Keeping Your 3Gen For A Long Time?

My grandfather had Alzheimers and died when he was ~80. My father passed away a few months ago from Alzheimers at 85 but we had to take his keys away 10 years before that so he didn't hurt himself or anyone else on the road. Odds are in my favor that around 75, I probably need to reconsider my driving abilities...but I'm not planning on stopping prematurely; only when it's necessary! I plan to keep this truck as long as it's mechanically viable.

 

my mom had a 1970 Olds 98. All black, with black leather interior, convertible. I think that was a 467 engine...we called it The Death Mobile in HS. It was definitely a land schooner, but it also HAULED....and she had a lead foot, so she was scary in it. I think it got negative MPGs...her brother - my uncle who raced for Olds - had it all souped up too...glass pack, sliver tipped dual exhaust pipes...

 

pretty much my same history, and probably projected path as well

 

LOL!!! Yeah I used to joke that 'No it doesn't get 10 miles per gallon.. It gets 10 gallons per mile..' LOL!

 

Got my '16 made to order. It was my first, and last, new car. My aim is to keep it for the rest of my life (I'm 35) and make a ton more memories using it to see the country by dispersed camping. I'm trying to focus on acquiring experiences instead of things. It is pretty much just a toy, as I bought a beater last year to save it from road salt and short trips.

 

That's a nice thought, but don't count on it. I've had 1/2 dozen rigs I thought 'I will NEVER get rid of this!' ...
69' Plymouth Roadrunner with a 440/six-pack (Along with a 'Roadrunner Renegade' tattoo I've worn on my shoulder for 44 years)... 72' Plymouth Duster with a HP 340 ... 66' Dodge

$60 A-100 HitchHammer Bumper Guard (HitchHammer 11.5" Wide)

A-100 that my oldest son was conceived in (Camping trip .. LOL!! ) ... a 74' Celica, because ... Damn! It was SO much fun to drive!! A 79' Powerwagon that was just fun because of ... It was just fun/old and I loved being able to look down on everyone else's roofs...
One the other hand I still have a 95' B2500 van that my kids grew up in (Camping) so there's still that. Memories, yes.
But at the same time, you can't keep everything forever... Try as you might...
Keep the dream though m'man...

 

Sorry to hear, going through this with my Mom, horrible disease.

 

I wish I kept my cars longer, and my spouses shorter

 

2nd this, waited 6 month for the delivery. Just turned 60k without any major issues.
Just as my 2004 Honda Elements which we're still running, until the wheels fall off.

 

Funny, I've got an 02 CRV as a beater

 

Not trying to keep it forever, just the rest of my useful life. I've already had too many toy cars and bikes. A lot of them I didn't even really like, I just liked knowing I had them. Then I'd lose my ass selling them because I liked the idea of having the newer, better, more powerful one more, but it never really mattered. The new would always wear off then it's on to the next one.

I bought a 68 firebird basket case when I was 16. I was in waaaaaay over my head but too stupid to know it. I tore it all down and addressed the rust, then started chasing some of the best parts money could buy. Custom 9", 4 wheel disc, 14 point cage, built engine and trans, the list was never ending. 10 years later I was out of time and money and life was changing. Sold the car for 1/3 of what I had in it and a lot of it was still in boxes. Broke my heart and wallet. I never even heard that engine run. I spent so much time chasing the next best thing I never enjoyed the car. Of course I didn't learn the first time, so I've had the benefit of repeating similar lessons.

 

Will trade in a heartbeat for a hybrid Tacoma.

 

Well, let’s pray that it skips a few generations and you continue to live long and fruitful life!

 

When I was a kid the lady across the street had a 1962 Oldsmobile 98 with a 394 Skyrocket engine and dual exhaust. We would hear the 394 bark when she started it up and run out front to watch her take off. She would put her foot down and the back of that car would drop as she blasted down the street like a teenager -- she was around 65 then.

Years later she told me "I always like to step right down and move right out."

Thanks for the memory guys, I haven't thought of that in years.

 

How long I keep my 3rd gen really depends on if Toyota continues to offer a MT option in the 4th gen.

 

yep although im 37 im noticing a trend in my family.... if we dont die of a heart attack in the late 70's we develop Alzheimer's in our 80's. Im ok with the 70's it was a good run

 

Me too; I'm hoping it skips me but then I look at my kids, not wanting them to get it...hopefully medicine advances in the next 20-30 years to help slow it down or even stop it from progressing.

 

Beware of mods

Regular PM will go a long way to keep from working on it on a parking lot.

You can prevent lots of on road failures. Take battery failure, easy to prevent by using a hydrometer to check cells on a regular basis, or you can keep tune to how fast it cranks-over (ha!).

You can check drive belts, filter, fluid(s) levels, hoses, brakes with every oil change.
With belts, since we only have one in our trucks, I’ll replace it every 60k with the spark plugs or five years. Yes, they can go much longer. Or not so much. OEM belts can top 70k easy, providing the puller bearing are always working like new (ha!)
And speaking of those devils, they do the hard work. The minute they squeal, I replace them all.

And but of course I know that you know all that, but others might not. This can be expensive on a tight budget, but it beats paying a tow or time lost when needed the most.

 

Regardles of Preventavie maintenace all the cars ive worked on in a parking lot had 200k+ miles. Its unavoidable once you get that high. Never had to tow it to a shop so it was usually minor. Fuel pump relay's leaking radiator/ overheating, Battery exploded (that happened on a 3 year old ford)