Blackfeather
Custom
I made the statement that I don't like any vehicle made after 2013, and that's because they are overloaded with electronic tech & gadgetry that few know how to work on or repair. I do like modern convenience & comfort features, but I also like to keep it simple.
My 2007 Toyota Tundra was purchased (rescued) cheap in 2017 when it already had 270,000 undocumented miles on it that were obviously hard miles, it's a rare truck that I bought intending to make it a sport truck for the street that could double as a work truck whenever my 2002 Tundra work truck required repairs & maintenance.
Earlier this year the dash in the '07 lit up like a Christmas tree, and the head gasket eventually failed in the driveway during a cold start up at 315,000 miles. My Toyota master diagnostic mechanic pulled the 5.7L 3UR-FE engine to replace the head gasket and quickly discovered cylinder wall scoring. Both problems were the direct result of poor maintenance habit by one or all three of the previous owners. The engine had been run hard while low on oil and probably not changing it every 5k, and the cooling system had not been flushed every 5 years or 50k. I found a low mileage (<80k) replacement engine that I bought from the original owner, my mechanic tore it down for inspection... he replaced the head gaskets, a lot of timing chain related components, sealed everything up and installed it in my truck with a new starter, alternator and cooling system.
It's not a show truck, but the old truck is good another 300k and more, and my grand total invested including all repairs and modifications made prior to the head gasket failure remains below it's original MSRP. It makes about 400 horsepower, it can hit 60 mph in 6 seconds, reach an unrestricted triple digit top speed in a hurry and it's paid for.
Yes I could have gone out and spent a bundle on a new shiny Toyota truck, but it's more satisfying to me to keep a special vehicle that I know on the road than it would be to dispose of it and buy something new.
What are your thoughts about buying new vs. rehabbing old or not so old vehicles?
My 2007 Toyota Tundra was purchased (rescued) cheap in 2017 when it already had 270,000 undocumented miles on it that were obviously hard miles, it's a rare truck that I bought intending to make it a sport truck for the street that could double as a work truck whenever my 2002 Tundra work truck required repairs & maintenance.
Earlier this year the dash in the '07 lit up like a Christmas tree, and the head gasket eventually failed in the driveway during a cold start up at 315,000 miles. My Toyota master diagnostic mechanic pulled the 5.7L 3UR-FE engine to replace the head gasket and quickly discovered cylinder wall scoring. Both problems were the direct result of poor maintenance habit by one or all three of the previous owners. The engine had been run hard while low on oil and probably not changing it every 5k, and the cooling system had not been flushed every 5 years or 50k. I found a low mileage (<80k) replacement engine that I bought from the original owner, my mechanic tore it down for inspection... he replaced the head gaskets, a lot of timing chain related components, sealed everything up and installed it in my truck with a new starter, alternator and cooling system.
It's not a show truck, but the old truck is good another 300k and more, and my grand total invested including all repairs and modifications made prior to the head gasket failure remains below it's original MSRP. It makes about 400 horsepower, it can hit 60 mph in 6 seconds, reach an unrestricted triple digit top speed in a hurry and it's paid for.
Yes I could have gone out and spent a bundle on a new shiny Toyota truck, but it's more satisfying to me to keep a special vehicle that I know on the road than it would be to dispose of it and buy something new.
What are your thoughts about buying new vs. rehabbing old or not so old vehicles?
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