Just got my first Toyota -- 2003 Tacoma with 105K miles

My parents had a 2003 Tacoma with 105K miles they drove every so often, and with us having a new driving teenager I gave my daughter my car and bought the Tacoma from my folks for me. It has 105K miles, and runs well but the Check Engine light has been on for about 10 years. I'm taking it up to Toyota for the next oil change to have it checked out since I want it to get another 100K or more miles out of it.

It's a fun vehicle to drive, I'm a ham radio operator so I hope to put a radio in it soon. Other than that just want to keep it running as well as possible. Also as a scout leader I drive to camp outs often, so once I have it checked out it'll get some road use there too - may even put a camper shell on it. Outside of that mostly just for putzing around town and getting me to and from work, which is about a 4 mile round trip drive each day.

Anyway just thought I'd share.

 

Welcome to the club! I had two first gens. The brakes aren’t great for panic stops, so drive defensively regarding that.

For a scout leader, a camper shell is definitely worth it. Nothing beats not having to set up a tent at a camp site, or just pausing to take a nap at a highway rest stop.

I’m also a ham operator. I think the vast majority of tacoma owners who use radios communicate on GMRS, for what it’s worth.

I’m running a

$18 BaoFeng UV5R BAOFENG UV-5R VHF/UHF Dual Band Radio 144-148MHz 420-450MHz Transceiver

BaoFeng UV5R variant with a hand mic through a Midland Ghost antenna because it is easy, cheap, and compact. My antenna sits on a massive aluminum ground plane (the center of my camper). The BaoFeng itself sits in a cupholder charger full time. My friends love their Midland 50 watt GMRS radios with the controls on the mic, but then they are limited to GMRS.

 

Have a midland 15watt permanently mounted to my truck, also using

$18 BaoFeng UV5R BAOFENG UV-5R VHF/UHF Dual Band Radio 144-148MHz 420-450MHz Transceiver

BaoFeng UV5R as a mobile unit when I am out of the truck and need to communicate.

 

Sounds like a nice truck... and low miles! Don't let the dealer or jiffy lube type places touch it. Do your own oil/ gear lube changes and find a trustworty shop that works on Yota's.

 

Thanks -- yeah the breaks aren't the greatest, I just assumed they were old. But it does stop. Next time I get it in I'll have them checked out.

 

Not the dealer??? I planned on taking it to our local dealer, I really don't have an independent mechanic I use any longer -- used to but he retired a few years back.

 

Just be sure and check the oil level and filter before you drive off the lot and keep an eye out for any leaks.

 

i would suggest trying to find another trusted independent guy. dealers are great for new and technologically-advanced vehicles. your 'new' truck is none of that.

check engine lights can be very easy to read-- any auto parts store will read them for free, and will usually provide a rough diagnosis of what parts can cause that check engine light.

 

Not the dealer, they’re going to write a 7500 dollar estimate. The only good thing there is if you’re getting genuine Toyota parts, the repairs should last.