When do you let go?

[Mannix]

I am a new member and have been impressed with the quality of input on this board. Here is my situation.

I have a 1996 4 cylinder, 5 speed base 4runner. It has 180,000 miles, no modifications, and has been exceptionally reliable in the 17 years I've owned it. As a matter of fact, we bought it when my wife was pregnant with our first child to have a car that would be easier to move a kid in and out of, and now my 16 year old son drives it to school. It is in good condition and looks like it is only half its age.

Without any warning, the truck suddenly started blowing thick white smoke. I towed it to my trusted mechanic, and he says it is a either a blown head gasket or cracked cylinder. Either way, it is probably $1500 to $2000+ for a fix, and maybe $2500+ for a rebuilt engine. On top of that, I was just about to do my 180K major tune up which might have included timing belt, water pump, etc. I probably need new tires soon.

Given that the value of the car is optimistically maybe 2.5-3K is it worth fixing? Or should I just bite the bullet and let it go? And if I let it go, is there a better way to do that? Carmax?

I should have said that unlike most of you on this board I am not a wrench jockey. All work is going to be done by my mechanic, but he is someone I have worked with for years and trust.

Given that my son drives this, I think right now I lean toward letting the car go and putting the money toward a more recent car for my kid (like one with side air bags). I would appreciate any thoughts from you all.

 

[4Running Daily]

Let go and buy another 3rd ten

I've been in your position twice and both times I ended up fixing it and both times it was over $2,000. If I could do it again, I'd either swap the engine completely, or just buy another 3rd gen.

 

[kernel.panik]

A good rebuilt or low mileage engine swap would probably keep that truck running for quite some time. Throwing a couple grand at a truck that you KNOW has had reliable service probably isn't a bad idea. It's not about the blue-book value to most of us here. I'm on my 5th Toyota truck and I've spent WAY more than some of those trucks were worth keeping them going. I miss them old trucks...

You'll spend more than a couple grand on a new used car for the kid. And it's still used, meaning who knows what is really wrong with it.

On the other hand, a newer 3rd gen with a 3.4 wouldn't hurt...

 

[bpowa]

I'd sell it. Unless you can do your own repair which u said you can't.

I feel that older vehicles have more value to people who wrench and can keep them going.

I just got mines and spent 2k on lift and tires and maintenance. It has more money into it than the actual truck.

If you were to spend 3k in repairs. And 5he truck is now only worth 1.5 to 2k. Maybe worth getting a v6. Runner newer year or good down payment for a new vehicle. The yaris is a great cheap basic car for your kid to get around in.

 

[Mannix]

Thanks for the input guys.

Is there a way you would recommend getting rid of the car? My main thought would be to go to carmax and take whatever they give. Aside from craigslist, any other suggestions?

 

[hearno]

Carmax will give you next to nothing unfortunately, if they buy it at all. cl will be your best bet or possibly parting it out. Is it 4wd?

 

[Srabai]

Throw it up on craigslist. I'd buy it in a second if it was in ohio. There are tons of people out there that would have no issue buying a truck with a bad headgasket.

Also, doesn't 1500-2000 seem a bit high for a 4cylinder head gasket replacement?

New cylinder head is ~$600
OEM Headgasket ~$70

http://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/pa...=CYLINDER HEAD & VALVES&component=HEAD GASKET

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-COMPLET...4-DOHC-CYLINDER-HEAD-CAM-SHAFTS-/160942541543

 

[BrianSD_42]

At that high of mileage it may be a cracked head.

I'd suggest you either do an engine swap or scrap it.

Engine swap should be really cheap.

 

[OTB]

Time to let go is when cost of repairs plus what you can sell it for in current condition is going be higher than value of the vehicle after said repairs.

Take in consideration that as it sits you can get $500 to maybe $1000 for it depending on the condition of the vehicle Probably closer to $500 but I would probably ask $750+ to have a negotiating point. Somebody with the ability to do the work themselves, looking for a project vehicle or that already has a good motor in a wrecked truck is looking for good truck body as wee speak.

Of course there are exceptions to this rule such as you have done a lot to the truck and just love it or have some sort of mental attachment to it, but this does not seem to be the case. So I would say sell it.

Take the money you sell the truck for plus what you would have in repairs and buy it. $5k-6k will buy a pretty nice 3.4 ltr 3rd gen if you want another 4runner.