SilverRidgeRunner1
Member
Oh yea def keep car payment are no fun
If you had some more money would you still keep your 3rd gen?
- Thread starter Rancho5
- Start date
weekendclimber
New member
I'd put a blower on my hooptie! Seriously though, I'd get a used engine and manual transmission and rebuild/refresh them and swap them in.
I toy with the idea of getting a 5th Gen occasionally. But in the end, there isn't much a 5th Gen is giving me that the 3rd Gen doesn't give me for less money.
I don't know how much money you need to make before spending 30k + on a new car seems like a "whatever" sort of expense, but I can promise you that people on my block who make less money than we do drive nicer cars than we do.
But none of them drives COOLER cars than I do. Just saying. The GT350 the kid down the street owns is pretty close, but I think I've got him.
My limited cost me $5,500 4 years ago with 130k miles in pretty immaculate condition. I've probably spent around $2,500 since then on a new suspension, brakes, and other general maintenance, and at 170k miles it's probably worth about as much as I've put into it.
When the engine or transmission dies, a good DIY rebuild will cost next to nothing, and it will be good for another 20 years.
Not too many cars you can say that about.
Long term, that $30k you're saving in a solid ETF fund will pay out multiples of its value at the end of 30 years; save 60k by keeping your car 10 years... and well, you can do the math.
I'd rather exit the rat race sooner than later and spend my declining years doing things I enjoy.
I don't know how much money you need to make before spending 30k + on a new car seems like a "whatever" sort of expense, but I can promise you that people on my block who make less money than we do drive nicer cars than we do.
But none of them drives COOLER cars than I do. Just saying. The GT350 the kid down the street owns is pretty close, but I think I've got him.
My limited cost me $5,500 4 years ago with 130k miles in pretty immaculate condition. I've probably spent around $2,500 since then on a new suspension, brakes, and other general maintenance, and at 170k miles it's probably worth about as much as I've put into it.
When the engine or transmission dies, a good DIY rebuild will cost next to nothing, and it will be good for another 20 years.
Not too many cars you can say that about.
Long term, that $30k you're saving in a solid ETF fund will pay out multiples of its value at the end of 30 years; save 60k by keeping your car 10 years... and well, you can do the math.
I'd rather exit the rat race sooner than later and spend my declining years doing things I enjoy.
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fourfive
Senior Member
My wife has a 5th gen. It has some nice off road & safety features but still like 3rd gens better. 5th gens (& new cars in general) have too much plastic body parts for my liking & the metal is noticeably thinner which gives it a cheap feel. This problem is only getting worse each year. The only reason we got the 5th gen was to have a safer ride for my wife and daughter & still keep it in the Toyota 4x4 family. Almost got the LC200 but they didn't have a black one in stock. Will most likely get one when our family grows but if that happens I'd still be keeping both 4runners. 200 would go to my wife and 5th gen to my daughter. If I had a choice between a new 2002 4runner or 2019 LC, I'd get the 4runner but between a new 1997 fzj80 or 2002 4runner, would definitely go with the 80. Although we plan on keeping both 4runners forever, if I had to get rid of one I would easily abandon the 5th gen. I've said this too much but still can't get on board with the ugly problem the 5th gens have.
Been actively looking for another 3rd gen as a spare vehicle for a little over 4 years. It took about 6 years before I found my current 02. I've got a very specific search criteria which is why I'm still looking for another one.
rideexileex
Senior Member
Save the money, and keep the paid off 4Runner. Blah. blah, as everyone has said.
What people haven't said - If money is burning the pocket, make the current car 'new'.
Replace the seats, recharge the AC, get a new stereo, etc.
Also - 3rd gen 4Runner maintenance = $
New car style electronics BS when it breaks down the road maintenance = $$$
What people haven't said - If money is burning the pocket, make the current car 'new'.
Replace the seats, recharge the AC, get a new stereo, etc.
Also - 3rd gen 4Runner maintenance = $
New car style electronics BS when it breaks down the road maintenance = $$$
96RedRunner
Senior Member
There you go, My 99 had a Jackson Racing supercharger on it along with the goodies for SCCA autocross when events left my state I sold it.
NB's in NA street form can be had very reasonable, Racing classifieds if you wanted one NA prepped priced good also.
I’ll keep mine until I die, it dies, somebody kills it, or until I can’t control myself anymore and buy something from these folks: HOME - BOLLINGER MOTORS
With your parameters, I’d just keep it and stache the cash.
cheers!
With your parameters, I’d just keep it and stache the cash.
cheers!
CdaleR4000si
New member
I'm not wealthy, but I have plenty of money, and I will drive my 99 for as long as she runs. And then I'll put in another engine and/or transmission and keep on going. Best vehicle that I have ever owned!
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Herculean T4R
New member
I love my 3rd gen but sometimes I wonder if air bags will still function/deploy on a 20 year old rig. Nevertheless, I drive it 100 miles per day, Mon thru Friday.
VernySanders
New member
80 series land cruiser!
Mudeprived
New member
If you love the truck then keep it and invest the 5k into it or into something else. If you need a truck but will miss the 3rd gen then buy a Tacoma.
I would only get about 4 to 5 grand for mine if I sold it today so 9k-10k would be my budget and I would go out and buy a truck or jeep. It is just another suv to me and not sentimental or anything. Its a cool truck but its been a headache to me so I am not a huge fan.
Red October
Member
I like that most of the responses to this thread are from people who actually have the option to drive something else and still choose their 3rd Gen 4Runner.
I fall into this category as well, and my wife and I have this discussion occasionally; she wants me to get into something "newer and more reliable," and I'm perfectly happy with my 20+ year old Toyota. In fact we have been thru 3 vehicles for her over the same time that we have owned Red. We have had our share of serious problems, even with the "newer more reliable," and might I add, substantially more expensive vehicles. The thing is that I have done tons of work on this truck, I know what it is and what it needs, and I'm happy driving it. I have my frustrations for sure, Red is not perfect, but they are fairly minor and far less expensive than fixing problems with newer vehicles.
And just to top it off, I recently bought another 3rd Gen as a side project.
I fall into this category as well, and my wife and I have this discussion occasionally; she wants me to get into something "newer and more reliable," and I'm perfectly happy with my 20+ year old Toyota. In fact we have been thru 3 vehicles for her over the same time that we have owned Red. We have had our share of serious problems, even with the "newer more reliable," and might I add, substantially more expensive vehicles. The thing is that I have done tons of work on this truck, I know what it is and what it needs, and I'm happy driving it. I have my frustrations for sure, Red is not perfect, but they are fairly minor and far less expensive than fixing problems with newer vehicles.
And just to top it off, I recently bought another 3rd Gen as a side project.
RandyBobandy
New member
I will drive mine until it either breaks beyond repair or the rust kills it, I even have a much newer and lower mileage Lexus that I am getting rid of because I don’t drive it anymore
I do eventually plan to buy a new tundra, but I would still keep my 4Runner and probably drive it more, if I ever replace it I will either get another 3rd gen or an even older 4Runner
I do eventually plan to buy a new tundra, but I would still keep my 4Runner and probably drive it more, if I ever replace it I will either get another 3rd gen or an even older 4Runner
ReconcileUs
New member
Replace it as in get rid of it? Hell no. Add to it a LX470? GX470? GX460? sure.
hgill
Member
I say keep your 4runner that is already paid for. I currently have a paid for 4th gen and from time to time toy with the idea of selling it and getting something new, but DAMN new truck prices.
I paid $22k for my 4runner 8 years ago with only 32k miles on it. Now 4runner's (trd pro) are hitting almost $50k. Thats just crazy to me.
If you have maintained your vehicle well, keep it (especially if you have no major issues with it). As some have said, save your money (contingency for any big repairs that come up). Maybe spend a little some good TLC on your current 3rd gen. Perhaps new seats, change the stereo, etc.
I paid $22k for my 4runner 8 years ago with only 32k miles on it. Now 4runner's (trd pro) are hitting almost $50k. Thats just crazy to me.
If you have maintained your vehicle well, keep it (especially if you have no major issues with it). As some have said, save your money (contingency for any big repairs that come up). Maybe spend a little some good TLC on your current 3rd gen. Perhaps new seats, change the stereo, etc.
westdiablo
New member
I was in the market for an SUV. Honestly...I could have bought virtually any current make/model. New.
I jumped at the chance to own a supreme condition 02 Sport.
Wouldn't trade for anything else currently out there.
It just suits me in an unexplainable way.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I jumped at the chance to own a supreme condition 02 Sport.
Wouldn't trade for anything else currently out there.
It just suits me in an unexplainable way.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
