Should I keep my Truck or Sell?

My 2009 access cab v6 4x4 has fatal frame rust. Holes near the front cross member. I found someone who will swap the frame with a used but good frame for $4000. It seems like there's a new problem on my 09 every week these days and I'm considering if the smart thing is to just dump it or restore it and sell later. It's a midwestern truck, hence the rust, and I live near the coast in socal. At this point, here's what needs to be fixed on it for it to be a totally safe and reliable truck.

1) New frame
2) New rack and pinion
3) New passenger-side side lower control arm
4) New intermediate shaft and likely a new steering column
5) New parking brake cable
6) New shocks and struts
7) New passenger side valve cover gasket.

The guy doing the work on the frame will be able to replace some of those parts during the swap at no extra cost. I've seen many nicer tacomas around here selling for $17,000. Mine has 190,000 miles on it. What do you guys think? I listed mine and I got a couple offers for $11,000. I'm not sure if it's worth keeping it at this point. sad. Love my tacoma.

 

The offer for 11k is the winner, imo.
Get rid of it.

 

Disclose the issues...


Take the money...

and run...

 

I’m thinking that at this point. It’s pretty hard to find a v6 4x4 for under 17k in socal right now though.

 

So get literally anything else that is cheaper and wait out the market. Unless you have some dire need for 4x4 right now, it isn't worth paying the premium when you could put that cash into savings and earn 5% on it while you wait.

 

You'll have $6k or more in it, by the time the frame is swapped with parts.
The truck is a $11k truck.

If you can get more than $5K or more out of the truck now, the way it sits.
I'd let it go.....

 

Sell it. Jump on a plane and buy this one and drive it home.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/kent-2008-toyota-tacoma-sr5-4wd/7750921814.html

 

Put it towards one without the problems.
Just like old houses, old trucks reveal issues or upcoming problems the more you dig into them.
Great little truck, no doubt, but there are deals out there, so I wouldn't recommend jumping into a Taco for the Taco's sake.

 

Dang. Even if I fix all those things, you don’t think I could turn around and sell it for $15,000? Or maybe $14k?

 

Not a bad idea. How long do you think it will take for the market to correct?

 

It's possible.
But $15k is Double Cab prices in my area.
The closer you get to 200k miles, the more people tend to want to negotiate or avoid altogether.

My truck is an Access Cab. And unfortunately, it is not the most desirable.

This is based off my location and priced around me.

 

It’s funny, cause I’ve been looking for access cabs to replace mine. I like them but I have noticed that the double cabs cost more.

 

Nope !! take one of those 11grand offers

 

No brainer, take the $$$ and run. Get something newer, lower mileage, dependable. The truck is 15 years old with 190000 miles. Things will continue to break and fail, it is the way it is with older higher mileage vehicles.

 

Carmax actually offered me 8k

 

Other than the frame, all the other issues are appropriate for the age & miles that need addressed even if frame was OK.

At the moment truck is worth way less than market value, and you are at the mercy of potential buyers. Let's say it costs $5k to get everything in order. If body is in good shape, and you like the truck, fix it. Unfortunately a decent, reliable beater costs $4-5k today. So the needed repairs are cheap when compared to buying a later model used truck that will need maintenance down the road, or could have issues not apparent until after the purchase.

Just my $.02.

 

Yeah the market is crazy right now. If I sell it I will still have to buy something else and I can’t get into another decent Tacoma for less than 13-15k where I am.

 

Unless you are willing to put money into the truck take the 11K offer.

Too bad about the frame. If you didn't need a new one I'd say fix the issues and keep going with it.

Travel for a deal on a newer one if you can. There are good deals to be had right now and prices really are variable from area to area. The used car market has softened a bit recently. Prices are nowhere near what they used to be but if one is diligent with their search and astute with their negotiations you can certainly find a gem at a good price.

Every used vehicle is going to need a little something. I bought a 2011 camry to upgrade my 2004 camry beater and I immediately put $1000 into it with parts fixing the sticky dash, replacing all the motor mounts, center console armrest, stereo aux port, replaced a cracked windshield washer reservoir, and some other minor things. Next up are struts and brake rotors/pads which I will also do myself. Everything I've done would have cost $3K easy at an independent shop. The car is a gem but it still needs a little work. Thankfully it had come to me with great maintenance records and all fresh fluids.

I bought my 17' taco and a 16' Camry for my spouse used, they both had under 55K miles on them and each had one blown strut. I rode the tires out as long as I could on each vehicle and then replaced all 4 struts and did tires on both vehicles. My point is, any used vehicle is going to need something. Make sure you inspect your next potential vehicle thoroughly before you buy it so that you know exactly what if anything it needs.

 

Wait for what? A hybrid? Full EV? Times are changing fast. I don't see gas cars going down in value unless fuel costs become insanely high.

 

Did you tell carmax the thing is totaled???
If the frame is shot the truck is not In good condition buddy.
If you can get 11k for a 200k truck that is “totaled” and the trucks you are after are going for 17 take the money. Truck needs 6-8k worth of work done.