Buy a New Truck or Repair a 2009 Tacoma?

Hi everyone.
I bought a used 2009 Tacoma Crew Cab 4x4, with TRD and SR5 packages with 20K of miles back in 2012. I've worked out of my home since 2016 and average 5k-6k in miles each year. The truck currently has 114K on it.

I've replaced things over the years but in my opinion, they are all maintenance or old age repairs. I've changed the ac compressor, exhaust, 4x4 actuator, all new suspension, and a couple of control arms. The body is in very good shape - a few scratches and rust around the bumper near the trailer hitch.

I need both the exhaust manifolds replaced and since I live in New York state and emission laws are strict I got an estimate of $2500 for the repair. I was also told that my brake lines are rusted and need replacement, along with a small spot on the frame that needs basic patching (the shop does this stuff frequently - this isn't a structural issue).

All in all this work will cost me $4000.00, which also includes a high end undercoat treatment to protect the truck going forward. My wife wants me to look for a new truck but with the cost of trucks, on top of the fact that I don't drive much I think I should pay for the repairs. She doesn't want us both needing to replace our vehicles at the same time down the road - having one huge payment. In my view my truck should last another 5 years.

I'm looking for some advice, especially any of you in cold winter climates where salted roads are the norm. Thanks in advance!

This is a pic from a few years ago but it still looks just as good. The wheels are a bit rusted but are still fine.

 

I'd say it depends on the condition of the rest of your frame. If you have one rust hole needing repair, it makes me question what other things are lurking under the surface. Especially in New York since y'all salt more than even here in Wisconsin.

But if your frame is clean otherwise and can be patched without drama, I'd have the repairs done and coat the entire chassis in WoolWax, Fluid Film, or some other lanolin based undercoating type substance.

If your wife wants you to buy a new truck show her the prices and I bet she changes her mind. Or hey, maybe you can parlay this into getting a new 4th gen Tacoma? Good luck, and welcome to Tacoma World!

 

$4K is a few short months’ worth of new truck payments. The mileage on the vehicle, if well-maintained, is quite low, and other than the same kind of occasional replacing of bits and pieces, you should be good for many years to come. So, if you still like your Taco, then from where I’m sitting, it seems like a no-brainer.

 

More photos of the frame and we can offer actual advice.

2nd gen is cool. But maybe some good 3rd Gen buys early next year once people swap for 4th gen too. A rare potential buying opportunity.

 

thanks everyone!
wi_taco - I called the shop today and they use something call waxoil. It's a one-time application that goes into every crevice and frame piece. They give free touchups should I need it as well. Are you familiar with this?

leomania - my point exactly!!

daveeasa - I was not expecting anyone to want pics of the frame but I'll gladly get them over the next couple of days. Turns out I have an excellent contact at the biggest Toyota dealer in NY so I'm talking to him as well.

 

Do exhaust manifolds really cost $2500? I saw LCE headers for only $430 would install be $2000? That said I found out NY vehicle inspection is a PITA unless you go to a garage that just overlooks stuff.

 

If the frame is solid that truck should last you 10 more years easily with the mileage you put on.

 

If it were me I’d do the repairs and hang on to it. I would think you should get minimally 5 years but you could get a lot more.

 

Welcome to TW

 

I fixed up my 2009 access cab TRD with 178k miles (0 rust) with Clazzio covers, new shocks, struts, R&P, ball joints & gave it to my grandson in Texas, then bought a 2023. I miss my 2009. I hate being careful with a new truck (900 miles) and a black interior was a huge mistake. If I had a do-over, I would have kept the 2009 & not bought new. The 4.0 ran circles around this truck.

 

Fix what you have,$4,000 versus a $40,000 loan before the sale of your truck,the wife will put you in debt,forget what she says as it's your truck and your money.

 

The exhaust manifold and cat1 are a single part. Probably why the high cost.

 

And when you need marriage counseling you come on back .

 

Thanks for your service @Cincy Tacoma

 

If the brake lines and frame are already rotted through, I would be concerned with how everything else is doing. I would hate to see you dump a ton of money into a truck just to still have a rusty truck and likely have to keep spending money down the road. It sounds nice thinking $4k and the truck is perfect, but it will likely need more work fairly soon. if its already that rusty that the frame, manifolds, and brake lines are already rotten, I would be concerned. If I were in your shoes, I would be considering a new vehicle. These trucks are amazing and will last forever until rust gets ahold of them. You could fix the holes in the frame and do the undercoating, which of course would certainly help but its already past the point of prevention, it won't be perfect. $4k is a decent down payment. Then at that point you could apply that undercoating to the new truck and re-apply it every year before winter to keep up with it and it will last you a whole lot longer. Just my opinion on it, I'm sorry you're in this situation. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

That's my wife's point. If trucks weren't $40K I'd be fine with getting one. I was looking at a 2015 with about 30k mileage on it and it was $32k! Thanks for the advice!

 

yep. correct. I can't just get them anywhere either. The shop said it has to be a certain type of material because it filters exhaust better. I'm able to drive the truck just fine so I'm still looking around.

 

Here are pics of the frame. I didn't want to paste them into the text field because the post would be a mile long. Let me know if you can't see them.

 

A quick Google search shows me some prices. The manager of the shop said he knows the manager of a parts store that will give me a better price. This shop has a good reputation in town so I don't think there are trying to pull a fast one.

2009 Toyota Tacoma Exhaust Manifold & Header | Advance Auto Parts

 

It’s so unfortunate that the frame is rotted through the truck looks so good on the outside!