Let's do an update!
That O2 sensor blinked at me for about a year before I got it fixed. Was seized so more than I could deal with.
A few months ago the transmission started acting up. I thought it may have been the end until I hopped on the Google and found that all of these cars eventually need an ECU repair. The solder used by Toyota was faulty, it eventually develops micro cracks, connections are no longer connected, and typically it loses control of your trans. There was a 10yr warranty extension on that... Didn't quite make it. I attempted to resolder the board myself and think I did a splendid job given my limited soldering ability, but it didn't resolve the problem. $250 and a core exchange later, I had a resoldered board sent to me from a company in NC. If I didn't catch and repair the issue quickly enough, the trans would have eaten itself. Got lucky.
Picked up a hitch extension (didn't know these were a thing) to get the rear rack out past the spare tire better. Money well spent, but it seems these things have a bit of play in them... I suppose that goes for any sort of extension (thinking socket wrench). I still can't fully open the rear door with the rack installed (and tilted down). Horizontally swinging rear doors are dumb as hell.
After two years, the headlight cleaning I did had gone hazy again. These headlights are notorious for this. Last time I did it I was on the road to bring it home so I didn't do the sealing process. This time I did. I probably could have polished the lenses more, but it was a huge improvement. Used a Turtle Wax kit. Seemed pretty toxic so hopefully it works well.
I drive it about once a week. It went through some real shit this winter - blizzards, giant road-trips, off-roading. 151k and it still doesn't give a fuck. I'm about to get a free Ford Transit Connect (gas included) for a few years so this car will be seeing even less use... Maybe rent it out?
Changes planned? I need to get some winter wheels. I'd also like to get some oversized tires, but the all-seasons that came with it were brand new and I can't justify that.
Cost of ownership over two years has been about $600. Can't complain.
That O2 sensor blinked at me for about a year before I got it fixed. Was seized so more than I could deal with.
A few months ago the transmission started acting up. I thought it may have been the end until I hopped on the Google and found that all of these cars eventually need an ECU repair. The solder used by Toyota was faulty, it eventually develops micro cracks, connections are no longer connected, and typically it loses control of your trans. There was a 10yr warranty extension on that... Didn't quite make it. I attempted to resolder the board myself and think I did a splendid job given my limited soldering ability, but it didn't resolve the problem. $250 and a core exchange later, I had a resoldered board sent to me from a company in NC. If I didn't catch and repair the issue quickly enough, the trans would have eaten itself. Got lucky.
Picked up a hitch extension (didn't know these were a thing) to get the rear rack out past the spare tire better. Money well spent, but it seems these things have a bit of play in them... I suppose that goes for any sort of extension (thinking socket wrench). I still can't fully open the rear door with the rack installed (and tilted down). Horizontally swinging rear doors are dumb as hell.
After two years, the headlight cleaning I did had gone hazy again. These headlights are notorious for this. Last time I did it I was on the road to bring it home so I didn't do the sealing process. This time I did. I probably could have polished the lenses more, but it was a huge improvement. Used a Turtle Wax kit. Seemed pretty toxic so hopefully it works well.
I drive it about once a week. It went through some real shit this winter - blizzards, giant road-trips, off-roading. 151k and it still doesn't give a fuck. I'm about to get a free Ford Transit Connect (gas included) for a few years so this car will be seeing even less use... Maybe rent it out?
Changes planned? I need to get some winter wheels. I'd also like to get some oversized tires, but the all-seasons that came with it were brand new and I can't justify that.
Cost of ownership over two years has been about $600. Can't complain.
I Am Mike
4 wheels: '01 RAV4 (Formerly '93 Civic CX, '01 S2000, '10 GTI, '09 A4 Avant)
2 wheels: '12 Surly Cross-Check Custom | '14 Trek Madone 2.1 105 | '17 Norco Threshold SL Force 1 | '17 Norco Revolver 9.2 FS | '18 BMC Roadmachine 02 Two | '19 Norco Search XR Steel (Formerly '97 Honda VFR750F, '05 Giant TCR 2, '15 WeThePeople Atlas 24, '10 Scott Scale 29er XT, '11 Cervelo R3 Rival, '12 Ridley X-Fire Red)
No longer onyachin.
4 wheels: '01 RAV4 (Formerly '93 Civic CX, '01 S2000, '10 GTI, '09 A4 Avant)
2 wheels: '12 Surly Cross-Check Custom | '14 Trek Madone 2.1 105 | '17 Norco Threshold SL Force 1 | '17 Norco Revolver 9.2 FS | '18 BMC Roadmachine 02 Two | '19 Norco Search XR Steel (Formerly '97 Honda VFR750F, '05 Giant TCR 2, '15 WeThePeople Atlas 24, '10 Scott Scale 29er XT, '11 Cervelo R3 Rival, '12 Ridley X-Fire Red)
No longer onyachin.