Toyota Tacoma fans are among the most loyal in the truck world, and the reasons are easy to understand when you hear stories like Kirk Johnson’s. Kirk, a longtime Toyota Tacoma owner, recently shared his detailed ownership experience, explaining why he remains a lifelong fan of this midsize truck. His story highlights Tacoma's impressive durability, advanced features, and unmatched quality. Below, we'll share Kirk's comment in full, discuss some of Tacoma’s standout qualities, and explore what makes it one of the most beloved trucks on the market.
Kirk’s Full Testimonial
"I am on my 2nd New 2024 Toyota Tacoma this year. I must say that I'm impressed with this truck. Let me explain. I have had a 1997 Tacoma years ago and I sold it with 150,000 miles on it. Even though it drove like new, I figured it was due to break down very soon. As I've only had to buy tires and a battery in 5 years.
Then, years later I bought a used 2007 Tacoma. I put a 2" body lift, 3" suspension lift, Tiger striped 33" tires, and custom rims. My fuel mileage on that Toyota Tacoma went from 20 mpg to 12 or 13 mpg. Then the gas price shot up to $3.25 a gallon.
I put a lot of miles on it and decided to sell it within a month or two of getting it exactly like I wanted it. This was another unwise idea just like the first sale.
Now 15+ years later, I got a new 2024 Tacoma. When I bought it, I had 1,500 miles on it and let a friend drive it. She ran in through a stop sign at 35/40 miles per hour. She didn't hit the brake. We slid up the wire and didn't get a scratch or bruise on either of us. Amazing! God had to have been with us, no doubt. However, it did bend the frame when it came slamming back to the ground.
So I got another 2024 TRD Sport 4 WD. This was probably the best decision I have made about my car purchases. I put 17,000 in 3 or 4 months. And I am just amazed at the quality of this vehicle. It drives great, the turbo makes this 4-door truck very quick. In the last 600-mile road trip, I got an impressive 21 mpg. It's pretty much a self-driving truck. You put it in cruise control trac mode or whatever it's called and bam. This truck is self-driving around corners, and it auto brakes and accelerates by itself. You will need to touch the steering wheel every 15 seconds or less, but you should anyway.
My bottom line is that I will always own a Tacoma for the rest of my life. The Tacoma is a high-quality truck, and I haven't had any issues at all. So far so good. If you are in the market for one, test drive one for yourself. The new Toyota Tacoma is one of, if not the best, mid-sized trucks money can buy! Toyota Tacoma, owner for life..."
What Makes the 2024 Toyota Tacoma Stand Out?
Kirk’s story is one of many that highlight why the Toyota Tacoma remains a top choice for midsize truck buyers. Here are a few of the Tacoma’s most compelling qualities:
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Unparalleled Reliability
Tacoma’s reputation for longevity is legendary. Kirk’s earlier Tacomas, one of which he sold at 150,000 miles while it was still running perfectly, are a testament to this. Toyota consistently engineers the Tacoma to last, often delivering well beyond the 200,000-mile mark with proper maintenance. -
Advanced Safety Features
Kirk’s 2024 Tacoma TRD Sport showcases Toyota’s impressive safety technologies. After surviving a serious accident unharmed, Kirk credits the truck’s design and safety systems. The truck is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-tracing assist, creating a semi-autonomous driving experience. -
Turbocharged Performance
The new turbocharged engine in the 2024 Tacoma offers increased power and efficiency, making it a joy to drive both on and off the road. As Kirk noted, the turbocharged engine makes his truck “very quick,” while still achieving a respectable 21 mpg on longer trips. -
Diverse Trim Levels
Tacoma’s wide range of trims ensures there’s a configuration for every type of driver. From the off-road-ready TRD Off-Road to the overlanding-focused Trailhunter Trim, Toyota has covered all bases for outdoor adventurers. (Check out this detailed breakdown of the TRD Off-Road trim’s features here or dive into the Trailhunter's bold overlanding capabilities here.) -
Customization Options
Kirk’s journey with the Tacoma shows how owners can personalize their trucks to fit their lifestyle. Whether it’s a lift kit, upgraded tires, or accessories like bed racks, Tacoma enthusiasts love to make their trucks their own.
Additional Resources for Tacoma Enthusiasts
If you’re considering buying a Tacoma or upgrading your current truck, make sure to check out these related articles:
- 5 Awesome Features of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma
- Why Some Fans Are Torn Between the 2024 and 2023 Tacoma Models
- How the 2024 Tacoma Addresses a Feature That Some Say Is Too Small
Questions for Readers
- If you own or have owned a Toyota Tacoma, what’s your favorite feature or experience with the truck?
- For those considering a midsize truck, what features are most important to you when making your decision?
Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let us know why you think the Toyota Tacoma deserves or doesn’t deserve its legendary status!
Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.
Comments
And I will never own another…
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And I will never own another. After driving an actual robustly built truck, there is no going back to a "TOY".
Another robustly built truck…
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In reply to And I will never own another… by Joeboo (not verified)
Another robustly built truck? I ran into a guy who had a robustly built GMC canyon. His truck cost 20K more than mine and had an insanely expensive suspension to replace parts on. I will take my Tacoma with aftermarket skid plates in lots of places where he won’t take his truck.
Tacomas are robustly built,…
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In reply to And I will never own another… by Joeboo (not verified)
Tacomas are robustly built, very reliable trucks.
I love the Toyota brand too,…
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I love the Toyota brand too, sadly tho the V6 reliability far surpasses the new cheaper "economical" turbo 4. Turbos eventually take their toll on the smaller 4. Are prone to failure with skipped service intervals, increased operating temps over time, unlike the simpler tried and true- 6.
Toyota needs to get back to building quality and reliability they are known for. And stop with a race to the bottom with other car companies. Wise up Toyota!
I agree.
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In reply to I love the Toyota brand too,… by GaryP (not verified)
I agree.
What? I have no idea what…
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What? I have no idea what happened to the first 2024 Tacoma. Can someone explain it to me?
I have a 2018 TRD off road 6…
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I have a 2018 TRD off road 6 cylinder Tacoma and I love it. I have 75,000 miles on it now and not a single problem. I use it for work and for play. My all around truck. Very reliable and when I need to tow my cargo trailer it handles it with ease. I get decent gas mileage 18 to 20 around town and up to 25 to 26 hwy miles when easy on the throttle and 30 when driving on Arizona flat hwys. With no hills. Once I hit the throttle and drive in a hurry the gas mileage goes down a lot. Best truck I have ever owned.
I have an 11 year-old TRD…
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I have an 11 year-old TRD Sport. I have only been unhappy with a few things and I hope that they have been fixed/improved with newer versions.
- Having to push compressed air into the air conditioning drain hose on a weekly basis is a pain.
- Paying thousands to replace the air conditioning's blower motor because it's located behind the dashboard is an expense I could have done without.
- The radio/stereo has a mind of it's own and the steering wheel controls don't work anymore.