Advice on Selling or Keeping 2011 Tacoma

I am looking for advice on whether to sell my 2011 Tacoma quad cab this coming spring. I love my truck and have had no major issues with it, runs great and very reliable. Only repairs I have made in the last 4 years are a front brake job, I have not had the to do anything with rear brakes yet. I will have about 175,000 miles on it this next spring and am concerned if I keep it I might end up with some more expensive repairs in the next 2 years. What major repairs would I expect to have on it between 175,000 and 250,000 miles? Any specific repairs others have had for a Tacoma of similar age and mileage? Concerned about engine, transmission, brakes, exhaust, drivetrain, 4 wheel drive to name a few. Any help or suggestions are appreciated!

 

You won't have any major issues as long as you do preventative maintenance.

 

Is your Tacoma paid off? If so, is the possibility of future repairs offset the cost of having another truck payment? I can't speak to the major issues as I only have 77k on mine but from what I read on here, 175k is not bad at all. Me personally, if my truck was paid off, I loved it, and had good luck with minimal repairs so far, then i'd keep driving it. My two cents.

 

These things are pretty reliable. Wheel bearings come to mind.

Repairs will surely be less than the cost of a new car payment!

 

My fuel pump went out and was a hefty repair. I'm very good about maintenance so maybe the long time I tend to idle in the truck and letting it go to near empty caused this? Happened at 150k miles.

 

I know new cars are fun and smell good. But I am not a huge fan of the new Tacoma, only because of the engine. And I’m also not a fan of car payments. So I say keep her!
Spend some money on a nice suspension upgrade. Maybe some new “shoes” to make her look new again. Get a good detail. And then rock it for another 100k+ miles and possibly by then Toyota will have corrected their faux pas and the engine gods will be smiling again.

 

Some things will just plain ole wear out, but that's true on all vehicles.

You don't mention the age on the suspension. If it's original shocks, they are already long gone.

Wheel bearings, suspension bushings, Ujoints, center bearing, radiator, hoses, accessory belts, battery, alternator, starter, water pump are all possibilities at that age (but not guaranteed to fail), but none of those are back breakers.

If the fluids are well maintained and the truck isn't abused, the big stuff should all be quite reliable.

 

Keep it,new is not always better or more reliable,ask some of the guys that have 3rd gen. Tacomas.

 

Think of it this way.... a few months worth of new vehicle payments will surely add up to more money than the cost of forseeable future maintenance on your current rig. Assuming it's paid off.

But it is your money.

 

I had no issues on my 05 until 260k miles. Then I needed a head gasket (not an issue on 2011 models). After that I decided to fix some other stuff that was working ok but had noticeable wear. Wheel bearings, shocks, ECGS bushing install, rear brakes, A/C fan motor rebuild, serpentine belt replacement, got the driveshaft rebuilt at a driveline shop. Other than the head gasket I did it all in my garage and it wasn't too hard or expensive (OK, the ECGS bushing was a bear to get hammered back in). The paint on the roof failing but I haven't addressed that.

I'm taking the gamble that this maintenance will get me to 350k at least. Wish mine only had 175k on it- those were the golden years when the truck is paid off and hardly any money was needed for maintenance!

 

Drive it into the ground

 

These gen2 Taco's are pretty much bullit proof...
The question is worth asking of course,...but for fear of future repairs...These trucks last an easy 200-300,000 miles.

So If you want new and shiney, cause it impresses the neighbours,..well make the extra paytments.
If you're in it for the long haul,...just change oil, don't beat it,...and it will treat you well for the next 5 years easy.

Marketing folks TARGET two kinds of people...those that like the words ' NEW AND IMPROVED'..
And those of us that adhear to the "GOOD OLD',...(we also tend to be GenX'ers)...

Lets use not so common , common sense for a second..
Toyota revise these trucks roughly every 8 to 10 years...
So they start off with a very well designed truck,...use very good components...and when needed make campaigns to improve the customer experience.

BUT,...they need to sell a new product to keep the revenue coming in for future product developement.

We have been KING OF THE CASTLE with our Taco's in the last 10 to 15 years,...
Chevy and Ford are really pissed off ( they want a piece of the pie as well).
So needless to say, they are now RE-ENTERING the market with a new RANGER,...and the Canyon.
Good products no doubt,...better technology,...yes probably....

Let me sum it up this way,...Chevy and Ford..will offer a product made of GoreTex...and Teflon...
Toyota just keep improving on an old pair of Levis...(trusted and true).
Ever try and patch an old pair of GoreTex jeans...ain't easy..

Ya know what I mean..right?

 

You might as well keep it until the gladiator hits the markets then sell the bitch!

 

Brakes are not repairs they are a wear item.

Why would you just make the assumption a 2011 Tacoma that has treated you well so far is going to randomly cost you thousands?

People wig about high mileage vehicles and I’m not sure why. If you have cared for this truck well you should be fine.

A new truck costs more than an engine rebuild, or a trans rebuild, or any other major repair.
You should always have cash on the side to cover emergencies. If you do the unexpected won’t haunt you.

 

Tacoma’s evolve very slowly. I drove many 2nd and 3rd gens when I was looking. They all pretty much drive the same. So the awnser to your question depends on what you would replace it with. If it’s another Tacoma, I would just keep yours.

 

Yea, I do like Levis. If you read what is happening in the Raptor and Dodge it is clear that Toyota is way behind. I would suspect that in the next 5 years a giant leap will take place in the Toyota truck line. They have to to stay in the #4 position. However they will milk their very profitable current line up as long a possible given the platform has been paid for for almost 15 years. Systems like a truly working 4x4 off road cruse control with power, traction and brake management as on the Raptor can't be far behind.

 

do preventative maintenance (trans fluid, etc) and keep her. 2011 is kind of a golden year, Last year of the v6's before the smog pump, but you got all the nice safety features and traction control functions.

Also, honeycomb grill * drool*

 

Yes...constantly running your tank near empty is bad for the pump, the fuel inside the tank cools the pump and when you run it dry, it overheats.
Once every now and then probably won't do anything but making it a regular habit will hurt it over time.

 

I have an '09 that is 10 years old (delivered to me September 2008), I've had it paid off now for 9 years. The "no payment" deal is great and when a problem arises fixing it does not feel so bad! I say keep it and have fun with modding it

 

Dont let go below a quarter if you can. I can'talways afford to put gas in but I try to stay above a quarter tank.
It's not good to be below that because of issues like this.