This is hilarious.
Love this. So much. Some will be repeats but it's been a while and want to keep this thread going:
1. When you're pulling into traffic and tracking which belt is squealing.
1a. Then when you scream, "SHUT THE %^&* UP" and immediately apologize to her.
2. When you've gotten up to speed in traffic, higher gear, and that idiot in front of you brakes immediately.
3. When the front defrost is on high and you're sitting @ a light, then you accelerate and the blower gains a ton of speed.
4. When you wave @ other 3rd gen drivers (and most of the time they look @ you like you have 3 heads) and look for T4R decals.
5. When you know the year, options, drivetrain, and location of all 5 3rd gens you pass on the way to work.
5a. Then when you sigh every morning as you pass the slammed, Fast-n-Furious 2001 SR5 4WD with spinners and think, "What a waste."
6. When the guy @ Advance Auto comes out to test your battery, wolf whistles when you pop the hood, and goes, "HOW OLD is this truck? I haven't seen new ones this clean, man!"
7. When you sit in a 2016 Limited @ the Chicago Auto Show and immediately get out because the interior looks like a minivan.
7a. Then when you tell the Toyota rep who's walked over to chat that you own a 3rd gen, they smile, and you know they understand.
8. When you're arguing and your partner yells, "You spend more time with that damn truck than you do with me!"
8a. Then when y'all are driving and your partner (correctly) says, "That's a nice 3rd gen but I like yours more" and you beam with pride because he's seeing the light.
9. When you read an entire thread about Taco/Yota frame rust laying in bed and have nightmares about trying to undercoat her and it not working for some reason.
10. When you finally break down and go to the dealership for a part, and several techs line up @ the window to watch you drive away.
11. When you can merge on to Lake Shore Drive or the Tollway without breaking 2,500 RPM.
12. When all of your friends/coworkers know you car because you never shut up about her and you get random "I just passed you!" texts/calls.
13. When 150,000 on the odometer is "just hitting her stride."
14. When someone argues that the 5VZ-FE is a bad engine because it doesn't have variable valve timing and you laugh @ them.
15. When you pull right up behind CTA buses (and know the right ones with the wider rear window) so you can admire her reflection.
16. When you pass a 2002 Sport Edition 4WD for sale and immediately try and find it on the interwebz @ work to cross-post to this forum.
17. When you drive 50+ mi to WI from Chicago on a nice Saturday with the windows down because "gas is cheaper" and they sell better beer.
18. When your family doesn't get why you flew 5 states away to buy a 13 y/o car and thinks you're insane when you try and explain that you've found "the one."
19. When 2 of your past 3 cars were runners-up (Pathfinder & Rodeo) because you couldn't afford the 3rd gen you wanted until now.
20. When you have to limit the amount of admiring you do in the reflection of storefronts so you don't rear-end someone.
21. When you crank the engine and turn off the stereo so you can listen to the engine warm up.
22. When your mechanic can't believe your car is leak-free.
23. When you're thinking about buying your next home and private 2-car garage is a non-negotiable.
24. When you have a bad day, read this forum, and immediately feel better.
25. When you always volunteer to drive.
:bigok: