99Highlander
Junior Member
I am interested in getting feedback on the plan for my 99 Highlander.
The Highlander was the precursor of the Sport model -- it has a higher ground clearance, differential lock, hood scoop. It is a V6, auto, part time 4WD. Cosmetics are good, except for a dent in the rear where my wife backed into a post. The car has been maintained regularly. I have every record. We have replaced an alternator, radiator, and AC control switch over the years -- low cost compared to the maintenance. But it has 316,000 miles. We just replaced shocks and springs (OEM parts) and need to work on the brakes. I suspect we are reaching the point where more things will start to break. My wife drives it to work every day and reliability is important.
My original plan was to keep it as a part time snow and tow vehicle. We were planning to get a Rav4 as a main vehicle. I thought keeping the old vehicle was a way to have a tow capability while also getting better everyday gas mileage in the Rav4. But a friend at work said that cars tend to break when they are not driven regularly. This made me think that repair costs would increase as I used the car less. This would reduce the gain from better gas mileage
So now I am considering trading in the Highlander. I am guessing there would be limited private interest in a car of this age.
If we traded it in, we would probably get a newer 4Runner. We soured on the Rav4 because we want better assurance that we can navigate to our rural home in all conditions, including ice, snow, and mud. We haven't failed to come and go as needed for 11 years in our trusty 4Runner. After looking around, I decided we need exactly what we have now. Now I am looking around for used Sport models but have come to believe that the non-defeatable VSC in models prior to 2008 is a handicap to be avoided in difficult or slippery conditions.
So my questions are:
Do you agree that older 4Runners used part time are more prone to failure than older 4Runners used regularly?
Do you agree there would be limited buyer interest in a 4Runner with 316,000 miles, even if in clean condition?
Do you agree that the lack of a VSC defeat switch in the 07 and earlier 4th generation models is a handicap to be avoided if snow, ice, and mud conditions must be navigated reliably?
Thanks for your input -- hope this was not too long!
The Highlander was the precursor of the Sport model -- it has a higher ground clearance, differential lock, hood scoop. It is a V6, auto, part time 4WD. Cosmetics are good, except for a dent in the rear where my wife backed into a post. The car has been maintained regularly. I have every record. We have replaced an alternator, radiator, and AC control switch over the years -- low cost compared to the maintenance. But it has 316,000 miles. We just replaced shocks and springs (OEM parts) and need to work on the brakes. I suspect we are reaching the point where more things will start to break. My wife drives it to work every day and reliability is important.
My original plan was to keep it as a part time snow and tow vehicle. We were planning to get a Rav4 as a main vehicle. I thought keeping the old vehicle was a way to have a tow capability while also getting better everyday gas mileage in the Rav4. But a friend at work said that cars tend to break when they are not driven regularly. This made me think that repair costs would increase as I used the car less. This would reduce the gain from better gas mileage
So now I am considering trading in the Highlander. I am guessing there would be limited private interest in a car of this age.
If we traded it in, we would probably get a newer 4Runner. We soured on the Rav4 because we want better assurance that we can navigate to our rural home in all conditions, including ice, snow, and mud. We haven't failed to come and go as needed for 11 years in our trusty 4Runner. After looking around, I decided we need exactly what we have now. Now I am looking around for used Sport models but have come to believe that the non-defeatable VSC in models prior to 2008 is a handicap to be avoided in difficult or slippery conditions.
So my questions are:
Do you agree that older 4Runners used part time are more prone to failure than older 4Runners used regularly?
Do you agree there would be limited buyer interest in a 4Runner with 316,000 miles, even if in clean condition?
Do you agree that the lack of a VSC defeat switch in the 07 and earlier 4th generation models is a handicap to be avoided if snow, ice, and mud conditions must be navigated reliably?
Thanks for your input -- hope this was not too long!
