What does long term taco ownership look like?

My '15 is about to roll over 200k, never had a single significant issue with it. Still even on the original clutch despite some heavy towing, though that is coming about due for replacement soon. The dreaded TOB has finally just barely started chirping at me. But other than that and keeping up on routine maintenance, changing oils, plugs, greasing the u-joints, changing suspension parts, and a serpentine belt at about 150k, I haven't had a single significant problem or even CEL pop up.

 

I should get my notes out, but I can tell you that my 2010 4x4 DC V6 is now near 135,000 miles (I retired three years ago, so the mileage has been way way reduced from the typical amounts).

My ace Toyota factory, now independent mechanic (and TW member SpeedFreek) will be replacing my valve cover gaskets (as one side has leaked a film of oil, but no drips). The serpentine belt now shows wear... and the radiator cap has a bit of a leak showing. All will be replaced.

The spark plugs will be replaced with the valve cover gasket swap, since it is time and they will be easy to access. They were replaced before with the NDK Copper plugs (30,000, 60,000, 90,000). Now going to use NGK Iridium (100,000 mile) plugs.
Recently Jason replaced were the front brake pads (the second time, I believe). The rear shoes were replaced 5 1/2 years ago when I had the unusual brake housing fail in Baja, I wrote about back then (Oct. 2017).

Other items from way in the past that were replaced include the driver's side front wheel bearings/hub; the Bilstein shocks (upgraded to Bilstein 5100s), ... otherwise this truck is a rock!

 

this…

Im 40 now but i grew up rolling old VWs water and aircooled, graduated to audis, most recently volvos. Also had a Mazda Rx-7, a few Jeeps TJ, XJ, JKU and a Hummer H3.

Long story short, theres something to be said for simplicity. It doesnt NEED to be plush or fast or stupidly overbuilt to survive the apocalypse that will never happen , its just a truck to do truck things without being all big and dumb about it all.

Got my 06 with 165k on it last year and I love it, simple, reliable, durable and its a stick so its engaging to drive…

 

As long as there aren't tail pipes involved........

 

2nd gen tacoma is goated, I have a 2006 and I can not complain about anything, sounds awesome for stock, everytime i start it up infront of a friend I get asked stuff like "Did you do a muffler delete" very fun too drive and not too big like some trucks so its not hard to deal with. In my opinion, looks the best and id much rather hav this then a 3rd gen. Just be prepared to fuel up a little more often.

 

you prefer… erectric?!?

 

My brand new 1992 4X4 was well maintained. Owned it for 14 years. Couldn't get our first kid in the extra-cab part. Sold it for great re-sale. Zero issues with my 2020 after 2.5 years. It's a Toyota, They usually age well if maintained.

 

I was referring to something along the lines of.....

Spoiler: WTF is wrong with people

 

Simple: Change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles or so with something meeting the current SAE spec. (SN?) Use a Toyota OEM filter. Service the transmission and diff/xfer-case fluid at the recommended intervals. Refrain from towing gigantic 6,500 lb+ trailers, campers, boats. Fix the little things as they come up.

I purchased my truck from a dealership used in summer/2021 with 104,000 on it. I have 124,000 presently and it has given me two perfect years of ownership. The frame was fine and it has passed two inspections including the required one. There has been no surprises, discoveries or problems with it. It runs like a Swiss watch...maybe better. No fluid leaks and nice looking power-steering fluid and coolant condition. I have been doing the big services over time since I got it since I don't have a baseline/history of the truck. (transmission fluid, diffs and transfer cars fluid, plugs and coolant). The plugs are next then I'm done. It does have a history of 5,000 OCI's and other service work which showed up on Carfax and the Toyota Owners Site when I opened up an account with my VIN. I recommend anyone to do this: In my case, it filled in a lot of the gaps in the service records, especially the oil and filter changes and other service and maintenance done at the dealer. It also confirmed that the truck started life as a private owner lease vehicle. I have had a couple cars of that were initially lease vehicles and they were very well cared for. (probably because if you don't, the leasing dealer makes you pay up big time when you turn it in.)

If the engine or transmission blows up in any 2nd generation truck, it's the owner's fault for letting their goof brother-in-law borrow it.

Otherwise, it will last a wicked long time: Ipso-Fatso: 250,000 miles: minimum.

 

I let a friend drive it once and I don't wanna trust anyone with it again, good thing I was wt him I could only imagine if he was alone
Tacoma is awesome, when it gets in the hands of someone specially if it's a civic or camry driver expect them to drive insane. Or atleast get one of those brakes which are in those driver instructors car...

 

Amen to that. Reminds me of that old rental car quote/saying:

"Let's go mental: it's a rental !!"

Welcome to the forum!

 

What does it look like?

I think I need front apron/body mount bushings.

I want a regear and 275/70/18

And my Icons are clapped out. I want Fox or something

And onboard air

And leaf springs that don't squeak

It needs a wax

It has never not started and I've never seen a warning light of any kind

My passenger side foglight is always full of water from that stupid "vent" in the fender liner

A Tundra would probably be more comfortable

 

From my perspective:
- With basic quality maintenance: dead nutz reliable
- Long term cost per mile is reasonable
- What seems like behind the times technology, or lack of feature are there by design for the sake of reliability
- Budget for gasoline (MPG "is what it is")
- Self inflicted damage repairs are expensive (I think they all are these days though)

 

My daily is currently a 2003 5 series BMW. Talk about being overbuilt. More like hating your life when you work on it..

 

3rd Owner - 208k Purchased in February 2023
1st Owner 160k (60k were straight hwy)
2nd Owner - young girl (48k)

 

2nd gen best gen lol

My 2005 i got it with 80k miles 13 years ago Bone stock. 130k miles later and a new motor (head gasket on the 03-05 v6s are well documented) and it'll run forever i have no doubt about it lol. These things just keep ticking. Keep them maintained and you'll never need another truck again.

 

Almost a year ago I bought a 2007 SR5, 2.7L 5 speed manual. Had about 146k miles, now close to 155k. I knew going in there would be some repairs/maintenance items, and there were. Air conditioning work done last August, this year new tires, brakes, part of the exhaust system was replaced, a sway bar and I believe a U-joint on the differential (need to check the bill). Paid some significant cash for all that, but I believe that should make it good to go for a while. Paid cash for the truck so compared to some of these new vehicle payments that I heard can average around $500 a month I have no regrets at all. I enjoy driving the truck every day that I do.

I wouldn't buy just any 15 year old vehicle with around 150k miles. Glad I bought the Tacoma.

 

How much did you pay? I might have to sell me Jeep and try this again with something with a little less miles on it.

 

See my build thread if you feel like it, I've thrown all the bolt-ons I could at it and the engine is still good. A testament to the nature of the engine if you take good care of it.

 

It listed for $11,980.The salesman screwed up and undercharged me, to the point where I thought it was too good to be true. It was, and he called me after I got home. Me being me, I didn't want the guy to lose his job. Negotiated and got it for $10,980 and paid back the difference - still a great deal around here. I've certainly spent more than $1,000 on it since, but still very satisfied overall. That dealership tends to price on the low side.

I was going to wait until I retired to do this - but 4WD manual transmission trucks are very hard to come by. I'll look once in awhile and haven't really seen anything comparable for the price. I'm sure a V6 with a 6 speed manual would be more, but the 2.7L with the manual transmission is fine by me. Last week had the bed almost full with wood and it did fine up slight hills keeping it in 3rd gear.