4th gen limited - $7k in repairs in last year

[hamcan]

Hi,
I've had my 4th gen 03 4runner since 2010 (150k miles). It's been paid off for a decade. Annual upkeep averaged about $1,500 a year until the past year I've put in just over $7,500 and at 239k miles.

Do i sell her and upgrade? The maint is starting to be pricier and more critical fixes.

History
- Feb 21 - Muffler, heat shields - $1,500
- from Aug - Feb - upkeep + timing belt - $1,000
- This week - catalytic converter + spark plugs - $2,600
- needs new tires - $900 and front hub assembly $600

One thing to note is that my trusted shop switched owners end of last year.
So either I need a new shop or my car is on it's last legs.

I'm open to any feedback. I just like my 4runner but man that's a lot of money in one year.

 

[Syr4RinNC]

Ive gone through this as well.

I think A how attached are you to your car. Many of us here, really enjoy driving our car and that makes it worth it

I think this is all stuff that is expected for a 19/20 year old car

That said if you have a brand new car, part by part

I guess other things to consider when they are due or if youve done them recently

- rotors/ calipers
- CV axles
- Lower Ball joints
- struts/ springs
- keep an eye on your transmission temps and make sure no issues with the cooler
- Low range actuator (though many just let it seize if they dont use it)
- Rear axle seals



but i think its also worth noting in terms of the cost, how much of a headache is it to bring it to the shop and your time to do all that. So yea, I think it comes down to you like it or are you interested in something else. Should be an easy sale if its in good shape and well maintained

 

[Flesh Eater]

This is just my $0.02…

If you are not going to turn your own wrenches, then any old car is just a worthless money pit.

My one employee bought a turd of a Subaru for $3,500. He has almost $10,000 in it and the car isn’t worth $2,000. That’s what happens when you pay people to do work.

A front hub is about $150 with wheel bearing for a quality replacement. You’re paying someone $450 to do the work for you…

 

[UrbanRunner651]

This^^
All I was thinking was "holy $hit, 2,600 for converters and plugs!?" plus 1,500 on a muffler?
Those are even bad compared to dealer prices.
I had headers welded in with new cats & a custom Y pipe for like 1300..
I would suggested finding a better shop to take it to...

 

[gm350reratliff]

I would also say, you need to find a new shop, learn to work on it yourself, or move on with another vehicle. Those prices seem really high to me.

Of course, you're dealing with a 19 year old vehicle so some repairs should almost be expected. I've battled this on a couple past trucks and ended up throwing in the towel and moved on. Even with my beloved 4th gen, I've had to do more repairs in the last year than ever before but I still really like it and I've been able to do the work myself so I'm not even close to moving on from this one.

 

[eleven14]

- Feb 21 - Muffler, heat shields - $1,500
- from Aug - Feb - upkeep + timing belt - $1,000
- This week - catalytic converter + spark plugs - $2,600
- needs new tires - $900 and front hub assembly $600

Agree with others regarding taking care of certain items yourself but half of your list are routine maintenance item expenses (timing belt, spark plugs, tires) you'd have with any vehicle, so not necessarily an issue with your truck specifically.

 

[hankd]

History
- Feb 21 - Muffler, heat shields - $1,500
- from Aug - Feb - upkeep + timing belt - $1,000
- This week - catalytic converter + spark plugs - $2,600
- needs new tires - $900 and front hub assembly $600

these prices are outrageous even in canadian dollars. except maybe the tires. before you do anything take your truck to a reputable independent shop (different than your regular shop) and have them do a once over of the vehicle with repair recommendations and assessment. a lot of shops in my area provide this type of service for less than 100cdn. that way you get a good assessment from mechanics who aren't familiar with your vehicle. at least if you want to make an assessment of whether you want to keep the truck for a bit. but as has been said, this can become a money pit and you will have unforseen repairs with a vehicle at that age and mileage. but i think you you can be in better control of the situation than you are right now.

in the future, when you figure out what parts your truck needs start buying them online at rockauto and taking them to a local shop to install to save huge on parts. there is a ton of discussion on this site about the quality of different aftermarket parts and you can make really informed decisions about what you're putting in your vehicle. and also learn to wrench a little bit to save here and there on smaller and less complex jobs. oil changes and brake jobs are pretty doable even for noobs like me and it's real eye opening in terms of money savings.

a good example of what you're describing happened to me. i do some of my business at a top end local independent shop. they charge more than other shops and their deal is to provide something similar to dealer service and they work on just about anything. they told me i needed gas tank straps and a lower ball joint on my 05 a few years back and it came to 900 bucks installed. they charged me 200 for the straps and 150 for the ball joint and every minute of the book time. cdn dollars and 15% tax included, but still outrageous. that shop just calls up toyota and orders the parts from them and probably marks it up from there! so i've got a few different shops and different price points depending on what i need done. but i get all my parts online now. sometimes you might want to get oem toyota/aisin/denso parts. but just bout every time i need something in the truck i search this site first and always make the most informed decision i can to save myself the most money i can. good luck!

 

[SurferUK]

I can't comment on prices of course but every reply posted has been filled with good points and good sense, I agree with them all.

 

[MikeinNH67]

Those prices do sound kinda high but I can't tell where you are located and if all OEM parts were installed. It does look like you just replaced all of the pricey items though. Unless something major mechanically quits it should be cheap for the next year or so. It's probably never going to be worth more than it is right now especially if 4x4. These units are getting a premium price when sold private sale, yours now has many pluses to it. Doubtful you'd recoop all you put into it but way more than what you'd get on a trade-in. Unless you buy new, the next car you buy could need those pricey items too.

 

[swo life]

I just spent $2500 at local shop for manifold back exhaust (old one rusted and broke off multiple places), and new radiator (rusted and leaking). Also had oil change and other odds and ends.

I will counter what everyone said and say yes it’s worth it to keep repairing. You have to consider all the years you had low expenses too. Right now used car vehicle inventory sucks. Low inventory and high prices. You just did some big repairs so that’s good. There’s a lot of other odds and ends you can do yourself, and then some lower cost repairs. For me, I’m milking as many years as I can out of this 4runner and once the kids are out of huge car seats, I’m getting a capstone tundra lol.