General Information
I love fast AF cars but you can't really drive them everyday in the line of work I am in. Technically, you can, but no way am I driving a Hellcat to hustle beer or other beverages all over the city. I desperately needed a new daily driver since my Jetta Hybrid was on the brink of death. I have always considered myself a truck guy. I learned to drive my dad's 50 Chevy PU at 14 years old. My first real project was my 1979 Chevy Square body PU. I drove it to high school with a 7" lift and 38" mudders. Eventually it became "the" Gladiator, which is how I got my forum name.
When my ex-job provided a gas card to use, I daily drove some nice trucks; 1ton 4x4 dually (JLO), Dodge Power wagon (Black widow), Raptor (Raptaco). As I searched for a new daily driver, I wanted to get back into a PU. I still drive a lot so the only way to daily a PU was a midsize PU. I calculated I could live with 20 mpg. I don't know if I will ever own another fast car so I accepted the fact the next vehicle I buy must check a lot of boxes. I boiled it down to three midsized PU: Chevy ZR2 deezil, Ford Ranger Lariat, and the Toyota Tacoma Pro. I actually gave up looking for a ZR2. The deezil version was kinda rare and didn't feel like driving 2-300 miles to get one. The 2019 Ford Ranger was the first year of the rollout and I didn't feel like owning a vehicle that could possibly have gremlins. So that left me with the Tacoma Pro. The Pros are also kind of rare. When I say rare I mean used, low mile, like new. I know you can order them or find them new on a lot for $50K+. That was way over my budget! The one thing that turned me off about the Tacomas was the drivers seat. Even the Pros had manually adjusted seats. At least, the ones I saw. I guess it's standard on the Limiteds only? Comfortable seat is one of my main priorities. I looked at new Tacomas, certified Tacomas, and used Tacomas. I couldn't sleep one night and out of habit started window shopping in my pajamas. I found a used 2020 TRD Off-Road right by my house. The next day went to look at it. It had 5k miles but was in perfect condition. I always joke with my family that cars find me. I look for signs. Signs from a higher power that guides me. The Tacoma was a blackout edition and it had this sticker which resembled the logo of the water company I work for:
This is the one. It was to good to be true. When I checked the interior, I found a fully adjustable power seat!!!! I had a full chubby.
I immediately submitted my application to my credit union. I waited a couple of days. They were so busy they didn't even call me back. I didn't want this one to get away so I went to the dealer. They gave me their "best" deal which wasn't as good as the credit unions interest rate. I told them I had to wait anyway for the credit union. The Tacoma was at a high end dealer. The Sales manager was like " I haven't sold a car today yet, give me a chance to get this deal done." And it got done. One of the best things about this Tacoma is the color. It reminds me of the original Gladiator color. The color is called Voodoo blue. And because of that I have baptized her The Voodoo Child aka the Voodoo Taco.
When my ex-job provided a gas card to use, I daily drove some nice trucks; 1ton 4x4 dually (JLO), Dodge Power wagon (Black widow), Raptor (Raptaco). As I searched for a new daily driver, I wanted to get back into a PU. I still drive a lot so the only way to daily a PU was a midsize PU. I calculated I could live with 20 mpg. I don't know if I will ever own another fast car so I accepted the fact the next vehicle I buy must check a lot of boxes. I boiled it down to three midsized PU: Chevy ZR2 deezil, Ford Ranger Lariat, and the Toyota Tacoma Pro. I actually gave up looking for a ZR2. The deezil version was kinda rare and didn't feel like driving 2-300 miles to get one. The 2019 Ford Ranger was the first year of the rollout and I didn't feel like owning a vehicle that could possibly have gremlins. So that left me with the Tacoma Pro. The Pros are also kind of rare. When I say rare I mean used, low mile, like new. I know you can order them or find them new on a lot for $50K+. That was way over my budget! The one thing that turned me off about the Tacomas was the drivers seat. Even the Pros had manually adjusted seats. At least, the ones I saw. I guess it's standard on the Limiteds only? Comfortable seat is one of my main priorities. I looked at new Tacomas, certified Tacomas, and used Tacomas. I couldn't sleep one night and out of habit started window shopping in my pajamas. I found a used 2020 TRD Off-Road right by my house. The next day went to look at it. It had 5k miles but was in perfect condition. I always joke with my family that cars find me. I look for signs. Signs from a higher power that guides me. The Tacoma was a blackout edition and it had this sticker which resembled the logo of the water company I work for:
This is the one. It was to good to be true. When I checked the interior, I found a fully adjustable power seat!!!! I had a full chubby.
I immediately submitted my application to my credit union. I waited a couple of days. They were so busy they didn't even call me back. I didn't want this one to get away so I went to the dealer. They gave me their "best" deal which wasn't as good as the credit unions interest rate. I told them I had to wait anyway for the credit union. The Tacoma was at a high end dealer. The Sales manager was like " I haven't sold a car today yet, give me a chance to get this deal done." And it got done. One of the best things about this Tacoma is the color. It reminds me of the original Gladiator color. The color is called Voodoo blue. And because of that I have baptized her The Voodoo Child aka the Voodoo Taco.
