Tacoma sales went up as an absolute number, but down as a % of market share. Low gas prices and low interest rates have created a market where most buyers are purchasing more capability than they need.

As gas prices go up, money stops being free, and supply shortages end; competition is going to get tougher. Tundra and Land Cruiser are proof that Toyota isn’t immune to competition.

Right on - me too. I think I’ve seen your truck around. Mine is the quicksand short bed with a cap, Prinsu rack, amazon lights and an iKamper.

Appreciated. I’ll be trying all of the above this summer.

Tacoma and 4Runner pricing almost belies rational economics. If you are willing to do consistent maintenance, they are the rare vehicle that is almost always cheaper in TEC than buying used.

I might be doing it wrong, but I’ve only turned my locker on twice. One time to drag a Ram 2500 van out of high tide and one time getting out of 3 feet of “Cascade concrete” snow fall. When I’ve needed it, I’ve been very glad to have it.

Competition is definitely a third variable. Ford is far enough along with a Gen6 Ranger for mules to be seen out and about. A Raptor and PHEV version are expected. Ram will have the Dakota out this year with a V8 option. The Gen3 Canyon and Colorado will be out next year. The 2022 Frontier will be out in a few more…

I’m really interested to hear what you think of the Taxa. They seem really cool, but $40k for a pop-up trailer (Mantis) made my stomach turn.

My balance on this was removing all the decals and getting a professional ceramic coating. It makes it so that all of the sage bush pin striping buffs out.

I do 5000 miles or so a year on dirt roads, and 100 - 200 miles of 4-low offroading a year in my Gen 3. I really like ATRAC, and I’ve come to trust it when things are very hairy. On ice, wet rock and mud I can pop into 4-low, turn on ATRAC and drop it into 2nd and all I need to do is steer.

The rear drum brakes have surprisingly been a complete non-issue. I down shift going down steep grades which has probably steered me clear of any brake fade issues.

Like the Gen 2 before it, Toyota seems committed to riding the Gen 3 over the edge of obsolescence. I love my 2016 but the lack of power, piss poor gas mileage, uncomfortable interior and silly rear drums were shortcomings when I bought it, and laughable 5 years later.

You are paying up front for low depreciation. I bought my Tacoma in 2016 for $37k. 80k miles later, with regular maintenance and 2x a year detailing it is worth about $31k in a first party sale and $26k as a trade in. If a “small” truck fits your needs, that seems like a pretty good bargain to me.

I can speak for everyone, but I have a 6MT 4dr TRD off-road, and having the ability to fit 4 comfortably and 5 in a pinch is great for camping. Lots of people don’t have real 4x4s, so being able to bring 4 people, dogs and gear for everyone on a backcountry trip is pretty rad.

That seems to be the plan. They are doing their darndest to use debt back capital investment in ports, railroads and factories to make sub-Saharan Africa, Malaysia, Vietnam and Mongolia into client states.

When you come in to land in Shenzhen, and see smog to the horizon in every direction you get why the West was happy to outsource this kind of heavy manufacturing. The air in some places blocks out the sky, coats your lungs and stains your clothes.

I read through the linked article, and I think you are selling the message a little bit short. Daggett isn’t just saying masculine identity is tied up in fossil fuels. She is saying that in a changing global economy where fewer men are the bread winner, and there is a perceived scarcity driven by immigration that:…

LoLtus ELvora 

I think you’re onto something. I’d love to see no hood, and a third row of center facing fold down jump seats with the extra space.

Tom - I always enjoy reading these. If there is an opportunity to go deeper (reviews, who’s doing it well, good design for adaptation/ conversion) I’d be appreciative. Lots of folks have people in their life facing disabilities, and this is a corner of the auto market that doesn’t get much attention.