3rd gens over time...

Okay so flame away but I haven't posted on here in quite some time. I'm 48, a classic car mechanic, and my DD has always been a Toyota 4x4. I currently have a REALLY nice 11 4Runner trail that's lifted on 285's, winch.... etc. Well last spring I bought a house that needs a lot of work and I have been considering selling and getting a 3rd gen. Probably will leave it pretty stock. I actually test drove a manual TRD double cab a few months ago. My impressions were it was nice much like the 3 second gens I have had but the power was noticeably less than my 4Runner. and of course no heated seats, heated windshield, sunroof, power seats... What I'm wondering is how these are holding up long term? I have had numerous Toyotas with LOTS of miles but none with the 3.5 engine or the newer six speed auto. With my budget I would probably be financing one with around 100k on it. I hate buying stuff with high miles and owing money but the fact is although I love my job I'm not exactly raking it in. I know on my second gens I put wheel bearings on the front of all 3 both sides. One I had transmission issues with due to corrosion in the plug going into the side of the trans. But other than that they were pretty bulletproof as my older ones have been. If I had the room I would honestly just buy a trailer but I don't.

 

I'd keep the 4runner and buy a trailer

 

Well, if your 2011 4Runner IS really nice, why not keep it and buy/rent a trailer for your DIY house stuff? You'll certainly save a lot of money which you can devote to your house projects.

 

You'll be fine with a new one. The quality is still there. And yes with a house you'll need the pickup.

 

Buy a bare-bones SR manual with the 4cylinder and it will be like the old Toyota legacy for you. Use it as a work truck for the next 20 years of iron block reliability. Every add-on is more shit that will break. The 3.5 definitely has its issues all of which seem to require an engine pull and thousands of dollars. Plastic parts in dumb places and bad seal designs. Maybe the issues are fixed in 2019+ models, maybe not. Need another 5 years to see but I'd bet Toyota changed nothing.

Keep the 4runner forever.

 

I've seen 5+ threads of the valve or valve seat letting go resulting in Toyota replacing the entire head for the 3.5. Rare cases, maybe. 3.5 has more going on with the d4s and Atkinson cycle engine. I'd keep your 4.0, proven motor.

 

I've actually done this multiple times. It tows surprisingly well. Honestly with the exception of a few runs back from Lowe's with 4x8 sheets it's been totally fine. 10' pieces of lumber fit inside and it has a roof rack for longer stuff. I just hate doing it because it really is that nice. Not even 100k on it and it's been my baby since I got it with 35k. I actually hauled a snowblower home with it on the slide out tray with the gate open. That was quite a sight. I'm really torn because it is really nice, I built it to be exactly what I wanted, and to be brutally honest I feel the 4Runner is a far better rig fit and finish wise than the Tacoma. But there are SO many times I wish I had just bought another double cab instead of it. And often times I wish I had left it alone too. The money I spent could have completely finished my Mustang project. And I used to get 20mpg too. Now I am lucky to occasionally see 17.

 

Owning a house, a pick up is so helpful.

 

Save your money and get a new sr with the 4 banger for probably around the same price. Interest rates on the new will be lower then used, and you don’t get someone’s Headache, 100k is a lot of someone else’s headache. Just my thoughts
I’ve had my 2017 since new, but it has low miles because I use off road only, cannot attest to reliability

 

See this is what I was wondering. I would be buying a truck with over 100k most likely. And I hate fixing stuff like this when I am making payments. And I would be fixing it myself. I don't know how normal people can afford to pay multi-thousand repair bills on their drivers. One of my second gens I bought with just over 100k miles, financed it, and a head gasket went within like 500 miles. The Toyota dealer actually did step up and fixed it right. Both heads off and redone, new water pump, timing chain... But it was like 4 grand! Even if I had done it myself it probably would have been over a grand just for the machine work and parts. Hate that crap. Which is why I stick to Toyotas for my drivers. Take care of them and usually they take care of you. Wish I had a bigger driveway I would just find a 79-83 2WD out west and have a cool run around truck.

 

Or skip the Tacoma all together and get a gently used 2.5 gen Tundra.

 

I know you say you don't have the space -- a trailer is really useful, better than a pick up in a lot of ways and even a real nice trailer is cheaper than a used truck.

Maybe you could partner with a buddy, he can use it if you can store it at his place deal.

 

A V8 Tundra 00-06 with the 4.7L are bulletproof. Motor easily gets to 300k miles. My LX470 has 225k miles and my GX470 has 255k miles. Both have the 4.7L V8.

 

The 4 banger MT would be a good choice too, they were only available in 2016 and 2017 so finding one may not be too easy though.

 

My V6 2016 has been very reliable even with the Premium Tech package stuff. Before you trade in, look at the Tacoma bed again with your home improvement hauling in mind. With my 6 foot bed, getting lumber can be a challenge and I still need to use my trailer at times (which is why some other posters are suggesting a Tundra).

Also, buying new or used at this time prices are crazy high.

I vote, keep the 4 Runner and buy or rent a trailer. Focus on your house and see where your mind is and what prices are like in a year or so. You put 65,000 miles on your 4 Runner, so you have proven reliability there.

 

Uhaul pickups are $19 a day

 

Here is a different perspective from a guy who also likes, works on and appreciates classic cars, nice daily drivers that typcially cost more than I can afford if I had to buy them new. I'm always on the lookout for either my next classic car project or my next daily driver. I never buy new.

• First, under no circumstances would I sell the 4-Runner especially if it is relatively low miles, in excellent condition, already just the way you want it, and enjoy driving it. In todays world of not really having a clue what the long term day-to-day transportation picture in this country is I plan to hold onto my gas powered vehicles until I can visualize the plan and the likelihood for success. I know enough about the current state of battery technology and while there are many development options in the works I just don't see a low carbon footprint battery manufacturing materials supply chain or long term battery reclamation or disposal solution.
• For as long as I had to I'd be very careful not to mess up my 4-Runner but I would rent a trailer for as long as I had to. It makes sense but I certainly understand how inconvienent it is but it is a better financial solution at least for a while.
• In parallel with renting a trailer and looking out for you 4-Runner, I would be on the search for a well cared for but higher than you want milegae 2-Gen that is not a rolloing bucket of frame rust. They are out there and you don't have to spend a shit-ton of money on them. You don't need a truck that you will "never" have trouble with. You need one that will get you from local and maybe a few longer trips to and from the stores and the dump. It can be a second vehcile and not cost you a lot of money to own, operate, and maintain as a second vehicle.

If you are a classic car mechanic you may not be an expert in everything but my guess is you are very good in most all the things that you will have to deal with given a 2-Gen is a proven vehicle that is already known to last a lot more miles than most people, and especially the one who also take care of their vehicles, want to drive them. Also, as a classic car mechanic, I'd bet you are a fricking expert in identifying vehicles that have not been well maintained.

Good luck in whatever you decide but enjoy your 4-Runner and keep it well maintained and cared for

 

Twice now I have convinced myself that I NEED a Tacoma and then I go drive a stock one and come away underwhelmed. And I wasn't exactly overwhelmed with my 4Runner when I bought it either but I knew I could make it just how I wanted. Now I know I can't do that currently with a mortgage and a ridiculously out of control fox notchback project going on. I really think keeping it is the best solution. I have friends with trucks I can borrow if I really need to. Honestly though I have hauled more building materials in this 4Runner than I have in any of the trucks I have had.

 

There are million mile 3rd gens and you can fix the power issues with a tune.

The best thing about the taco is how moddable it is. If there's a problem you can probably fix it.

But it doesn't sound like it's a good financial decision for you to buy one, so dont.

 

Would a Tacoma really fit the bill for your needs? Standard sized wood overhangs the tailgate regardless of bed size. It works fine for a few sheets of ply or some 2x4s up to 8 feet but above that unless you use a trailer hitch bed extender or a bed rack, then it can be sketchy. Really you would be in the same place, just a Tacoma vs. a 4Runner. If you can make the 4Runner work and you like it, I personally wouldn't see a point in changing. For me, when the exact same decision came for me, I was in a Corolla... so with a new house the Tacoma made more sense. As for buying used, well that is always a gamble, sometimes you win, sometimes you break even, and sometimes you regret. I wish you the best of like in your decision.


For what it's worth, I love my MT Tacoma, 59,000kms and zero issues. I find it has plenty of get up and go if you get it into it's sweet spot of RPM's. This is not a 289 with decent low end power or a 428 with earth rotating low end power, you need to wind her up and she will deliver.