Cam's Garage

May 14, 2024 Toyota Life Recap If you either know me or have kept up with my blog for some time, you will be well aware that my favorite vehicle is the fourth generation of the Toyota 4Runner  (4th Gen) specifically with the 4.7L V8 and 4-wheel drive. I have loved the 4th Gen since I was a little kid when my father had one that he bought new in 2007. I purchased my first Toyota SUV in 2018, which was a 2004 Lexus GX470. The Lexus GX470 was built on the 4Runner chassis (technically the 4Runner was built on the Land Cruiser Prado 120 chassis), giving it the same 4.7L and 4-wheel drive system in a nicer package than the 4Runner counterpart. I wrote another post regarding My Introduction to Overlanding here  where I explored the purchase and history with my GX470. Generally speaking, GX470's are in better condition as well because the original owners were families not looking to destroy an off-road capable vehicle but safely get their kids to soccer practice. Below is a pictu...

February 23, 2024 For context on the NC Miata, please check out my prior blog post of " Why I love the "Ugly Duckling" of the Miata World . In this article I break down much of the background for my love of the NC Miata and provide background for some of what is mentioned in detail below. In 2017, I was 22 years-old and driving around Tuscaloosa, AL (I attended University of Alabama). I drove past a beautiful red NC Miata in a parking lot. I had my then-roommate (Jake from the Cannonball Run series) in the car with me and we decided to stop just to admire it. Come to find out that 2011 Miata was actually for sale and only had 19,000 miles from the original owner... Well, I made the questionable decision as a soon graduating fifth-year senior with student loans and no job to purchase that Miata (I did negotiate the price a bit prior to purchasing). The car was owned by a 90-year old gentleman who had put 19,000 miles it since new. The Miata was Sport trim level with a 5-...