1999 4Runner: Sell or Keep??

[fenfen]

HI all: I am new to this fourm. Have 1999 SR5 2WD, purchased new in 1999. Overall a great SUV. Have 120000 miles, most of which are highway miles. I kept detailed records of all the oil changes and maintenence over the years-- it was never neglected. Now car is in need of major tune up, brakes, gasket seal repairs, and timing belt. Big repairs, but car is at point where it needs to be done given mileage. Bought BMW to get around city, but now I am stuck as to whether I should sell 4runner. After reading forums it looks like 1999 may have been a banner year for 3rd generation 4runner. I plugged info about car on Kelly's BB and came up with $5,000 in fair condition, but I have seen these cars go for much more ($8,000+) if properly maintained and in excellent condition. Found guy in city who is willing to do gasket seal repairs and timing belt without separate labor charge, so I am saving about $800.00 with this quote. Will cost $2000 to get car back in tip top, mechanical shape. I am curious about your thoughts on whether I should sell or keep it. I live in dowtown Chicago, so parking is tight and I really am not in car that much but so torn about selling what I think is a highly sought after SUV.

 

[MAD 69]

The 1999 model is a soughtafter year but in 4WD since the springs/coils are taller than any other year. I don't know if anyone would pay more than $5K for a 2Runner, I would think most of us wouldn't even consider a 2WD truck but you never know. I realize the 4WD option is a little more expensive when buying new but selling used you might have a hard time getting your asking price.

 

[zcruiser]

Agree, I paid $8K for each of my 2000 4Runners with higher miles. The 2Runner was not on my shopping list so would need to find someone who needs/likes the size of the 4Runner but not the hassle or utility of 4WD.

Sounds like you've basically "moved on" and the 4Runner is not a part of the picture anymore so do the repairs, sell it on CL, and move on. And if this is the first timing belt change you've done, you're getting off cheap.

The fact that you called it a "car" doesn't help much, either.

 

[MAD 69]

I think the whole appeal of the 4Runner is having 4WD. The 2WD version gets the same gas mileage as the 4WD(as long as 4WD isn't engaged) and you always see threads popping up on the numerous Toy forums about guys turning they're 2WD trucks/Runners into 4WD and it just baffles me... Why spend $6K to fo this mod? Why not just buy a 4x4 from the beggining and spend those thousands of dollars on other mods?
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Nothing against the guys with 2Runners - I have seen some nice ones, but if your going to spend that much money why not get the 4x4 option? If you need the space for kids or material I would go for a minivan or just buy a truck with a bed.

 

[maxspeed96ct]

If I lived in a part of the country that didnt get snow Id consider a 2wd.

But the price would have to be realy good aswell .

 

[zcruiser]

Nothing against the guys with 2Runners - I have seen some nice ones, but if your going to spend that much money why not get the 4x4 option? If you need the space for kids or material I would go for a minivan or just buy a truck with a bed.

The 4Runner body / features are attractive even w/o the 4WD. So, I can see the appeal of the visibility, not-too-big/not-too-small, and safer to drive than a CRX.

 

[TheDurk]

As long as you stayed on the asphalt and didn't see snow I think it's a great vehicle. Comfort, cargo space, reliability, and decent mpg's compared to larger SUV's. A 2wd is attractive used for one reason--you know no off-road lunatic has beat the crap out of it climbing over boulders and driving through mudholes and other stupid stuff. I'd bet 2wd's live much longer than 4wd's on average.

I spend 95% of my time in 2WD. But the other 5% makes a big difference.

 

[fenfen]

Thanks everyone for feedback. To tell you the truth, my ex-husband refused to let me get the 4WD package, so that's how it ended up 2WD. He didn’t think that I needed it so he squashed the idea of that option. Should have known then that it would not work out with him!!

Thanks for the correction on terminology—it’s for sure a truck, even if it’s still a 2WD. I moved to Chicago 5 years ago from Charleston, SC and had special rust proofing done on the "truck" before it saw any snow. I had it on the lift at the auto repair center in Chicago just yesterday, no rust underneath, just a smidge on the tow hitch, but that's not an unusual thing. I will take the advice from folks on the forum and spend the $2000 to get it the required maintenance. Also have one small ding to fix on the back hatch door (garage door came down on me) and the truck will be as good as new. I'll decide then if I should sell it or not.

I treated my 4runner with kid gloves, so it was never abused, never dogged. Driven solely by a mature woman. Interior is immaculate. Car is super clean and I kept a record of all the work done on this car. Seriously! Never been wrecked, only had a small ding from garage door, so that's the only thing every painted on the car. Was always kept in a garage, never parked on street since 1999, so even without 4WD, I think there will be someone out there who will appreciate the gem that it is!

 

[zcruiser]

That does sound like a gem! Good luck with the sale...

 

[Satter]

Thanks for the correction on terminology—it’s for sure a truck, even if it’s still a 2WD. I moved to Chicago 5 years ago from Charleston, SC and had special rust proofing done on the "truck" before it saw any snow. I had it on the lift at the auto repair center in Chicago just yesterday, no rust underneath, just a smidge on the tow hitch, but that's not an unusual thing. I will take the advice from folks on the forum and spend the $2000 to get it the required maintenance. Also have one small ding to fix on the back hatch door (garage door came down on me) and the truck will be as good as new. I'll decide then if I should sell it. is!

I was wondering about this. Chicago usually means a deep freeze, salted roads, and a rusty under carriage. You were very smart to get the extra rust protection.

As far as keeping it, my thinking is if you're not going to use something then it a drain on your wallet. Definitely get the maintenance done on it. Then put out some feelers. I think you'll find a good home for it.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

To tell you the truth, my ex-husband refused to let me get the 4WD package

I can see why he's your ex.:bluejump:

 

[Nelsonmd]

I think if you are going to spend a significant portion of the value on repairs before selling it, then you should be very patient and get what you want for it. This will mean you have to store it and drive it every once in a while to keep it tip top. Not to necessarily discourage you from it, but you may need to be willing to commit to that to get top dollar for it.

If I were in your position, I would probably try to sell as is for 1k-1500 less than you would normally list it and let the next owner worry about the repairs. It sounds like it is in "excellent" condition (not "fair" by KBB standards), so if you list it at a "fair" price, I bet it will sell.

Good luck with the sale!

 

[sportscarfan]

I don't know how things are in Chigago, but a super clean 2wd 4runner has been parked for sale in the gas station parking lot at the edge of my neighborhood since late Oct 2010, if that's any indication of how desireable a non-4x4 is.
Maybe once spring hits it would be a good time to try to sell?

 

[tinman]

Definitely not looking to negate what Nelson just said, but I'd hate to keep and take care of a vehicle for 11+ years and then sell it for a reduced price simply because it needs maintenance done. Now if you have simply lost interest in the runner because of the BMW, I agree, drop the price as Nelson said and cut ties & move on.

Another thing to consider, though, is the cost of ownership of the BMW versus your 4Runner. If you have taken as good care of your Runner as it appears, there's no reason you can't double or triple its life! And the maintenance cost of the Runner will pale in comparison to the BMW I would venture to say. Have never owned a BMW so I do not speak from experience, only from friends who have owned them. Best wishes on what you decide!

 

[Nelsonmd]

Definitely not looking to negate what Nelson just said, but I'd hate to keep and take care of a vehicle for 11+ years and then sell it for a reduced price simply because it needs maintenance done. Now if you have simply lost interest in the runner because of the BMW, I agree, drop the price as Nelson said and cut ties & move on.

Another thing to consider, though, is the cost of ownership of the BMW versus your 4Runner. If you have taken as good care of your Runner as it appears, there's no reason you can't double or triple its life! And the maintenance cost of the Runner will pale in comparison to the BMW I would venture to say. Have never owned a BMW so I do not speak from experience, only from friends who have owned them. Best wishes on what you decide!

Yeah, it all depends on what you want to get out of it. I was just thinking how to maximize the money. Feel free to disagree if you think spending 2k on fixes will garner a selling price more than 2k more than if it weren't repaired. Maybe it will, I don't think it will, but that is just an opinion.

That is a good point on the maintenance. I don't know how reliable and efficient BMW's are, but if repairs are expensive, then you could very possibly spend more in repair than the fuel you save over the 4runner.

Then again, driving a 4runner around town is never going to be the same as driving a BMW :driving:. That may mean something to the OP (and I wouldn't blame her).

 

[MAD 69]

I agree with Tinman's statement that if you have taken care of it there is no reason why you can't keep it on the road for years to come. If it's in that good condition and you did the rust-proof, timely maitenance, etc... I would keep it rather than selling it and getting a less than fair price for it.

If you have a BMW also I would keep the 4Runner as well(if you drive a Beemer you can prob afford to keep both!) use the Yota as a daily driver - even in the city it handles well and you have 2WD it prob handles better than 4WD - my 4WD '98 handles better than my '93 Camry. Using it as a daily driver is better than "giving it away" in a sale ... Just my opinion.

 

[fenfen]

Hi all-- Thanks. The truck should be ready for pick-up today. Its hurts me to think that someone else will take off with my truck after all the years, not to mention, all the love that it has been shown since 1999. He still shines like the day he was driven off the showroom floor even after 12 years. Funny as this may sound, I have been with this truck longer than any man. I trully love it and will just figure out a way to manage life in city with 4Runner and BMW for awhile. Was planning on driving 4runner into work couple days per week just to switch things up. I'm happy with both rides, but there is something classic about driving the old-body style 4runner around the city. Thanks to everyone for giving perspective on the issue, really helped in making my decision. I will keep it for awhile longer!

Best,

Michelle

 

[MAD 69]

Good decision! That is what I do, drive the Runner to work a few days and the car a few days. No use in giving the truck away if you really like it and it runs good.

 

[puckoach]

2wd

Seems that you have made your decision.

But, let me throw out that this could be a very valuable vehicle to the right person.

IMHO, this is an awesome vehicle for someone to leave at their vacation lake house. Can tow the boats, jet ski's or utility trailer around. Very high towing capacity for a small truck. Plenty of room to carry stuff inside. Anybody can drive it.

Given the vacation / lakes region nearby, marketing it as such, could get you your price without spending too much to prep it.

 

[fenfen]

Hi all- I picked up truck from shop this week. He's all back to normal again-- feels like the day I drove him off the lot. Amazing work done by some guys in downtown Chicago (wizard werks off lake and racine). I took a quick pic. Last wash was 2 weeks ago, so this is what he looks like after picking him up from the shop.

Thanks for your feedback!

Best,

Michelle