I Just Changed the Taillight Bulb in My 2000 Toyota Tacoma For $6, It’s Why I Will Never Own A New Tacoma Or a Cybertruck, I’ll Keep My One-Owner Find

Should you buy a new 2025 Toyota Tacoma or keep your older Tacoma pickup? It may be a wise choice to stay with your older truck. Check out Kyle's tailight replacement story, and after you read this, you may think again about buying a new Tacoma pickup.  

"This right here is why I will never own a new Toyota Tacoma again, ever."

That's what Kyle Carter (@bigkrcarter) says in his TikTok video. He says, I have had this 2000 Toyota Tacoma for 3 years, never had a single issue (knock on wood). It's the second-best vehicle I've ever owned. (He doesn't say which was the first). 

First, Imagine driving your 2000 Toyota pickup and seeing lights flashing in your rearview mirror. You know you weren't speeding, so you aren't sure why you are getting pulled over by the police. 

He walks up to your window and asks for your license and registration. He says do you know why I pulled you over? You say no, I don't. He says, "You have a taillight out."

You breathe out a sigh of relief as he pulls away. Now fast forward to Saturday morning. You say to your six-year-old daughter, hey, jump in the truck with me; we are going to the parts store. She isn't all that excited, but you know your wife needs some alone time. 

So, you jump in the truck for quality time with your daughter. 

Kyle's interesting story begins here.

"So, my taillight is out. I was pulled over last night by a policeman, and he said, 'Your taillight is out.'

"Are you ready for this?" he says as he taps his taillight with a screwdriver. He counts one-two-three-four as he shows the four screws on the taillight lens.

He takes out the four screws, takes the lens off, and can see the burned-out bulb. "Four screws, and I can see the whole thing, and it pops right off."

Push, turn, and he takes out the badly burned bulb. "How about that? Look at how easy it was." He pulls out a package of new bulbs he purchased at O'Reilly Auto Parts. He puts the new bulb in and puts the lens on. 

Kyle's daughter makes a cameo appearance; she is in the back seat and not impressed. However, her attitude improves when her dad lets her help him tighten the last screw.

It takes Kyle and his daughter about 3 minutes to replace the burned-out taillight bulb. 

He turns on the Tacoma lights and shows that the new bulb works. "See, the bulb is working even though it's bright outside."

"Look, there are some things on the new Tacomas that might be easy to fix, but this 2000 Tacoma I bought this thing because 90% of the stuff on this thing that it takes to maintain this truck I can do myself and save myself a lot of money."

How much did Kyle pay for his 2000 Tacoma?

He says, "I paid $7,000 in early 2022 when it had 180,000 on the odometer. It was one owner with every maintenance record in the glove box for me to sift through. I knew exactly what I had found." 

How much did the taillight bulb cost Kyle at O'Reilly Auto Parts? 

The Sylvania 1157 Long Life Incandescent 2 bulb pack costs $6.49. It took him 20 minutes to run to the parts store, 3 minutes to install it, and he's done. He even installed it in the O'Reilly Auto Parts parking lot. 

How much does a taillight bulb cost for a 2024 Toyota Tacoma?

The new Tacoma taillight bulbs start at $25.99, so it's around $20.00 more. Replacing the bulb yourself is not difficult and may take a few more minutes. So, overall, the new Tacoma is not that different.

How about routine maintenance on a 2024 Toyota Tacoma?

A 2024 Toyota Tacoma pickup is relatively easy to maintain, with most basic maintenance tasks like oil changes and filter replacements being straightforward and accessible for DIY enthusiasts like Kyle.

Toyota recommends a 5,000, 10,000, and 30,000-mile scheduled service. 

Owners can easily do the 5,000-mile check, including checking all fluid levels and wiper blades. Toyota recommends tire rotation, which some customers can do themselves.

The 10,000-mile service is relatively easy.

An oil change is a highlight of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma's 10,000-mile service. Toyota recommends an oil change and oil filter every 10,000 miles. If you drive on dirt or dusty roads, it's every 5,000 miles.

Many owners can change the oil and filter. Toyota also recommends changing the cabin air filter, an often overlooked service item. 

Toyota also recommends a detailed inspection of the truck's brake rotors and pads. Another easy inspection the owner can do.

The 30,000-mile service is more involved.

A 30,000-mile service on the Tacoma pickup requires the propeller shaft bolt to be retorqued. Toyota says to change the engine air filter and inspect the rear differential oil, exhaust pipes and mountings, steering gear, engine coolant, fuel tank cap gasket, brake lines and hoses, and automatic transmission fluid.

Consumer Reports gives the 2000 Toyota a 38/100 reliability rating, so Kyle could face expensive repair bills.

However, there is a significant reason Kyle does not want to buy a new 2024 Toyota Tacoma. The 2024 Toyota Tacoma's reliability is worse.

Consumer Reports says the 2024-2025 Toyota Tacoma will be less reliable than the average new car, with a reliability score of only 27/100. CR says this prediction is based on data from the 2024 model.

What are the most common trouble spots with the new Tacoma? 

The 2024-2025 Tacoma gets a 1/5 score for its fit, finish, or build quality. This includes noises, rattles, and leaks. I know that the sunroof is a major issue reported by many owners. It has a severe leaking problem. Read my report here for more information.

Another trouble spot is the 8-speed automatic transmission. Consumer Reports gives the new Tacoma a 3/5 score because it could have major transmission issues.

I reported on the Tacoma transmission problems and Toyota reliability in my report here titled, Toyota is Desperately Trying to Stop Their Brand Image From Taking a Straight Dumpster Dive, Now The Tacoma Transmissions Are Failing.

Conclusion.

Should you buy a 2024-2025 Toyota Tacoma or keep your older Tacoma pickup? 

Kyle says he loves his 2000 Tacoma and wouldn't ever trade it in for a new truck. Owning a new Tacoma is even more expensive when you consider that insurance, license plates, taxes, and financing are significant expenses when purchasing a new truck.

Kyle finishes by saying, "It's truly maddening. Every time I see a Tesla Cybertruck, I'm like - nah, I'm good; I need to go back and get a computer engineering degree to work on that thing."

Check out this Tesla Cybertruck story. Rebecca just bought a 2024 Cybertruck and says the cost to insure the electric truck is half her mortgage payment. Check my report titled, I Bought a Tesla Cybertruck, But I Didn't Check the Cost of Insurance, Now My New Truck Costs More Than Half of My Mortgage.

How about you?

Do you own a Toyota Tacoma pickup? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and tell us about your experience.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Kyle Carter