Sell or add Thule carrier? Help?

[rngesci]

Hi all: I bought a 1996 4runner from an old widowed lady. She had bought the 4runner brand new. bought it about 1 yr, 1 month ago today. 122,000 miles on it. Good to excellent condition. Could only find 1 small ding in it. she told me she didn't even think anyone had ridden in the back seat!!

I put a post on this website wondering what I should since I didn't know vehicle maintenance on the 4runner. Great advise given and I followed through.

So a year later and it has 135,XXX miles on it. At 122,XXX I did the following:
new Bridgestone Dueler Revo's on it, new plugs and wires, new timing belt, transmission fluid change, coolent flush, air cabin filter and air filter change, oil change, brake fluid change, checked all the other fluids and saw no problems.

The Toyota dealership here says this is by far the cleanest 1996 running around the area and probably in the state. 3.4 liter, 5 speed, 4x4 with pretty much everything (except leather of course).

Now the issue. We LOVE this truck. 17 mpg around town, 21 out on the highway. But........a family of 4 (two small boys) and 2 dogs doesnt' fit in this rig when we want to go somewhere.

Wife says to upgrade to a 2005-06 Sequoia. I am thinking we would be OK if I added a nice Thule carrier to the top luggage rack. Dogs would be inside with us, but all our gear would be on the carrier.

Thoughts? Ideas? If I was to sell, what do you think I should ask? Is $7500 out of line for something that is nice and that good of shape with all that has been done to it?

Anybody running with carriers on top and what do you think? Where did the gas mileage go?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance

 

[rook]

I have a rooftop carrier for skis. It is great, quiet and if mounted onto the factory rack, does not greatly impact mpg . For me its hard to say though because its only on in the winter when temps are colder and along with winter blend gas both contribute to lower mpgs.

There are rear carriers that offer the convenience of mounting to a hitch and provide adequate capacity and no added wind resistance. Plus the kids can easily access it without climbing up the side of the truck.

I'd say hang on to the 4Runner a little longer, until the boys get bigger. Who knows what we'll be driving then.

 

[JohnsD90]

Hi all: I bought a 1996 4runner from an old widowed lady. She had bought the 4runner brand new. bought it about 1 yr, 1 month ago today. 122,000 miles on it. Good to excellent condition. Could only find 1 small ding in it. she told me she didn't even think anyone had ridden in the back seat!!

I put a post on this website wondering what I should since I didn't know vehicle maintenance on the 4runner. Great advise given and I followed through.

So a year later and it has 135,XXX miles on it. At 122,XXX I did the following:
new Bridgestone Dueler Revo's on it, new plugs and wires, new timing belt, transmission fluid change, coolent flush, air cabin filter and air filter change, oil change, brake fluid change, checked all the other fluids and saw no problems.

The Toyota dealership here says this is by far the cleanest 1996 running around the area and probably in the state. 3.4 liter, 5 speed, 4x4 with pretty much everything (except leather of course).

Now the issue. We LOVE this truck. 17 mpg around town, 21 out on the highway. But........a family of 4 (two small boys) and 2 dogs doesnt' fit in this rig when we want to go somewhere.

Wife says to upgrade to a 2005-06 Sequoia. I am thinking we would be OK if I added a nice Thule carrier to the top luggage rack. Dogs would be inside with us, but all our gear would be on the carrier.

Thoughts? Ideas? If I was to sell, what do you think I should ask? Is $7500 out of line for something that is nice and that good of shape with all that has been done to it?

Anybody running with carriers on top and what do you think? Where did the gas mileage go?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance

Dont get a Sequoia you wont get that much more room your already in a large SUV. The Thule carrier will save you money in the end, plus then your dog cant get the lugguage dirty.

 

[juiceboxer]

My vote is for the thule rack, I can fit the same amount of stuff in my 4runner as will fit in my moms Sequoia with the rear seats removed. The only real difference is that the Sequoia is wider.

 

[Pikeman]

Stick with the 4Runner among other things the sequoia will get about the same mileage as the Runner with a roof top. Like some of the others also mentioned the Seq. is only wider and not much larger in Cargo area. Also if all your need it for is the long trip or camping then you can remove the roof top carrier when not in use and keep a truck with better overall mileage.