What would you do with a '99 4runner

[davidv]

I'm at the crossroads with a 1999 4runner sport that I bought as a lease return at auction in 2002. When I bought it it had 22k miles on it and the only sign of abuse was scratches in the head liner from hangers while serving its dry cleaning pick up duty.

Since then I've run the odometer up to 180,000 miles on numerous adventures and road trips down rutted out logging roads and through blowing bumper deep snow. In the last year I've updated the shocks and springs with old man emu equipment, fixed a leaky valve cover and repaired a small exhaust leak. Prior to this my only maintance was the factory recommended and replacing 31" BFG A/T KO as soon as they showed signs of wear. My mechanic inspected the timing belt with the last tune up and said it was good for another 10,000.

I have $5,000 set aside in the vehicle fund and I'm assuming I could sell the vehicle for 8 or $9,000 giving me either $14,000 to start over. Or $5,000 to put into the Runner.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

 

[Martinjmpr]

I don't know where you think you're going to get $8k for your 4runner. Just as a point of reference, I just sold my '99 which had only 150,000 miles for $5,000. I had about 7 replies to my various ads, a couple of looky-loos and two firm offers, of which $5000 was the highest.

There are a lot of people demanding a lot of $$ for their 3rd gens but unless it's got very low miles or has some other highly valued features (like having a 5 speed or being a limited) I don't see you getting much more than $5500, and that's assuming your vehicle is absolutely cherry. Mine had a few dings and an aftermarket tube bumper, which some people don't like. OTOH, it also had the e-locker and just under 150,000 miles with a timing belt changed at 118,000 miles.

Faced with a similar situation I decided to punt and sold my 4runner to get a newer one. I also needed a more capable towing vehicle as the 3.4 equipped '99 wasn't adequate power-wise. So far I'm happy about my decision, even though the 4th gen isn't as off-road capable right out of the box, that can be fixed with aftermarket suspension.

Still, if you're happy with your '99 and it doesn't need anything major, just sock the money away or use it to travel. The 3rd gen is an awesome platform and amazingly capable off-road.

 

[AxleIke]

Yeah, I agree with that. You might be able to sell it for that much, if you get the timing belt done, but even then, it might be a bit high. I don't know the going rate where you are, but around here, that would be high for that many miles. I paid 7 for mine with 200 k, but it was 5 speed with a locker, and garage kept by a granny. Even then, I paid too much.

IMO, with proper maintenance you have plenty of life left in your motor. 5k miinus the timing belt costs gets you a nice mild build with some good tires.

OTOH, if it were me, I'd sell and set the money towards a new Tundra for the added room, and power. Probably not what you would do, but you asked what we'd do

 

[ol' scott]

Depends on what you're going to use the vehicle for. Like others have said, I doubt you'd get that much for your 4Runner, but you may depending on the market where you live. Think of it this way: You can sell now for $6k or you can sell 5 years and 60k miles from now for $4k. The depreciation of your replacement vehicle will be far higher than the $2k that you'll lose after keeping the vehicle for 5 more years. Plus in 5 years a 5th generation 4Runner or a newer 4th generation might be reachable instead of an older 4th generation that you can buy now.

If the vehicle is doing everything you want it to do then put $3k in the truck and be happy with saving the other $2k for gas money or to prep for the coming famine.

Edit: To answer your question I'd keep what you've got. I just bought a 99' 4Runner with 138k miles on it and plan on driving it until at least 250k unless something goes wrong. *Knock on wood* You've upgraded the suspension already, maintenance is up to date except timing belt (I had mine done for < $500, including all accessory belts and water pump). ARB bumper < $750, sliders ~ $300, lighting $250, tires if you need them $800, skid plates for $300 - $400. You've got a very capable vehicle that can do a lot for less than $3k invested. Not a bad deal.

 

[Obi..]

Let's say hypothetically you find that magic buyer with cash in hand, you sell it for $7500. You now got $13,500 to go shop for a 4th or 5th Gen with at minimum these days of anywhere from 50,000-60,000 miles on it, easily, some markets as high as 90,000-120,000.

Versus keeping a rig that's held solid that you got at it's infancy and know the history and overall condition of.



Crap, I think I just quoted my Father, LOL. :coffeedrink:

Like someone already said, sock it away until something breaks on the one you own now.

If you're planning on doing payments on top of a $13,500 deposit and can afford it and not trip of of the financial market drama right now, more power to you.

 

[Go4Lo]

If the vehicle is doing everything you want it to do then put $3k in the truck and be happy with saving the other $2k for gas money or to prep for the coming famine.

Edit: To answer your question I'd keep what you've got. I just bought a 99' 4Runner with 138k miles on it and plan on driving it until at least 250k unless something goes wrong. *Knock on wood* You've upgraded the suspension already, maintenance is up to date except timing belt (I had mine done for < $500, including all accessory belts and water pump). ARB bumper < $750, sliders ~ $300, lighting $250, tires if you need them $800, skid plates for $300 - $400. You've got a very capable vehicle that can do a lot for less than $3k invested. Not a bad deal.

X2. Exactly the plan I have for the '98 we bought earlier this year. I too contemplated a 4th Gen 4Runner but ended up buying a cheaper clean 3rd Gen that's paid for and am using the extra money for upgrades and travel.

 

[Clutch]

I would do the bare minimum in maintenance with the current vehicle, and use the rest of money to travel.

Sure I yearn for a newer vehicle too, (I can afford it, but don't want to spend the money:ylsmoke but it really isn't going to do anything better than what I have now, a '99 Tacoma with 260,000 miles on the
odo...there was a a time I wanted to sell it, now I am on a mission to see how far it will go.

 

[98roamer]

Keep the 4runner, travel with it, and keep saving. Is it worth $5k or more to keep it? We didn't need anything more than our 98 Limited until we started pulling a popup camper. We are really thinking about going back to tenting, the popup wasn't worth upgrading the tow vehicle. We really like our 3 gen and our next with be a 4 gen in about 2-3 years.

 

[2025 deleted member]

Keep it, but replace the belt, not sure I would trust a guestimate of 10,000 miles life lfet on it. Drive that thing till it no longer runs.

 

[Flagster]

I would do the bare minimum in maintenance with the current vehicle, and use the rest of money to travel.

Sure I yearn for a newer vehicle too, (I can afford it, but don't want to spend the money:ylsmoke but it really isn't going to do anything better than what I have now, a '99 Tacoma with 260,000 miles on the
odo...there was a a time I wanted to sell it, now I am on a mission to see how far it will go.

I agree...drive your truck...invest a little and keep her going...
IMO there is something about owning and taking care of a car since "infancy"...or bringing an old junker back from the dead

The older and wealthier I get the crappier cars I seem to want or hold on to...

 

[G_fresh]

The older and wealthier I get the crappier cars I seem to want or hold on to...

Wow. I thought this was only me! The value of all of my vehicles together rarely exceeds the cost of any one of my peer group's...

Anyway, keep the '99, do the maintenance, upgrade to make it seem "newer", and use the extra money to take a week or two off unpaid to go have fun... My less than 2 cents!

 

[Clutch]

I agree...drive your truck...invest a little and keep her going...
IMO there is something owning and taking care of a car since "infancy"...or bringing an old junker back from the dead

The older and wealthier I get the crappier cars I seem to want or hold on to...

Since I started paying cash for my vehicles...man, I have become such a cheap bastage. When I get the "want-sees" I usually ask myself: "do I really need that, is going it to be that much better?" "do I want to spend my wad?" the answer is usually no...

Sure I keep my vehicles in top notch mechanical condition, but the value of running down a tight trail or throwing a muddy wet dog in to the cab
and not worrying about wearing off the "newness" is priceless.

 

[MaverickTRD]

I've had urges to pick up a 100 series or a 4th gen runner, but I just can't justify the the added initial expense. I don't finance anything so it would be a stretch for me to buy another base platform to start over on. Plus i don't know how well it was treated. I have a 97, but with only 121k miles and a timing belt done less than 25k ago. I think I will just keep adding/changing things to meet my wants, instead of starting over...I want a small trailer for the wife and kids, so I'll just save up for a TRD s/c.

I say do some upgrades and save or have fun with the extras. you could maybe even buy some cheap beater car that gets crazy good mpg and delay the time it takes for your runner to hit 200k lol

 

[AxleIke]

I've had urges to pick up a 100 series or a 4th gen runner, but I just can't justify the the added initial expense. I don't finance anything so it would be a stretch for me to buy another base platform to start over on. Plus i don't know how well it was treated. I have a 97, but with only 121k miles and a timing belt done less than 25k ago. I think I will just keep adding/changing things to meet my wants, instead of starting over...I want a small trailer for the wife and kids, so I'll just save up for a TRD s/c.

I say do some upgrades and save or have fun with the extras. you could maybe even buy some cheap beater car that gets crazy good mpg and delay the time it takes for your runner to hit 200k lol

I SC'd mine about 5k ago (at 215k), and it makes a world of difference. Especially towing. Now, I have a 5 speed, so not sure how it runs on the auto, but I was able to pull about 2k lbs plus the trailer from denver up to my folks place in the mountains (so lots of uphill) at 65-70 no problem. I had to shift to third to accelerate, but I was in the fast lane the whole way. Picked up the SC with no belt and tensioner but freshly rebuilt from PSC for 900 bones, and spend another 350 on belt, tensioner, plugs and wires. One of the best investments I've made. And, no change in mileage.

 

[Go4Lo]

I SC'd mine about 5k ago (at 215k), and it makes a world of difference. Especially towing. Now, I have a 5 speed, so not sure how it runs on the auto, but I was able to pull about 2k lbs plus the trailer from denver up to my folks place in the mountains (so lots of uphill) at 65-70 no problem. I had to shift to third to accelerate, but I was in the fast lane the whole way. Picked up the SC with no belt and tensioner but freshly rebuilt from PSC for 900 bones, and spend another 350 on belt, tensioner, plugs and wires. One of the best investments I've made. And, no change in mileage.

I have dreams of adding a S/C to my Runner one day. Thanks for the inspiration!