2009 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner Double Cab 4X2 V6

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Last week heavy rains descended across Texas, with up to five inches of rain falling across the Dallas area. But by Saturday a clear, blue sky beckoned those of us imprisoned indoors to come out and play.

A midmorning call from one of my college students asking me if I had a vehicle to go “Mudding” pricked these old semi-retired ears. I said I did and to meet me at a large open area near my house. Thirty minutes later he arrived at the place driving his “sissy” truck. I was driving the ‘09 Tacoma.

The Tacoma has a 236HP V6 DOHC 24V engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Coil Over Shock Double A Arm Fr. Suspension and Outboard Mounted Shocks made the event more comfortable while not taking any of the fun out of the activity.

I was a little timid at first, but finally got into the spirit of the activity as I roared around the mountain base drenching fellow racers with mud and hardy laughter.

Tacoma has a government safety rating of five-star in frontal driver crash and passenger as well. Fortunately this never had to be tested, and for an old guy I held my own. Electronic Brakeforce Distribution Control with Traction Control kept me competitive without endangering others or myself.

The course was well laid out by other “mudders” before we arrived. I simply followed the course as fast as I could and had the best time of my life. Tacoma is definitely built to handle the punishment of off-highway adventures.

There were several guys who had brought their dirt bikes and were having a great time further up the hill. The Tacoma with an available 236-horsepower V6 with 266 lb.-ft of torque has a Tow Package good for 6,500 lbs as well as a Class-4 hitch, supplemental engine oil cooler, transmission oil cooler, and heavy-duty battery should I decide to get a bike.

Overfenders, outside mirrors, black front and rear bumpers, and deck rail system made my Tacoma look all the better once I had washed off the mud.

Inside cloth front bucket seats with adjustable head rests and power windows/doors/locks/mirrors made for great comfort inside despite all the flying mud outside.

EPA fuel economy estimates are 17-city mpg and 21-highway mpg. The manufacture’s suggested retail price was $23,000.

In class the following Monday, my muddy buddy asked if he could tell my history class what we had done over the weekend. I approved. Fortunately, he exaggerated a little about my skills and bragged on the Tacoma. A young lady, who sits in the front row and has spent most of the class time this semester on her cell phone, smiled and said, “Man, Mr. Caussey, that is so cool. That’s as cool as George Washington discovering electricity by flying the airplane in a storm.”

Which just proves, I may be a better driver than college professor. Oh, well! The weather forecast indicated more rain for the region later on in the week.

Durhl Caussey is an automobile writer whose column is read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or dcaussey@sbcglobal.net .