What would you replace your 4runner with?

[Flyingbread1]

My life has changed to the point that I am considering replacing my 4runner. I have had to put a few thousand dollars into the 4runner over the past year and so I have come to a cross roads. What would I replace my 4runner with in the $12k to $15k range? I don't go off road anymore. My commute is 3 miles and I will be biking when the weather is good this Spring and Summer. I have the wife, two kids (4 and 1) and a 70 pound dog so I still need space for weekend adventures, but we do also have a Rav4. I live in Minnesota so 4WD is nice to have when you need it. It's a very hard decision since anything used will most likely need a grand in repairs, isn't that why people sell a vehicle? I would love to hear thoughts from people that value a solid, well taken care of vehicle. Thanks in advance, I truly appreciate the thoughts and opinions of the people on this forum. I have been saved from the stealerships on a few occasions with advice found on here.

 

[Border411]

Well....i don't really have any ideas of what you should get, other than a highlander (wife and her dad both have 1, 2006 and 2012----super nice), but i will be getting rid of mine in a few months for either a 2015 or 2016 Tacoma. Need a bed for my General contracting business, but want something that fits on my garage (would totally get a tundra, but it is too big).

 

[Range]

My life has changed to the point that I am considering replacing my 4runner. I have had to put a few thousand dollars into the 4runner over the past year and so I have come to a cross roads. What would I replace my 4runner with in the $12k to $15k range? I don't go off road anymore. My commute is 3 miles and I will be biking when the weather is good this Spring and Summer. I have the wife, two kids (4 and 1) and a 70 pound dog so I still need space for weekend adventures, but we do also have a Rav4. I live in Minnesota so 4WD is nice to have when you need it. It's a very hard decision since anything used will most likely need a grand in repairs, isn't that why people sell a vehicle? I would love to hear thoughts from people that value a solid, well taken care of vehicle. Thanks in advance, I truly appreciate the thoughts and opinions of the people on this forum. I have been saved from the stealerships on a few occasions with advice found on here.

Subaru Wagon, Volvo Wagon, Audi Wagon. If you're in Minnesota I'd get a car with All wheel drive and the three listed above also have a little pep to them so you don't feel like you're a grandpa. Why are you getting rid of your 4Runner?

 

[rich045]

B7 S4 wagon, thats what i would get.

 

[wadle5]

If you're biking to work and have already dumped in money this year....why sell?

 

[WI_4Runner]

So you just spent money to get your car running up to snuff.... and now you want to sell it so you can buy another used car that you know you'll have to put more money into to get it squared away?

Look, for as reliable as Toyota's are, things need replacing and any car over 100k has it's own costs. I don't know the nature of the recent service/repairs but doubt you will find a more reliable SUV that is under 15k....

 

[awdjunkies]

B7 S4 wagon, thats what i would get.

B6/B7 Avant. Pretty much the same thing under the hood, aesthetically only minor changes. But yeah, Awesome sounding exhaust note from that V8.
Reliability wise? might as well stay with what you know as far as repairs done and needing. Not that the S4(V8 Variant) isn't reliable, but like every Audi, they do have their little quarks here and there.

PS: To quote [MENTION=118864]rich045[/MENTION] Here's a couple of videos. The first one being Auto/Tip. The second one is a sedan but 6sp manual transmission:


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AiFEKGIrmu8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>



<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BPcm96nbdP8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[NuclearN8]

If youre RAv4 has the space you ned for weekend adventures then I'd so buy a used prius in your price range, plenty to choose from... or if that's not your style maybe a used camry or corolla.

if the Rav4 isn't large enough and you have to buy a used larger SUV, for me it would definitely be a used Lexus GX470 (really a Prado) or Land Cruiser. Both are rock solid vehicles, even when bought used. The prior is usually very lightly used as it appeals to a different demographic when new due to the price tag.

 

[Flyingbread1]

So you just spent money to get your car running up to snuff.... and now you want to sell it so you can buy another used car that you know you'll have to put more money into to get it squared away?

Look, for as reliable as Toyota's are, things need replacing and any car over 100k has it's own costs. I don't know the nature of the recent service/repairs but doubt you will find a more reliable SUV that is under 15k....

That is the argument going on in my head. I am not rushing this decision just getting information. I tend to do a lot of research and then make the best decision I can. I know what I have (2006 V6 SE with 145k miles). She is pretty solid and there are no pending repairs needed at this time. I may give it a year to put things in perspective. I wouldn't mind something with better road manners, but the roads in Minneapolis are not very good. I like the 08, 09 Outbacks but they have some pretty major flags around the 100k mile mark.

 

[m85476585]

I would get a Honda Fit. You can get a brand new one in your budget, and you can get snow tires for the winter.

Since you need more space, how about another small SUV like the RAV4? I would say a Mazda CX-5, but that's over your budget, so maybe a similar used one. If you need more space than that, either a minivan or a 4runner.

The previous owner of my 4runner passed away, so the only thing it needed was tires and routine maintenance.

 

[NuclearN8]

I wouldn't mind something with better road manners,

assuming you still have the XREAS and it isn't leaking, i'm not sure the road manners can get much better unless you replace all the sway bar and endlink bushings with poly ones. this is cheap and well worth the money in my opinion.
lot of threads, just google.
you have a great vehicle, I vote to hang on to it. the devil you know is better than the one you don't.

 

[black4vcobra]

Another vote to keep it, you have a great vehicle assuming the XREAS is still in good shape.

What did you fix recently that cost a couple grand?

 

[LTDSC]

silverado or sierra. hands down.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I've also been kicking around the idea of replacing my 4th gen or at least adding another to the stable. It's been good to us so far but every now and then I get the itch for something different. My list of possible candidates to replace my 4th gen are; v8 4th gen, another TE 5th gen, tacoma, tundra.

I've also been kicking around the idea of keeping my 4th gen but adding one of the following; 1989-98 extended cab Z71, 1994-97 F350 crew cab, 1st gen tundra. In fact I was planning on driving to Denver this weekend to look at a sweet '98 Z71 but the guy sold it Wednesday.

OP- since your in MN, I would at least get something AWD if not 4x4. With your budget, you will be hard pressed to find something as good as your 4runner.

I'm not really into "practical" cars but I'll probably never own a sports car either. I drive 30 miles one way to work but if I don't like driving something, it's not worth it no matter what kind of mpg it gets. Another reason is, every now and then the main highway is closed so I take the back roads to get to work. These roads are rough and can be really muddy so those that drive cars just wait for the road to open while I have some fun getting there.

 

[Jabberjaw]

Super cool, nerd approved, SHAGGIN' WAGON!!

 

[Flyingbread1]

Another vote to keep it, you have a great vehicle assuming the XREAS is still in good shape.

What did you fix recently that cost a couple grand?

145k miles. XREAS was shot so I did a combo of 2014 Tacoma front struts and rear shocks with 2014 FJ rear springs and new alignment. Rides like new. My radiator leaked and needed to be replaced. I had a frozen caliper and also needed a new battery this winter. Valve adjustment had never been done so I had it checked for peace of mind, all in spec so whatever. I have a leak from the timing chain cover that would cost way too much to fix so I am monitoring it, no real problem thus far. That along with routine maintenance has been an expensive year. Brakes are at 80% and tires have a few more years on them. When I read about the transmission shudder and actuators I get real nervous so I leave her in 4hi full time. I really do love her, otherwise I never would have spent so much. I have just started to think about her replacement.

 

[swapmeet]

Besides the fact that it's a chick car.... How about a AWD highlander? Hell... A FWD with snow tires might be fine.

You'll probably get one with high (100k) miles in that 12k range but they're big, comfy, reliable. Better on gas.

Based on the description of your needs, that's what I would look for.

 

[ebg18t]

When I got rid of my 4Runner I picked up a '14 VW Touareg and a few months later I ordered a '15 Porsche Cayenne.

 

[NuclearN8]

tsb

I have a leak from the timing chain cover that would cost way too much to fix so I am monitoring it, no real problem thus far.

for your timing chain cover oil leak

 

[Robs08Runner]

I would keep the Runner and run it into the ground. I would rather have a car that I know than to start a relationship with something else that's used. Lol Really sounds like if ya get the leak fixed, It would be a nice truck till 200k. Maybe keep it till another brand new vehicle can be purchased?