Question about reliability with my '04 with 215k miles...

[Cville4]

Well, I just hit the 215k mark on my bulletproof 4runner, and I've recently had a fairly minor repair (wheel bearings) which got me thinking about what kind of repair expenses I can expect coming up, given the age/mileage of my car. Basically, I'm trying to decide if I should pull the trigger on a new car or press on with my trusty 4runner and hope that I don't have any major repairs needed within the next year. Especially considering that my car's trade in value is only around 7k, I'd hate to have a major problem (say, transmission) in which I'm having to pay 3k or whatever for a car with limited value overall.

A good friend of mine had a transmission failure with his '05 4runner at just under 200k, which makes me think that I might be on borrowed time a bit and wondering if I should pull the trigger now on a new ride while my SUV still is in good shape. I can't say enough how proud I am of my 4runner for being such a great SUV---I've had two minor repairs in just under 8 years of ownership with a ton of miles (many towing). My heart says to press on and see how many miles I can continue to rack up while my head says its time to start looking at a replacement (especially given this is the best time of year to buy a new car...there are some crazy deals out there).

With all that being said, am I indeed on borrowed time or is 200k+ no big deal overall? FWIW, I'm meticulously maintained it from the very beginning. Thanks in advance...

 

[Glock_19]

Personally I would be uncomfortable with a vehicle that has over 200K miles. If I were you and I could still get $7K for a vehicle with over 200K miles I would take that and get a new one.

 

[thirstyturtle]

If it makes you feel any better my wife's 1994 Celica has 214k and still runs like a champ. We (her dad) bought it when she was 16 and had 70k. Either her father or I have changed the oil every 3k miles and have changed the timing belt once and the disteibuter points once as well. Have never had any issues. Granted, as soon as we have the money we'll be buying her something newer but it's not because I don't trust the Celica.

I feel confident that my 2006 T4R will last forever as long as I do the regular scheduled maintenance and don't wreck it.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Personally I would be uncomfortable with a vehicle that has over 200K miles. If I were you and I could still get $7K for a vehicle with over 200K miles I would take that and get a new one.

I agree with this. Take the 7k and run. This thing is going to start to nickle and dime you to death.

 

[Y2KSR5]

Id buy another new or used 4Runner or used LC. No other body on frame SUVs out there in this size. 215K is a lot of miles and a tribute to your 4Runner. At 215K miles I guarantee you it is a better vehicle that some POS Chrysler Grand Cherokee. My 2000 4Runner at 11 yrs old was tighter, more reliable than my last Hemi Jeep Grand was @36K. That thing was falling apart! At 7500 miles the front axle assembly was replaced, rear rebuilt and diffs failed again by 16K miles. After owning top of the line GCs I can tell you that a 215K mile 4Runner is better than even a new POS Chrysler. So keep the Runner or get another Runner or LC.

 

[Javelin]

You cant even compare Toyotas to Chryslers. Chryslers are TERRIBLE!! I say drive it till it stops. Its a Toyota

 

[Y2KSR5]

Oh yea! I only brought up Chrysler junk because the GC is the only SUV with capability in the size/price range. Granted, most of that stuff is gonna fail. Diffs, transfer case, ELSDs, and other electronics WILL fail. Not only will they fail....the dealer will deny ANY problems. You want warranty work done you have to FIGHT for it. My 06 $46K MSRP GC Ltd was falling apart by 36K miles. The 02 Overland GC needed $5K worth of warranty work in on MONTH. The newest GCs are complete JUNK too. Fires, water leaking in cabin (seriously? Its 2012 and they cant make a $40K suv watertight?) Absolute junk. Only SUV comparable to a 4Runner worth a sh!t is another 4Runner or an older LC. The old XJ Cherokees were good vehicles but every Grand Ive owned (96,98,00,02,06) needed diffs rebuilt early in life.

 

[teampwr2]

you have owned it for 215,000 miles, you have maintained it ,you know how you have driven it, you know its strong and weak points .. just due to the long time with vehicle... i say Go FFor it and see 315,000

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

I vote for keep.

 

[snowbrdr033]

Debatable, but if some parts are beginning to go or you know they will need to be done in the next couple of months and will cost you a decent chunk of change, I'd say get rid of it BEFORE the problems occur and pick up a new one. Especially if you have the funds to do it, you'd hate to have a serious problem occur down the road that will cost you ALOT to fix before you can even consider selling it. You'd be out more money than if you sold it now for a few K, then got another used one.
Just my thoughts!

 

[GoodSide]

KEEP IT!! Funny, I was thinking the same thing but only have 133K not 215K but can't justify selling it to buy another one when there is nothing wrong with mine. Put the money you paid every month on your truck payment into an IRA or savings or whatever. I bought mine used 9/21/06 because I wanted a truck that can go forever with low maintenance costs. I have regularly maintained and put nothing but the best in'er since and paid it off. I'd love to see 215K, 315K, 415K? The reason many of us own these things are because they are BADASS!! They last forever! I agree with Y2KSR5!! There is nothing out there that can come close to reliability, dependability, or lower maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle. So you have to have tranny rebuilt after a million camping, boating, off-road trips.. Have someone dependable do it and you'll get that right back out of it! Keep up on your already reg scheduled maintenance and see what she'll do!!! Just my $.02

 

[ClockWork]

Ok, I'll be that guy. V6 or V8?

 

[Spiggie]

How attached to the 4runner are you is the question! I hated giving up my 93 Toyota Previa with 200k+ miles and still miss it! :sobbing:

 

[jstutz101]

It's almost always cheaper to fix a used vehicle then buy a new one since they cost so much - KEEP IT!!!!

 

[NJshadow93]

honestly, if you were the original owner and you put all the miles on, you should know whether you babied it, or beat the crap out of it. either way, the 4runner is defined by reliability and issues that come up are usually because of how the owner treated the vehicle. if you performed regular maintenance, didn't let any problems drag on too much, and took care of it, then you should keep it. if you do get something new, you're probably gonna miss that truck to death!