Thinking of getting out of my Taco

[Applejack]

Here we go again. I don't know if I have some kind of syndrome or perhaps I am never pleased with anything. Maybe I just never have the drive to see a project through. Whatever the case, I am thinking of getting out of my '05 Tacoma and looking for a good 80 series LC. with the factory lockers. Why? Well I always wanted one and the only reason I haven't gotten one was their fuel economy. While I am currently only achieving 13mpg around town in my Taco, I am really considering letting it go in favor of a much more rugged and yet comfy adventure vehicle. Am I being ridiculous here? I've done up my truck a bit, upgrades and such, should I just suck it up and stay with it?

 

[bmh]

keep your Taco. 80 series are cool, but the taco is just as capable. I thought about selling my rig, but then I realized I have a rig that lots of people want and I can make mine just as capable for less money than I would spend on getting a newer rig a nd fixing it up...

 

[Cackalak Han]

Here is what you should do. Search and FIND a clean 80 w/ lockers first, then think about selling the Taco. I searched for a year before giving up. I mean, frantically searching eBay, craigslist, ih8mud, etc. They were either beat up, overpriced, or sold within minutes of posting. IMO, I have missed the boat on the 80's. That's okay, though. I think the Taco or the 100+ series LC are just as capable and much more reliable. If I have the need to go with an SUV expo vehicle, I'll be looking at the LC or the 4Runner.

 

[Applejack]

Yeah, the problem is that there has been a super clean '95 sitting at a local lot for over a year now. 139k leather, lockers, all stock. They want $10,988 but are willing to deal because it's been on the lot so long. High gas prices were to blame. I haven't driven it, I'm afraid to:sombrero:, but the owner of the lot takes it home 2 times a week to keep it from just sitting.
So needless to say I've been eyeing it for a long time, and..........

 

[tacollie]

I feel your pain. I am in the exact same boat. There are three reasons I am keeping the taco. I know the history, I love the flippac (might be cool on an 80), and I have the fj55. Honestly if I didn't have the flippac the truck would be gone. I just don't like driving it. I really don't like autos either. Sell it and get the 80.

 

[tacollie]

I have also been tossing around a SAS using an 80 front end.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Yeah, the problem is that there has been a super clean '95 sitting at a local lot for over a year now. 139k leather, lockers, all stock. They want $10,988 but are willing to deal because it's been on the lot so long. High gas prices were to blame. I haven't driven it, I'm afraid to:sombrero:, but the owner of the lot takes it home 2 times a week to keep it from just sitting.
So needless to say I've been eyeing it for a long time, and..........

If it's clean, grab it. They are too far and few in between. Too bad you don't know the maintenance history. IIRC, the baselining (bringing all the maintenance up to par) is usually around $4-5 k? So take that into consideration. Hit up cruiser dan on ih8mud. Good luck with it.

I'd love to get one. They are awesome. If I didn't need a truck now, I'd have a 100 sitting in my garage.

 

[czenkov]

If you are willing to ship one this popped up a day ago. I am tempted but IF I go back to a LC it will have to be a 60 series. No affiliation - I don't know anything about it.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=1117414

 

[Martinjmpr]

The grass is always greener, huh? My only thoughts would be that if gas shoots back up to $3.50+/gallon this Summer you may be kicking yourself every time you fill that 80 up. I'd also say that would be the best time to get an 80 when the owner is sick and tired of sinking so much into gas, rather than now when there is snow on the ground and gas is cheap.

BTW, back in the Summer I saw lots of 80's going for under $5k. Something to think about. Sure, they were older and had more miles, but if you could get one with less than 200k for $4k, you'd have a lot more money left over to fix it up.

I can also tell you from my personal experience that having a pickup is very handy and when I got rid of my last truck (a 2wd Ranger) I missed it a lot. I couldn't wait to get back into another truck.

 

[tacollie]

Don't let gas stop you. I went from 20mpg around town in my 02 taco to 13mpg in the 05 so I understand you pain. I do hit 15mpg on the highway sometimes. Now that you are used to the taco getting 13 it will be easy to adjust to 12 in the 80. Thats what I keep telling myself.

 

[cid 96]

keep the Tacoma

I actually had both an '07 DC 4x4 Tacoma and a '94 LC w/ lockers, sliders, bumpers, 12K winch and a lot of pm done. But....I needed to go back to just one vehicle and it just killed me knowing I had over 15K in a 13-14yr old vehicle.

I miss the LC some, but I am really enjoying the Tacoma more. Besides if it is a DD then it does spend 90%++ of its time on the road.

just my $.02.

Sid

 

[Applejack]

Thanks Sid. Probably good advice. There's lots to consider here. Another things is, I still owe $19,000 on my Taco. I could throw $10k at it to pay it down, or sell it and just pay cash for the 80. I hate car payments, especially $400 ones. Right now am trying to think financially responsible. Is an 80 an expensive vehicle to own? Not including mods:sombrero:?

 

[tacollie]

You are going a older vehicle so there will be maintenance issues. If you don't do the work yourself that can get pricy. I am all about minimizing debt though and 19000 is a lot of green.

 

[cid 96]

Not real expensive to own, but 80's at best are 12yr. old trucks and there is always a little something to do to them. (at least that was my experience)

My truck was a beast off-road, basically if I could get a tire on it, the truck would go up it. I have not been off-road in the Tacoma yet, we are going to Katemcy, TX in March so I will let you know my comparison after that.

Sid