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Dilemma... Need advice from wise folks.

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by 05RedTaco, Jan 2, 2011.

  1. Jan 2, 2011 at 7:24 AM
    #1
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco [OP] Nom Nom Nom

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    So yesterday on new year's day my left knee finally gave in. After many years of discomfort, occasional pains its done. I have had problems with that knee since I was 15 years old, now I am 25. Well the preliminary diagnosis by my dad who is a physician is damaged/torn meniscus. I am going to get MRI today or tomorrow to find out exactly what's going on.

    The problem is that I cannot drive my Taco, it is 5 speed and I cannot extend my left leg. I can't even walk I get around by hopping on my right leg :rolleyes:

    For now I am swapping my truck with my dad who has automatic Kia Sorento and I will get around in that for the time being. Now I will most likely need surgery and my dad guesstimated 3-5 weeks recovery time after surgery and it is not guaranteed that I will be able to drive manual without pain again.

    Now I just got the Taco last summer and I love it, it's a great little truck. However I might need to trade it in for Automatic Taco. If that happens it would be double cab or access cab (depending how my family likes the AC cab) automatic, so my family can fit.

    Right now I pay $250/month for my Taco. Double cab automatic will most likely be $300-$350/month. Now I can swing that payment but would prefer not to....

    What would you do in my situation?

    1, Ride the storm out, see how surgery goes and decide then if I should keep my Taco or trade it in?

    2, Trade the Taco in for auto Taco (I know I will need to upgrade sometimes to AC or DC because of my family needs, its just matter of time).

    If I am trading my Taco in all the mods will go! best case scenario would be to find a forum member who wants my mods and swap the lift/tires with him...
     
  2. Jan 2, 2011 at 7:27 AM
    #2
    viperstd

    viperstd Tacoma convert

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    good luck with the knee. I feel your pain.. literally.

    I say wait for the MRI and surgery if you end up needing it. If your old man is happy to let you rock his car for a while while you recover, you can make a better decision than guessing at it now.

    Cheers
     
  3. Jan 2, 2011 at 7:28 AM
    #3
    Creemore

    Creemore Well-Known Member

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    I'd pick door number one. You're going to eat a lot of depreciation trading this soon. You don't feel depreciation when you finance or lease, because you tend to think in terms of payments, not equity. But over time, this kind of thing is a great way to stay poor. They're performing miracles in orthopedic surgery these days, and you're young. A full recovery isn't impossible. I'd wait until you've had all the medical input and maybe even the procedure and the post-op therapy so you have a solid prognosis. Then, if you have to, let it go.
     
  4. Jan 2, 2011 at 7:34 AM
    #4
    jmoreau

    jmoreau Well-Known Member

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    I also say hold off for awhile and see how it feels. But if it's not worth the pain, and you're planning on expanding your family, then pay more for the DC. I have 2 little ones, and the DC is perfect for getting them in and out.
     
  5. Jan 2, 2011 at 7:37 AM
    #5
    90YotaPU

    90YotaPU The Messiah

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    I say wait. Never react till you have all the variables and constants. No point in jumping the gun. I'm someone who has to get things done right away while they're in front of me but many times it has bitten me in the arse. I'm slowly learning to wait.
     
  6. Jan 2, 2011 at 7:42 AM
    #6
    OH-MAN

    OH-MAN Well-Known Member

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    Hey Tony,
    Get the MRI to make sure.
    I have had a bit of work done on my knee.
    The meniscus tear might get better from a scope cleanup.
    I have heard of some working better on some people than others.

    You are very young to be having these problems unless you damaged it in some kind of accident or sport type injury.

    Get the least invasive procedure as possible, like the scope if it is a meniscus tear.

    Good luck on the diagnosis and repair.
     
  7. Jan 2, 2011 at 7:49 AM
    #7
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco [OP] Nom Nom Nom

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    Thanks for the input guys!

    One other deciding factor is that even though I love my little Taco I am not really happy with it. Mainly because my family can't fit :/

    When I bought my Taco, I didn't have time to look or wait for the right Taco to come around. It was middle of summer in Phoenix and I traded my car 2004 Sentra 2.5L manual in to get my girl a Toyota Camry. Sentra had major transmission issues, no A/C, bad wheel bearing, bad axle, etc... I had thought that I can survive in my girl's 2000 Plymouth Neon for a while. Neon was paid off and I liked not having car payment. Well few weeks after I trade my car in for the Camry. Neon starts having major over heating issues. I suspected head gasket. The neon also had 158k miles, transmission fluid and oil leak. Thats no good in the middle of AZ summer. I didn't want to pour money into a car which is worth nothing, plus I needed truck for work so I was forced to trade the Neon in fast for the first affordable truck which came around....

    Now I just saw 06 DC with 87k miles for $16.9 LINK --> http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...kId=20088&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&aff=national

    That would be perfect... DC, auto and TRD off road package which means rear locker.

    Seems like this time a year there are much more affordable Taco's out there...

    You guys are most likely right. I will see what MRI and doctor's visit brings and go from there... I MIGHT look around and see what I could get on trade in and what would my payments be on DC TRD off road Taco... Little research never hurts, right?
     
  8. Jan 2, 2011 at 7:51 AM
    #8
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco [OP] Nom Nom Nom

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    Thanks Steve!

    I played basketball for 7 years when i was young. Practice 5 times a week, tournaments on the weekend. That's what did it. Left leg is my "jump" leg so all jumps I would jump from my left leg...

    I will fire pm your way...
     
  9. Jan 2, 2011 at 7:53 AM
    #9
    2009 taco

    2009 taco Well-Known Member

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    just wait it'll be fine. getting your knee scoped is a common small surgery. as long as you let it heal. i know many people who got knees scoped and they are 100%. good luck i hope it goes well.
     
  10. Jan 2, 2011 at 8:46 AM
    #10
    RZRob

    RZRob Well-Known Member

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    Sounds to me like getting a double cab would solve all your problems. Go ahead and get what will make your life easiest. You'll find a way to pay.

    RZ Rob
     
  11. Jan 2, 2011 at 9:06 AM
    #11
    Johns Taco

    Johns Taco I'm not 4x4, and have an open diff. So i'm 4x1

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    I broke my right tib and fib in a dirtbike crash, I was in the same boat as you. I also have an 05 manual, I rode out the storm and i'm glad I still have that truck today.:D
     
  12. Jan 2, 2011 at 9:12 AM
    #12
    buddywh1

    buddywh1 Well-Known Member

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    If it's a question of whether your knee can take then it's best answered by your doctor and/or therapist post-op. Repetitive strain, even slight, is not to be taken lightly, it may at best delay healing. Or it may do nothing...it's something for a professional to advise you on.

    If it's a question of dissatisfaction with your current truck 'cause it's not right for your situation then the question is kinda answered. Get what you need. Sure, you'll take a hit on first-title depreciation but that doesn't change just cause you trade earlier than later. The hit is what it is.
     
  13. Jan 2, 2011 at 9:15 AM
    #13
    builthatch

    builthatch MiG-21 superfan

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    OP, make sure you go to a legit sports orthopedic doctor - someone who does high volume, and then if you do PT go to one that works mostly with athletes...the higher the level the better.

    i'm almost 8 months post-op ACL and have researched the crap out of this stuff since i initially tore it 3/28/10.

    best of luck, and if you have a torn meniscus, depending on the size of the meniscectomy, or if they are going to sew it, or what...you could be able to drive anything relatively quickly. but i see you are not set on the truck anyway...regardless - good luck!
     
  14. Jan 2, 2011 at 9:20 AM
    #14
    coffeesnob

    coffeesnob Well-Known Member

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    good advice...no decisions need to be made for a few months.
     
  15. Jan 2, 2011 at 9:25 AM
    #15
    Simon's Mom

    Simon's Mom Wag More Bark Less

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    Sorry to hear about your knee trouble.
    I had left knee surgery 4 times since 18 finally getting it replaced this summer. It always effected me both physically and mentally for I love being active outdoors. Its good you are talking about it because if you have never been through it, many don't understand. You will get through it, listen to your dr. & the instructions. U know trying to come back too fast may not help. Keeping your leg strong and flexible is key.

    My cars/trucks were always either MT or AT.
    My tacoma now is a DC auto and love it. I was driving 6 weeks out after the TKR & even drove the Honda thats manual though I was a little nervous at first. No problem now.

    Waiting till you find out what the doc says will give you some time to think through the best way to get a truck that fits your family needs & your medical condition. Honestly, you will come back from this & maybe have a different perspective.

    Wish you the best in your MRI & recovery. Let us know how you make out.
     
  16. Jan 2, 2011 at 9:44 AM
    #16
    TacoBaja

    TacoBaja Well-Known Member

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    White Taco - I agree that you ought to try to wait it out. I also have had 2 meniscus tear surgeries over many years. All from way too much running mileage. After each arthroscopic surgery I followed the doctor advice in spite of the fact I felt like resuming running within two weeks. I waited it, out doing the physical therapy, not rushing anything.

    I think that waiting the 6 to 8 weeks was the important part for me, as after each I recovered well and today still run pretty high mileage at an old age.

    John M
     
  17. Jan 2, 2011 at 11:06 AM
    #17
    saf023

    saf023 Well-Known Member

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    If you combine your family not fitting in your current Tacoma with your knee issue, trading on a double cab would be a no brainer or me. Yea, you'll take a hit trading or selling your current truck so soon but you can't take it with you...

    The double cab is a great truck to drive and a great family vehicle. Good luck with whatever you decide.
     
  18. Jan 2, 2011 at 2:02 PM
    #18
    BUZZ5

    BUZZ5 Well-Known Member

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    Keep your current truck, get your knee scoped & you'll be fine. I had 3 tears in my miniscus of my left knee. Got MRI, had arthroscopic surgery, it couldn't be repaired so they cut out the damaged section. Now it's half the size, recovery was 6-8 weeks. It's so much better now than before. I don't have a manual shift, but driving one would be a non issue.
     
  19. Jan 2, 2011 at 3:22 PM
    #19
    gusher

    gusher SUPERCHARGED!!!

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    From just your first post I would have said "ride it out" but if the Taco you have doesn't fit your needs, I think you should just bite the bullet and swap it. Fixes all your problems...aside from the pay for it part. :D
     
  20. Jan 2, 2011 at 6:15 PM
    #20
    bisdak10

    bisdak10 Well-Known Member

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    here is my advice... as a nurse for a decade now. i suggest changing to AT. even if your knee will completely heal and go back to normal... in the long run with MT lets say after 10-20years i guarantee you it will start to creep up on you.
    i see it all the time at work, 40+ yrs old for knee replacement...

    a knee replacement is never a guarantee to a normal life (not for long)...


    think of your family/kids.

    just my .02 cents
     

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