When is it time to upgrade to a newer 4runner?

[mspa]

Okay, so I've had my 1988 4runner for over a year now. I have a total investment into it close to $6000. I am almost to 300,000 miles on it and I'm pretty sure that the engine is not the original. Most of my expenses have gone into new radiator, clutch, alternator, suspension, steering . . . basically everything except for the engine itself, transmission, rear axle, and front axle (4 wheel drive maintenance). I have had the timing belt replaced and work done on the front of the engine.

Now, I have discovered three leaks. The biggest is the rear main seal. Then there's the adapter o-ring at the filter, and another smaller leak.

I'm waiting to get estimates on replacing the engine. My guess is it will be between $4000 - 5000 to get this done and have some kind of warranty on the engine.

So my question boils down to this. Is it time to look at a newer 4runner, say 1998-2004, if I can find one around $8000 - 12,000?

Advice and comments all welcome!

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Do yourself a favor and get a new 4runner. You really can't go wrong with a 3rd or 4th Gen. I'm sure you will be impressed by them.

 

[CRDT4R]

Definitely upgrade. Keep yours as an offroad vehicle. With the price of 4runners right now, i don't see why you wouldn't just get a newer one. You'll enjoy it just as much as you enjoy yours now.

 

[maine runner]

When the maintenance costs for a year will exceed the value of the truck, it is time to move on.

What is the sense of spending 4k on a truck that is worth 6k? After the truck is fixed, it is still worth 6k but you have 10k into it.

If you plan on keeping the truck for a long time (5+ years), I would go as young as possible. If you off-road, consider a 01-02 3rd Generation. Many think these are the best years.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

When the maintenance costs for a year will exceed the value of the truck, it is time to move on.

What is the sense of spending 4k on a truck that is worth 6k? After the truck is fixed, it is still worth 6k but you have 10k into it.

If you plan on keeping the truck for a long time (5+ years), I would go as young as possible. If you off-road, consider a 01-02 3rd Generation. Many think these are the best years.

01-02 didn't even have a diff locker so they wouldn't be the best for offroading.

 

[peter78]

When the maintenance costs for a year will exceed the value of the truck, it is time to move on.

What is the sense of spending 4k on a truck that is worth 6k? After the truck is fixed, it is still worth 6k but you have 10k into it.

If you plan on keeping the truck for a long time (5+ years), I would go as young as possible. If you off-road, consider a 01-02 3rd Generation. Many think these are the best years.

If you spent $6,000 on a vehicle for a year and you still have problems, maybe $5,000 worth, it probably is time to move on. Also, lets face it, with a 88 chances are you will have other itmes come up. Now, if your in love with it, then maybe you should keep it, but it is not the rational decision. (I had a 144 Volvo that I was willing to re-do when the time came, but someone hit me before I could sink all that money into it. They probably did me a favor.)

I also agree the 3rd gen. may be a good bet. 01 and 02 do have VSC, but if you want a stick shift, you will have to go to 96 to 2000. You might be able to get a few 4th gen. in the 12,000 dollar range. I remember a new member thinking of buying a 03 with a V8 for less than that.

I know it is a tough decision to give up on a car, but if you are willing and able to make a new investment, the prices are good on 4Runners, I see RAV4's and Highlanders of the same year go for more, which is really crazy to me.

Oh yeah, one more thing, I am sorry to hear about your problem, that really sucks.

 

[mspa]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the words of wisdom!

I love the truck, but if/when it comes to the financial stress of fixing, to a point beyond my wife's happiness, but to the irrational . . . it makes sense to move on.

Now it comes to determining what to start looking at and the timing.

A part of me says to look while the truck is still running. I'd be curious if dealers are willing to offer more than it's worth on trade-in, just to get a sale. Since we know we have to have a warranty of some kind, for repair protection in the 1-2 year range, we figure finding a reputable dealer is the way to go. Pre-certified vehicles would be ideal.

From what I'm reading, it looks like 2001-02 are the model years to look for. I don't off-road, though when camping it is nice to go off-road. But I wouldn't consider that real off-roading. Also, I love having a stick shift, but my wife would prefer auto, so that'll fit in the model year.

Any other things to consider? To avoid, or be picky about?

Thanks!!

 

[Falls]

If you want to upgrade thats cool , the the one in the pic looks mint . Correct or is it just because it's a small pic. ?

Since you probably would not get much for that one I'd keep it. Kinda cool looking IMO.

 

[4boer]

Look now while you still have working wheels. That way you can be picky instead of desperate. Don't know about the trade in idea. They won't give you squat and it might just confuse the transaction. Drive the old one until it dies. Fluids are cheap.

 

[mspa]

Hey Falls, it's the pic. The paint is worn from heat on the hood, and the rest of the body is good, but the stripes are fading in parts. I've seen better looking versions locally, but only a couple. It still handles nice. I had the front end steering rebuilt, new shocks all around with a steering stabilizer on front. The only things that don't work are the cruise control, rear defrost and the passenger window glass came off track, actually, the horizontal bar that the glass seats into, which I can fix. There's probably enough going for it, that the right person might want it to put a performance engine into and have a sweet ride. Otherwise, I may have to drive it til it dies, which with an eye on the fluids, could be a while. It smokes more than usual in the morning at start up until the engine heats up to get a better seal.

I'll be talking with my better half on this one. I've seen some nice examples of 2001-2004 locally at dealers today for between $10-16k. But I'm thinking our budget would keep us at that bottom end . . . we'll see.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

You should be able to get an '01 for less than $10,000.

 

[mspa]

I hope so. When I get to that point, I may post progress, if interesting, or if I'm in need of advise . . . thanks!

 

[ajc]

Regarding 'certified pre-owned' through Toyota .. I recently purchased and 08 SR5 from a Toyota dealership and they only certify pre-owned vehicles that are 7 years old or less. So an 01, at this particular dealership, was not certified. Anyway, you will find this out quickly once you get to the dealership but just thought I'd mention it. Also, keep in mind that the warranty they offer is most likely only good from the date the vehicle went into service.