30 year old Tacoma. To trade or not.

Gosh, that's a nice Taco. I can't imagine getting rid of a truck like that, unless you just want to waste some money.

 

Keep it, you’ll die before the the truck does at 7k a year.

 

You have a paid for truck that's in great shape, that has all the power accessories that you yourself say that you want l know what I'd so if l was you

And it sounds like you know what you want to do as well!

 

No doubt. Especially with a Cement Pro.

 

Electronics basically last forever, unless you are operating them outside of their designed limits. It is the responsibility of the engineers designing the electronics to do so correctly -- to make sure that every component is operating within its tolerance, and to make sure that the "full unit" is protected from events outside of its tolerance.

I'm sure that GM does stupid crap, like (as an easy example), running 3.3v components at 5v.

So tell all the dipshits who pay good money for GM shit products that they made their bed.

 

Looks like most of you guys think I should be buried with her.
What's interesting is twice as many votes so far for a 4th Gen over a 3rd Gen.

 

I think this is an economics question more than a "which Tacoma is best question." Practically speaking, the updates between Tacoma generations are pretty minimal. None of them have been crap and they have never had a game changing redesign, like the Colorado generations. Toyota takes an extremely conservative, evolutionary design and engineering position, and that's why I don't think the 3G is worth getting over a 2G that you already have, like, and have paid off. That and playing the "I have to have the latest and greatest" game will keep you in debt over rapidly depreciating objects for a long time.

Your money is better spent paying down your mortgage or putting into an IRA. If you really need a new truck in 10 years, you will be able to get it in cash because you put that money to work today.

 

I do tend to agree with you. I try to sorta live my life somewhere in the middle though. Spend a little, save a little.
I do have a Mortgage and I do have 1 car payment. My wife's suv. Other than that no other debt. Well.... maybe a couple $$ on her Kohl's card. But for the past few years I have also maxed out my 401K. I'm gonna enjoy my life because I'm not promised tomorrow. But I'm going to save some just in case I do see tomorrow.
Latest and greatest phone, I pad, etc. have never never been my thing. Car/Trucks on the other hand are my weakness. Do like nice one's of those.

 

I have a weakness for wheeled things as well. Before getting out of debt, the wife and I had our sights set on a 911. Now we can't believe we would have seriously dropped that coin. Now we are into 15+ year old Boxsters we can buy in cash.

Anyway, there is a lot more you can do than max out a 401k. The money spent on mortgage is ridiculous. There are also private IRA's. And if I may present an argument to denying yourself things in the near term, it sure is nice to have the cash to bail friends and family out of hard times. Everyone does it differently, I just try to help people realize how much they burn on interest payments and depreciating commodities. I have done more than my share of that in a very short time.

 

1985. That would make you truck 34 this year. Same as I predict mine will be when I'm 80. How's she holding up?

 

Now I have never driven a 3rd gen. But from your words I take it you were not impressed. And I would assume you had an extended test drive over the period of a frame replacement. What makes you still prefer your gen 2?

And yes I have upgraded the stereo. Gotta have me tunes.

• Pioneer 2400NEX with Android Auto / Sirius XM
• Rockford Fosgate P400X4 (under drivers seat)
• Rockford Fosgate P400X1 (under passengers seat)
  
• 2
  $130 JBL GTO939 GTO Series 6x9" 300W 3 Way Black Car Coaxial Audio Speakers Stereo
  JBL GTO939 6X9's (front doors)
• 2 JBL GTO629 6.5's (rear doors)
• 4 JBL GTO19T Satellite Tweeters (all 4 doors)
• Kicker 12" CompRT Sub (behind back seat)

 

It's happened,
CLAY COUNTY, W.Va. - In a burial plot that is 19 feet long and nine feet wide, Albert Dancy Jr. lies in a casket in a vault in his 1967 Chevy pickup.

Wearing Realtree camouflage, Dancy, 50, went on to the next life accompanied by a couple of other favorite things: his Old Timer pocketknife and Remington .243-caliber deer rifle.

Dancy said he wanted to be buried with his jaguar green truck, which he'd owned for as long as his 24-year-old son Adam can remember.

 

So it can be done!

Wonder how many actual burial plots he or they had to buy?

 

Gotcha....

 

My Taco will be 13 in Jan. Planning on driving her well into retirement (15-20years). That said I plan on buying a Lexus for my retirement daily driver. Sacrifice now so I can retire when I grow up. Not that driving a 13yo Taco is much of a sacrifice! I also have my signature vehicle (paid for), fun but definitely not a daily driver!

 

Being the car guy I am. I had to Google the Pontiac Solstice.

 

Since you're talking 80, here is my advice, drive this one until you can't easily get into a lifted truck any longer, then trade it for a 5th Gen five lugger.

My 2013 sees more than 7,000 miles a year despite not being my daily driver. It too is paid off and I plan to drive it as long as possible, hopefully trading it in one day on a 6th Gen diesel-electric-hybrid TRD Sport.

 

I owned a 3rd Gen (2017 Auto) for 6 months, then sold it to get my hands on a 2014 Tacoma. I hated the drivetrain with Toyota's ECU software with the 17'. Weak low end and always upshifted into the highest gear possible, which felt like bogging most of the time. Otherwise, better mileage and a comfy truck. If I had kept it, I would've regeared (with stock setup) and did an aftermarket tune. I hear forced induction is an upcoming possibility. I suspect the 3rd Gen's drivetrain is what it is because of the need to improve mileage. I'm not expecting the 4th Gen to wow me, but time will tell.

If you're still interested in the 3rd Gen, drive one, but not just around the block. Drive it thoroughly and up a hill, if the dealership will allow (mine doesn't). Lot's of people I know were a bit disappointed when they went from a 2nd Gen to a 3rd, but doesn't mean you will. I also know a bunch happy with the 3rd Gen. Lot's of Tacoma owners in Hawaii.

I'm sure your 2012 will last you and so would a newer Tacoma. Always nice to have a nicer riding vehicle with updated safety features. Good luck with your decision.

 

I got my 2nd gen from a close friend that bought a 3rd gen. He's complaining of a lack of power in his $31K truck with 7K miles. I suspect it's not a lack of power but the lack of the trans to keep the engine in a happy place. He tows a LOT so I'm not sure what he's going to do about it.

 

I agree, it's not the lack of power, but you don't really feel the power kick in until about 3800 RPM, so you're friend will need to keep the revs up a bit more. The double overdrive in the 3rd Gen doesn't entirely make sense beyond mileage. Overall I could've lived with the 3rd Gen if I at least re-tuned (OVTune), but I ditched it before they came out.

For your friend, my recommendation would be to try 4.88 gears to help things along. Seems aggressive, but seemed like a good bunch of people liked the 4.88 even in stock form when I was perusing the 3rd Gen forums.