This Toyota Tacoma Overland Build Is Still Tearing up Trails After 360,000 Miles

by Gabrielle DeSantis

This Toyota Tacoma is still conquering trails after 360,000 miles. The Tacoma is a lean, mean off-roading machine. This overland build proves that the ‘Taco’ is every off-roading trail-lovers dream truck. Here’s why you may want to consider getting a Tacoma of your own.

The Toyota Tacoma overland build that eats trails for breakfast

The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Double Cab | Toyota

According to MotorTrend, Marcos Cardenas’ 2000 Toyota Tacoma is as reliable as ever after 360,000+ miles. Marcos is a self-proclaimed “Toyota guy” and has accomplished amazing feats with his Taco build. Marcos’ first exterior modification was the addition of a winch, front bumper, and off-road lights.

Next, Marcos got a suspension upgrade and 33-inch Toyo Open Country M/T tires. Today the modified Toyota Tacoma overland build features an awning, rooftop tent, pressurized water tank, transmission skidplate, rocksliders, high clearance hitch, and many more cool add-ons.

The 2000 Toyota Tacoma has conquered many a trail and is still working perfectly in Marcos’ opinion. The Tacoma is a great truck for an overland build because it’s affordable, reliable, and extremely fun to modify. The most impressive aspect of Marcos’ overland build is that the Taco seems to have a lot of fight left in it.

Is a Tacoma worth the money?

Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 is on display at the 112th Annual Chicago Auto Show.
Toyota Tacoma TRD 4×4 is on display at the 112th Annual Chicago Auto Show | Raymond Boyd via Getty Images

The Toyota Tacoma is not the best pickup truck on the market. Models like the Honda Ridgeline and Chevrolet Colorado often outshine it. The Tacoma does have its redeeming qualities that make up for its simplistic cabin and less comfortable interior. Also, the Tacoma happens to be one of the most affordable pickup trucks on the market.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma starts at $27,615. Its interior isn’t as pretty as other mid-size trucks. It doesn’t handle as well or ride as smoothly. The Tacoma is popular because it doubles as a great off-roading vehicle.

The Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road has become one of its most popular trims. It starts at $35,780 for the 2021 model year. This model comes with 16-inch wheels, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plenty of driver-assist features, and a standard electronic locking rear differential that is perfect for off-roading.

Toyota Tacomas are well worth the money if drivers are looking to tackle trails. The Taco is also a great workhorse. Marcos’ Tacoma build is proof that the Tacoma has been trail-ready for a very long time.

What year is the best Tacoma?

A green Toyota Tacoma.
The Toyota Tacoma | Toyota

Though Toyota Tacomas are great for off-roading, they do have their issues. The automatic transmission has felt strange and jerky on the vehicle for many model years, including the most recent models. The base model four-cylinder engine often isn’t powerful enough for many drivers.

It’s hard to beat the first-generation of Toyota Tacoma trucks. Marcos’ build is proof that the early 2000s may have been the golden years for the Taco. The 2005 model was a standout model. The 2015 and 2019 model years also received great reviews.

The best Toyota Tacoma was most likely built 15 to 20 years ago. The good news is that newer Tacos are still affordable, and there is an entire community for modern enthusiasts. Whatever model year you chose, the Taco is likely to be a little clumsy and low-tech but lovable and fun on the trail.

RELATED: The Best Used Toyota Tacoma Model Years According to Consumer Reports

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When Will the Chip Shortage Finally Stop?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

We’re all sick of the chip shortage by now. It’s severely affected both the new and used car market, and that’s just a start. Moreover, the shortages have spread to other industries. You can’t get a computer graphics card right now for the same reason you can’t get a Ford Bronco. Unfortunately, you won’t be getting that PS5 anytime soon either. The resale markets are insane for just about anything that uses electricity right now. So, that begs the question: when will all this finally stop?

Semiconductor producer Bosch may have some answers

New chips can’t be made fast enough | Jens Schlueter via Getty Images

Unfortunately, the world’s largest auto supplier doesn’t necessarily have any good news in regard to the chip shortage. Bosch makes just about everything for cars. Hell, if you showed up at a Bosch plant, you could probably slap together a whole car. So, that means that Bosch, and its CEO, Volkmar Denner, know what they’re talking about. Right now, that’s semiconductors and the fact that Bosch won’t be catching up on production until at least 2022, per Reuters.

Predictably, the pandemic also plays a role here. Because of global vaccine hesitancy, cases have begun to spike all over the globe. Specifically, per CNN, they’ve spiked in Southeast Asia, a hotbed for auto and semiconductor production. In light of that, some plants have had to reduce staff or shut down, further exacerbating the chip shortage. Can’t make semiconductors if no one is there to make them, right?

Even if the chip shortage stopped now, it wouldn’t matter

tsmc's headquarters in Taiwan
TSMC are one of the largest producers of semiconductors | Sam Yeh via Getty Images

However, even if we were able to magically gain access to the materials needed to produce semiconductors, the chip shortage would still last quite some time. It’s a sort of butterfly effect. Silicon is a major ingredient in semiconductors, and right now demand for chips has created a shortage there too. Now, imagine this happening for the other ingredients in the semiconductor recipe. Ergo, chip shortage.

But, let’s say all these issues were to magically be solved. An abundance of labor and silicon. Now, we actually have to make the damn things, and that takes yet more time. Then, we’ve got to ship out the semiconductors. That takes even more time because, hey, they’ve got to cross an ocean to get here. Then, they have to clear customs, which is also being affected by the recent surge in COVID cases. In summary, the delays continue to compound.

Are we there yet?

Semiconductors and microchips on a table in Dresden
New semiconductor production techniques are making headway | Jens Schlueter via Getty Images

Or, put another way, as long as there is a Coronavirus, there will also, more than likely, be a chip shortage. Unfortunately, the used market is the place to go for new cars, and we’ve all seen how that pans out. Markups and price gouging are the new norm. For now, we’ll all just have to hold on a minute and play that old Playstation 4 for just a little longer.

RELATED: Market Madness Means Man Paid $2.00 for a Tesla Model 3

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Senior Citizen’s Wild Subaru WRX Ride Goes Horribly Wrong

by Gabrielle DeSantis

An 80-year-old man decided to go on the wildest ride of his life in his Subaru WRX. The elderly gentleman’s joyride was so crazy that he lost his license for six months (an incredibly long time when you’re 80). This daring fellow did almost double the speed limit in his Japanese sports car.

Grandpa feels the need for speed in Subaru WRX

The Subaru Impreza WRX | Antony Dickson/South China Morning Post via Getty Images

Speeding is illegal and not recommended. It can result in tickets and potentially fatal accidents. One Australian senior threw caution to the wind and decided to live life on the wild side. Now he’s living life without a license.

According to Motor1, the 80-year old Australian man was driving his Subaru WRX 113 miles per hour before being stopped by police. The speed limit was just 62 miles per hour. The elderly fellow received a ticket for the equivalent of about $1,300 in Australia. To make matters worse, he also lost his license for six months as a penalty for his reckless stunt. Was it worth it?

The stunt was illegal, dangerous, and will deprive the man of six months of enjoying his sports car. It’s one event the man and the police won’t forget anytime soon. Usually, older folks leave dangerous speeding to young whippersnappers.

The Subaru WRX is a compact sports sedan that is known for high horsepower and an exhilarating ride. Maybe the gentleman got caught up in the vehicle’s acceleration and illegally decided to push its limits. Maybe he felt that this ride could be his last. Whatever the reason, we hope this speed demon takes things down a notch when he gets his license back.

Is the Subaru WRX fast?

2018 Subaru WRX is on display at the 109th Annual Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois on February 10, 2017.
2018 Subaru WRX is on display at the 109th Annual Chicago Auto Show | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

The Subaru WRX debuted in the early 1990s. The WRX was released in both wagon and sedan body styles in 1992. The Japanese 2.0-liter boxer engine made a whopping 240 horsepower. By 1996 the WRX nameplate had established itself as a fast and affordable sports car.

America’s first Subaru WRX model made 227 horsepower. The WRX STI came to America in 2004. By that time the Subaru had won two World Rally Championships, and the automaker’s models were in high demand. The WRX spent a few years in turmoil as the company struggled with design and attempted to make the fast car more mainstream.

In 2009 Subaru finally got it right and realized that the WRX was made to be fast, mainstream or not. The 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX made a massive 265 horsepower. It was fast since its debut and has maintained a reputation of being a fast and affordable sports car for almost 30 years.

Is the Subaru WRX a good car?

A blue Subaru WRX.
The Subaru WRX | Raymond Boyd via Getty Images

The Subaru WRX is a fast, compact sports car made for driving enthusiasts. That being said, it’s not for everyone. It isn’t nearly as comfortable or luxurious compared to some competitors. The current models have an exterior that seems dated compared to the design language used in new sports cars today.

The Subaru WRX does one thing incredibly well and is decent at everything else. The only reason a consumer would or should choose a WRX over a competitor is speed. You won’t get a nice, comfy cabin. The fuel efficiency is much better in other vehicles. What you will get is a car that is born to be wild.

RELATED: The 2021 Subaru WRX Is an Underrated Addition to This List

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3 Japanese Sports Cars Taken From Enthusiasts Too Soon

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Starting in the early 1970s, Japanese sports cars began to rise to prominence. Cars like the Kenmeri Nissan Skyline and the 240Z were gaining recognition. Those early cars put the world on notice that the Japanese automotive manufacturers can do more than just produce small, economical cars.

In the 90s Japanese sports cars really hit their stride and just about every brand had a halo car that enthusiasts coveted. Unfortunately, the tastes of the American automotive consumer changed as did the economy. As things shifted, one by one legendary Japanese sports cars started to disappear from dealerships. We want to highlight some of our favorite JDM cars that were taken away from enthusiasts too soon.

Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR-4

Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR-4 | Andrew Beckford, MotorBiscuit

These days Mitsubishi is not in the best shape but back in the 90s, they produced some amazing cars in America and abroad. The Mitsubishi Eclipse was and still is a tuner favorite. The Eclipse GS-X was the closest thing America got to the legendary Lancer Evolution which wasn’t available in the U.S. market at the time.

While the Eclipse was great, it was the Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR-4 that earned the spot on this list. The VR-4 came stock with a twin-turbo, 3.0 liter, V6 engine that made 320 horsepower which was sent to all four wheels. It had active aero before such a thing was commonplace. There was even a hard-top convertible version at one point. It was one of the most advanced Japanese sports cars of its time. Sadly, The 3000 GT VR-4 ceased production in 1999.

Mazda RX-7

White 1995 Mazda RX-7 with a body kit.
Mazda RX-7 | Andrew Beckford, MotorBiscuit

Like the Nissan Skyline, the legend of the Mazda RX-7 started in the 1970s. Mazda made the unconventional decision to start using rotary engines in their cars. Rotary engines are small but can make just as much power as piston engines. By mounting a rotary engine low in a sports car, it allows engineers to save weight and lower the center of gravity. That idea is what birthed the RX-7.

The rotary-powered coupe reached its pinnacle in the mid-90s when the third-generation Mazda RX-7 launched. Just like the generations before it, the third-gen RX-7 has a rotary engine but with turbos to maximize power. The RX-7 also had excellent balance and carved through corners like a sushi chef slicing sashimi. Unfortunately, the market turned and Mazda pulled the RX-7. The RX-8 came years later but it was not quite the same.

Nissan 240SX

A white 1998 Nissan 240SX with blue wheels and a body kit. One of the great Japanese sports cars.
Nissan 240SX with body kit and blue wheels | Andrew Beckford, MotorBiscuit

The Nissan 240SX’s tale is one of regret. We truly believe that gearheads in America did not fully appreciate Nissan’s affordable rear-wheel-drive coupe until it was much too late. Perhaps some of the blame for that can be placed on Nissan’s shoulders since they did not sell the turbocharged “Silvia” variant in America. However, the 1980s and 1990s were a booming time for the import car aftermarket industry.

It is possible that if more car enthusiasts appreciated the potential of the 240SX rather than what was given to us, Nissan would have extended the car’s life. Ironically, the rise of drifting skyrocketed the popularity of the 240SX and now it is nearly impossible to get one on the used market without paying a premium AKA “the 240 tax.” We are holding out hope that Nissan may consider resurrecting the 240SX. It truly was one of the great Japanese sports cars.

While today a few legendary JDM marquee sports cars have returned like the new Nissan Z, and the Toyota Supra, we can’t help but miss the Japanese sports cars that were gone much too soon.

RELATED: JDM Cars You Can Legally Import in 2022

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