Should I put money into an older vehicle?

Is it for sale? I did not think so

 

IMO, paying off a vehicle should be first and foremost the ultimate goal before spending on mods. OP, you have a reliable vehicle and if it's paid off, do what makes you happy.

 

Its going to come down if you want to rock the truck. Value is a stock vehicle but aftermarket add ons are for pure joy or for other uses. You almost never get the value back if that's the main concern. If you want a low cost vehicle with some good tunes, exhaust then go for it. I went through that a while back sell or do maintenance and fix it up. The add ons were more for me to feel like i had a new vehicle and made it more fun to drive.

The current one I have way too much aftermarket stuff but I enjoy it. I use it and I know I will never get close to what I put into it but that is fine. It was never done with the thought of resale value.

 

As pointed out, there is a BIG difference between maintenance and mods.

I bought my '06 TRO OR 4x4 with 120K on the clock for cash, knowing that I was going to need $5K in maintenance; brakes, shocks, tires, complete front end rebuild, EGS bearing, front wheel bearings and axles over the next couple of years. And I did. Way easier to maintain my paid off Tacoma and expect to get another 100K miles out of it.

 

Should you? YES.
Why not the best part of owning anything is making it better to suit your needs. I would take the challenge and enjoy it along the way.

 

Mod it if you have extra funds to burn, enjoy life. Otherwise, keep it stock and admire other people's setup from afar .

 

"market adjustment" (mark-up) on a new dealer Ford Bronco is $20k
more than a 2nd gen Tacoma

1 million miles

 

Nucking Futs

 

Is it worth it to put money into the truck?

Depending on the condition of the frame and if you've beat the crap out of it. If it's good, and you haven't flogged the motor into submission; then go for it.

My '06 got a new frame at 235k. Head gasket popped at 238k. Twas a no brainer for me to put a motor in it.

Maintenance is cheaper than repairs. And way cheaper than a car payment.

 

Yeah

 

I didnt take time to read all the posts but you do what you want to do with your truck. If you like it who cares. I have restored several cars over the years and built each one to my tastes. I never followed trends or tried to look like the other guys car. I have always liked cars that dared to be different. Honestly I get bored looking at every other Tacoma "customized" to look like every other Tacoma.
One suggestion is ask yourself as you put money into your truck will I ever get back what I put in it? That keeps me grounded on how much I am spending. I show my cars against guys who brag they ve dumped $100K in their restoration and I see a car worth $25K. Stay grounded. They didnt.

 

my truck is 10 years old. no more mods just maintainance.

 

My 06 has 180k on it & I just spent $7k on suspension, armor, onboard air & fogs.

 

I just spent $40 on this old 2005.

 

I like my 2014 but my first Tacoma was a 2007 DCSB Sport 4X4. It was a pleasure to own. It made a believer in Toyota out of me. You have a real gem. A 2007 OffRoad with "extra" low miles. I'll bet it is like driving a brand new Truck. Enjoy

 

I have no problem putting monies into my 89. Structurally and mechanically she’s fine. got full LCE I/h/e on, OME is next (have everything but torsion bars), have new wheels waiting and then rubber. No regrets!

 

@ 95K it is just broken in [as long as it was taken care of.. ]

You have two choices:
1. sell it as as and call it a day
2. keep it till you die - get caught up on any maintenance stuff that you haven't done + then do WTF ever you want, that makes you happy..

Maintenance first but then if I have spare $$, I might as well just give it to my automobiles... intake/exhaust are high on this to/do list..

I just dumped almost $5K into my 2011 128I @ 90K miles - new upgraded suspension, new every rubber bit, new coil packs, tires and some other stuffs b/c I don't want to buy a new car as there is NOTHING than can replace her NA I6 MT config and I love driving the shit out of it. . .

I am gonna keep her till 200K at least, then we gonna have to weld a roll cage in b/c the frame rigidity gets a bit -blahblah-

I am gonna do the same to my Tacoma in about 10K miles when the suspension is too worn for my taste - just put in Classio's + heated seats and love it..

I don't want a new car but I also can't just buy a MT these days - such problems..

 

In my view a vehicle is a liability, not an asset. So putting any money into it is a loss, that simply reduces the bigger lost of the vehicle breaking down. It's a necessary expense.
That being said I think creature comfort improvements are worth it. Making upgrades as worn parts need to be replaced is a good way to get what you want while keeping the cost down. Everything that you do is because you want it, look at it as a hobby and don't expect it to pay back.

 

I didn't read this entire thread but with only 96,000 miles your Tacoma is just barely broken in, IMO. If the frame is good I'd update the electronics to a nice AA/CP head unit and keep on drivin' it.

 

I'm actively looking to put money into an older vehicle. If anyone has a SN95 cobra (5.0 or 4.6L) let me know!

Ha ha, nothing wrong with it, if its what you want to do.