At What Point Do You Sell?

My ac went out in my 2011 with 180k mikes, cost 3k to fix. I debated just getting a new truck but then thought about it and that was like 6months of notes on a new truck so decided to fix it. Unfortunately 2 months later the damn heater went out and cost another 2k. So I spent 5k on it that year. That was 2 years ago. So yea it did end up costing a good chunk but keeping it saved me money in the long run. Figure 5k was less than a years worth of notes and it’s been 2 years now.

Since then I’ve thrown 3k more into upgrades in it and plan on keeping it til it falls apart.

I still think about it like ok do I want a $600-$800 (especially in todays crazy market) or keep a paid off vehicle and just invest a little $$ into it every now and then!

 

At this point, I wouldn't sell. It makes better economic sense to keep it rather than buying a newer one.

 

yup, newer truck registration and insurance will double and have to pay the load, upgrade cost is same as maintenance cost...lol

 

True. But having $3k worth of repairs on a 15-year-old truck doesn’t make it a lemon, or even unreliable. Most Tundra owners chose it because of the rarity of repairs regardless of how hard they are on it.

 

The miles wouldn't bother me one bit. My dad's tundra has over 225k on it and runs and drives amazing. Maintenance has to be done on newer vehicles too lol, so if the tech features are not appealing then no reason to get something newer.
Maybe instead of changing trucks, treat yourself to a couple mods. Nothing crazy, but sometimes a couple changes can make you love the truck again. If you're cought up on maintenence, keep on driving it!

 

Cost/benefits analysis is different for everyone. My 09 SR5 Crewmax ran well when I traded it at 113k earlier this year. But it was an SR5 without things I’d started to want in a truck. Heated seats, steering wheel controls, voice commands, big screen with NAV. I wanted all factory integration and factory user friendliness as I’ve outgrown the aftermarket stereo bug and was not going to pump money into another aftermarket head unit.

I’d had a water pump leak and been topping off coolant every few months. AIP issue was also starting to make me nervous. Tires and brakes were due in less than a year. Almost time for spark plugs. If the truck had more features I wanted I’d have probably spent a few k and maybe tried the bypass and then held it to 200k.

But I knew something new would catch my eye and I wouldn’t hold it that long after putting that money into it. So it didn’t make sense to spend 3-4 grand knowing that. After 13 years with only oil changes, tires and brakes I took my chips off the table and cashed out. Got half what I paid new and put it into an over priced new truck that I’ll pay off with plenty of life left in 5 years when it’s time to write another check to celebrate my wife’s retirement. My Crewmax was purchased a bit before I got my wife an engagement ring. See a pattern here? I plan not only around the condition of the vehicle but also around life events where I know it will only be harder after. I might have several years of life left in a vehicle but if I know I’m close to wanting something new and something’s happening in a few years to make that harder I’m probably buying now.

Others would choose differently and not be wrong.

 

At What Point Do You Sell?

Great question, to which there will never be a shortage of opinions.
Here’s one, in summary - issues fall into several categories: a) mileage - accelerated by use, abuse, and environment. b) deferred or poorly executed maintenance. c) age.

“b” is fully within the owner’s control unless purchased prev-owned, but still may be addressable.

“a” is ostensibly within the owner’s control, but only to an (often limited) extent.

“c” is what it is.

As an owner, I like to watch forums like this one to get a sense for the impacts of “c” and “a” which inform “b”.

I’ll tell you, when I owned a Passat (don’t ever buy a Passat), I could set my “it’s gonna fail watch” to every theme and trend I spotted in the PassatWorld forum for my generation.

I don’t tend to put a lot miles on my vehicles (my 2011 RCSB just turned 69k miles last Friday), but I’m watching this forum often for clues on when to expect my 4x4 actuator to fail, tranny to develop its first leak, weird electrical issues crop up, etc. Love it when owners mention vehicle age and mileage, region of country, and how they use the vehicle when posting about issues/failures.

I’m far any decision to sell, but if and when I start seeing the signs of age and mileage catching up, I’ll begin considering my options.

 

Unfortunately North Texas auto shop prices are quite high. Dealership quoted me over $1,500 to replace the alternator whereas the shop I typically use quoted me just under $1,200. When I did the rack and pinion dealership originally quoted me $1,200 but I needed my truck the next day for a trip. Brought it back shortly thereafter and they quoted me nearly $3,500 for the same job! Evidently they originally inputted the labor as less than a dollar in the initial estimate. Have had multiple poor experiences with the dealerships in this area and never trusted them in general... My usual shop ended up doing the rack and pinion for $1,600 which I thought was a fair price....

 

Exactly one of my thoughts. Figured I'd like to have one last V8 to last awhile before everyone shifts to turbo V6's/electric. I've been looking at some at 17/18's that are enticing. Not that I tow that often, but disappointed that Toyota removed the transmission cooler after the 2018 model year.

 

Yeah fortunately it's never left me stranded, took it on a 4 hour road trip yesterday with a decent amount of remote off-road driving and had no concerns. But I'm at the point where I'm not sure I'd take it 12 hours each way from TX to Colorado with a 15 foot trailer like what I've done in the past... albeit I'd still probably trust its reliability over a newer domestic truck.

 

Yeah I've been pretty good on maintenance items. Definitely considered little things like an aftermarket stereo with Carplay and/or adding a backup cam (too tech things that I would actually enjoy having lol). My dad's 07 5.7 has 230k miles.... it's mostly been solid as well although he recently had a solenoid go out as well as the radiator, left him stranded both times and were around $2,500 to fix both those items. He's also had some issues with his heat and a/c so I guess it's just the luck of the draw sometimes.

 

Never have really considered A/C preventative maintenance but this is definitely helpful to consider. Appreciate the feedback! Definitely will be hard to let this truck go someday. It's been a lot better than the diesel's we had before!

 

It’s pretty simple for me. If I can afford the repairs, and accept the down time I keep the vehicle.

If the repairs are too often and I’m stranded often, it goes.

 

What’s the replacement going to cost you and what’s your need ?

On average - a dealer is “grossing” 3500-5k on a vehicle sold - so the moment you buy anything over 25-30k - that’s what you lose. Lower end of range on used - higher end on say a 17-19 MY used - reflecting the risk assumed (and yes - there is a risk on taking a 2017-19 with 60-100k on trade).

So you buy anything - your losing what you just paid in maintenance above preventative. Starter/alternator are certainly not going to cost you over 1k - reality is what else could go bad in next 3 years ? Your probably safe from any huge bills - worst case one does pop up and you could sell the truck as non running and your anticipated loss is just above what you would guarantee yourself losing trading now.

If you can wait 3 years - I’d say do it. But of course newer might be your preference. If so go for it - vehicles aren’t a straight economic decision for most unless your running a fleet.

By 2024/2025 - there will be a refinement to the 3rd gen likely / so 2017s should be decent buys - even a 2021 might be affordable to the average truck buyer. Good time to upgrade and you’ll have saved a nice down payment if things go your way maintenance wise and you lose little value on yours (there will always be a residual value to trucks).

 

This pretty much sums up the answer.......kinda..... Most decisions to replace vehicles are emotional versus economic - using the (pending or expected increasing) cost of maintenance and repairs to rationalize the replacement purchase. If private vehicle owners tracked their ownership costs;

The answer is more likely than not - cheaper to repair than replace.

 

If your frame is good I'd keep it. It's prob good for another 5 years...Or spend the next 5 years paying off $50k for a new truck.

You can always get the supercharger if you're bored. If I had throwaway money that's what I would do. I also have a 2002 4runner with 260,000 miles that is more reliable than a brand new F150. Ask my coworker. He just sold his new Ecoboost for an older Cummins powered Ram. Something about bad cam phasers...The 5.7 is one of those unicorn engines that Toyota makes....Kinda like the 2JZ. It will always be cool.

 

My 2013 will hit 225K this week. The only part I've replaced that I consider odd was the alternator which failed just after I bought her four years ago when there was 80k on the clock. I replaced the primary drive belt at the same time, have been through a couple of cabin filters, recently replaced the shocks (which were suspect when I got her) and at the same time the stabilizer bar end links. Otherwise she's had nothing but fluid changes and still goes like shit off a shovel.
Two years without car payments, I figure I can probably justify throwing a few $k at her before I start humming and hawing about getting rid - Throwing a junkyard tranny or engine in there is perfectly doable but whether I want to nowadays is debatable...

Edit: 'spose I shouldn't forget to mention the three sets of rubber that she's had.

 

The Denso Tundra alternators are made in Tennessee. The alternator in my 4runner is 20 years old and still works fine...

 

The whole point of buying Toyota is the confidence in knowing with basic maintenance your vehicle will last forever! I would never consider selling a Toyota (except for profit). Buy and own for life. I have given my older corolla and camrys to family members. Still running strong and staying in the family.

 

I get tired of them before I wear them out and then I give them to my kids.......

 

The grandson's will be getting my rig. Probably be a refurb project for them in another 20yrs.

 

My missus did the same to her son, a few years back, he wasn't best pleased to inherit a Ford Expedition with over 450k on it's original engine.
He did manage to coax a few years out of it though, it was absolutely hanging - a plus point in the wife's eyes as it put the girls off.

Edit: Sorry, English vernacular - hanging means falling apart where I'm from.

 

For me? At this point, never. I’ll never recoup nearly the amount of money I’ve put in the truck and I still love it. I’m also insane when it comes to preventative/routine maintenance so I expect it to last another 30 years.

 

Totally agree. I have a 2011 with 484K and 2013 with 238K. No major mechanical issues with either and still running well.

 

Have you test drove the new tundras?
I did. I'm keeping my 08. I'd rather have a crew max cab ,but I enjoy not having to make payments. The 5.7 had a 14 year run. If my motor or trans pops I'm gonna be looking for a wrecked one to put them from.

 

I just bought a 2007 with 200312 miles on it and plan on doing whatever I need to keep it running. I cannot justify, nor afford to spend 60-70 thou on a new one. It's cheaper to repair your current truck so that is what I would do.....