What makes a 23yo Tacoma worth $11,000?

[Billy Goat]

Stupid people never question it. You're probably good.

"Probably"

 

[JeffRaines]

Come to WV. They aren’t broke down on the road because most over 6-7 years old are rusted so bad the frames are broke.

I wander how many of the fan boys live in climates where salt is used to melt highway ice. I’m betting if you did, you wouldn’t be wandering why they are never broke down with their hood up on the side of the road.

The only Toyota worth any special consideration is the Tacoma. And, it’s small size and lightweight, are what makes it desirable to some, while undesirable to others. They are small inside too. So, if you are tall, you aren’t going to like them. But, their chassis is overbuilt. Making them last a long time if you keep the salt off them.

Another thing I noticed perusing the local classifieds - there’s an awful lot for sale with rebuilt engines and transmissions, newer engines, or just bluntly put up as having engine issues that need correcting.

In any case your right - I think the Tacoma is totally overbuilt which is what’s attractive about them. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, for the guys who beat the shit out of their rigs they’ll last longer.

 

[Billinsd]

As far as servicing a trans that has been neglected and the oil is dirty.......I have never bought that new oil can cause a failure. Most of the time the trans is acting up already so people decide to have it serviced.
I generally recommend 100k on differential oils (if they are syn) . Auto trans every 50k-100k...really based on fluid condition

From my research I've concluded that automatic trannys that have haven't had their dextron 3 oil changed, can have failures when the fluids are flushed out. The reason is if there can be solids in the old oil that can get dislodged and settle out where they shouldn't when flushed. It's safer to drain the fluid out from the pan, because this won't dislodge the solids. Most manufacturers recommend changing Dextron 3 every 30k to 60k. I pump a few quarts of dextron 3 tranny oil out of the pan through the dipstick every oil change, it's easy and since about half the oil is in the pan it's always good. Real cheap piece of mind.

 

[Rokbar]

People are so bonkers over anything with Toyota on it, it’s almost scary. The Tacoma’s are dependable little trucks. I liked mine. But, by 100,000 miles in, it wasn’t fairing very well. I broke the bed loose around the bed bolts. I had to redo front brake system because the factory rotors were sticking. Check engine light was on. And, it didn’t get any better gas mikk look rage then a full size v8.

I once worked for a company that bought the tundras for work vehicles. Out of 28 trucks, 4 needed new transmission before the warranty was up. Their power sucked. But, not as much as their gas mileage.

yet, people act as if they are the Holy Grail. That sure hasn’t been my experience. I type this with a Ford 150 setting in my driveway with 200,000 miles on it. Nothing but regular maintenance and a passenger side strut. The other Ford 150 in my driveway has over 300,000 miles on it. I’ve done regular maintenance and installed an alternator.

My brother just sold a Chevrolet 1500 with over 400,000 miles on it. It’s still trodding along nicely. He just traded in his f150 work truck that had 298,000 miles on it. It was still a powerhouse. My dads 2500 Chevrolet has 250,000 miles on it and besides regular maintenance, he’s put a clutch in it.

So, I’m really lost at this Toyota obsession. When they will last as long on average as the big three does, I’ll start listening. But, if over all duration of body and working components don’t, then what is the infatuation about?

There was actually a recall on some tacoma's for the frames rusting. My dad has an 2004 that the dealership replaced the frame. Not knocking other manufacturer's, but just going off my own experience. With enough salt any vehicle will rust! The lust for toyota's is a simple example of supply and demand.

 

[Reburn]

Well people are actually generally quite stupid. Just look at things that are popular.


Or am I making myself out to be smarter than everyone else?

Now I confused myself.

Just remember there is a sucker born every minute. Cult tacoma is proof.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

There was actually a recall on some tacoma's for the frames rusting. My dad has an 2004 that the dealership replaced the frame. Not knocking other manufacturer's, but just going off my own experience. With enough salt any vehicle will rust! The lust for toyota's is a simple example of supply and demand.

Why does this happen? It’s like you saying a deer jumped your string. To only have people say that deer don’t actually jump at the bow noise.

I know salt rusts vehicles. It’s why I said in WV the pop cans don’t last long. Less then a heavier built truck. Precisely due to salt rusting them. I also understand it’s consumer desire creating the demand. I’ve already stated that. I’m not confused in any way except metaphorically.

I truly believe the obsession with them is stupid. Unjustified comes to mind too. But, if that’s what you want, go for it.

 

[Billy Goat]

Just remember there is a sucker born every minute. Cult tacoma is proof.

 

[Dos Perros]

Nope. Just not understanding the obsession. I’ve owned and, drove even more company rides of all the major makes. New and used. And what I’ve said has been my experience. And, I’m not alone either.

On the average, the Toyotas are outlasting the Big Three. This is demonstrated, documented, and factual.

 

[5MilesBack]

Stupid people never question it. You're probably good.

Yep, they go through life like they're floating down a river on an innertube, while everyone else is dodging and maneuvering around them. They don't even know what questions to ask.......like "is there a large waterfall ahead".

 

[Billy Goat]

On the average, the Toyotas are outlasting the Big Three. This is demonstrated, documented, and factual.

I think to a large degree this is correct, but it doesn't account for a lot of the vehicles that are still on the road but not registered. I know of a pile of farm trucks that are still kicking. Those are hard hard miles.

I mean my '01 2500 cummins had the ball joints last longer than my neighbors taco. And dodge has the worst front end of any truck ever manufactured.

Lots of 25-30 year old trucks around here doing daily farm work. A few Toyotas, but not very many. That could be a reflection of price point as well, but I don't think if you actually put weight in or on a toyota they hold up that well.
Except machine guns. They tote around machine guns really well. And cocaine..

 

[Dos Perros]

I think to a large degree this is correct, but it doesn't account for a lot of the vehicles that are still on the road but not registered. I know of a pile of farm trucks that are still kicking. Those are hard hard miles.

I mean my '01 2500 cummins had the ball joints last longer than my neighbors taco. And dodge has the worst front end of any truck ever manufactured.

Lots of 25-30 year old trucks around here doing daily farm work. A few Toyotas, but not very many. That could be a reflection of price point as well, but I don't think if you actually put weight in or on a toyota they hold up that well.
Except machine guns. They tote around machine guns really well. And cocaine..

I think Toyotas were less popular among the farming crowd 25-30 years ago.

 

[black dawg]

On the average, the Toyotas are outlasting the Big Three. This is demonstrated, documented, and factual.

This is what I have seen as well.

The part that always cracks me up is that toyota owners (in general) are really quiet about any issues they have with them, and how expensive they can be to fix, but will point out issues with other trucks.

They are mostly really good, but not without issues.

 

[Billy Goat]

I think Toyotas were less popular among the farming crowd 25-30 years ago.

Hell they ain't popular now. I know of a small handful.

If you want something small that's "Toy"ota sized you get a utv. I see a big advantage to the road legal side of the taco if you can't use a utv on the road, but you aren't going to beat a truly purpose built vehicle off road either.

 

[Dos Perros]

This is what I have seen as well.

The part that always cracks me up is that toyota owners (in general) are really quiet about any issues they have with them, and how expensive they can be to fix, but will point out issues with other trucks.

They are mostly really good, but not without issues.

I've got 365k on an 06 Tacoma, I'm happy to list my issues (and have before). None are issues that are concerning to me. Like I can't get upset if a wheel bearing with 200k miles on it goes out. Wear parts go out. Just kinda the cost of keeping vehicles on the road no matter the make.

 

[black dawg]

From my research I've concluded that automatic trannys that have haven't had their dextron 3 oil changed, can have failures when the fluids are flushed out. The reason is if there can be solids in the old oil that can get dislodged and settle out where they shouldn't when flushed. It's safer to drain the fluid out from the pan, because this won't dislodge the solids. Most manufacturers recommend changing Dextron 3 every 30k to 60k. I pump a few quarts of dextron 3 tranny oil out of the pan through the dipstick every oil change, it's easy and since about half the oil is in the pan it's always good. Real cheap piece of mind.

Thing is that, "transmission flushes" isnt really an accurate term for what happens and kind of misleading.

When a transmission is "flushed", a "flush" machine is hooked into the trans cooler lines......transmission pumps oil out into a reservoir in the machine, and the machine fills the transmission (through the dip stick tube) keeping the level full.

Older transmissions (like stuff specd for dex3) can really benefit from more frequent fluid changes.
On my own stuff, I will "flush" the transmission when I get something, and then every second or third oil change, drain and refill transmission.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

On the average, the Toyotas are outlasting the Big Three. This is demonstrated, documented, and factual.

Really? Who says so? Who says the Toyota’s aren’t like this one? With so many new parts it’s more new then old? Who says with facts any of what you claim? I can get on the internet and find facts about humans being created by a Big Bang. I don’t believe that either. But, it’s there if that’s what you look for.

I truly could care less. I’ve owned dodge, chevys, fords, nissans, and Toyota’s. All within the last 30 years. And drove fleet of all the above except Nissan. I buy the best deal. I’m not brand loyal or brain washed. And, my prior posts are my experience. Everyone is going to have a different opinions based on theirs. It’s the declaration of the Toyota cults opinion as being correct that people are pointing out as ..... incorrect. There is no right or wrong answer. Buy what you like. But, denying other people’s experience as wrong doesn’t apply. If that weren’t so, there’d be no one making autos except Toyota.

 

[Squincher]

Really? Who says so? Who says the Toyota’s aren’t like this one? With so many new parts it’s more new then old? Who says with facts any of what you claim? I can get on the internet and find facts about humans being created by a Big Bang. I don’t believe that either. But, it’s there if that’s what you look for.

I truly could care less. I’ve owned dodge, chevys, fords, nissans, and Toyota’s. All within the last 30 years. And drove fleet of all the above except Nissan. I buy the best deal. I’m not brand loyal or brain washed. And, my prior posts are my experience. Everyone is going to have a different opinions based on theirs. It’s the declaration of the Toyota cults opinion as being correct that people are pointing out as ..... incorrect. There is no right or wrong answer. Buy what you like. But, denying other people’s experience as wrong doesn’t apply. If that weren’t so, there’d be no one making autos except Toyota.

So, there is no right or wrong answer.........unless someone's own experience leads them to prefer Toyota? Then they are in a cult? Got it.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

So, there is no right or wrong answer.........unless someone's own experience leads them to prefer Toyota? Then they are in a cult? Got it.

I challenge you too point out I’ve said they were “cult like”

One quote will do.

You can twist this anyway you want. I simply don’t care what you drive. But, the OP asked for everyone’s opinion. And, that’s what I gave him. I have a guy working on the same site as I am, talking about how great Tacoma’s are. How his is so good. You know where it’s at? In the third garage it’s been to in six weeks. Getting the transmission over hauled and a new rear ended installed. 167,000 odd mikes on it. I know this because he’s been borrowing that f150 with 300,000 plus thousands mikes on it in I referred to in the part two thread.

 

[Billinsd]

This is what I have seen as well.

The part that always cracks me up is that toyota owners (in general) are really quiet about any issues they have with them, and how expensive they can be to fix, but will point out issues with other trucks.

They are mostly really good, but not without issues.

Not me, but I'm different. I replaced my suspension bushings in my 2002 with 140k. I replaced front coils at about 100k, with beefier ones. I also added a half a rear leaf, both were to handle the extra weight of shell and stuff on roof. Kind of an upgrade. I replaced a power steering hose and pipe. I replaced the dash bulbs a couple of years ago. I had a fuse blow out that connects to the ignition and several other things, including the windshield wipers. The fuse first blew off with my heater on, lights on, when I accidentally hit the windshield wipers. It happened a second time in the garage, when I hit the windshield wipers. I tried to duplicate it with the wipers and of course could not. I carry about 4 of the $3 fuses. I have done a lot of rewiring in the fuse box for different stuff, maybe that's why? Otherwise no fluid leaks and everything works well. I love the truck in that it's very dependable overall. It's a boring truck to me, and I'd prefer to buy a new truck every few years, but I'm a tightwad. I like Toyotas and Hondas for their reliability and dependability at a higher cost. It's not a cult to me and I would happily buy another brand if I felt it was a better buy overall. I really don't care what brand car or truck I buy, I care about reliability, and total cost of purchase and maintenance.

 

[zion zig zag]

What makes a two year old, used Tacoma worth more than a brand new one at full retail? 2019 TRD Pros listed at mid forties around here. Meanwhile there are 25 of them sitting on lots within 50 miles for 38k list price. What is that about?