I'm talking repairs. Regular preventive maintenance isn't included in that $50.00.

The repairs were a hydraulic clutch hose (about $20.00 my cost, my time to install it was free). Also starter solenoid contacts Also about $20.00, plus my time was free. Some random bulbs accounting for the $10.00 or so.

Having been a master tech, I tend to strictly maintain vehicles. Most of the problems I saw as a mechanic, were often due to lack of maintenance.

What do you consider maintenance? Seals? Alternators? Blown shocks? Lines? Bushings? Bearings? U joints? Bearings? Ball joints? Plugs? Injectors? Sensors?
Seems like a semantics exercise.

Think whatever you wish. I'm just telling you what I witnessed from years of consumer car repair. Long since left that career behind, thankfully.

Most radiators develop issues due to the coolant not being changed as specified, then the coolant becomes acidic, and things start to corrode, then you get the 'pink milkshake'.

His two replaced starters very likely only needed new solenoid contacts. But someone decided to sell new starters, and make more profit.

Changing gear oil and making sure the vents are not plugged in the axles, T-case, etc. prolongs the life of the seals.

Lubing any bearings or joints that are not LFL, prolongs their service life.

The examples go on and on.

The simple fact is most people don't maintain their vehicles as well as they could be maintained.

Listen....it's insurance. It's peace of mind. We buy life insurance but we don't hope we die young so we get our money's worth out of it. We buy auto and homeowners insurance but we sure hope we never have to use it. We don't hope that we get into a crash or hope a tree falls through our roof so we can get our money's worth. We don't hope we get cancer so we can cash in on that health insurance! Just make sure you shop around and get the best price. I know I can get a 5 year, 100k miles platinum warranty for under $700. That's cheap peace of mind for 5 years. I drive 20k miles a year.


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Can you share where to purchase for that price? I think this is the kind of advice OP is looking for.

Well I'm inspired now with my new vehicle. All I've ever bought have been used vehicles with 100k+ and things breaking has just been a way of life. I follow the oem maintenance intervals once I buy them, but who no idea what the previous owner did. Also mostly German and American cars so who knows.... Though my 97 4runner has had its share of odd stuff.

I mostly buy new.

I have some German vehicles, that the internet tells me are ticking time bombs. Same with the two American vehicles. They are well maintained, and no issues so far.

Here's the old '97 the day I sold it for well above high book, almost two years ago.

Scroll down and check the thread on extended warranties. There's a member there that can PM you with a contact name and dealership where a warranty can be purchased at a fair price.


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Seems expensive. I got a 5/100 platinum Toyota warranty for $700. I do 20k per year and plan to keep it for 5 years so at that price it seemed reasonable to me. I also waited until my 36k bumper to bumper warranty was about to expire.

Where can i buy this $700 warranty?
Is it as good as Ally or Toyota? or is this a 3rd party?

SO bump on this post and I just bought a 23 4runner Sr5 PRemium and I opted for every warranty the offered. Now I called and asked if adding a lift kit and new tires would void the manufacture warranty and i was told yes it would. Does anyone have any personal experience with this or know what i should do i really want to life my truck

Adding a lift kit and new tires would not "void" your warranty. But the dealer can deny a warranty claim if they can prove those parts contributed to the issue you are trying to get fixed under warranty

e.g. If your CV joints go out during the warranty period, they will, most likely, blame the lift and deny the warranty claim.

thanks for the reply - so i guess its just a roll of the dice ? What would you recommend ? Just doing tires and wheels for now ? and would the same apply for like geetting a sound system

Honestly, just drive your damn truck and enjoy it anyway you want to. The chances of warranty failures on these vehicles are pretty low and the few stupid issues I've had after almost 6 years of ownership of 2 5th gen 4runners were not covered under warranty anyway (the gasket loosening on the rear hatch and some sort of loose bolt or screw in the interior of my rear hatch which I still have not taken apart to figure out).

Yes, you may not want to start cutting things up to fit 35s, but a reasonable lift with 33 tires should really cause no significant issues. Many on these forums have done exactly that.

See below. Pretty much what I would say.