I've neglected my 4runner. Service it or sell it?

I've owned my 2001 4runner since 2010. It has 250k on it, and has never left me stranded. I still love the car. It's been stupid reliable. I have a couple of options with it, and I need some help deciding the direction.

Option 1 is fix it. I've neglected the trans fluid for 100k. the diff hasn't ever been touched. Tires are  desperately needing replaced at this point. Ball joints would be worth replacing. Hell everything on it is about stock. Timing belt has been done, but other than that and oil, I haven't done much. If I keep it, I'm spending money at Rock. 

Option 2. Sell. It's worth 4500ish at this point. In comparison, I could spend 4500 on a low mileage mid 2000's car, save on gas, and end up with something more reliable. 

The rear main appears to be leaking now. No puddles, but there's visible oil. Went through 1/2 quart with 5000 miles. I don't consider it in the options, other than maybe a reason to sell. It's not something I'm fixing.

Thoughts?

You say "It's stupid reliable" and then say you could get something more reliable for $4500.  Although 250k is a lot of miles, you won't find any truck or SUV around here for $4500 that's in better shape than what you have.  If you are really ok with an underpowered FWD E36 M3box then you can buy more reliability with that sum.  If you're tired of the truck and want a change, sell it. If you are really looking for the most reliability for the least money, fix it.

You say you love it; that to me is reason enough to keep it. 

Keep it!!! 

Toyota considers 1qt in 1200 miles excessive. 1/2 in 5000 is basically normal.   I'd go through it and keep it. Toyota bAlljoints last forever , go through the front end before replacing parts. 

I just did heagaskets, timing belt, water pump, and everything that goes along with that to an 02 Tacoma with 204k. Every car is case by case based on condition but i'd say this vehicle was definitely worth it, and i'm not even emotionally attached to it or a big fan of how it drives (its lifted a bit too much for my pansy ass and the tires are too loud). If you love yours i think it's a no brainer to fix it. 

RyanW said:

Toyota considers 1qt in 1200 miles excessive. 1/2 in 5000 is basically normal.   I'd go through it and keep it. Toyota bAlljoints last forever , go through the front end before replacing parts. 

There was actually a huge recall on that year for the lower ball joints.  You should keep an eye if not yet replaced.  

You don't mention if it is 4x4 or not, but the pricing would indicate so.  I enjoyed my last 4runner to 243ish k.  It was a weekend rig and great off road, it was the previous generation with the 3.slow, miserable on the road and questionable if it would make it up hills on the freeway.  No question it would make it up every off road hill, but freeways were another question.

Seems like it’s one of those devil you know vs devil you don’t know situations. Maybe you’re just looking for something different. 

Might consider taking into account what it would cost to get the 4Runner all fixed up and weigh that against the overall expense of a new vehicle (plus taxes, tags, insurance etc) and any maintenance a new to you $4k car will need.

my vote spend some $$/love on the 4Runner and enjoy it 

Keep it. It's a Toyota. Enjoy it!

A buyer may low-ball you because of the needed maintenance. Do the maintenance and drive it for another 100K miles. 

Change the fluids, balljoints and tires, drive it through the winter and then sell it before the main seal leak gets worse.

I have an 02 4Runner Sport 4x4 that I feel somewhat similarly about. It is dead-reliable, but I have been putting $$ into it lately to try and track down a silly emissions CEL.

It only has 130k, but I could easily pour another $1-2k into it with a charcoal canister and/or new cats just to fix the issue. I've just been driving it as-is (no inspections in FL), but am torn on whether I should fix it to sell, or just keep it as a weekender and get something more comfortable and quick for daily duties.

I keep coming back to the fact that I had an 02 4Runner Sport once, sold it, regretted it, and bought this one a couple years later, so I'm leaning towards keeping it. It's value hasn't decreased, and who knows, may actually increase if I keep holding.

I say "keep and fix". You won't find something better for what you could sell it for, just something "new" to you.

CobraSpdRH said:

It only has 130k, but I could easily pour another $1-2k into it with a charcoal canister and/or new cats just to fix the issue. I've just been driving it as-is (no inspections in FL), but am torn on whether I should fix it to sell, or just keep it as a weekender and get something more comfortable and quick for daily duties.

 

I was going to ask what codes, because I've spent the past couple years chasing down codes. First cats, than charcoal canister. Now the evap code is back, and I'm really concerned it's the sensor at the top of the gas tank. Tracking down evap codes is a freakin nightmare. 

A friend of mine (and also a forum member) recently spent a not insignificant amount of time and money to update/refresh an older car that he loves in favor of buying something new.  He went through the suspension, new seats, new stereo with bluetooth and navi, had some paintwork done, and replaced a lot of mechanical parts that were worn out. 

He is happy with his decision.  I drove the car before and after, and I can understand why.

I don't think you're asking the right question. The question you need to ask is "Do I need/want a 4x4 SUV, or do I need/want a more efficient car"

If the answer is 4x4 SUV, fix it up and keep it. If it is more efficient car, sell it and replace it with something smaller and/or more efficient. 

I have a 99 Tacoma with 231K I just inherited.  I'm seriously contemplating selling my 04 325iT and using the Taco as my DD instead.  I have total faith it will run forever and a day.

Your Runner is well worth the investment if it still interests you.

In reply to lnlogauge :

P0422 I believe, but also a P0366? I don't have it handy, but I've done the gas cap as well as the fuel tank filler pipe (at Toyota's recommendation). Next would be the three valves off the charcoal canister and then the canister itself. The cats are a whole different story. Never had these issues with my other 02 with 140k, but like I said, it is still dead reliable and I would drive it anywhere tomorrow.

I've seen all the talk about lower ball joints on T4R, so those worry me a bit, but I've done all the fluids and the timing belt along with plugs/wires/etc. around 120k so it should be good for awhile.

Tires, I would check Craiglist for some Tundra/Tacoma/4Runner take-offs as you can find some nice factory upgrades for little $.

RyanW said:

Toyota considers 1qt in 1200 miles excessive. 1/2 in 5000 is basically normal.   I'd go through it and keep it. Toyota bAlljoints last forever , go through the front end before replacing parts. 

My 2000 Tundra had a bad upper ball joint at 140k. It happens.

My brother-in-law was a Yamaha motorcycle mechanic and did no maintenance to his 1982 Toyota 4X4 SR5 pickup truck.  

One day it wouldn't run and he found out the fuel filter was clogged - he changed it and went on with life.  Nice problems to have.

Keep it. 'Course I'm biased. 

There are things more reliable than an old 4Runner?? I'm gonna call BS on that.

service it has turned into removing the rear diff, and taking it for a rebuild. 

After that, it's drop the tank and replace a valve for the evap emissions. is there a shoot me in the face emoji around here?

+1 for keeping it. If the rear main seal leak gets bad, you could risk a seal sweller in the oil before fixing it. An engine rebuild is normally a good idea at 250k miles, but for a 4runner it might be a bit premature

In reply to lnlogauge :

I can only assume that rebuild is to add a locker.