Hello everyone. I have a question that I am hoping someone can help me with. Or at the least give me their thoughts. I own a 98 4Runner SR5. I have had it for over 6years. I am the second owner. I've got 179,000kms on it and I am considering selling it. It runs great and have had no problems really. I maintain it quite well. One or two specs of rust. Got some nice BFG A/T KOs etc. I have my sights on a 2006 Sport Edition. They want a good buck for it, but it's in really good shape. 4Runners are hard to come by up here in Manitoba. So I am afraid to let this one go. Problem is I still like my '98 but I could use a bit more room which the newer ones have. Anybody have any suggestions or thoughts on whether I should keep the '98 or go for the 2006? For some reason I feel emotional attached to it.... I know, I know....

Wow, that's tough. I know the '06 would be sweet but with that kind of mileage on the '98 it should last quite a while.

Unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket wait a year and get the same or better deal on an '07

I don't think you can go wrong, it's all about the $$$ and what's best for you.


Good luck!

Thanks for the reply Chris. I guess I was willing to sell it while it was still in good shape and I could get a good buck for it. The longer I keep it, the less I will get for it. With that said though, the newer ones will go down in price as well, like you mentioned about the 2007. The seller wants $26000CDN for the 2006. Which was a little out of my budget. With the plan of having a second child, the newer 4runner is appealing because it is a whole lot wider with more room. At any rate, thanks for the advice Chris. Ugh! So confused....I just got back from the carwash and the 98 looks great....! ...

Lisa -

I am facing a similar dillema. I have a '99 Limited 4x4, owned since 01, with only 97,000 miles. While it is in great shape, new GY Wrangler Silent Armor tires, I pine for a 4th generation (07 +) with X-REAS and Nav.

The thing is, my truck is great, super reliable, low maintenance and there is nothing wrong with it. It is hard to justly spending the money when I know it will last another 9 years, at least given I only drive it < 10k miles per year.

I periodically check websites for newer trucks and don't see many in my area that have most of the features I want. I would consider a new 08-09 but no one within 500 miles has a Limited V6 and only a few V8's. All are an undesirable color.

Given that I will own a vehicle at least 10 years, the features need to be right. Without a good candidate, I stick with my '99.

What does your gut say?

Maine,
My "pine-ing" has subsided for now. My gut has told me to stick with the my '98....for now. I have a sales fella (at the local dealership where I get my truck serviced all the time) keeping an eye out for me when one comes up. I prefer to buy from the dealership rather than privately because everything just seems to be in order that way. He had said there aren't any coming in any time soon for trade. So I will wait, and if one comes up, I'll have a look. If it feels right and my gut says "go for it", then I will. For now I don't want to rush into anything I find out there. As with you, the next 4Runner I buy is going to be one that will have to last an incredibly long time. Hopefully till when I retire! (Do they last 20years? Maybe not...)
I believe you feel the same way when I say, we're in no rush. We drive an incredible vehicle right now so let's enjoy what we got! Stick with it until your gut says it's time for a change.
'99 Limited! I'm not a leather gal, but I bet it's nice! Actually, it may even be better than cloth for spills. My 4Runner is pretty plain jane. Just wanted something understated. Great engine, great tires, no rust....all is good.
LisaVB

Good for you. You made a fine choice

Hopefully till when I retire! (Do they last 20years? Maybe not...)

I had an 85 with 300K on it with some real hard trail use and it was still in great shape. I also have a 98 4Runner with 190,000k and I consider it just now broken in. I also have two kids (6 and 3) and still have plenty of room can fit a small adult or another kid even with the two car seats in right now. It is a tight squeeze but do-able.

Hey Lisa,

I've just recently been the same tough decision you've had. I own a 96 I've had for 6 years, and it's been nothing but awesome for me. Only 1 unscheduled stop for fixing, rest all routine maintenance. I have 261,000kms on it.

Well, last year we picked up an 04 for the new family mobile but kept the 96 for my daily driver. And although the 04 is a great truck, it's just not the same as the 96. As much as I like the old girl I've recently come to the conclusion I need a pickup, so sadly I've just recently put her up for sale, makes me sad...

I say congrats on keeping the 98, they're great trucks. The new ones are nice but there's just something special about the 3rd gen. And with the km's you have on it, it'll be a long time yet before you'll need to replace it.

Even though you already made the correct decision, I’ll validate it further. Financially speaking, you should always run your car / truck into the ground before getting a new one. If your rig is running smoothly, then keep driving it! Example, (and I am just making up rough numbers here): if you could sell your rig for 4K today, and let’s say you blow your transmission, and can only sell it for 500 in 3 years, that is a difference of $3500 with a bad case scenario. But if you bought the 26k rig today, I bet you it would be worth less then 22.5k 3 years from now. Then add on tax, licensing, and the monthly payments you’ll be paying over the next few years… you’re out much more then the difference of selling it today versus down the road. If repairs become more then the trucks value, then that is a different conversation.

Well speaking about repairs. I just took the 98 in for it's regular maintenance and low and behold it's a whopper!!! I need a new water pump which is apparently affecting my timing belt (which needs to be replaced soon anyway). Also I need to have my right wheel bearing replaced and a new engine filter... oh also my regular oil change (which is free! thank goodness!!) Anyway, the bill comes up to over $1400CAD!!!!!Uggggghhhh!
Who told me to keep this truck!!!!! ha ha ha....I'm kidding. Man-O-Man!!!Actually, I haven't had anything really wrong with the 4runner in a long time so maybe I was due. But Geez!, I didn't expect that. I am at 180,000km now....whew.!!...I gotta go catch my breath.....

Since I have both gens as well as two kids in car seats, I'll chime in. If the money is a factor, than keep the third gen. First of all its bullet proof and I have had no issues at all other than two warrantied rear diff seals. The two kids in car seats in the back are fine and someone can squeeze between if necessary but it is very very tight, not something you want to do for a road trip of any legnth.

Now on the 4th gen you can have an adult sit between the two car seats pretty comfortably and that is a nice feature to have when needed. A dislike of mine in terms of space is that the cargo area is not a big.

If your having a second child you should probably save your money for the kid! haha If you still like your runner I say keep it and save the money, that really is a lot of money, we're not talking a couple grand here. Get a thule or something if you need the additional cargo space, besides that I dont see why your current vehicle wouldn't be big enough. Is a thule that convenient? Not as much as a bigger trunk. However, if someone said " I'll give you $15,000 to use a slightly more inconvenient means of storage" you probably would take it,haha Obviously thats not the best example because the newer runner has other options etc, but you get the idea