3rd gen value vs maintenance/mods

[amalik]

What you are buying (besides status, and in our case, off-road fun) is mileage. Even if you put another $4000 in it (between now and 300,000 miles), you will get another 100,000 miles out of it for $.08 per mile. A new 4Runner (at $38,000) will also go 300,000 miles, but it will cost you $.13 a mile (plus repair costs,which probably will bring it up to $.14 per mile). So, driving a 17-year-old 4Runner (except for status) is $5,000 cheaper for that last 100,000 miles than a new 4Runner. Drive the one you have and bankroll the $5,000.

Every time I start thinking how much I'd love a new Tacoma, I do the math and realize there is no way I can drive a new Tacoma for anywhere near what my 2002 4Runner is costing me. I figure there's another 125,000 miles in mine, though I'm likely to give in to 'Tacoma fever' before I get there.:doh:

Nice math there! -- Tacoma's are nice but if you have a family the single-cab is too small if you are DD'ing with it.

 

[amalik]

Many many many moons ago, I had a maxima that reached 170,000 miles.

However, when it reached 170K it started having a lot of issues...starter, alternator, water pump, radiator, etc. One issue after another every 2 or 3 weeks. I even had to tow it to the mechanic a couple of times.

He was a guy my family had known for a long time and I always trusted what he said.

The last time I took the car to him he told me..."Get rid of your current car when your car repair bills exceeds the cost of car payments. Keep bringing this car to me and I will make enough money to retire. The car is old and needs to be retired." Made sense.

I paid off my 4R in 2008. The cost of maintenance (tires, batteries, oil changes, spark plugs, etc.) and repairs (gaskets, water pump, etc.) for any year since I've had it has never surpassed 3K. I love not having a car payment. Heck yes, it is cheaper to keep it.


Ruff

Toyota > Nissan -- Still 170k is pretty good utility.