Should I keep my 2005 Tacoma?

Hey all. So I am the owner of a 2005 Tacoma. I got it for a good deal, and taught myself how to work on a good bit of it. I replaced a lot of the front end (bearing, cv axle, sway bar end-links). It’s been okay, but I feel like it has a lot of problems. I’ve had to replace the starter, and the cruise control no longer works. This week it’s the U-Joints in the driveshaft. Now I know most of these things wear out (tie rods have been done, U-Joints). I’ve tried to change all the differential fluids but the fill hole bolts are literally fused to the respective piece. I finally figured out I could change the transmission fluid by filling it carefully thru the shifter. (Which is another thing, the seal/seat bushing on the shifter disintegrated. Not a huge problem but still). I drilled a new hole in the rear differential and put a smaller bolt in. The front differential I had to replace the Actuator that moves the sleeve for 4WD so all the oil came out there. The last one to do is the transfer case and those bolts are fused. And yes, I’ve tried everything- PB blaster and torch. Another thing is the Speedometer and Tachometer only work maybe 1/3 if the time. I think this means I have to replace the instrument panel. Also, there’s a misfire in cylinder 2. I’ve know other Tacoma owners who don’t have nearly as many quirks and problems. My step dad owns a Tundra that has gone 270k on the same starter. (I know it’s a different model but). Another quirk is you have to pump gas ridiculously slow or it triggers the automatic shut off because the gas i think has to go through a bad charcoal filter? I’m not too sure on this one.

So, my question is, is it worth it to keep replacing these parts? Does anyone else have a similar experience, having to replace a whole bunch of stuff, and have it last awhile? I don’t feel like I wanted a Toyota to have to deal with so many problems and quirks. It’s only left me stranded once because of the starter, but if it does it again...

The one saving grace is i haven’t had to replace anything twice. Everything that’s new has lasted.

I love the truck, it’s a great truck, as we all know. But is this one a lemon? How much do you think it’s worth? Is it common to have this many problems at 190k miles. I bought it at about 170k for 9800 dollars. So I thought it was a good deal, for how expensive Tacoma’s are.

What do you all think?

 

Wax it real good, take it to the dealer and trade it in on a new truck.

 

Will a dealer take a 2005? I feel like I could get more in an individual sale?

But you would sell it? Your Tacoma experience has been different?

 

my 1st gen tacoma I owned for 17 yrs. and the only part needed to be replaced besides shocks, tires, batt.ect was a starter.

It’s hard to sell to a buyer unless you fix everything.

 

Seems like a mechanic might be your best friend here. If you got one you can trust, I would have them do it all. If all those issues were fixed your truck is going to last you a lot longer. A paid off truck is always cheaper to fix than getting a new one.

By the way, cruise control is an easy one. You just need a clock spring. $200 and 20 minutes. I just did it on mine. Sounds like you have some electrical problems though, so if you want to fix it yourself you will need an OBD scan tool.

For the stuck drain and fill plugs, I would buy new ones from Toyota, and have a mechanic break them loose for you.

I love my Tacoma and I'm gonna try to take mine to 500k before I get another. Mine has 205k right now.

 

I would fix everything and sell. I mean how many miles did your first gen go for? Or is it still going.

 

Up to you, use up your free time to do maintenance or spend more money on a new truck

 

Have you had many of these same problems by 200k?

 

Also depends on state, I can’t say I’d keep one that long in a rust state.
But CA high desert I have no rust or problems getting off drain and fill plugs

 

I sold it to buy my 15.

 

I bought my truck just a few months ago. This is what I've done:
New Napa clock spring(cruise control issue)
Front and rear differential fluid change
Transfer case fluid change
New spark plugs(they were the original)
Manual transmission fluid
Drain plugs gaskets, new drain and fill plugs on front differential
New tires

The frame was replaced in 2018, so lots of new parts then.

So no, I've had almost no issues. Check your spark plugs by the way, might be your misfire issue. My father in law is a mechanic, and he thinks my engine will make it to 500k if I keep up on maintenance. Toyotas are built very well, and I love my truck. I think if you fix your issues, it will last a long time. Rust is the main killer, if you have bad rust, try to get frame replaced but if they won't I would sell and get an 09/10 from a southern state. It will last your years!

 

The truck lived in Texas for a long time. My instinct says someone over torqued the bolts many thousand of miles ago.

Any ideas on why the gas can only be pumped in at a snails pace? If I ever want to fill it i have to give it 4-5 minutes near the last 1/5 before i can slowly fill that last bit up

 

How many miles on it when you purchased?

 

205, at 209 now

 

What is this truck worth if I fix it? Minimum 10k, right?

 

No clue on the gas thing, my bmw would do that when I lived in CO, now that I’m in CA the pumps are different and it doesn’t do it anymore

 

Unless you perform the repairs, it will have an impact on your resale value, private or trade-in. It's hard to say fix it all or fix some. I'm not sure what's worth your time or money at this point. Selling private sale will likely yield you more money back should you go that route. I'm not aware of very many Tacomas in general, regardless of generation having much issues, but like any machinery it might depend on how things were treated in the past. If you can, maybe keep the truck and find yourself another while you fix this and sell it later.

 

So its a bucket of rust ?

 

Maybe you thought you had a good deal because the PO knew of the issues and sold low? If your post was an ad, I would pass. You are not going to get what you paid for with the current issues and unfortunately, by the time you get all the issues fixed, you might as well keep it.

 

Value is really going to boil down to the condition of the frame and body. If it is rusty and dented up you will get way less regardless of the mechanical condition. Being an early gen 2, you would probably get at least $6-7k if it is total garbage.