Is it time to get rid of my 2007 4Runner?

[keylay31]

I bought my 2007 SR5 4WD V6 4Runner back in December of 2006. It currently has only 135k miles on it. For the past 16 years, it's been mostly maintenance free. I've done my own oil changes, gotten new batteries/brakes, replaced the spark plugs once, and last year I replaced all the fluids in the car (coolant, power steering, brake, transmission, differential) as a 15 yr "I guess I should do this" maintenance. I have just a touch of rust on the rear hatch and the radio volume knob sometimes goes up when I turn it down, but other than that it's in great condition.

If you look at my post history, this summer I've been starting to have some issues with it. I currently have a undiagnosed intermittent starting issue, as well as a undiagnosed HVAC issue. I'm not opposed to keeping the vehicle for another 15 years, but I would like to know what kind of maintenance and issues I'm getting myself into. I likely need a new starter, some new spark plugs, and I've been told I need new shocks/struts. I think this is about $3k.

Now that I'm at 15 yrs and 130k miles, what else do you think likely needs to be preventatively maintained or likely to need maintenance in the next couple years (and how much would it cost)? Examples could be a throttle body cleaning, head gaskets, belt, alternator, etc etc. Am I right on the front end of a bunch of maintenance coming my way ($2k/yr?), or is it just a couple things that popped up and I should be relatively smooth sailing for 5+ more years? Sorry if this question is a bit basic, but I am not experienced with car maintenance (because I own a Toyota!)

The alternative to keeping it would be getting a new Tundra, 5th Gen 4Runner, or trying to wait for the new 4Runner.

 

[MikeinNH67]

"Is it time to get rid of my 2007 4Runner?"

Yes, you should give it to me.

Kidding aside, you shouldn't have any head gasket issues, those were the earlier V6's. If no frame rust I would keep it. The amount of money you would put into it is most likely less than a few car payments. If that doesn't bother you then sell it now and use the money for a new car, you'll never make more than what you can get right now. Typical older vehicle issues: steering shaft, ball joints, wheel bearings, brake calipers, struts/shocks, exhaust, hoses & radiators.

My 2 cents.

 

[keylay31]

Typical older vehicle issues: steering shaft, ball joints, wheel bearings, brake calipers, struts/shocks, exhaust, hoses & radiators.

Should I expect these types of issues soon? How much are we talking about? Anything worth doing before it breaks?

 

[Ventil8]

I’m the original owner of a 2005 4Runner. Almost 18 years of owing it with new shocks/struts/head unit/hid lights/entire paint job/2 front wheel bearing replacements/timing cover oil leak repair…are probably the most expensive repairs I’ve done so far. But, I wouldn’t sell this 4Runner if you paid me more than what I paid for it. There is so much history between us and memories that money can’t buy, or replacing with a new vehicle that will fill that void. Someday…maybe for my 50th birthday, I dunno, I’ll buy another one…but I won’t be as dumb as I was when I bought my 2005 4R, I’ll pay cash for it. Because there is no way I’ll be paying payments for a toy.

 

[stevelikesrhino]

Depends on do you *want* to keep this vehicle for another 10 years or not, you can get away with some aftermarket parts (even CV axles and boots if don't do hard core wheeling). 06 and above 1GR is pretty bullet proof (apart from your starter) given ours are built in Japan. Keep $5k in reserve it should be enough to make this last another 5+ years. Mine is also 07 V6 4wd, so far the worst one is shocks and struts, since I went with original. Brake calipers and rotors? you can expect that for any vehicle in this age tbh. Still, with $5000 even combined with how much you trade it in for, you ain't gonna get anything even comparable in terms of capability.

There's no direct replacement for a 4wd 4th gen. The closest thing you can buy is a 4runner Limited, having X-reas and all fancy interior stuff, and then there's GX. No other car you can buy new have the same mechanical capability of your current 4th gen. Currently, these two combined with LX (which is in range rover territory) is the only lockable Torsen AWD trucks you can buy, period.

 

[MikeinNH67]

Should I expect these types of issues soon? How much are we talking about? Anything worth doing before it breaks?

Aside from belts and hoses not really. You'll feel when the front starts getting sloppy (or steering stiff if the steering u-joint starts to freeze) except for the struts as they wear slowly generally so hard to notice. Not sure if you have car inspections where you are from but here they find bad ball joints and such before they become dangerous. The radiator you'd probably start to smell some anti-freeze now and then as they seem to start to weep where the plastic attaches to the metal.

 

[keylay31]

Depends on do you *want* to keep this vehicle for another 10 years or not, you can get away with some aftermarket parts (even CV axles and boots if don't do hard core wheeling). 06 and above 1GR is pretty bullet proof (apart from your starter) given ours are built in Japan. Keep $5k in reserve it should be enough to make this last another 5+ years. Mine is also 07 V6 4wd, so far the worst one is shocks and struts, since I went with original. Brake calipers and rotors? you can expect that for any vehicle in this age tbh. Still, with $5000 even combined with how much you trade it in for, you ain't gonna get anything even comparable in terms of capability.

Aside from belts and hoses not really. You'll feel when the front starts getting sloppy (or steering stiff if the steering u-joint starts to freeze) except for the struts as they wear slowly generally so hard to notice. Not sure if you have car inspections where you are from but here they find bad ball joints and such before they become dangerous. The radiator you'd probably start to smell some anti-freeze now and then as they seem to start to weep where the plastic attaches to the metal.

This is exactly the type of information I was looking for. Thank you both.

There's no direct replacement for a 4wd 4th gen. The closest thing you can buy is a 4runner Limited, having X-reas and all fancy interior stuff, and then there's GX. No other car you can buy new have the same mechanical capability of your current 4th gen. Currently, these two combined with LX (which is in range rover territory) is the only lockable Torsen AWD trucks you can buy, period.

I'm really surprised to hear you say that there's no other car with the same capability as the 4th Gen. I haven't kept up with the 5th Gen but it sounds like perhaps they went backwards? I was assuming that wasn't the case and was debating buying a 2023 4Runner in hopes of another 15 years of worry-free ownership.

I should note that I don't do a lot of "proper" offroading. I live in Colorado and do a lot of hiking, fishing, hunting, camping but nothing that a Subaru wouldn't do with some careful driving. It's been years since I locked the diff. I know the 4Runner is a bit overkill but I like having the 4Runner capability and like the styling, etc.

 

[stevelikesrhino]

Yeah I might be exaggerating a bit, like you can still get a newer used Limited or GX for that AWD system. I'm just referring to how 4th gen V6s have awd with 2wd mode, meanwhile majority of 5th gen will have a regular part time T-case from 1893. Still, my point is, it's probably more reliable than you think, since Land Cruiser 70s with gas V6 uses the same 1GR in the 4th gen, not the updated one in 5th gen. At least toyota still trusts it.

 

[stevelikesrhino]

I should note that I don't do a lot of "proper" offroading. I live in Colorado and do a lot of hiking, fishing, hunting, camping but nothing that a Subaru wouldn't do with some careful driving. It's been years since I locked the diff. I know the 4Runner is a bit overkill but I like having the 4Runner capability and like the styling, etc.

It's not like Subaru's can't handle your usage, it's that 4runner will make it easy. Subaru can probably do it all day, but 4runner can do it all day for the next 6 months with no problem.

 

[AuSeeker]

135,000 miles is relatively low mileage for these 4Runners.

That being said, you didn't give us all the info needed to advise you properly on what maintenance to expect on your T4R, is it a V6 or V8?

 

[gookies]

I'd first inspect the frame before digging into any repairs since I see you live in Colorado. If it's too corroded, I would not bother doing any repairs in your case since it won't be DIY. Others who are competent in DIY'in this sort of stuff would have no issue purchasing frame repair kits and welding it themselves. This is coming from someone who lives in the rust belt and just replaced all brake lines myself due to corrosion. My frame is definitely rusty, but no rust holes so far. I plan on undercoating it with Fluid Film every year to hopefully prolong its life.

 

[shiftmx]

With that mileage and condition you say it's in, without rust...I would without a doubt keep it. You probably already know all about how crazy the car market is right now so I don't need to tell you.

If it's just the idea that you've gotten bored with it, then mod it if you haven't. If you need new suspension components add a lift kit, upsize the tires when needed and maybe a set of wheels. You'll fall in love with your 4runner all over again.

 

[keylay31]

That being said, you didn't give us all the info needed to advise you properly on what maintenance to expect on your T4R, is it a V6 or V8?

It’s a V6! Sorry I missed that important detail.

 

[keylay31]

With that mileage and condition you say it's in, without rust...I would without a doubt keep it. You probably already know all about how crazy the car market is right now so I don't need to tell you.

If it's just the idea that you've gotten bored with it, then mod it if you haven't. If you need new suspension components add a lift kit, upsize the tires when needed and maybe a set of wheels. You'll fall in love with your 4runner all over again.

There are multiple reasons this topic is coming up now. 1) I’ve started to have a commute, 50 mins round trip , 5 days a week. 20 mpg ain’t bad but it ain’t good. 2) I’m about your put more money into it with this starter and HVAC issue and id rather not if it’s an omen of many more repairs to come. Between work and 3 kids, Im in a time of life where reliability and not having to think about my car is very important.

 

[4thGen4Life]

Keeping mine

263k miles on mine and never selling it!

 

[Drcoffee]

You sound like an “unhandy” type of guy. You’d be better served to buy a new car with a warranty. If you start the typical maintenance needed on 125,000 mile 4runner and will be paying a service shop for the work, its going to get expensive quick and will likely cost more than the truck is worth.

When I bought my ‘07 sport with 222,000 miles, I spent another $1,000 in parts alone to catch up the maintenance. But I did all my own labor.

 

[keylay31]

Quick update. I went and actually test drove a 5th Gen 4Runner for the first time today. I was surprised that I actually didn't like it. I felt like it had less visibility out the windshield and less acceleration. I didn't like the center console setup and I noticed it was missing even little things like Auto on the HVAC. I did like the 120V outlet in the rear, but felt like this was one of the only upgrades I'd actually appreciate.

I think I'll be sticking with my 4th Gen for now, and evaluating a Tundra in a year or two when it's a bit more seasoned.

 

[UZmattman]

That's a sound decision. With the Tundra, you're not going to be happy with the gas mileage. 20 mpg on a V6 4Runner is going to look pretty good once you get into a bigger heavier vehicle like the Tundra.

Of course that's going to be offset with the money you won't spend on this 4Runner's maintenance.

It's a question of: do you need the capabilities of the 4Runner? Or for that matter, the Tundra? There are lots of good mid-sized trucks you can buy new right now that might be options to think about.

I need my 4Runner for its capabilities, so I'll put up with the mpg and maintenance. There's nothing like a body on frame SUV for bad roads and bad weather.

 

[importman]

I didn't take time to read all the replies but... in my opinion you would likely have more problems with a new model domestic vehicle than you will with your 15 yo 4runner. The only difference is that the new vehicle would presumably be under warranty. And there's virtually no way any repairs you might face on the 4runner would ever equal what you would be paying for a new vehicle. But, if you're like I have been at times and you just want something new, you might not be happy until you get it.
My 05 V6 has 341K miles on it and it still runs and drives perfectly. I've only had it about 3 years but about 75% or more of the money I've spent on it has been for mods/upgrades. (Wheels, tires, lift, stereo, etc.) Good luck whichever way you decide.