Should I keep my 2004 4Runner?

[DPET]

I am trying to decide if I should keep my 4Runner. I plan on moving to CA in the near future and I only want one car out there. I have a 04 Corolla also.
The 4Runner is for winter driving in the Midwest as well as fishing and camping trips. I will not need it for that out there. The 4Runner had 251000 miles on it and I have done very little except change oil and tires on it. I did put new shocks, struts, and front axles on it but other than that I just drive it. I love it but with gas at around $4.00 a gal out there I think the Corolla will be more economical. The Corolla had 168000 miles on it and seems to have more issues than the 4Runner. What to keep and what to sell?

 

[boondoggle]

Yes it makes financial sense to drive a more economical car. If you find you need an SUV occasionally you can always rent one.

 

[Sac State]

You will also find your insurance rate will explode in California. Which is cheaper to insure? If you are moving, perhaps the Runner will give you more room to haul stuff?

 

[Dylan]

You may get better bang for the resale on the Corolla than the 4Runner too, given that it has less miles and is more economical, which consumers are typically seeking. Just another thing to think about.

 

[JEL]

All good points, another thing to consider is the "west coast premium" as I like to call it. A 4x4 4runner will typically command a premium out here, not as much in CA as WA but still, many are 2x4 in CA and 4x4's sell quick even with high mileage. Hell, you could probably still get 14k for it up in WA if it's clean, the market up in WA is totally insane for 4runners, Tacos, Subarus, and Priuses (Prii?)

 

[DPET]

I think what I am asking is will the Corolla be as good a car when it has 250000 miles on it as the 4Runner is. The 4Runner just seems like it is better built and will hold up better. I wont have room to work on things out there so will be taking it to a shop for repairs, so far the 4Runner has taken very few repairs, I just wonder if it will stay that way for anoth 50-60000 miles.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

The 4Runner is still made in Japan, the Corolla is not, as far as lasting, I think you'd be better off with the 4Runner, but I'm biased :juggle:

 

[2014 Warthog]

I guess the real question is, do you actually plan on giving up on adventuring completely?

California is an awesome state for wheeling, exploring, camping etc almost anywhere you move too. (Well within a 90 minute drive at most anyway)

The decision completely follows the answer to that question

 

[CC4R]

How about selling both and getting a newer low mileage economical car?

 

[JeffMerr]

I live in California and my only vehicle is an 06 4runner. I'm commuting more and more often and really only use it on the highway, and the more gas prices keep going up, the more I contemplate getting something more economical. It's just really tough to switch being that I love everything about this SUV. I guess gas prices will have to rise a little bit more for me to be forced to make a move. I filled it up today and the total was $78 dollars ($4.15/gal for regular), which lasts me about 350 miles to the gas light.