to fix or not to fix, that is the question

[mowglie]

based on the below, would you fix the truck or just buy another, newer, used one?

truck is a 97 4run v6 3.4L 4x4 w/ ~250k mi. its issues:
timing belt leak.
rack & pinion leak.
1 ignition coil bad.
valve cover gasket leak.
upper & lower ball joints bad, both sides.
4 bad struts/shocks.
bad cat.
trans gasket leak.

for $2500 incl parts/labor shop will:
timing belt service (dayco, replace water pump, timing belt, hydraulic timing belt actuator, camshaft belt tensioner, camshaft belt Idler).
replace rack & pinion.
replace ignition coil.
replace valve cover gasket.
replace upper/lower ball joints.
replace 4 struts/shocks.
transmission service (replace gasket & fluid).
replace cat w/ OEM cat.

my options are:
1. pay 2500 & fix the above, pay to rebuild engine (3k) & trans (2k) should need arise in future, total cost could be $7500 over the years.
2. forgo repairs, drive it locally till it dies, buy another used 4run w/ its uncertainties. 04 V6 ~150k mi = 9k.

my questions are:
1. on the cat, the current one is an after market one (OEM was stolen 3 yrs ago). has it blown smoke back into engine or shortened life of engine somehow?
2. if, over the years, i paid $7500 for option 1 above, is it virtually like having a rebuilt 97 4run? are there any other major repairs that could be awaiting me?
3. which would you do above, option 1 or 2?
4. i'm a newbie so any other advise/tips/insights i should consider?

thanx!

 

[nevada]

option 3, fix it yourself.

none of what you listed is very difficult. the hardest thing is the timing belt, and that's not too bad really. just a bit time consuming.

I say spend $100 or so on a FSM and do the work yourself. or enlist the help of some friends, or even some members on here. im sure someone lives close, you could organize a work party...

its been done more than a few times. that 4runner has a lot of life left.

 

[KidVermicious]

Fix it. Don't be scared of any of it, it all boils down to using wrenches to turn bolts. Go get dirty.

 

[Cheers!]

fix.

unless your vehicle is super rusty.

$2500 will make your 4runner last a while... where as $2500 is only 3 to 5 months of car payments on a new 4runner.

 

[mowglie]

wow that would superb. i would learn so much from a work party/event. i dont have all the tools/jacks/lift though. but i do have the space to host the event. def cheaper to buy everyone food/drinks. more importantly, i'd learn much much more.

any tips on how to organize a work party w/ ppl on here? i dont have any mech friends.

i wonder if the local makerspace would be interested on such an event.

i'm in DFW btw.

 

[mowglie]

0 rust.