Daughter's first vehicle

[87jimkpa]

Hello I am helping my 16 yr old daughter get some answers to get her 1987 SR5 in good running condition. She just bought it, 139K miles, only minor dents and rust, frame very good. The things wrong are that the trans makes a noise only in 3rd and 5th and only when she accellerates, not on downshift. We were told to change the gear oil which we did and to just drive it for now but look for a used trans awhile. The other minor things are that there is a slight drip from the radiator and the rear differential drops a few drops after driving. It looks wet back there but not continuously dripping.

So do you think this was still a good price for the 4Runner? We paid $700, 139K miles, engine sounds good, body only has hints of rust bubbles over wheels, Frame is basically rust free. AirCon works, nice interior, three small dents and both bumpers pushed in slightly from Pensylvania's freak ice snow storm that turned snowbanks into cement last year.
When the trans goes, I'm looking at the trans fix being more than we paid for the runner possibly making the total investment more like 2000.
What do you guys think? Or does she only get to drive it till trans goes and then give up?
Jim

 

[Boston_Runner]

Drive it til it dies.

 

[TheBlueWave]

Drive it til it dies.

That's what I would do, too, but lemme share experiences with my '89 pickup that may help.
Leaky rear diff: Have it looked at. It could be a bad pinion seal, which cost me about $100, I THINK, it may have been a bit more.
Leaky radiator: I fixed this one myself. If it leaks a little (and you know its not a hose or fitting, but the actual radiator itself) it will only get worse. Not very difficult to do, at least on the 4-cyl., and I think the v6 would be even easier. Lots of manuals for a car that old, like Chilton's or Hayes that can guide you through it.

The transmission problem could be a recipe for disaster, especially with a young girl driving. I would suggest staying in busy areas like the city and not drive too late if it gets real bad. You could find a good one at a bone yard for cheap. If you invest in these things and find a cheap tranny, you could have a very reliable vehicle for under $1500 (assuming the engine runs very well and is free of major oil leaks).

 

[87jimkpa]

The engine is bone dry, just like a Totota van that I had and someone hit us and totalled it with 89K on it. I appreciate your eccouragement to end up wit ha good vehicle for 1500, that would be great if it works out like that. She would be mostely be driving to school 6 miles and mostly daytime here in PA. You were referring to being stranded right, not the trans locking up or something like that? right?
Jim