Do I keep it?

[shenry]

Hey guys, I have a 2005 V8 that I have owned since new. It's been a great vehicle and I have traveled a ton with it and really enjoyed driving it. It has been a near perfect vehicle for me.

It just hit 220k and still runs well. Overall, I haven't had many major issues, except that damn vacuum pump (don't get me started on that one) but it is consistently starting to need a bit more than routine maintenance. Now, I don't mind that because I feel like I have been pretty lucky and overall have not had to spend a ton on it beyond the basics. I also have an amazing mechanic who takes good care of me and my 4runner.

My main concern is that I still do a ton of road trips, 600-700 miles per weekend, especially going snowboarding during the winter, and I am starting to get a bit concerned about reliability. I've considered a new 4runner but I really love the V8 and have been holding out.

I've checked out the GX and something just didn't feel right about it for me. The LX and LC are a bit over the top for me and the Sequoia is a tank. Of course, everything needs a bit of updating!

We also have a 2001 T4R with about 175k on it that we are looking to replace as well.

I guess I'm wondering about 2 things primarily:
1) Any thoughts on keeping the 05' V8 and potential major repairs/costs and benefits.
2) Do I pull the trigger on a 2019 or wait until the 2020's are out?

I don't really see a viable option for the V8 other than dropping a supercharger on a new V6.

Any and all feedback is welcome! Tnx!!!

 

[MAST4R]

especially going snowboarding during the winter, and I am starting to get a bit concerned about reliability. I've considered a new 4runner but I really love the V8 and have been holding out.

I guess I'm wondering about 2 things primarily:
1) Any thoughts on keeping the 05' V8 and potential major repairs/costs and benefits.
2) Do I pull the trigger on a 2019 or wait until the 2020's are out?

I don't really see a viable option for the V8 other than dropping a supercharger on a new V6.

Any and all feedback is welcome! Tnx!!!

I would keep it, making a "mid-life" overhaul, so it is like "refurbished" and I would replace the 2001 vehicle with a 6 cylinder Subaru.

You can then use the Outback for road trips, snow, gravel, sand, and keep the 4R for wheeling or towing.

I would go for a 2013-4 H6 5EAT Outback. That way you can have two bullet proof vehicles, each outstanding at related yet different things.

It still pains me that I traded my Outback but it was a financial decision so we kept our other H6 5EAT Subaru instead of it.

 

[shenry]

Thanks for the reply!

The 4R / Outback combo is certainly a consideration.

Main concerns with keeping the V8 is replacing major items like the master brake cylinder, power steering and transmission at some point if necessary. Other than the engine, which is running strong, those seem to be the most expensive potential repairs.

If I keep it there are a few things I would need to do soon such as the suspension, valve cover gasket and take address a minor leak near the power steering reservoir. Which will hopefully be resolved with some new hoses.


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[jumpjet]

Thanks for the reply!

The 4R / Outback combo is certainly a consideration.

Main concerns with keeping the V8 is replacing major items like the master brake cylinder, power steering and transmission at some point if necessary. Other than the engine, which is running strong, those seem to be the most expensive potential repairs.

If I keep it there are a few things I would need to do soon such as the suspension, valve cover gasket and take address a minor leak near the power steering reservoir. Which will hopefully be resolved with some new hoses.


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Keep in mind, even if you had to replace ALL of that, it'd be significantly cheaper than a new one. If you love it, no reason to settle for something lesser that also costs more.

 

[Gatafly]

Keep it. That V8 is one of the best made and longest lasting engines around. I would dare say the same about the transmission as long as regular fluid changes have been done. If it's in good shape and those are your only concerns I would not even consider getting rid of it.

 

[MAST4R]

Keep in mind, even if you had to replace ALL of that, it'd be significantly cheaper than a new one. If you love it, no reason to settle for something lesser that also costs more.

I agree, that particular V8 is a legendary engine and not merely another V8.

Now, extensive rust...that would be a no-keeper for me. But it is not your case.

 

[shenry]

Yes, I am fortunate that rust is not an issue!


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[0verland]

Keep it. The 2UZ will go down as legendary, well it really already has... I don't see what can replace it except a 06-09 to juice out a bit more power and a few minor appearance things. (Projectors, LED tails, etc.).

I think you would regret getting rid of it.

 

[Aileron]

I just went through this same thing. I have a 03 V8 that I bought from my dad who didn't drive it. I've had it for a few years and put most of the 75k miles on it to date. A few years ago my dad bought a 15 limited that he still doesn't drive. He wanted me to buy his limited and sell my 4 runner. The limited is very nice but I'm going to stick with my v8 4 runner.

 

[shenry]

75k, that’s amazing!

 

[grave]

I would keep it, making a "mid-life" overhaul, so it is like "refurbished" and I would replace the 2001 vehicle with a 6 cylinder Subaru.

You can then use the Outback for road trips, snow, gravel, sand, and keep the 4R for wheeling or towing.

I would go for a 2013-4 H6 5EAT Outback. That way you can have two bullet proof vehicles, each outstanding at related yet different things.

It still pains me that I traded my Outback but it was a financial decision so we kept our other H6 5EAT Subaru instead of it.

this! we are a T4R/OB family and it is perfect. we bought our 2009 outback 2.5 two years ago right before we had our first kid and it was great for my pregnant wife to drive by herself but it ended up being waaay too small for our family. i'm 6'5 and it is a tight fit, especially if i had to ride shotgun with a baby seat behind me and my seat scooted up. knees in the dash style. she has since taken over my truck because she works from home and doesn't drive much when she does leave and the car seat lives in it. i now daily the outback because it gets 25+ MPG instead of 15-16 like the truck. i wish it were bigger because we would for sure use it as the family road tripper instead of the 4R because of the mileage. my brother is 6'7 with two kids and they road trip the shit out of their '16 OB so i know we'd fit in the newer body style.

if you do get an outback do your research on the 2.5 head gasket issue. ours had 104Kmi and a refurb'd motor dropped in about 6K miles before we bought it and had all the paperwork and warranty info so we pulled the trigger. the H6's don't seem to have the same issue, so there's that. it's a great car for us to have. her dad has a '14 fully loaded H6 that he doesn't love (he's a lexus man) and we keep nudging him to sell it to us cheap but he is also a cheapskate who keeps cars for 10-15 years :/

subarus are some of the safest cars out there. if you have kids this really counts because there are some teeerrrible drivers out there.

 

[MAST4R]

Yeah, the H6 is up there with any but the very best of Toyota engines. The 5EAT is equally reliable. The 2013-4 have a revised suspension and front grille vs. the 2010-2. Early 2010s had a lane wandering issue.

H6 5EAT Outbacks and FXT Foresters are gems though in different ways. However, buying a used turbo Subaru is an art. The H6s are much safer bets.

 

[dirty monkey]

My 2003 4runner v8 4wd has over 266k miles on the clock. I have abused the living hell out of this vehicle, it is still very strong. Just do your routine maintenance, for the most part you will be fine. For rust you can use this stuff VHT Black Rust Convertor aerosol cans are about $14/ can.

 

[MSRP.]

this! we are a T4R/OB family and it is perfect. we bought our 2009 outback 2.5 two years ago right before we had our first kid and it was great for my pregnant wife to drive by herself but it ended up being waaay too small for our family. i'm 6'5 and it is a tight fit, especially if i had to ride shotgun with a baby seat behind me and my seat scooted up. knees in the dash style. she has since taken over my truck because she works from home and doesn't drive much when she does leave and the car seat lives in it. i now daily the outback because it gets 25+ MPG instead of 15-16 like the truck. i wish it were bigger because we would for sure use it as the family road tripper instead of the 4R because of the mileage. my brother is 6'7 with two kids and they road trip the shit out of their '16 OB so i know we'd fit in the newer body style.

if you do get an outback do your research on the 2.5 head gasket issue. ours had 104Kmi and a refurb'd motor dropped in about 6K miles before we bought it and had all the paperwork and warranty info so we pulled the trigger. the H6's don't seem to have the same issue, so there's that. it's a great car for us to have. her dad has a '14 fully loaded H6 that he doesn't love (he's a lexus man) and we keep nudging him to sell it to us cheap but he is also a cheapskate who keeps cars for 10-15 years :/

subarus are some of the safest cars out there. if you have kids this really counts because there are some teeerrrible drivers out there.

Man, that's a lot of praise for the OB.
I'm in the same boat, keeping the v8 and actively soliciting offers for the 1999 elocker.

I've narrowed my search to the highlander hybrid and the Outback. I'm leaning on the HiHy though because of nicer build quality in the interior, and because I'm doing a more city driving.

Both take the pothole ridden roads just as good... how's the Subaru forums for DIY's?
I'm spoiled here, but there is next to nothing in terms of highlander forum support..

Insurance is significantly cheaper on the Subie too...

 

[Toyojay]

Keep her going! I've personally seen 850K on a 2UZ. 220k is nothing.

Definitely cheaper than getting a new one lol. The 4runner will likely never have a V8 option again.

 

[grave]

Man, that's a lot of praise for the OB.
I'm in the same boat, keeping the v8 and actively soliciting offers for the 1999 elocker.

I've narrowed my search to the highlander hybrid and the Outback. I'm leaning on the HiHy though because of nicer build quality in the interior, and because I'm doing a more city driving.

Both take the pothole ridden roads just as good... how's the Subaru forums for DIY's?
I'm spoiled here, but there is next to nothing in terms of highlander forum support..

Insurance is significantly cheaper on the Subie too...

The Outback forum is great. subaruoutback.org is the big one I go to for all my info, it’s similar to this forum. Lots of helpful threads, lits if “should I buy/what should I look for” threads, lots of the same thing posted over and over (think XREAS threads), but overall very helpful. And not every single user has a build thread which is nice. Don’t bother with /r/Subaru_Outback, it’s useless. Just pics of new OBs with 225 KO2s.

For the longest time I was torn between an Outback and a 4R, now I have both

 

[mgbringo]

I would keep it. I have 186k on my 2003 V6. 18 months ago I bought a new 2018 4runner Limited. It is nice but I like my 2003 better. I have only put 3,000 miles on the new one so far.

 

[duffdog]

I would keep it. I'm keeping mine. I drive that truck way too hard and it keeps working wonderfully. In a moment of reflection I realize that the following things have happened to it and I still love it:

rear ended by an f350, then a ford fusion at 60mph. I drove it underwater, also drove it in the ocean, engine exploded, was put back together. Then I blew 7 front axles and 2 rear ring and pinions. It has been completely full of snow, had a lake inside of it with some nice looking trout that came out when I opened the door. Took it on the rubicon and fordyce and bent every skid plate I have installed, bent the frame, fixed the frame. The passenger side slider bar and body panels had an argument with a tree-- 4runner won.

Overall I love this truck

 

[shenry]

I would keep it. I'm keeping mine. I drive that truck way too hard and it keeps working wonderfully. In a moment of reflection I realize that the following things have happened to it and I still love it:



rear ended by an f350, then a ford fusion at 60mph. I drove it underwater, also drove it in the ocean, engine exploded, was put back together. Then I blew 7 front axles and 2 rear ring and pinions. It has been completely full of snow, had a lake inside of it with some nice looking trout that came out when I opened the door. Took it on the rubicon and fordyce and bent every skid plate I have installed, bent the frame, fixed the frame. The passenger side slider bar and body panels had an argument with a tree-- 4runner won.



Overall I love this truck

Wow, sounds like an Farmers Insurance commercial!


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[atalarico]

Another vote for keep the V8. I recently decided that I definitely won't be buying a new T4R until the 6th gen because the 5th gen interior and electronics feel so outdated already. I think the 6th gen is going to have some significant improvements if the 2020 reveal at the auto shows means anything.

I'm glad to hear so many good stories here on the Subaru's because I always thought they were reliable but have had so many friends with head gasket issues that it's permanently scared me off from them. Maybe it was just a generation thing?

I think if you put the investment into the V8 you'd have no problem confidently taking it on road trips without worry of breakdown.