2001, 266k+ miles..Sell and upgrade, or keep?

I have a 2001 TRD/SR5, 4x4, v6..whomever first got this truck sprung for every upgrade. It’s gotten me through some amazing road trips all around the country. I sleep/camp in it all the time.
Thing is, at 265k, I’m starting to get anxious about long road trips- especially to very remote areas, which I go often. Last year I put a ton of work into it:
-timing belt, water pump
-clutch assembly, clutch fork (which broke on the highway)
-upgraded tow wiring
-radiator
-valve cover gaskets
-tires
It’s not a pretty truck, but it’s solid, runs and stops great, rust free, and I’ve kept up as best I could and do most things pro-actively. I love its small size and nimbleness. My use is in an urban area sometimes, rural/dirt and unmaintened roads, and then loooong road trips through desert and forest for climbing and camping trips. Once in a great while I’ll tow, but it’s not priority. In my experience 20 years is about when plastics and wiring just start to degrade. I got lots of remote places and I’m trying to figure out if I should ‘upgrade’ or not, and if not, what I can do for my current truck to ensure enduring reliability.

I could go up to about 25, maybe 30 to get a newer truck. I really like the size mechanical design of the gen 1’s, feel lukewarm about the 2’s, and at least aesthetically like the 3’s. I started looking around- but looking around for newer tacos is a nightmare. I love the smaller size of the gen 1, I definitely want a 6’ bed/access cab since I sleep in it a lot. Unfortunately it seems like the 6’ bed/access cab is very rare in newer trucks; and ‘search by bed length’ isn’t an option anywhere.

 

I was in your position with a 2001 Tundra. It ran and looked great as I was the only owner. I don't know how old you are but age was a factor in my desicion to get a new vehicle. It wasn't a matter of if I needed one, but when. I did not want to possibly retire with a truck payment. I could handle a payment while working. The plan is to slow down in 5 years without a payment and a vehicle that will last 20 more years. Just a thought.

 

I’m mid-30’s, but I also abhor car payments. I’ll probably just buy outright, though it stings. What I’m realizing is that I just always have a slight bit of anxiety about long trips now.

 

I'd keep it. Maybe get yourself a cheaper vehicle for daily driving short term, at least until truck prices come down.

 

Since I wasn’t looking before they went up, how much *have* they gone up?

 

I would definitely keep it. If you can afford a new vehicle, it would give you that peace of mind knowing that it will get you out and back from wherever you’re going. Although I will say that kind of mileage for a Tacoma that is well maintained isn’t really that high. I’m sure you could get it to 400K.

I haven’t been in the market for a truck in a couple years but it seems that the prices of new vehicles are coming back down closer to pre-covid prices. It depends a lot on the dealership though. Every once in a while someone will post on TW about a dealership that is selling for MSRP without any crazy mark ups.