of my other maintenance, mainly to insure that my powertrain and bumper to bumper warranties stay valid.

  • You have to have the little card they gave you when you bought the car. Apparently you can get another, but I think that having it eased a lot of troubles.

  • Have receipts for all of your tire rotations.

  • Wear has to be even and under 3/32" of tread must remain.


Some minor annoyances there to be sure. Let's take a look at what that gets you:

  • When your tires wear out (because let's face it, it's a rare tire that lasts 100k) the dealer gives you credit towards new tires equal to the worn out tires. For me this was $107 per tire.

  • Balancing and mounting of the new tires are free.

  • If you want to upgrade tires you pay the price difference.

  • If your New tires wear out before you hit 100k, you can get another set following these same requirements.


Net Result:

I'm going to get a full set of brand new BF Goodridge All Terrain Off Road Tires for about $300. To buy them from a tire store would cost me about $1200 bucks. When I wear those out, which I inevitably will, I'll get another set of BFGs for Free.

I realize they probably make some of it back in rotations etc. but it is still a great deal in my opinion. I would have gotten the rotations done regardless.

Does anyone else know of any similar deals when buying a new car? I haven't heard of any others...

Toyota Tacoma Pictures

Toyota Tacoma V6 by JosephAdams
 by DiamondBack Truck Covers
Identical Twins by Hugo90
 by DiamondBack Truck Covers
automatically generated by Flickr

Almost Time for New Tires!

Toyota Warranties my tires.... wow

When I bought my truck, the Toyota Dealership Warrantied my TIRES for 100K MILES ! There were only two catches:

The tires had to wear evenly, which for me meant rotating them at the dealership every 5k miles.

There has to be less than 3/32" of tread left.

Once those two conditions are met, Toyota will give me a $200 credit PER TIRE to get any Tire I want.

BFG A/T s Here I come! Bumpin up against 45k miles and they are almost worn out!

Mileage Update 5/31/07

45 k and still kicking

I broke 45,000 miles today. Wow, 1,000 in 14 days and I haven't even driven out of town... Everything is still working well, I may have a rear taillight out, but I haven't been able to confirm it yet :)

Onward!....

Toyota Tacoma Commercials of Awesomeness

My favorite Tacoma Videos

Toyota Tacoma WoW commercial 0 points

Mileage Update -5/17/2007

44k in 16 months!

My Tacoma Rolled over to 44,000 miles on the 17th of May. I have owned it since January 7th, 2006 for a grand total of 16 months and 10 days. Woah, almost 3,000 miles a month. Hopefully that Toyota reputation will hold up. It is still running like
the day I bought it and besides minor cosmetic wear (baby scratches and a grill cover crack from an errant tire) It looks fantastic (when I have time to get the mud washed off :) ).

Here's to the next 44k!!

More Tacoma Goodies

Toyota Tacoma Accessories

I've compiled a collection of the best Tacoma Accessories available for you folks if you are interested. Feel free to check it out.
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Toyota Tacomas in the News

A short list of Tacoma News Articles

2012 Toyota Tacoma 4x2 Access Cab SR5 Review
Long live the Toyota Tacoma! Yes, the Ford Ranger died a long but not painful death. Even though it survived nearly 20 years without any significant changes, the Ranger still picked up good sales every year. However, the time had come for the plug to ...
Toyota short on RAV4, Tacoma, Camry SE in U.S., executive says
By Alan Ohnsman, Bloomberg February 10, 2012 Toyota Motor Corp., seeking its best US sales in four years, said it's seeking to deliver more RAV4 crossovers, Tacoma trucks and a particular Camry sedan grade to dealers on stronger demand for the models ...
Toyota jazzing up midsize pickups with Tacoma Baja
That leaves vehicles like Toyota's Tacoma, Nissan Frontier and GMC Canyon/Chevrolet Colorado as afterthoughts. Ford even pulled out of the segment, killing the Ranger in the US But Toyota is doubling down. Not only did it update its small truck this ...
Two-vehicle crash Sunday sends 2 to hospital
Steven W. Gardner, 63, of Lancaster, was driving a 2006 Toyota Tacoma south on Ohio 188 at the same time Tia Mason, 21, of Lancaster, was driving a 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada in the opposite direction. At 12:30 pm, Mason drove left of center and hit ...

Toyota Tacoma's Caught on Film

They're Elusive but when you catch em on film.....

Roadfly.com - 2011 Toyota Tacoma Road Test & Review
by roadflytv | video info

271 ratings | 67,713 views
automatically generated by YouTube

Do you Like Tacoma's for Off-Roading?

Are they too small for you? You love them? Let me know!

Where have you gone and what have you done in your Tacoma? I want to know!

submit
  • Reply
    scar4 Dec 3, 2010 @ 2:16 am | delete
    I don't have a Tacoma. And yours is cool.
  • Reply
    rachsue Oct 12, 2010 @ 9:48 am | delete
    Wow, when it comes to Tacoma's I know where to come for any feedback. THank you for sharing!!
  • Reply
    snrod Aug 16, 2010 @ 9:25 pm | delete
    I have a 2006 Tacoma and it's not nearly the truck my 89' was. This truck has too many cheap parts and flimsy sheet metal. The mud flaps are useless almost every Tacoma I see has broken flaps. The leaf springs are very weak. I bottom out with only a few hundred pounds in the bed. I wouldn't dare try to haul 6500 lbs either. This could hardly be used as a work truck like the commercial touts. I'll be switching to Ford from now on.
  • Reply
    slcalvin Apr 20, 2010 @ 3:17 pm | delete
    My 1998 Toyota Tacoma has over 165, 000 miles on it and still going strong. I have taken it off road many, many times and love the power and flexibility this truck offers. It is just the right size for me. Thanks for creating this lens. I love my truck!
  • Reply
    Ron Bruder Nov 13, 2009 @ 5:40 pm | delete
    I use my 2002 Tacoma double cab for my business. I just cracked 367,000 miles and still going strong. I'm going to keep goin'...no major problems to report other than replacing the cylnder cap..probably go another 50k or better. Keep the oil changed, they'll go forever.

    Ron
    Walnut Creek, CA
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