I semi-retired my T4R yesterday

[Outrider]

My '99, with very close to 200k on it, got a well-deserved rest starting yesterday. It has served me well for over 10 years, having bought it with 106k on the clock. It has been my daily driver for the last 7 years, and I just retired it to only utility usage (pull my utility trailer, haul my mountain bike, kayak and paddleboard, camping, and woods riding).

If I go a while between requisite utility use, I will still drive it occasionally, to avoid atrophy, seals drying out, etc.

What I love(d) about my 2WD T4R is how amazingly capable it is offroad. I have taken it through stuff in the woods that really astonished me. And it does very well in the snow (with as little as we get in Georgia). I cannot say it has not caused me tons of grief, with several things, but overall, I have really enjoyed owning and driving it for so long.

My plan is to hopefully keep it another 10 years, and I think it may very well do that, especially since the miles on it will be drastically reduced.

Yesterday, I bought an '09 Mazda3 hatchback for my daily driver. Holy crap - that thing is fun to drive! It is quite quick, and it handles about as close as a sports car, as a regular car can.

I just hope my T4R doesn't get all jealous on me, and turn into a Christine. :becky:

 

[TheShowtime]

Your 4Runner gave you tons of grief? Has it not been reliable for you? I thought these things were suppose to be bullet proof. What have you needed to fix/repair on it?

 

[thenightman]

My 4runner started off semi-retired. When I bought it the wife and I both had daily drivers, and since then I have upgraded my $700 94 Corolla to a $2700 05 Corolla. I love driving the 4runner, and do it whenever I feel like it. However, I know that I can load it up for a trip a few days before, take it apart for a day or two if I feel like it, or beat on it and not have to drive it to work on monday.

I always tell people when they buy a 4x4 and want to mod it, that the first mod you do is the daily driver mod. Wheeling, and modding, are so much more fun when you don't depend on it to get to work on monday.

 

[mtbtim]

My 4runner started off semi-retired. When I bought it the wife and I both had daily drivers, and since then I have upgraded my $700 94 Corolla to a $2700 05 Corolla. I love driving the 4runner, and do it whenever I feel like it. However, I know that I can load it up for a trip a few days before, take it apart for a day or two if I feel like it, or beat on it and not have to drive it to work on monday.

I always tell people when they buy a 4x4 and want to mod it, that the first mod you do is the daily driver mod. Wheeling, and modding, are so much more fun when you don't depend on it to get to work on monday.

This is so true. I was a one vehicle dude for a long, long time. It wasn't until I bought my first 4runner that I realized the benefit of owning two vehicles. Now, I own 3. The ability to be working on one while still having reliable transportation is huge. It opens the door to get into bigger multi-day jobs, and like you said, you can still get to work or wherever.

 

[AntleredRuin]

This is so true. I was a one vehicle dude for a long, long time. It wasn't until I bought my first 4runner that I realized the benefit of owning two vehicles. Now, I own 3. The ability to be working on one while still having reliable transportation is huge. It opens the door to get into bigger multi-day jobs, and like you said, you can still get to work or wherever.

That or when you have it taken apart and realize you need something from the parts store. Keeps you from having to bum a ride or call an Uber because you forgot a $5 fitting.

 

[2ndhandyotaman]

My 'runner was always meant to be a 2nd vehicle, but it became a DD for 9 months when my Civic was totaled in July '18.. I'm back to having a Subie Outback for a DD. The "runner goes to work on Fridays and some weekend running around. Last week I took it on a 5 hr trip and enjoyed the time in it.

 

[Sarki]

You guys are all making me nervous.
I recently bought my 02 4TR with 180K on the clock to replace my 15 Forester XT as my daily driver.
Forester’s approaching 100K miles. Never thrilled with the CVT tranny so decided time to move on while it still has decent resale.
Always thought of these 3rd gen Runners as being super reliable and fairly straight forward to repair......sounds like a great DD.
Hoping I don’t come to regret this decision.

 

[Vansnxtweek]

You guys are all making me nervous.
I recently bought my 02 4TR with 180K on the clock to replace my 15 Forester XT as my daily driver.
Forester’s approaching 100K miles. Never thrilled with the CVT tranny so decided time to move on while it still has decent resale.
Always thought of these 3rd gen Runners as being super reliable and fairly straight forward to repair......sounds like a great DD.
Hoping I don’t come to regret this decision.

No need to be nervous. Stay up on maintenance and don't delay fixing small issues and it will treat you well.