Should I keep or sell my 2004 DC 3.4 Auto

The question that I have is should I sell or keep my 2004 DC 3.4 Auto with 178,000 original miles and I'm the 2nd owner. I know is a Tacoma forum ...

The reason is that next year down the road it will become my daily driver since I will have to sell my car due to a separation.

Within the past 2 year the truck has gotten:
4 new tires
Front Brakes and one caliper
Wheel Alignment
Carrier Bearing
Valve cover & manifold gaskets replaced
3 Coil Pack, Spark Wires and Spark Plugs replaced
Brake & Steering Fluid flushed
Radiator Flushed
New Battery
Front Strut Assembly and Rear Shocks
Frame was treated by the Dealer during the recall, no rust.
Changed the instrument panel with a refurbished one (like 300 miles difference)
No accidents, Clean Carfax
Oil & Filter change every 3,500 miles

The only thing is the dreaded axle wrap of all the Auto Tacoma's and the white paint is a little dull, thinking of getting a paint restoration ($600 +/-) ...

My guess is that the main upcoming maintenance is:

Timing belt (most expensive)
Rear brakes
Water pump
New belts
Radiator hoses
Transmission flush
Rear differential lube change

So what would be the Pros and Cons with the high mileage for a daily driver. I was thinking of getting a 2nd Gen with lower mileage even that I love my truck.

 

Keep...

 

Keep it. Sounds like it's being well maintained and after you knock out the timing belt and a few other basic items it'll last you another 150k miles easily

 

I've got a buddy who travels daily for work in his rig on 33s with full skids and has just over 400k on his truck. It'll last you if you keep good care of it. I love driving my truck and have no issues putting miles on it. It's really all up to you and if it suits your needs man

Pros are it's a truck you love, and if you do love it then all the cons of maintenance are worth the money and time...

Might consider new suspension components as well. I hear tell you won't believe the ride difference between old worn out vs new and shiny lol

And check your front end for play in steering and bearings/ball joints for sure!

 

Hm some pictures would really help, but seems to me its been put through the wringer of just renewing it parts less so actually having issues arrising and needing to be fixed like a lemon. Whatever up coming maint you list really arent that rough especially if your able to wrench yourself.

That said to really say whether or not you should or shouldnt keep it is seeing what your needing it for, and what would you get instead at what price (also how much the taco would sell for). Your taco model at its mileage likely would sell for quite a bit given the paint isnt to weathered.

 

Don't know if it's paid for or not, but if so I feel that putting maintenance money into a car you know and like is better than a payment on a car constantly decreasing in value. Or paying cash for a used car you don't know the history on.

At least that's what I keep telling myself as justification for the money and time I spend on my 2004 and 1996 that are both over 200k.

 

This truck has a complete maintenance history from the 1st owner to me. I'm not sure what you mean that it has been put thru the wringer when I have seen Tacomas with over 200k on this site. The paint is not rough or faded is just the white color of that year is kind of dull compared with other whites. BTW, in this area these truck with this mileage are around $10 to 12K. Anyway thanks for the input

 

I bought it Cash, no Lien ...

 

Keep.

 

Keep, it's hard to find a vehicle with history. I'd rather have a truck with 200k that has been documented than one with 100k with no history, carfax is joke. Daily it for a while until you can get a beater for a daily.

 

Thats good that the 1st owner kept up with the maint thats what I was meaning when I mentioned going through the wringer. In other words the previous owner kept up with keeping things fixed, and nothing seriously wrong occured outside of general issues.

Also good that it's paint is good, and price sounds right. Seems decent enough to keep for me given you don't personally want a taco specifically, or would be better off with something more family/mpg friendly.

 

Keep it for the simple fact that 1st gen Tacomas are better than 2nd gens

 

Unless a 1st gen Tacoma is rusted out, completely neglected (they are out there), or is involved in a major collision that renders it undriveable; it would be crazy to sell it. This things are like roaches, they'll survive a nuclear holocaust.

 

Keep it, it's the devil you know. A weekends worth of work for all of the maintenance you itemized. If the suspension is stock/not updated, I would consider an OME suspension as a great upgrade.

 

2 months ago I replaced the Front Strut Assembly and the rear shocks

 

Then just replace the rear springs.

 

Keep It! If it ain't broke don't fix it. Ahem...

1) High Mileage Yota = 300,001 to 1,000,000 miles.

2) 1st Gen had many years for Toyota to tweak. Thats the main reason I have one.

A)Was the timing belt already done once around 100k? If it's been done you can probably wait a while, it's also easy to loosen the top timing cover and visually inspect the timing belt.

B)The water pump will usually weep/drip a bit before it fails, it's designed that way. Usually you can see your coolant is going low or disappearing and sometimes you start to hear the bearing. If you don't see or smell any leaking/overheating then your water pump is probably fine, for now. If coolant starts to get low... I believe it's best to use Pentosin A4 coolant and distilled water to keep it full, then fix it soon!

Newer/less mileage only guarantees a monthly payment.
Buy a tow strap, wear your seatbelt, say a lil prayer.

 

Timing belt was changed around the 100K, the engine runs fine, no leaks what so ever

 

you are going to be very hard pressed to find a more reliable vehicle... many MANY peeps see 400k on a regularly maintained 3.4!

sorry about the separation, that really hurts to the core.

As for your paint, Mcquires makes a clay bar kit for under $30. Wash her really good and clay bar her, you will be surprised just how much shine you can bring back as long as the clear coat isnt burned through.

 

Keep it! 1st gens forever!!!