Help deciding on new vehicle - should I?

[oldbutgood]

Hello 4 Runner fans.

Like many of you, I have a 4Runner SR5 (2005) with 78k miles on it.
Other than some brake caliper problems, oil changes, turn signal lights (just went out) and a serpentine belt replacement, I have not had any issue with my truck. I dont even want to trade it in. It is flawless inside and out. Actually, I love this thing. It has been with me for almost 11 years and was the best purchase I have ever made.

Here is the problem:

I bought the truck in the south and moved up north. The road salt has caused the undercarriage to rust up at the bolts, shocks, brakes, etc.

I have a two year old. I need to make sure that he is in a sound vehicle.
I dont need the master cylinder going out on me, etc. I dont want a $2k bill for something that might happen in a few months. I don't want any surprises.

I need something with a little better gas mileage as I am commuting about 80 miles a day now (mostly highway).

What would you do?

Thanks in advance.:ybrick:

 

[thzpcs]

Whenever people bring up the gas mileage question, always think about how much you're spending in gas vs. how much the payment on a new vehicle will cost. Unless you're driving hundreds of miles a day, the cost of a new vehicle seldom outweighs the cost of gas, even for cars that get really terrible mileage.

 

[oldbutgood]

Whenever people bring up the gas mileage question, always think about how much you're spending in gas vs. how much the payment on a new vehicle will cost. Unless you're driving hundreds of miles a day, the cost of a new vehicle seldom outweighs the cost of gas, even for cars that get really terrible mileage.

yes I agree, however, someone making 35k / year forking up 3k on gas will dent your pocket. Obviously, someone making $100k /year - they wont even see it.
eace:

 

[mrpurplepenguin]

yes I agree, however, someone making 35k / year forking up 3k on gas will dent your pocket. Obviously, someone making $100k /year - they wont even see it.

I don't think thzpcs was saying the cost of gas is cheap, they're saying to compare the cost of gas you pay now vs. the cost to purchase a new, more fuel efficient vehicle:

80 miles/day is 20k miles / year for work, I'll call it 25k yearly total. At 20 mpg (for simplicity) and $3/gal, that's $3750/yr in gas. Upgrading to a new 40 mpg vehicle changes your fuel budget to $1875/yr, a savings of ~$150 per month.

So, how good of a car you can get for (cost of selling 4Runner) + $150/month - (monthly depreciation of new car)? You might find keeping the 4Runner is the more economical approach.

 

[Gatafly]

Thought about that exact scenario and I would do 1 of 2 things. First, if you can afford to keep it and get a used older decent car with good gas mileage for racking up miles on go that route. If not I would sell the 4runner and maybe kick in a little extra and get the newest and best Corolla you can. I love my 4runner also, but if it no longer serves my purpose I would sell it no problem. Money is always tight for us and it is just a vehicle. One of the best of course, but not worth keeping if it costs too much that it creates some hardships.

 

[OzarkRunner]

As mrpurplepenguin pointed out, even doubling your gas mileage only nets you $150 per month. While I certainly wouldn't step over $150 if I saw it on the street, I was curious to see what range of purchase price you could be looking at. Assuming:
4Runner trade: $10k
Monthly value available for payment: $150 (from assumed gas savings)
Interest rate: 4%
Loan term: four years

This gets you in the range of $16,600; a sum that could buy you a lightly used Corolla. For the trade-off of the devil you know for one you don't, I personally would not be interested in making a change.

 

[oldbutgood]

Let's assume cost was not an issue (reasonably) and that a new 4Runner was not an option.

 

[ebg18t]

Let's assume cost was not an issue (reasonably) and that a new 4Runner was not an option.

If cost is not an issue then why are you worried about mpg or a potential future auto repair? You have a vehicle is good condition, you know it's history and it is safe.

Going to a smaller car is going to get you better mpg, but you will lose the space and unless you buy new pretty much in the same little to no warrenty situation.

Put a few $ into a savings acct every month (remember cost is not an issue) and if some repair arises it's not a big deal. But you only have 78k miles on it so you got a lot of life left in it.

 

[mace4runner]

is this question even serious?

if money is NO OBJECT - then sure! buy a new SUV. why not.

I have a 2 year old also --- and if i had the choice of something to commute with 80 miles each way - plus carry around the baby stuff.. etc... a 2005 4runner wouldnt be my first choice.

My wife has a 2011 Highlander which is awesome on the highway - and rides like a dream.

If you can afford it -- drive some other cars/ suvs. no shame in becoming a family man.


Highlander is all wheel drive so will be good in the snow also.

This is a 4runner forum - so of course everyone will say KEEP IT. but truth be told --- everyone's situation is different... and there may be something better out there for you.

 

[Junior73]

If you really like the 4runner keep it, and buy a small cheep car, if you can do maint, etc. a good $10k plus car will depreciate perty fast with lots of miles...

 

[M1911]

The cheapest vehicle is almost always the one that is already in your driveway. Yes, a 10+ year old vehicle will require maintenance and that may become expensive, but how far will $2000 go towards a new vehicle? Not very far these days.

Check the frame for rust. As long as the frame hasn't rusted through, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The frame on my '03 rusted through and Toyota paid for most of the replacement, but they select which they pay for on a case-by-case basis.

One alternative is to buy a smaller, more fuel efficient commuter car, and keep the 4Runner for the weekends. That will, of course, cost money. You'll have to do some financial analysis to see if it will actually save you money. How much will it cost to buy the car? How much will you save on fuel? How much more will you pay for insurance? If you end up spending $25,000 on a newer, smaller car, just to save $2000/year on gas, that probably isn't much of a bargain.

 

[mnormand]

My 2004 master brake cylinder system went out August 2013. I had it since 2006, bought used very nice condition, 30k miles. With the brake system integrated with the 4x4 system... the dealer wanted $6000 to fix it. We all know that deal. Didn't really have confidence in a local shop to repair that complicated system correctly.

I was crushed, I loved the 4R but it was almost at 200k. Had to sell it broken in the driveway for $4000. That sucked. But I bought a nice 2008 2wd 4R for an excellent price. I'd still have the '04 today if that wouldn't have happened.

I agree to keep what you have it you like it so much. Do what you can to slow the rust. I have a 1979 Jeep CJ5... constant battle there, LOL!

 

[M1911]

My 2004 master brake cylinder system went out August 2013. I had it since 2006, bought used very nice condition, 30k miles. With the brake system integrated with the 4x4 system... the dealer wanted $6000 to fix it. We all know that deal. Didn't really have confidence in a local shop to repair that complicated system correctly.

$6000 to replace the master cylinder? Really?

I know it is expensive -- isn't the part something like $1200 -- but that price is crap. I could understand $2000, but $6000? What were they going to do for that price?

 

[mnormand]

$6000 to replace the master cylinder? Really?

I know it is expensive -- isn't the part something like $1200 -- but that price is crap. I could understand $2000, but $6000? What were they going to do for that price?

This was the dealers quote:
Master cyl assembly...$2754
Skid control ECU. $2237
Labor and tax. Approx $ 1100
Total. $6131

There was some good discussion with guys trying to help but this was my dd and I was up a creek. Had to solve this in about a week or so. Sometimes you just gotta take a few Rolaids and move on.. :ybrick:

 

[mrpurplepenguin]

I have a two year old. I need to make sure that he is in a sound vehicle.

I don't want a $2k bill for something that might happen in a few months. I don't want any surprises.

someone making 35k / year forking up 3k on gas will dent your pocket.

Let's assume cost was not an issue (reasonably) and that a new 4Runner was not an option.

If I'm reading your intentions correctly, what you're really asking isn't "Should I get a new vehicle or keep the 4Runner?" but rather "Which new vehicle should I get?"

People here are fans of the 4Runner, most of the responses will continue to be "fix whatever's wrong with the 4R and keep it!" or less likely "if you sell it, buy a high-mpg Toyota sedan".

If you're not worried about cost, sell the old truck and buy a shiny new car. Cheap on gas, but expensive on payments. Sky's the limit for your wants there, you could go anywhere from a Nissan Versa to a Tesla Model S.

If you're worried about money, it's probably cheaper to stick with the 4Runner despite the higher fuel cost, or sell it and pick up a used high mpg sedan for whatever you can get for the 4R. Sounds like a zero-net-change scenario would get you in the $15-18k range, so shop around there or expect to spend more or less per month than you do now. And remember: a newer car will depreciate more rapidly than your older 4R will, especially with 20k+ miles per year being added to it.

If you're worried about safety for your kid, take care of the rust so it's not worrying you, or sell the 4Runner and get a safer vehicle. Do you have any reason to believe the master cylinder or any other major component/system will fail soon or suddenly? It sounds like the 4R has given you very few surprises so far; are you worried about more than just the rust (which is fixable)?

If you're worried about reliability, you already said the 4R has been solidly reliable for the last 11 years, but a new car (or CPO) will probably come with very decent warranty for the first few years. However, buying used will give you an unknown X factor of "how well was this cared for before I bought it?"

Lots of options, but most of the answers here will be pretty one-sided. You might try asking around other various automotive forums for some less-biased input.

 

[oldbutgood]

If I'm reading your intentions correctly, what you're really asking isn't "Should I get a new vehicle or keep the 4Runner?" but rather "Which new vehicle should I get?"

People here are fans of the 4Runner, most of the responses will continue to be "fix whatever's wrong with the 4R and keep it!" or less likely "if you sell it, buy a high-mpg Toyota sedan".

If you're not worried about cost, sell the old truck and buy a shiny new car. Cheap on gas, but expensive on payments. Sky's the limit for your wants there, you could go anywhere from a Nissan Versa to a Tesla Model S.

If you're worried about money, it's probably cheaper to stick with the 4Runner despite the higher fuel cost, or sell it and pick up a used high mpg sedan for whatever you can get for the 4R. Sounds like a zero-net-change scenario would get you in the $15-18k range, so shop around there or expect to spend more or less per month than you do now. And remember: a newer car will depreciate more rapidly than your older 4R will, especially with 20k+ miles per year being added to it.

If you're worried about safety for your kid, take care of the rust so it's not worrying you, or sell the 4Runner and get a safer vehicle. Do you have any reason to believe the master cylinder or any other major component/system will fail soon or suddenly? It sounds like the 4R has given you very few surprises so far; are you worried about more than just the rust (which is fixable)?

If you're worried about reliability, you already said the 4R has been solidly reliable for the last 11 years, but a new car (or CPO) will probably come with very decent warranty for the first few years. However, buying used will give you an unknown X factor of "how well was this cared for before I bought it?"

Lots of options, but most of the answers here will be pretty one-sided. You might try asking around other various automotive forums for some less-biased input.

Thank you all for your input and time, I really appreciate it.

 

[M1911]

This was the dealers quote:
Master cyl assembly...$2754
Skid control ECU. $2237
Labor and tax. Approx $ 1100
Total. $6131

There was some good discussion with guys trying to help but this was my dd and I was up a creek. Had to solve this in about a week or so. Sometimes you just gotta take a few Rolaids and move on.. :ybrick:

Ouch. I did some googling and found some other folks have had to replace the skid control ECU as well.

 

[LTDSC]

yes I agree, however, someone making 35k / year forking up 3k on gas will dent your pocket. Obviously, someone making $100k /year - they wont even see it.
eace:

3k in gas is still 3k in gas regardless what you take home unless you're seriously this bitter. terrible analogy.

 

[wadle5]

The cheapest vehicle is almost always the one that is already in your driveway. Yes, a 10+ year old vehicle will require maintenance and that may become expensive, but how far will $2000 go towards a new vehicle? Not very far these days.

One alternative is to buy a smaller, more fuel efficient commuter car, and keep the 4Runner for the weekends. That will, of course, cost money. You'll have to do some financial analysis to see if it will actually save you money. How much will it cost to buy the car? How much will you save on fuel? How much more will you pay for insurance? If you end up spending $25,000 on a newer, smaller car, just to save $2000/year on gas, that probably isn't much of a bargain.

This is what I did. Searched for several months, and finally found a mechanic owned 02 Subaru with all new rebuilt motor/2 sets of tires/and new suspension. I can flog on this 5 speed all day and I still get 20 mpg, if I drive it like I try to do with my Runner I get 27mpg. Thats a little over 10 more mpg than I would ever get in my runner.

 

[Sporin]

Hello 4 Runner fans.

Like many of you, I have a 4Runner SR5 (2005) with 78k miles on it.
Other than some brake caliper problems, oil changes, turn signal lights (just went out) and a serpentine belt replacement, I have not had any issue with my truck. I dont even want to trade it in. It is flawless inside and out. Actually, I love this thing. It has been with me for almost 11 years and was the best purchase I have ever made.

Here is the problem:

I bought the truck in the south and moved up north. The road salt has caused the undercarriage to rust up at the bolts, shocks, brakes, etc.

I have a two year old. I need to make sure that he is in a sound vehicle.
I dont need the master cylinder going out on me, etc. I dont want a $2k bill for something that might happen in a few months. I don't want any surprises.

I need something with a little better gas mileage as I am commuting about 80 miles a day now (mostly highway).

What would you do?

Thanks in advance.:ybrick:

Unless you have some reason to believe that your truck will be hit with one of those very rare problems imminently, than there is no objective reason to replace a 2005 4Runner with only 78k miles on it. My truck is also a 2005, but with 154k miles on it and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the country right now. These are, by and large, long lived, reliable, sturdy vehicles. They are not even close to used up or dangerous at 78k miles unless something truly terrible has happened rust-wise, or you get hit with one of the rare but pricey issues like the HG or the MC.

Now we get to subjective reasoning, and that I can totally understand. We traded my first 4th gen for a Prius 4+ years ago and it was the BEST decision we made. It saved us SO MUCH MONEY in gas that the extra couple of years of car payments were largely offset. All that savings allowed me to get back into a 4Runner almost a year ago.

Take the money you would have been putting into a new car payment into your savings account for the next year. That will cover you if something does break. Problem sorted.

If what you really need is lower expenditure on gas week in and week out (that's where we were 4 years ago), then dump the 4R now (sell it privately, you'll get WAY more that way than on trade in) then buy a fuel efficient car or maybe a CUV that gets better MPG. Same with if what you really want is a vehicle under warranty. Personally I wouldn't bother with a 2 year old car—just buy new. New car rates are crazy low (seems like Toyota is always offering 0%-0.9% on half their lineup) and resale values of anything worth buying used are through the roof.

As someone who bought and sold a lot of cars for dubious reasons over the years, I can tell you that there is nothing more satisfying than having a good, reliable, car or 2 that are paid off. It took me a long time and a lot of wasted money to figure this out. If you do some soul searching and find you just want something newer and different, then that's ok of course, but be careful of losing thousands chasing a few dollars a week saved at the gas pumps.