Should i Stop stressing about Longevity?

Hey everyone

I purchased a 2011 Taco with 20k miles on it, it cost my entire inheritance but I saved 4000 in interest fees. It has been my dream truck for a while now and my desire to have the TOYOTA logo has been long as well...
Bottom line, im very loyal to my vehicles and am in them for the LONG HAUL.
The vehicle rarely hits sunlight and is washed and waxed every 30 days using a delicate foaming gun and then gentle swabbing with a Meguirers wash mit.

the entire underside is FluidFilmed professionally twice a year (by me in the shop i work)
it, will...never....ever..have even a speck of rust on the underside....even decades from now.

I have no intention of trading this in or selling it in 15-20 YEARS as i only drive 3800 miles per year i would expect even by then, the mileage should be low, as I am told these vehicles can do 300k with strict maintenance.

Now that my obsessed background of myself and the vehicle is said, ill go into the things i have been wondering about.

I know that anything made now isn't a "classic car" and any old classic car can be rebuilt due to the massive market of parts, keeping an old carbuerated car alive is perhaps very easy to do.
Taking a car from 1975/85 and resurrecting it seems to be ..dare we say ..doable/easy?

I was told, that eventually...perhaps soon, parts will diminish for my Taco, and that some parts will be near IMPOSSIBLE to get in time, Someone told me that 20 years from now, the brain for my vehicle would not be something one could buy.
ETC ETC....

I know people with computerized modern vehicles from at least 1996, that still run FINE today, thats a lot of age on that brain, and other systems.
I am even told that a Fuel injection system can last MILLIONS of miles in theory due to the superior design over the carburetor.

Do brains just "go bad? like a crappy Desktop PC? or are they a bit more durable/RELIABLE?

regardless, i figured i would ask what your thoughts are on the ultimate longevity.

Finally, i will ask, if you , in your experience could think of the most common things to go bad due to age alone, not miles....what would it be?

any information you could give would be appreciated, This is a topic i always wanted to discuss with car junkies and I would love to hear your ideas/ experiences.

 

I think you should postpone your stress until your truck has at least 350,000 miles on it.

If you are concerned about the availability of a replacement CPU (brain) then buy one now and put it in a safe.

With the care given your truck it will last a very long time. Start placing what you would spend on truck payments in a 401k or IRA now and you will never miss your inheritance money by the time your truck croaks.

 

I think where you live may be the biggest factor on how long it last. If you lived in the arid west that would be a plus. If you lived in the NE your trusty truck will turn to rusty junk.

 

There's good ones, and there's bad ones. Amongst the best models, there's a worst one of its kind. You have no idea with ANY vehicle if you got the very best, the very worst, or 50/50 average....until it reaches whatever time span you desire, it's anyones guess. But, with care and a little luck, you have a better chance of reaching that mark with a Tacoma than you do with just about any other mid size truck on the market.......if you take care of 'em. And don't forget about that "little luck" thingy.

 

I think you should feel good about taking care of things that are important to you. I hope your truck lasts a long time if not forever !

Also, welcome to TW!

 

So yes....quit stressing. Your truck might outlast you otherwise,

 

In all honesty, only driving it 3800 miles a year will be harder on it than regular use.

 

Enjoy maintaining your truck and have a beer while doing it. Life is to short to worry about the #1 selling midsized truck and what will happen 15 years down the road. That truck is meant to make life easier not stress you out.

 

Yikes man. Get out and use that truck. Drive it on a road trip, get a dent in it. Work it.

Junk yards have so many 2nd gens you'll be able to harvest parts for a lifetime. Sure, after about 200k- 300k miles you'll be looking at popping in a new engine. No problem.

The 2nd Gen Tacoma is a solid platform for a truck and so much of that is replaceable and upgradable. I'm worried you are taking too much care with your truck and I hope you'll get more comfortable letting the sun burn off some of the clear coat and skip a few washes. Get it really muddy and then use your finger to write things on the body. Yes!

Carpe Diem

 

Just make sure your oil is changed every 5-6 months and not 5,000 miles. Rust will also be your biggest enemy depending on where you live.

 

why is that?

 

I used to stress out over my vehicles and worry about door dings, scratches, etc. Now I just take solace in the fact I take great mechanical care of my vehicles and fix things when they come up (IF they come up).

Regular PM and TLC goes a long way. This forum will help you with anything else!

Short answer?

Relax.

 

Truly, this. Good advice.

 

hah I love it! thanks!

 

the bottom of my truck is boarderline oozing wit

thank you, i just love taking care of it, sure i use it for dirty plywood, cement, heavy tools generators, etc etc...but i also keep it clean and polish it =)

 

good points, perhaps im a bit overstressing. I can tone it down a bit i suppose. , wash and wax ever 3 months etc etc. =)

 

I only drive 3800 miles per year because honestly i have no reason to go many places, My studio is built off my home, my workshop is also built off my home, I rarely eat out, I dont travel. I cant imagine how i could get more miles on it at this point.

i need a girlfriend, ...that would surely add some miles to it HA HA HAAAA

 

you are making this easier HAHA well said!

 

I basically work from home. I dont travel much. i think in 2 years so far i put 9k miles on it at best, but it was a super busy year for me. Alot of home repairs, running around getting materials etc etc
I forsee an average of 3800 per year

 

I took mine through the bush the first day I got it.