How long will you keep your Tacoma?

100k for some cars today is the end of road. Some manufacturers have really poor build quality, sad to say but many US car companies do. They advertise for "initial" build quality awards, yet in long terms (3-5 years, still very short time) cars simply can't perform. That is why they can rebate and sell for so cheap because simply they are designed to be replaced before 100k, 3-5 years roll around.

 

There's no way to justify the cost of a swap, especially paying that much to someone to do it, on ROI of MPG. I would buy a diesel Tacoma and even pay a premium to get it but the work and cost of a swap has to be (1) because you want diesel for whatever reasons (I want low range, idling fuel economy) and (b) it's a hobby you do for enjoyment.

 

And C if you have spare 30k laying around lol

 

Not if it's a Dodge, Ford or GM

 

We've come full circle it seems. Back in the 60s and 70s the quality was terrible, 100K was done. Toyota, Volvo, Honda showed it was possible to measure reliability in fractions of a million miles but that usually required lots of bodywork and fixing the stuff not in the drivetrain that wore out. But now design and engineering have evolved to the point we can make everything in the car have a similar lifespan and the accountants at Toyota realized that selling you a car every 10 or 15 years isn't profitable.

 

I'm starting to get the new or slightly used vehicle itch, but I need to wait since my house is on the market.

Appearance wise, my truck is still in excellent shape -typical road nicks, but absolutely no scratches, headlights are deep shiny. Engine/transmission wise, its great. But I'm tired of dealing with the steering wheel vibration which came out of no where, and persists even after putting a new set of quality brakes on. I also dislike having to drive ever more cautiously than everyone else in the snow or salt coated roads even when good tires are only halfway worn. Its a case of the truck not needing to be replaced, but I want to replace it with something different.

This may also sound like a dumb reason to exchange a vehicle, but I am an audio person - I also want more room for a real subwoofer with real z-max or otherwise 2 JL13TW5V2 subs in a easy-to-make flat box. This would be pretty easy to integrate into a 4runner.

 

Personally I'd rather budget for a car/truck payment and drive a newer car that won't give me issues than hold onto a clunker and have surprise expensive repair bills pop up. Peace of mind having a reliable vehicle that I don't have to stress about is important to me and is well worth a few hundred/month payment.

I'm hoping past resale trends with the taco continue, and I'd love to keep trading in every 5 years once its paid off. If they're worth half the original price after 5 years, in theory you could use that as a down payment for the next one and always have a very affordable payment thanks to your "vehicle equity" and always have a truck that's less than 5 years old and won't need anything major other than regular maint.

 

Honestly I'm curious to see how available gasoline will be in 20 years. I have zero plans right now to ever get rid of my truck, but in reality who knows how much I'll need it in 20 years versus what the alternative/automotive landscape looks like. In all honesty if the world has basically gone all electric in 20 years, the cost/inconvenience of maintaining a 17mpg truck may not make sense.

 

That's why I love the Tacoma, even with 300k miles on the thing, it outvalues most cars at 80k miles.

 

Until the casket drops​

 

Prior to purchasing my Tacoma, I’ve always traded my vehicles in for a new one every 7 years cause that’s when they start having issues. Totally different scenario with my Tacoma. I can honestly say this truck has been the best investment in a vehicle I’ve ever made. And it’s still valued at close to what I paid for it 7 years ago. (Bought it for $27k in 2010, trade in is $22k right now while private party is $25k according to KBB)

 

I'm hoping that's the case with my tacoma, like you said though definitely not the case with most other vehicles.

 

I had my 1995-1/2 5-lug ext cab for 11 years and 190k. I only got rid of it because the wife was pregnant.

I expect to have my 2015 equally as long or longer.

 

Had this one 32 years. Have no intention of getting rid of it

 

2020 is when you'll see it.

and as for my truck, until it dies

 

drove my ole '98 Taco for 11 yrs......

about 120K miles

 

Considering I haven't even had mine for a year and I still owe 14k and it is about to hit 100k miles. A long ass time is my answer. I will be buying a cheap sports car at some point soon. For fun driving and to keep the miles down on the truck.

 

I'd like to drive it until the wheels fall off.

But I have an access cab, and within 5 years I'd like to have the whole family thing going. So that will likely be a factor.

 

I plan on keeping it forever. Even if I wreck it, I'll buy it back and turn it into something mad max would be proud to drive. Never letting this one go. Irreplaceable to me at this point. Some people don't get this way but at a certain point a truck stops becoming a truck and becomes a friend. It's dependable. And it never gives you a lame excuse when it's time to move. I get attached to vehicles. I loved my old 99 more than certain relatives. I made the mistake of selling it because I needed the money. Won't do that one again.

 

As long as the frame allows.