This Ol' Truck

**mUUser** · 08-21-2009, 11:43 AM

Drive a MB GL550 SUV, but thinking about adding a Toyota Tundra 5.7L Crewmax to the mix. Heard anything good/bad about those?

**FN Phat** · 08-21-2009, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by mUUser View Post

Drive a MB GL550 SUV, but thinking about adding a Toyota Tundra 5.7L Crewmax to the mix. Heard anything good/bad about those?

The Tundra is quickly becoming one of my favorite trucks. A great truck with plenty of power and reliabilty of a Toyota. For what ever reason the only one that I like is the all white.

**Donuthole** · 11-25-2009, 12:16 PM

Originally posted by Donuthole View Post

It's not a truck, but my '95 Suzuki swift (The Jellybean) has helped me haul the tools and supplies necessary for many a home improvement job. I bought from a grandma in a trailer park for around $3500 just 3 days after returning from my mission. She had put only 20,000 miles on it over the previous five years, but she was getting remarried, and her fiance gave her a new Jetta for an engagement present.

It now has 145k on it. I've had to replace the clutch cable (twice--i've concluded there is a design flaw in that the cable has to come at too shallow an angle through the firewall, and therefore drags across the opening) the CV joints once, and the drive axles once. Other than that it has only needed regular maintenance. I have been in five different minor accidents in the car (none of which have been my fault, thank you) and was even rear ended by a guy driving a $70,000 Mercedes, once. The 'bean suffered a split seam in the bumper. His Benz needed a new grill.

I have driven the 'bean between St. George and Ogden/SLC/Provo at least a hundred times, and have taken it on road trips to Colorado Springs, Phoenix, LA, San Diego, and San Francisco.

Some of my greatest exploits in the 'bean:

- Proposing to Mrs. Donut
- Opening my first law school grades (the lawyers out there know what a big deal this is the first time)
- Driving Mrs. D to the hospital for the delivery of our first child
- Picked up a multi-million dollar client from the airport (I'm pretty sure his luggage that I hoisted through the hatchback into the back seat was worth more than my car)
-Stopping on the side of I-15 near Fillmore when it turned 100k miles, and taking pictures while jumping up into the air, reminicent of the old Toyota commercials
- Getting it Valet parked at the Wynn

Sadly, it appears my time with The Jellybean is drawing to an end. Our family has all but outgrown our other daily driver, and it looks like we'll be purchasing a mini van or a smallish SUV here in the next 6 months. Mrs. D will drive the new purchase, and i'll likely take over driving our other car, leaving the 'bean as the odd vehicle out. I don't know if i'll sell it (NADA value is less than $100--that's right $100) but I can't see it sitting in our driveway taking up space, either. Perhaps i'll donate it to charity.

Regardless of where it ends up, the 'bean has been a solid investement, lasting me through junior college, college, law school, and my first 3+ years of being an attorney. There are some things I won't miss about the 'bean, but there are a lost more things that I will.

I sold the 'bean last night. I'd be lying if said I wasn't a little saddened to watch it drive off. After all, it has been a daily part of my life for the last 9.5 years.

On the bright side, it needed a new water pump ($35 part plus $450 labor!) as well as a lot of other repairs, so I feel fortunate to have sold it for 6.3 times its Edmunds True Market Value.

**falafel** · 11-25-2009, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by Donuthole View Post

I sold the 'bean last night. I'd be lying if said I wasn't a little saddened to watch it drive off. After all, it has been a daily part of my life for the last 9.5 years.

On the bright side, it needed a new water pump ($35 part plus $450 labor!) as well as a lot of other repairs, so I feel fortunate to have sold it for 6.3 times its Edmunds True Market Value.

6.5 times 0 is 0, my friend. That's nothing to be proud of. When does Mrs. D get her new car?

**Pheidippides** · 11-25-2009, 12:21 PM

Not to threadjack donute's threadjack, but I am pretty sure I'm going to be swapping out my car for a truck in the next calendar year. Thinking about going with a Tacoma (don't really need a full-size, and will definitely use the off-road capabilities).

**Donuthole** · 11-25-2009, 12:25 PM

Originally posted by falafel View Post

6.5 times 0 is 0, my friend. That's nothing to be proud of. When does Mrs. D get her new car?

We're looking. Supposedly a friend can get us into the auto auction, where we can pick up a screamin' deal. But it has been a couple weeks since he offered, and no dice. But for the time being, we're down to one car, which totally blows.

**Mormon Red Death** · 11-25-2009, 01:11 PM

Originally posted by nikuman View Post

Not to threadjack donute's threadjack, but I am pretty sure I'm going to be swapping out my car for a truck in the next calendar year. Thinking about going with a Tacoma (don't really need a full-size, and will definitely use the off-road capabilities).

Dude... At least buy American the one thing they actually do the the best.

**jxncoog** · 11-25-2009, 01:25 PM

Or the depths of Spring...

Originally posted by landpoke View Post

Even during the chilling depths of winter it is beautiful.

**FN Phat** · 11-25-2009, 07:03 PM

I drove The Beast to Nashville and back this morning to pick up my sister from the airport. My FIL kept offering me to take his car. It was almost as if he thought that the truck wouldn't make it that far (this is the same truck that we filled the bed with concrete and drove it around the back yard so we wouldn't waste it. It was left overs from a driveway extension that we made a patio with). I told him, full of man-pride, that I could drive to Cali and back with no worries. I refused his offer of a fully loaded sedan and fired up the 'Ol Truck and started my trek. I then said a quick prayer that she was going to make the trip without any diffuculties.

**fusnik** · 08-21-2012, 09:36 AM