It is pretty safe to assume that most people watch TV shows because they like drama. Mad Men is full of it.
To compensate for the lack of passion in their actual life, they turn to their favorite TV show to get it instead.
The same scenario applies to cars. Some people need to have a troublesome vehicle just so they can re-create some sort of artificial adrenaline rush.
And just like a tv series they must get back to it every week and spend hours looking at it while they could be out there doing real-life adventures instead!
What they fail to see is that they need to change their existing life in order to ignite the flame, not the vehicle they drive. When Don from Mad Men finds Betty a bit boring because she’s too perfect, he needs to take her out for new adventures—not switch to a new wife.
A Toyota is indeed like Betty. She will join you to the 4 corners of the world and make sure you are ready to climb this mountain when you get to your destination, not break down on the way there and miss the whole party.
Here are five reasons why I love Toyota:
- They are exciting.
- They don’t break.
- They are everywhere.
- The Prius Problem.
- I’m always going on trips in them.
One of my first cars was a 1984 Toyota Supra GTS. This was the coolest car a teenager could ask for.
I had to skip classes just to take everyone for a ride, and showing up at a house party meant I was guaranteed a date.
And luckily for an entire generation, Toyota just released a new modern version of this classic with the FT86.
Sometimes breaking down can be fun. It gives you a good story to tell your friends around the campfire and it’s a good way to make new friends – most likely with the ones driving the Toyota that will bring back the spare part so you can continue your journey.
But when you get lost in the middle of Nairobi at 10pm after a good dinner with friends and find yourself driving through a questionable neighborhood, you’ll be glad you don’t have to spend a couple hours under the truck. Or when your daughter is embarking on her first overland journey through Central America, everyone will feel better she drives a Tacoma to carry her surfboards.
Or when you really want to push the boundaries and explore remotes parts of the Congo – you need a car that will take you back.
Carrying an entire extra car in spare parts may make you feel like you are on an 1890’s expedition…but true explorers travel light. With a Land Cruiser, you most likely won’t need any spare parts but should you ever need something, you won’t have to wait 2 months for the part to be delivered while you are killing time in a crappy hostel. In case you need proof, read this account of waiting for a Eurovan transmission in Honduras…
And you should you decide to head off the overland beaten path full of pre-packaged Defenders, you would be happy to blend with the other NGO vehicles…sometimes it’s nice not to show off too much.
It typically takes time for people to accept change. When the Prius first came out, around almost 10 years ago now, people found all sort of reasons not to like it.
Nowadays, hybrid cars are gaining popularity every day. Toyota was once again the pioneer. Prius have proven extremely reliable and Toyota is now offering more and more models. It may not be the most exciting car, but your kids and grand-kids will be glad someone tried something to save this planet and get a little less dependent on oil. We will be glad there is more oil left so we can drive our thirsty 4×4 longer…thank you mister granola’s in Berkeley for driving Prius so we don’t have to.
By now, I have been traveling around the world for over 20 years and through almost 100 countries. Most of these trips have been done in a Toyota—be it a Land Cruiser in Africa, a Hiace in New Zealand or a Corolla in Thailand.
I would not want it any other way. Just like your best friend – the guy who you know will get you out of trouble – you can always depend on a Toyota.
(Please note: sarcasm has been used in this article.)