Hi folks,
I just registered to ask for help here, as it seems this is a good crowd for informed yet balanced advice. I want a new-to-me 4x4. My first-gen Xterra (bought w/ 86k) now has about 190k and has mostly sat still for several years. I rebuilt the top end of the engine myself a couple of years ago to address the head gasket, in part to see if I could do it, and I also did some other work to freshen it up a bit. Before and since, I've held onto it as a tool waiting for a job. I used it heavily until about 2010 as a work vehicle (field biology), then that worked dried up. It has needs: ABS light that might just be dirty sensors or chaffed wiring, parasitic drain that might be the alternator, rusted out rocker panels, rough paint, exhaust on the way out, weepy power steering system, tires at 30%... For a long time I kept saying that the truck was worth more to me than I could get by selling it, so I kept it. I barely use it though, as we've had multiple more reliable and cheaper to run vehicles come and go in the last 8 years. As it sits, it slowly degrades of course. It, like our other two cars, is a tight fit for long trips with the family, big dog, and gear. I could fix it up a bunch more with about $1500 and lots of my time, but...then perhaps if I get pictures up on the Xterra forums and honestly describe the work that's been done and it's remaining needs I might be able to get...$3000? I hope so. My work situation has recently changed for the better, my family is growing, and for both reasons I'm short on time. I think it's worth getting a smallish loan to pick up a newer ride, and also sell the Xterra and another of our 3 current vehicles to put toward that purchase. I figure that going down to two vehicles makes sense for us financially and otherwise right now (and would free up room for me to get an older Miata or MR2 in a couple of years!).
I want something that 1) will reliably and comfortably eat highway miles and then function well on the forest service roads, logging areas, farm fields, and swampy territory that my work takes me to, and where I can't afford breakdowns, 2) can comfortably haul my whole family on our adventures for the next 8-10 years or so, and 3) serve as a foul weather country commuter. I think that a low miles 2005-2009 4Runner would fit the bill. I'm interested in finding one with the V6/multimode/timing chain, but I have yet to even sit in any 4th gen. Next week I will check out a nearby 2007 V8 Sport with 76k with some flashy mods (but supposedly never been offroad, priced way over KBB). The only other vehicles I've seriously considered are the 2nd gen Xterra (not much bigger than our current vehicles, not as comfortable onroad, not Toyota quality) and maybe a Pathfinder (meh). Much less rational options would be FZJ80, GX450/470, V6 Cayenne, and other options to far into the luxury/high operative cost side.
As I pursue this, I'd like reassurances from early 4th gen owners that these vehicles are reliable well into their second decade and won't turn to oxide at the first sign of winter on the edge of the rust belt. We'd probably put 10k or less a year on it, so if I hold out for one with less than 100k I'd probably be looking to unload it as it approached 200k but more critically, it would probably be over 15 years old before I sell. I'd appreciate any pointers. I know to find out about the timing belt on V8s and to check for operation of the drive modes. Anything else? Thanks and sorry for the long thinking-it-through as I write.
I just registered to ask for help here, as it seems this is a good crowd for informed yet balanced advice. I want a new-to-me 4x4. My first-gen Xterra (bought w/ 86k) now has about 190k and has mostly sat still for several years. I rebuilt the top end of the engine myself a couple of years ago to address the head gasket, in part to see if I could do it, and I also did some other work to freshen it up a bit. Before and since, I've held onto it as a tool waiting for a job. I used it heavily until about 2010 as a work vehicle (field biology), then that worked dried up. It has needs: ABS light that might just be dirty sensors or chaffed wiring, parasitic drain that might be the alternator, rusted out rocker panels, rough paint, exhaust on the way out, weepy power steering system, tires at 30%... For a long time I kept saying that the truck was worth more to me than I could get by selling it, so I kept it. I barely use it though, as we've had multiple more reliable and cheaper to run vehicles come and go in the last 8 years. As it sits, it slowly degrades of course. It, like our other two cars, is a tight fit for long trips with the family, big dog, and gear. I could fix it up a bunch more with about $1500 and lots of my time, but...then perhaps if I get pictures up on the Xterra forums and honestly describe the work that's been done and it's remaining needs I might be able to get...$3000? I hope so. My work situation has recently changed for the better, my family is growing, and for both reasons I'm short on time. I think it's worth getting a smallish loan to pick up a newer ride, and also sell the Xterra and another of our 3 current vehicles to put toward that purchase. I figure that going down to two vehicles makes sense for us financially and otherwise right now (and would free up room for me to get an older Miata or MR2 in a couple of years!).
I want something that 1) will reliably and comfortably eat highway miles and then function well on the forest service roads, logging areas, farm fields, and swampy territory that my work takes me to, and where I can't afford breakdowns, 2) can comfortably haul my whole family on our adventures for the next 8-10 years or so, and 3) serve as a foul weather country commuter. I think that a low miles 2005-2009 4Runner would fit the bill. I'm interested in finding one with the V6/multimode/timing chain, but I have yet to even sit in any 4th gen. Next week I will check out a nearby 2007 V8 Sport with 76k with some flashy mods (but supposedly never been offroad, priced way over KBB). The only other vehicles I've seriously considered are the 2nd gen Xterra (not much bigger than our current vehicles, not as comfortable onroad, not Toyota quality) and maybe a Pathfinder (meh). Much less rational options would be FZJ80, GX450/470, V6 Cayenne, and other options to far into the luxury/high operative cost side.
As I pursue this, I'd like reassurances from early 4th gen owners that these vehicles are reliable well into their second decade and won't turn to oxide at the first sign of winter on the edge of the rust belt. We'd probably put 10k or less a year on it, so if I hold out for one with less than 100k I'd probably be looking to unload it as it approached 200k but more critically, it would probably be over 15 years old before I sell. I'd appreciate any pointers. I know to find out about the timing belt on V8s and to check for operation of the drive modes. Anything else? Thanks and sorry for the long thinking-it-through as I write.
