The straw that may break this camel's back

[Dpassmore]

I'd hoped that after last December's frame replacement, timing belt + water pump, that my '03 4Runner would be in good shape for a while.



Then last month I ended up with another $2500 repair -- intermediate steering shaft, power steering lines, CV boot, running board brackets.



Now the rear brakes are acting up again, I think I've got yet another frozen caliper. But the straw that I think will break this camel's back is the sunroof. While cleaning my windshield, I noticed that the rubber trim around the sunroof is puckered up in one place. I tilted up the sunroof so that I could try to tuck the rubber trim back under, only to find that there is a metal trim piece around the glass that is rusting. No way I'm spending another couple thousand replacing the sunroof.



So I think it is time to replace my 4Runner. Sigh. I'd hope to wait until 2017 when, I expect, there will be a new 4Runner released.

Move down here with us cook kids.
Problem solved

 

[M1911]

Move down here with us cook kids.
Problem solved

I'm stuck here in the Boston area until I retire.

 

[Dpassmore]

My grandmother lived up there years ago.

Kidding aside, another option would be buy another 3rd or 4th gen from the south until 2017.

 

[zimdba]

I have had BMW E70 X5's on the brain lately, and I test drove an X35D. The thing is a freakin' riot. 425 ft-lbs of torque that peaks around 2k RPM. It hauls ass pretty solidly for an SUV, and does it while being quieter and handling better than any Toyota SUV.

I couldn't tolerate the significant turbo lag of the diesel. I'm quite happy with the N55 3.0 turbo paired with the 8-speed transmission.

The X5 is such a nice, quiet, well-equipped highway cruiser. I love it, my wife loves it. No off-roading, however, if that's your thing.

 

[RPS13]

The thing is, I take my vehicle on the beach. That is the primary reason why I have an SUV. And I wouldn't want to risk a crossover like the X5 on the beach. I've never gotten my 4Runner stuck, but there have been times where I wasn't that far away from getting stuck.

I haven't priced an X5, but my guess (after pricing a Mercedes GLE) is that they are significantly more expensive than the GX 460, and likely less reliable.

With a German car, it makes no sense to buy new. You can buy low mileage and a few years old and get an aftermarket warranty to take care of the "big headaches" for ~$4k. Purchase price of the vehicle in the 20-40k mile range will be about 40-50% of MSRP.

I couldn't tolerate the significant turbo lag of the diesel. I'm quite happy with the N55 3.0 turbo paired with the 8-speed transmission.

The X5 is such a nice, quiet, well-equipped highway cruiser. I love it, my wife loves it. No off-roading, however, if that's your thing.

I've heard that a few times, but I drove them back to back, and the N55 seemed to be much slower off the line. It seemed to have really limited max throttle mapping in 1st gear (or 2nd if it takes off in that), so that it was unnaturally slow until it shifted, then it took off. The diesel was a freakin' beast at all times. A tiny bit of turbo lag, but it's making 125 ft-lbs more torque than the 35i by 2000 RPM.

I honestly thought I'd like the gas N55 more, but after driving them back to back, the diesel felt much more enjoyable to drive as a heavy SUV. The N55 might be a hair faster if you're willing to wring it out to 7k RPM, but it'd be rare I'd really do that.

 

[M1911]

I found a low mileage 2013 Land Cruiser. Looks like I'll be picking it up on Wednesday.

 

[CookieRoe]

I found a low mileage 2013 Land Cruiser. Looks like I'll be picking it up on Wednesday.

Congrats! I'm sure you'll be hosing the chassis off every time you drive her in the winter, LOL. But seriously, sad to see this happening, good luck with your new rig!

Ed