Input on whether to keep it or get rid of it.

crap man if the body, interior etc is good and your liking what you got I’d keep her!

 

You’ve already committed the money. You have a newer low mileage engine and you have been replacing suspension and other parts. Just keep it.

 

I’ll be sure to title the next relates thread “Kurt loses his shit take II”.

 

Not only would I keep that, I'd keep the f*ck out of it

 

Hey Kurt, I feel your pain here. My 2004 is in a similar situation. Projects like rotors and pads(front brakes) are awesome opportunities to do it yourself and save money. Saves you a few hundred bucks and I replace mine in around two hours. The replacement engine is crazy, as I'm trying to figure out how you did that and the new radiator for under $1,000. Regardless, with a new engine you are probably past the hardest part. New control arms are also going to last a long, long time. In my experience with Tacoma's, they are reliable but do need regular "preventative maintenance" or part replacements. They come with a lot of greatness and a lot of expected regular work.

I noticed mine runs great and I never have to worry about anything major happening (major meaning emergency, can no longer drive the vehicle). While an ABS or check engine light may come on, it's usually been relatively cheaper fixes. My experience has been that you end up putting a good amount of time and money into these trucks. However it seems most people find it worth it and I have to agree. Older vehicles require more work than newer ones. If you bought it from someone who really looked after the truck you will have less to do while you own it.

I recommend keeping the truck since you just put a new engine in it. Try tackling some projects at home, and if you think it isn't worth it then maybe the Tacoma isn't the right fit for you. Hope that helps.

 

The thing has bad medicine surrounding it. You know it as sure as the sun rises each morning. There may be relative calm for a moment, but great storms are on the horizon and coming for you.

Get the hell out of there now. Cut your losses and rid yourself of that money and soul siphoning vortex of a truck. You could end up 20000 miles down the road and spending another $7500.00 and these dudes would still be telling you to hang onto it.

Excise it from your life and move into something with way less tooth and toil. You will thank me profusely one year from now as if I gave you life altering advice: and I will say you’re welcome.

 

i wouldnt expect an engine replacement that early so i feel you on that but the rest is basic maintenance items for a 200k mile vehicle and one that is taken offroad as well.

you have just a few big items left if they go bad but doing your maintenance and not driving it hard will minimize those. hell people break serious items well under 100k that are out of pocket(and they are still making payments on the truck itself) if you are offroading... its just a part of the offroad lifestyle you should be prepared for

 

he bought the truck for 9k and has since put 10k into it is how i read it. in for 19k total. maybe im wrong

 

Your wrong. Read slower!

 

Ah, that might be it. Would make a lot more sense.

 

I read the OP has about $19 k into the truck.

Something to consider. Your truck is paid off, no loan, no payments. If you trade, you won't get $19 k for it, but a fraction. If you opt for a new truck and use the current for trade, then you will need to supply the difference. New Tacos are going for sticker or above due to short supply and high demand. Truck, taxes, license and such will be in the range of $35-50k.

Your truck is pushing a 1/4 million miles. Those items that have been replaced are normal replacements on high mileage rides. The engine.....well that was a bad stroke of luck, but your insurance covered it.

Frankly, I'd suggest to keep the truck for another year or so, wait for the economy and car market to normalize after Covid is diminishing. Meanwhile, save your nickels and dimes for the next truck.

 

with all the work put in to the truck there is no way he only spent 1k paying someone else to do this work nor would he be complaining about 1k, at least i hope not

 

Yeah I'm reading it that way also. I dont have the time, energy or space to do work on my truck right now so I spent 1300$ on a engine oil change, drive line oil change and new front breaks. I originally went in for the oil change but got the breaks done since they were seized up. Also had to pay for a new drain plug I buggered up when I changed the drive line oil myself years ago.