My search for a new pickup continues, intensified by more problems with my existing truck. My old one has 213,000 km on it now and the problems compound by the day. Yesterday the "check engine" light came on as I was driving on the highway - I stopped briefly and turned it off, restarted it and it went away. But things like that worry me ...

Last week I had it in 4 wheel drive and it sounded like the front wheels were going to fall off.

So my search continues.

I test drove a Toyota Tundra Limited on the weekend, what a nice vehicle! And what an expensive vehicle! $48K plus tax! Ouch!

I can probably get by with the smaller Toyota which I also like, the Tacoma. No leather, no sunroof, no full-width sliding rear window, but also $10-12 K cheaper. It's still got lots of towing capacity at 5000 lbs, or 6500 lbs with the towing package. And, after all, it's just a vehicle that will eventually be junked.

Also, there's a sweet 1.9% financing deal on right now for a 36 month loan. That's good, because I have to borrow for at least a little while and the bank won't let me have any money at less than prime (on a fully secured line of credit). So that's saving me about 2-1/2% on interest charges. The Toyota loan can also be paid down at any time without additional prepayment charges, which is good because I should have the money later this year to pay it out in full.

Next chance I get I'm going in for a test drive on the Tacoma. I might just buy it on the spot.